What’s more to love than Paris at Christmas? We were very fortunate to return to this magnificent city for a jam-packed 24 hours, arriving in time to witness the unveiling of the winter season.
Rightly named as the city of love, Paris makes for the ideal destination for a weekend away during the colder months. Whether you’re planning a trip in the lead-up to the big day, or searching for the perfect experience gift for a loved one, we have an idyllic itinerary for you. We checked into Hôtel Dame Des Arts, a design-led, four-star hotel that exudes elegance and timeless Parisian touches. Crafted by Paris-based designer Raphael Navot, the hotel opened in 2023 in a former 1950s theatre school. Blending inspirations from the historic local art scene with bespoke furniture and finishing touches, the hotel feels like the epitome of French allure. Located minutes away from Notre Dame, Hôtel Dame Des Arts is situated in the heart of the city’s coolest neighbourhood, making it a great base for exploring the city’s best spots.
We stayed in a Signature Room, perfectly designed for a chic and comfortable stay with courtyard views, a cosy bed, and gorgeously scented bathroom amenities. The hotel offers a collection of rooms and suites from £229 per night, from the Classic Room to the impressive Penthouse Suite, with a double balcony and skyline views of the Eiffel Tower.
But you don’t need to be the penthouse guest to enjoy the hotel’s 360-degree views of the city. In my opinion, and apparently many others who shared the same reaction, the Rooftop on the 9th floor offers the best view of Paris. Open all year round to guests, the Rooftop also provides a bar during the summer months. We went up just in time for sunset and witnessed the most beautiful scene as the Eiffel Tower lit up for its first hourly display of the evening, glistening over all the other iconic landmarks on the horizon.
Downstairs, beyond the hotel lobby, lies Pimpan and the courtyard garden. Serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and a signature cocktail menu, Pimpan offers a seasonal take on French cuisine, led by Chef Clément Courtemanche. During the winter months, Pimpan hosts a daily Reading Hour, a chance for guests and locals to unwind, tuck into a book, and enjoy a warming drink like Chocolat Chaud by Hugo or the Un Croissant S’il Vous Plait, a blended cocktail of bourbon, coffee, and croissant. At night, local musicians take over with a series of live piano, jazz and soul performances.
What made the stay excellent for our winter retreat was access to the hotel’s in-house sauna. We spent half an hour unwinding in the privately booked out sauna, after a session in the Fitness Studio which is open to guests 24 hours a day. Feeling rejuvenated, we explored the city and stumbled across local Christmas markets, adding to the magic of the trip. We recommend checking out the smaller festive locations, such as the Marché de Noël Notre-Dame at Square Viviani or the Saint-Germain-des-Prés market, which offer unique artisanal gifts.
Another ideal spot for a true Parisian gift is Officine Universelle Buly. Renowned for its distinctive customer journey which transports you back in time, the store offers a tailored gift wrapping of every product in iconic packaging and a calligraphed note. The flagship store is also located in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where you can witness elements of the brand’s 200-year-old history, browse the famous hairbrushes and experience the perfumery – note to plan ahead as the queue to enter the store can be rather long!
We spent the evening dipping into Paris’ best live music spots, including the intimate Sunset Sunside jazz club, before cosying up with a glass of wine and the sounds of the piano back at Pimpan. We woke up to a glorious breakfast offering with fresh fruit, handmade cakes, breads and juices, then made our way back to the train station to catch the Eurostar, just a short Metro ride away.
