There are more places to go for a walk to see and enjoy the holiday ambiance in the City of Lights, Paris.
Rue Faubourg de St. Honoré used to be the shopping mecca for name brand boutiques until Avenue Montaigne became the chi-chi place to shop for luxury goods. Saint Honoré, as it is popularly called is now a street lined with fashion boutiques - with up-and-coming designers, as well as, the long-established iconic French couturiers, specialty stores, art galleries, salon de thé, and cafés, bistros, and restaurants.
There are other shops on the side streets that are worth visiting as well, like the Pierre Hermés patisserie on rue Rambeau, and other specialty shops on rue Royale.
This fashionable street is narrow, not like the wide Avenue les Champs Elysées nor Avenue Montaigne. It is still a favorite among tourists for shopping, or simply to window-shop.
On this same street is le Palais de l'Élysées (palace) - the official residence of the president of France; and the residences of the ambassadors to France of the United States, Canada, United Kingdom.
During the holiday season, this street is second to the Champs Élysées in its lighting designs. Almost store after store, the facades and the street are decorated and brightly lit with mini bulbs - with some that twinkle, or running lights that create movement, in curtain, swag and random designs.
Here is what has been put up this season on the Saint Honoré and the side streets.
On rue Saint Honoré, heading to Place de Madeleine
Place Vendome, on rue de la Paix - an elegant courtyard
of high-end jewelry stores,
and where the Ritz Hotel is located.
At the intersection of rue Saint Honoré and rue Royale
Heading to a side street to go to La Village Royale
Entrance to Le Village Royale, on Cité Berryer
Courtyard of La Village Royale, exit/entrance on rue Royale -
with additional fashion and home stores, and restaurants.
This is the view from the steps of Eglise de Madeleine - on rue Royale, through Place de la Concorde, with the Assemblé Nationale on the opposite side.
More hotels, restaurants and some luxury-good stores have joined in decorating for the holidays.
On Avenue George V
George V Four Seasons Hotel
Prince de Galles Hotel
Bvlgari (Luxury Jewelry store)
Arije - Haute Joaillerie - Haute Horlogerie
(high-end jewelry and watches)
Restaurants at the intersection of
rue Clement Marot and rue Marbeuf
Zen Garden
Back on the Avenue Champs des Élysées
Publicis Building - a light show on the facade,
with ever-changing colors and patterns.
Fouquet Hotel and Restaurant
Changing light colors from white, gradually, to red
Ladurée - fabricant de douce (sweets shop)
Tiffany
This is the most bling-bling of them all!
Champs Élysées rond point (round about),
where the Christmas market begins
The beauty of these holiday lights all point to the forthcoming celebration of Christmas, as we await the Light of the World -
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” NIV John 8:12
Enjoy the walk around Paris. It is so magical at this time of the year!
