Christmas in Paris with the grandchildren

IF you are fortunate enough to spend the Christmas holidays in beautiful Paris with your children and/or grandchildren, here are some very special places to enjoy.

Window Displays
The Paris Christmas window displays will be visible in Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, Bon Marche and Rive Gauche department stores to name a few.

Christmas Market
This year the Parisian Christmas Market will be held on the Champs Elysee, in La Defense, Trocadero, Saint-Sulpice and Saint-Germain des Pres among other venues. Enjoy holiday food, beautiful lights, and buy holiday gifts at stalls along the way.

Horse Exhibition
From November 30 thought December 8 you can attend the Horse Exhibition at Paris Nord Villepinte, and watch the Arabian Horse Championships, driving presentations and jumping competitions.

Africolor Music Fest
This concert series began in 1989. It features over 25 concerts from November 16 through December 8 and offer music as a means to social change. Venues all over the city and in some Parisian suburbs. Artists are both local and international.

Ice Skating
Who would pass up the chance to ice skate on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower building? A perfect Christmas adventure.

Circuses
Cirque d’Hiver Bouglione, which first opened in 1852, is famous for its acrobats, trapezists and its tigers and horses. Owned and operated by the same family for seven decades, this circus has a proud tradition.

Cirque Pinder: This circus runs from November 8 through January 8.
Theatre Equestre Zingaro: This equestrian circus is operated in a large wooden barn. Guests are part of the performance the moment they enter the doors.

Disneyland Paris
Just 32 km from Paris you’ll find Disneyland. Built in 1988 the Disneyland traditions are alive and well here. Package deals for the theme park are available at www.expedia.com, www.travelchoice.com or www.eurostar.com.

Parks
There are many beautiful parks in Paris, but for children you can’t beat the Cite des Sciences which is over 35 acres, complete with playground equipment for children aged 3-11. On the same grounds you’ll find a high-tech museum and The Geode which is a large globe housing an IMAX 3D theatre.

Chocolate Fair
From November 30 through December 3r is the Chocolate Fair held in the Porte de Versaille Expo Center. Demonstrations on chocolate making, cultural displays, and the parade of chocolate dresses highlight this event.

Magic
The Musee de la Magie offers magic tricks, collections of antique magic items, magic shows for the children, interactive games and more. 11 Rue Saint-Paul.

Zoos
The Parc Zoologique de Paris is open Monday – Saturday from 9:00a.m.– 6:00p.m.

Menagerie du Jardin des Plantes is open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Institut Oceanographique is famous for its displays of tropical fish and other sea life.