November, December and Christmas in Paris

Other than the post about our trip to Reims, I haven't really updated the blog much in the last couple of months so here is a brief summary of what we did in November and December.

Near the end of November we went to one of the best museum's in Paris: Musée d'Orsay. It's housed in an old train station, so it's got a fantastic feel to it, nice and open and quite easy to get around. You don't feel like you are being shepherded through like in other museums. Of course the collection in Musée d'Orsay is phenomenal. We also lucked out with a neat temporary exhibit of Art  Nouveau. Certainly not to be missed on your visit to Paris. Plenty more pictures here: Musée d'Orsay

The following weekend was the Salons des Vins et Vignerons Indépendant (the independant wine producers trade show). We showed up as rookies, of course, and we noticed right away that people where showing up with either rolling carts or carry-on luggage in order to stock up on any good wines they found. Why didn't we think about that? It was free to enter, and free wine tasting at over 1000 exhibitors. Next year we will be there with empty suitcases, and a big list of wines to try, from our new Guide Hachette des Vins that has 10,000 wines listed and reviewed.

When we moved into our apartment in July, it came with a guide book with 7 walks in Paris. We have been meaning to do these for quite a while but simply never got around to it. No time like the present, so off we went on the first walk listed which was just down the street. Many of the things explained in this book won't necessarily be in the regular tour books from TimeOut or Lonely Planet. The walk starts at just in front of Notre Dame and walks you passed St Julien le Pauvre and gives you a great little history of the old small streets, the merchants that have been there for a long time, and even a few little surprises. When you come and visit us, we'll be sure to give you the book and you can explore on your own. Needless to say we'll definitely go through the rest of the book, and then there are other historical books and walks to do, including one taking you to all the places where people were executed! Plenty more pictures here: A Walk In Our Hood

The following weekend Luke, Mel, Ollie and Gabi arrived in Paris. Luke and I went to Queen's together, and he just finished his MBA in Rotterdam, hence our trip to Rotterdam in October (Rotterdam Trip). They had just came back from a week long trip in Italy and were on their way back to Canada so they returned the favour and spent a couple of days with us. We had just put up our Christmas tree so that kept Ollie and Gabi busy for a little bit. Since we didn't have many decorations, Ollie improvised and cutup anything colourful he could find. Our tree looks great. Unfortunately Saturday was really cold in Paris, so we were only out for a few hours, but got a chance to take them to Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower and the Christmas markets on the Champs Elysées. Ollie also developed an addiction to chocolat croissants!

The following day we had brunch with our friends Thierry and Aurélien, then headed out to the grands magasins. Each year the big department stores in Paris decorate the window displays, so we had to go and check it out. We had planned to do this with the kids the day before but it didn't work out. We then took shelter in the warmth of the department stores and people watched while we warmed up.

After les grands magasins I met up with Mack and some others and we hit the Paris-StGermain vs. St Etienne soccer game. This was my first time at a real European level soccer game, but I know that English premier league or the Spanish or Italian leagues are even a notch above. It was awesome nonetheless, and in typical soccer fan fashion the crowd was electric; chanting the entire time and setting off flares. Video & December In Paris Random Shots

No Christmas in Paris would be complete without pictures of the Champs Elysées all lit up. More pictures: Champs Elysées

We spent a fabulous Christmas eve and Christmas Day with Bernard, Josseline, Thierry and Eric Nicolet, long time friends of my mom from when Bernard and my mom were in graduate school in geology together.


To wrap up an adventuresome 2009 we spent New Years eve with some new friends, Maarten and Susan, who live in our apartment building. We cooked an excellent meal, followed by a ringing in of 2010 with Champagne.

Wishing you all and healthy and prosperous 2010! Bonne Année!