Glimpses of a Paris Christmas Future

Sadly I've never spent a Christmas in Paris. It's definitely one of my must dos for future Paris visits. Even though John Baxter tried to dissuade me of the idea several years ago, I do still dream of a Paris Christmas. One of the many wondrous things about Paris is how very seasonal things are there. Which is good and bad of course. Visit Australia in November and you'd likely see many Christmas decorations. I was in Paris in October/November this year, a few short weeks before the Christmas preparations started in earnest. I did have some glimpses into what I would miss.

The gorgeous dome at Galeries Lafayette was without it's famous Christmas tree.

It's still gorgeous though. 

But there were early traces. I do always enjoy picking up some new Christmas decorations on my travels. 

A Nutcracker came home from the Palais Garnier.

But I did manage to resist the charms of
Madame de Pompadour

Gorgeous pink baubles filled the windows of the
 giftshop at the Palais Garnier. 

Touristy delights at Galeries Lafayette

Classy displays at Villeroy & Boch

BHV had a whole section devoted to decorations
You can be sure that a silver Tour Eiffel now
adorns my Australian tree

And it seems nothing says Paris Christmas
more than a Cockatoo
I was very tempted, only suitcase logistics saved me

Or Mermen Santas
We did stay in the Marais after all...

Naturally they have classier advent calendars in Paris.

Chocolats Mussy

One of these made it's way to Australia for Master Wicker
Completely impractical as a souvenir requiring transportation to Australia,
 but a sign of maternal determination.
Lovely white, milk, caramel and dark chocolate selection from
Frederic Cassell of Fontainbleu
which I visited last year with Parisbreakfasts
that day lives on in my memory
but sadly remains unblogged

Our visit to the magnificent Salon du Chocolat (a mere fraction of which was blogged here and here) also allowed more glimpses of the Christmas delights to come.

A glimpse of the buche de Noel to come from
Jean Paul Hevin
still one of my very favourite Parisian chocolatiers

Frederic Cassell's Napoleonic feves for your
gallete des rois

Christmas candles

Gorgeous Christmas baking pans

Somehow I was able to resist the 3kg tubs of Nutella, even though they were adorned with cute reindeer at BHV. I fell hard for BHV this trip, I will have to show you more of it later.

An impromptu visit to the Baccarat store in the 16th offered many delights. 

I can't wait for my real Paris Christmas one year. 

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