If you go:
| Visitor info for the heart of Paris: |
| InterContinental Paris Le Grand Hotel |
| paris.intercontinental.com |
| +33-1-40073232 |
As the days grow shorter, the City of Light has more time to shine. Winter visits to Paris offer unexpected pleasures from designer Christmas tree displays to free concerts outside some of the world’s most beautiful buildings. Amusing feats of fashion are a new hallmark of the InterContinental Paris Le Grand Hotel. At the heart of Paris facing the magnificent Opera Garnier, the Napoleon-era hotel opened in 1862 and recently was restored to Second Empire splendor, from its 470 guestrooms to illustrated ceilings (look for the smoking and drinking cherubim) to the gilded, mirrored, Greek sculpture-studded ballroom that hosts soirees and fashion shows.
The lobby-level Cafe de la Paix continues as a Parisian favorite for gourmet cuisine and people-watching no matter what the weather thanks to its glass-encased sidewalk cafe. Holiday enchantments include the Sunday brunch Christmas tree decorated with authentic pastel-hued French macarons ready to pick off and pop in your mouth. The cafe also serves limited-edition “Fashion Pastries” created by top fashion designers. Hotel communications manager Philippe Brunet says the latest fashion, “Love Knot,” was designed by Zuhair Murad, whose dresses are worn by Beyonce. Shaped like a gift box, it’s actually wrapped with dark chocolate ribbons.
Through Jan. 3, the hotel’s winter garden displays 30 “Fashion Christmas Trees” created and curated by visionary designers.
As the sun sets and the clouds float by, softly hued lights come on, illuminating magnificent landmarks such as the Opera house, says Paris guide Regis Doumbe. Can’t catch a show? You can still view ethereal ballet costumes, collectibles and architecture from within the Opera’s boutique. Several times weekly, street performers turn the Opera steps into a free outdoor concert hall.
Recently, adults clustered and children danced as Les Plaies Mobiles played French standards and pop tunes such as Pink’s “Get This Party Started” on tuba, trombone, marching drums and other instruments. “We’re medical students,” says Tigran, a member of the “fanfare” — French for raucous band. “The police let us play about an hour.”
Yassine Kraiem, who leads behind-the-scenes Eiffel Tower tours, shares this locals’ secret: Through January, you can ice-skate on the Tower’s first observation deck. And every night, you can watch its 20,000 flashbulbs glitter five minutes on the hour — proving Paris truly is the City of Lights.
