Christmas Day at the Trocadero Christmas Market, Paris

The bitter-cold temperatures, -2°C forecasted as "Feels like -8°C," did not deter people from going out this Christmas day, here in Paris. At the Trocadero marchés de noel, couples, families, and many people of all ages came to spend part of their day, here, just as we did.


Smaller in size in comparison to the markets on the avenue des Champs Elysees and at La Defense, we found this market to be charming in more ways than one.


First, there are all these delectable food stalls!

Oh, the aroma of roasted chestnuts filled the air at the entrane to the market.

Hot chocolate, hot wine, baked goodies, and these glazed fruits aroused our appetites for something warm and something sweet.

Irresistible French macarons like salted caramel, orange/chocolate...just to sample a few.

Tempting gaufres (waffles) with whipped creme and a choice of caramel or chocolate syrup

Cupcapes galore!

Nougat, sweet and chewy...an assortment of different sizes and flavors

On this very cold night, onion soup sounded like a great idea, plus flammekueche!

The Christmas market is also suited for family time.

An Ice skating rink for the kids and adults

A mini version of cross-country skiing on a snow-covered hill, for a ride down the snowy banks

Oops...even adults take a tumble!

As for shopping...

Piggy banks are back!...an encouragement to save money in this kind of economy.

A selection of cured hams, foie gras, pâté and cheese of many types

Artisanal products: confiture (fruit jams, marmalades) and syrups

Semi-precious stones could be the answer to personalizing gift choices for dear friends.

We have just about walked through the whole market, gingerly walking over some icy patches.

As we headed home, walking, we were careful not to fall, just taking baby steps on slippery sidewalks and keeping away from black ice. We made it home safely. It's been a nice Christmas day celebration!


We are looking forward to another celebration, this time it's to welcome the new year!

The Day After my Walk in the Parisian Snow

Walking around after a snow fall can be very interesting for me. I see the snow fall as some kind of artist, making a new creation in something old, albeit temporary, in everything it "touches."

I took a walk along the Seine river at about 9:30 a.m., to meet up for a coffee date with a friend. With the sun out in full force, it was a pretty day.


An icy patch, with autumn leaves on the ground now showing...the snow had already melted a bit...and the sun was up and melting it even faster, aided by human traffic...not very pretty the day after, I thought.


On the other side of the Avenue de New York is the Palais de Chaillot...with a set of steps now resurfaced with compacted snow, with shoe imprints of other curious people like me..going up to see the snow's creation on the ground...


and on the concrete sculptures...like this reclining beauty!


Walking on this compacted snow was so much easier than on the icy side walk. I even made a crackling sound for every step I took...thank goodness, it was not my bones, this time.


I made it by the Trocadero...I noticed the little Christmas stalls, still closed; took a mental note to come and visit it this weekend (last year's post: http://msellaneous.blogspot.com/2009/12/christmas-market-at-trocadero-paris.html)...time to make a left to cross the bridge towards the Tour Eiffel.


There are not too many tourists coming here via the Seine river shuttles, at this time of the year.


One of the tower's pylons, now snow-frosted...


and the ground is fully snow covered...but that does not keep the tourists away...there's still a long queue.


I'm almost at my girl friend's place.


A view of the Eiffel Tower behind the bare-branched trees...



and the pond with surroundings now snow-covered all around...the awesome view from her living room...what a sight!

How wonderful that places can change their look during the cold, winter season. Thanks to the beauty of snow...what a creative artist we have in our midst!

















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