Paris Christmas Lights

 The lights of the Eiffel Tower are famous

in Paris, but according to the local Parisians that

we met at church yesterday, and who offered to give

us a tour of the Paris City lights at night, she had

never seen the Eiffel Tower, where she couldn't

see the top of it.  She felt really badly, but we thought

it was beautiful and perfect in the mist.

We checked into a hotel we had stayed at a few years

ago when we had traveled here and then on to Italy

to take some cooking classes.  It is the Westin Vendome,

just across the street from the Tuilleries.

It is so elegant and beautiful (and we were able to get it

on miles again!!)  This is one amazing hotel.  I told

hubby that this hotel was perfect for my taste!

Windows across Paris are gorgeous at Christmas time,

and right across the street from us is a Laduree shop.

Their windows, like everyone's around the city,

are gorgeous.

 The top trees are chocolate medallions painted with

gold.  Hubby sent a picture home and told the kids that

Mom would be wanting to do a gold chocolate tree next.

He sure knows me!

Printemps, one of the major stores in Paris is celebrating

150 years and has beautiful animated windows.

You can circle the store and see all of their animated

windows.

Each is animated and sponsored by a different designer.

Of course, one must go into Galeries Lafayette to

see their fabulous tree display under the stained glass

dome.  Pictures can't really show this.  It is stunning and

huge.

The ornaments on the giant tree are huge and in white, silver,

gold and black.  Lights and huge ornaments also hang from

the ceiling.  They offer a music and light show at noon, 4:00 and

a few later shows.

The dome is fabulous any time of year with its ornate

balconies surrounding it, floor after floor, but

at Christmas time, it is exceptionally spectacular.

The Galeries' windows are filled with Star Wars

with the opening of the new film this week.

And I have to hop back to Disneyland Paris to show you

our "Dark Vader Burger" and "Yoda Cupcake".

Both were delicious.  The burger had a black bun and had

arugula instead of lettuce and round cheese.  The Yoda Cupcake

ended up being a flourless cake with a green mousse on top - much

more exciting than just a cupcake.

What about these enormous Christmas trees in

the Place Vendome, just up the street from us.  

Our lobby is filled with gorgeous metallic gold.

This fresh tree has been encrusted with big, crunchy,

gold flocking.  

Wow, this is a fabulous tree.

At the end of the Tuilleries, towards the Champs Elysees,

there is a huge ferris wheel that gives spectacular views

of Paris at night.  Tonight was the first night that the

sky was clear and beautiful.

Moving up the Champs Elysees, the Christmas marts fill

both sides of the street with food stalls and gift stalls.

The smells are wonderful and the lights are beautiful.  

We visited the Christmas marts in the day too

and they are filled with a funky collection 

of new and vintage Christmas decor.

Our tour guide was disappointed with the night lights of

Paris, as she said that usually every street is lit up.  She 

felt like there were tons fewer lights this year.  She wondered if

it was because of the global warming conference was currently

taking place in Paris, where one stress is to use less electricity.

Despite her disappointment at what her beautiful city had

to offer, as in the way of Christmas lights, we thought it was

beautiful, and it was so fun to be taken by private car

all around the city with this wonderful couple as they

showed up their City of Lights at Christmas time.

As a foodie, my favorite shopping has to be at Galeries LaFayette Gourmand,

the food section of Galeries LaFayette.  But we couldn't find it.

Finally we asked and they have moved it across the street.

Now it composes five floor, three food, one plates, glassware

and pans and the top floor with linens.  This is food heaven.

Last time we were in Paris, they had shrunk it from previous

years, and now they have expanded it and it is beyond divine!

Drool,

And drool some more!

Yes, everything tastes as good as it looks.

There are cheese shops, bread shops, chocolate shops,

pastry shops, spice and candy shops, and also small

restaurants where you can get freshly made food.

There is also a whole floor of fresh vegetables and

fruits and gourmet groceries.

These are traditional Buche de Noels, which are everywhere.  

The variety is endless, and very creative, although they are pricey - around 100 euro.  I love this last one wrapped in gold

butterflies.

This wonderful macaron was for breakfast.

We indulged in the gorgeous eclairs below - 

L-R Vanilla with Golden Candied Pecans, Raspberry, Pistachio,

and a Passion Fruit Chocolate.  All gorgeous and all delicious.

We hate to leave the food and lights and grandeur of Paris, but we are off to Germany for more Christmas fun.