This is my first real weekend in Paris, so I couldn't think of a better way to spend this Saturday than strapping my only pair of comfortable shoes and taking a walk around the new neighborhood. The Eiffel Tower is about a twenty minute walk, and the Arc de Triomphe another twenty. So this happened... In addition to taking in the classic sights of the city, one of my main goals for the weekend was to visit a few Christmas markets. I first came across the good old European Christmas market in Edinburgh when I was a student at St. Andrews over ten years ago, and fell in love. Basically, you get bundled up in your best winter coat, hat, and scarf, and walk around an alpine-inspired "village" and shop for local Christmas goodies. What's not to love? And because I'm basically all-in when it comes to Christmas markets, I went straight to the biggest one in Paris at la Défense, which has over 350 vendors. I didn't do a whole lot of shopping of the traditional kind, but I did encounter a fantastic new way to eat a ham sandwich - called a "Sandwich Raclette." Of course taken with a hot cup of mulled wine. It turns out that Raclette is a type of Swiss cheese that is often served by melting the surface with a hot iron and scraping it off - in this case, directly onto my sandwich and spreading around. It's a bit like sandwich fondue, and it was fantastic. I rounded out my Christmas market day with a quick trip to the Saint-Germain-des-Prés Christmas market, which is dwarfed in size to the one at la Défense, but is completely absolved of any sins of size by simply being in St-Germain. And there was also this: Apparently, Père Noël got an iPhone this year as an early Christmas gift and can't be bothered to mingle with the kiddos.
4 Comments
12/7/2013 09:57:09 am
Awesome. I am remembering my first visit there, actually 16 years ago tomorrow! I had just turned 18. I cannot wait to visit again :)
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Kelsey
12/7/2013 10:41:38 am
I cannot wait for you to visit again soon, too! Maybe next year for your birthday (or earlier)?!?!?!
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Neha
12/7/2013 06:21:23 pm
I totally want that sandwich. NOW, please. Glad you're out enjoying the city. Looks so fun!
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Art Hogge
12/15/2013 09:28:51 am
Looking forward to hearing all of your adventures!! So happy for you guys. It is going to be amazing.
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December 2016
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