Best Things to Do in December in Paris

Don't be fooled by the name, this building has nothing to do with the stock market, and everything to do with art. In fact, it's Paris' newest Contemporary Art Museum, albeit with a collection entirely privately owned. Whose the owner of the private collection you might ask? Well, it's the Pinault family, as the name implies. And while the name might not be as well-known as others, you certainly have heard of Balenciaga, Puma and Gucci, right? Yes, those are just some of their brands, which they own under the Kering umbrella. So, like the Fondation Louis Vuitton which opened here in Paris several years back, this is an historical public building, now renovated exquisitely, and consecrated fully to the appreciation of works of art. What's more, it is just next to the Eglise Saint-Eustache and Les Halles, so more convenient and accessible it really couldn't be!

This famous tea room and pastry shop is most well-known for its Mont-blancs and its scrumptiously thick hot chocolate. A montblanc is a fine meringue enrobed in cream and candied chestnut frosting and combined with a serving of their hot chocolate is enough sugar and sweets to catapult your heart to the moon and back. The location of Angelina's main cafe across from the Tuileries makes it an easy stop-in after the Louvre or a stroll through the beautiful gardens. Several of the department stores have Angelina outposts now so if you forget to pick up your souvenir jar of hot chocolate starter, not to worry. The real fun part though is the charm of sitting in the main room and enjoying your decadence of sugar overload. The counter-display of pastries can also be bought for take-away to enjoy at your hotel or across the street in the Tuileries.

A museum dedicated to the history of Paris, from its beginnings to the present, is the Carnavalet. With exhibits highlighting Paris from Neolithic times to the present day, this museum has a broad historical range. It was first opened in 1880 and is housed in two 16th and 17th c. mansions, the spectacular "Carnavalet" and "Pelletier de Saint-Fargeau" mansions, which have been restored to period authenticity. A variety of collections includes memorabilia from the French Revolution, Gallo-Roman archaeological treasures, paintings, sculpture and rare furniture. A recent exhibit was all about the wardrobe of one of the first female French fashion designers. Major exhibitions and dynamic programming is part of this museum's personality today. Its Marais location sets you right in the middle of one of Paris's most charming and most historical quarters.

Generally speaking, when one thinks of the Pantheon here in Paris, it brings to mind the entombed great men, and now even a few women, who grace France's history books. And now Josephine Baker is included as one of these illustrious women. She also breaks new ground as being the first American-born person to be honored with this distinction. Originally built in the 18th c. as a sanctuary for the patron saint of Paris, Ste. Genevieve, the monument today is open to visitors and offers free guided tours (in French) several times a day. Classical architecture modeled on the Pantheon in Rome distinguishes this stately structure, which features both a dramatic portico and a colonnaded dome. Although "pantheon" originally referred to a temple for all gods, this building serves as the final resting place for some of France's most prestigious citizens, including Victor Hugo, Marie and Pierre Curie, Voltaire, and Emile Zola. METRO: Cardinal Lemoine

This classic sightseeing cruise offers a relaxed and enchanting way to take in the many beautiful and historical monuments that can be seen from the Seine River. It's a great way to sightsee for sore feet. And its boarding location, just near the Eiffel Tower and also on the Left Bank, couldn't be more convenient. This is also one of the only river cruise boat companies that offers special tours and guided commentary - Cruise Mysteries of Paris - for children. There are two special programs on offer for kids, one for the 3-6 year olds and another for the 6-11 year olds. To make the most of your day, you can show your ticket from this excursion at the entrance of the Paris Aquarium (Aquarium de Paris - Cin—aqua) which then gets you and your children a 20% discount on entry fee (under 3 get in for free).

Today this city library specializes in collections of art books and books having to do with art. But back in its day (16th & 17th c.) it housed Queen Marguerite of Valois, once married to King Henri IV but whose marriage was anulled, and Nostradamus (1503 - 1566), respectively. According to historical records, Nostradamus issued forth his prescient predictions from his bedroom upstairs. This monument was first built under the orders of Tristan de Salazar between 1475 and 1519. The building itself is known as the Hotel de Sens, but the library now housed inside it, is called Bibliotheque Forney. Be sure to appreciate the stairwell that leads up to the library entranceway. It dates to the middle ages and has been perfectly restored and preserved. There are continuous art shows held here, in the gallery on the inside of the courtyard. They are free and open to all ages.

The Avenue des Champs-Elysees is the "most beautiful Avenue in the world," especially during the holidays. That is when the avenue is lit up spectacularly with festive, holiday lighting. It gives meaning to Paris' nickname, 'The City of Light.' The 'Champs' is a destination shopping district year-round and has become something of an outdoor mall, albeit stretched from the Rond Point des Champs-Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe. But at this time of year it becomes something that much more magical, glamorous and special. Window shop or do your holiday gift buying here, but remember to budget in some time to stop along the way for hot, spiced mulled wine, snacks at world-famous pastry shops and cafés or, for the grown-ups, a flute of champagne to really kick things off right during holiday season.

This little jewelry shop lights up the street just behind Place des Vosges like a star atop a Christmas Tree! As you walk by, the first impulse is to think that it must be a confectioner's shop. Well, you wouldn't be far off the mark to think that. Because what woman (and man, for that matter) doesn't find jewels to be the best confectionary treat of all, especially during the holidays. To heighten the senses, the festive display windows of the shop are always adorned by movie stars of the glamourous era, as in Princess Grace and James Dean. Music plays softly from discreetly embedded speakers as you enter the shop. Likely, you will find the jeweler, M. Sylvain himself, bent over his worktable getting another fine bijou to hang, twist or fit just right. Take note though, the shop is only open after 3:15pm in the afternoon.

This is Dinner And A Show in that bygone era sense of the phrase. With only one performance scheduled per night, the seating starts at 8pm and the show runs until 11pm. In addition to the feathered, costumed and bejewelled gorgeous cabaret dancers you also have flying trapeze artists and comedians. And then there's the juggler who, while riding a unicycle onstage, catches three champagne flutes on a tray balanced on his nose. I'm not kidding. This is still a family-run house and the cabaret is still staged in the original building designed by Gustave Eiffel, which has now been made a cultural heritage site. Dinner here is also quality, with steak or fish main course and a bottle of wine or bubbly left at your table. The pacing is quick-tempo and the three hours fly by as fast as you can say Welcome to the cabaret, my friend !

This year there are free Christmas holiday decoration workshops for the kids at the Montmartre Christmas Market, the 'Marche de Noel Montmartre.' The Place des Abesses, where the market is this year, is at the foot of the Sacre Coeur, just a stone's throw from the Place du Tertre. Everything up here in this historical village of Montmartre is close by. It is like a protected enclave, several centuries removed from anything too modern. While the kids are crafting their decorations, this is a perfect time to duck around to the vendor-booth next door for a cup of mulled warm wine or perhaps a hot, cheesy pretzel. There will be time enough for the holiday shopping together and here you will have your pick of both traditional and modern French artisanal crafted goods. And, if you can't make it to Montmartre, you can always do the Notre Dame Christmas Market.