Dec 21

Dec 21 Joyeuses Fêtes

Before leaving for Paris, everyone told me how stunning it would be here around the holidays. I can confirm, friends. Shops, restaurants and national monuments are decked out with festive decorations. Everyone piles into cafes and still sits outside despite the dropping temperatures (thank you, heaters). Though the office is slowly emptying, there’s still an energy in the city as everyone races to finish their shopping, see family and hang with friends.

This all comes together at the Parisian Christmas markets. Popping up across the city, these markets magically combine my favorite things. Hot mulled wine, artisan shopping, cheese, and the holiday spirit, all with a French backdrop – does it get better?

The first market I checked out in Montmartre wrapped around a carousel in one of the city’s most charming neighborhoods. Deirdre, a high school best friend** in town for a conference explored with me. The first stop was hot wine so we could figure out a plan of attack for the rest. Poured into plastic cups, this vin chaud was around 3 euros and featured crappy wine warmed up. Nothing more, nothing less. Still put us in the holiday spirit, though!

Naturally, we went straight to the cheese and had two options. Both were a cheese potato combo. Again, more of my favorite things.

Option one was a potato gratin with different cheeses available. Here’s photo evidence of these beauties:

Option two (and what we inevitably went with) was the tartiflette maison. A pan the size of a small human cooked potatoes, cheese, ham, cream, salt and pepper for hours. The potatoes absorbed the cheese making this a light little dish. No calories, I’m sure.

Other stalls featured hunks of cheese (can’t get enough), nougat, and roasting nuts as well as jewelry, carved wooden goods, ornaments and children’s games. A local musician played the guitar while we shopped.

From there, we wandered through the charming streets of Montmartre and stumbled upon even more cafes alight with the holiday spirit. Successful trip.

Market two was equally charming and small, but had the distinct upper hand of being directly in front of Notre Dame. I had no idea this would be the view when I arrived.

I suppose the same could be said of the city overall though. Every corner has some new sight that surprises its unsuspecting viewer. Those moments are how I hope to fill my 2018. Wishing you many beautiful surprises as well.