The Village de Noël on the Trocadéro in Paris is similar to a lot of Christmas markets around Europe -- except it includes a view of the Eiffel Tower. The market is one of several in Paris. (John Taylor/Stars and Stripes)
The Village de Noël on the Trocadéro in Paris is similar to a lot of Christmas markets around Europe -- except it includes a view of the Eiffel Tower. The market is one of several in Paris. (John Taylor/Stars and Stripes)
The Village de Noël on the Trocadéro in Paris is heavy on food, including a variety of pastries. It also has its version of warm wine as well as hot chocolate made from a traditional recipe. (Chris Taylor/Special to Stars and Stripes)
This stand at the Noël on the Trocadéro in Paris specializes in Belgian chocolate. The market features items from several European countries. (Chris Taylor/Special to Stars and Stripes)
Every doll, including Santa Claus, at this stall had a brown, black or yellow face -- good for shoppers looking for something different. The stalls at the Christmas market on the Trocadéro in Paris featured food and gifts from around Europe. (Chris Taylor/Special to Stars and Stripes)
Forget bratwurst and Brötchen. At the Village de Noël on the Trocadéro in Paris, you can get slices of duck breast with a foe gras spread served on a sliced baguette. (Chris Taylor/Special to Stars and Stripes)
What is a Christmas market in Paris like?
Think of a traditional German market with rows of stalls selling decorations and small gifts, sizzling bratwurst, potato pancakes and Glühwein in front of the town hall or village church.
Replace that with clusters of little “chalets” selling decorations and small gifts, duck breast on baguette, fresh pastries, rich hot chocolate and a view of the Eiffel Tower.
That is what we experienced last year at one of several markets in the French capital.
The market was on the Trocadero, the open area directly across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower. It was called the Village Nöel Européen, and in addition to the above differences it included products and daily entertainment from more than 20 European countries.
As a result, the items for sale were a little different. They included more food than we are accustomed to (but then, this is France) and different types of crafts and clothing. Among the countries represented were Austria, Poland, Slovakia, Greece, Bulgaria, Estonia, Italy, Cyprus, Slovenia and Sweden. The day we were there, a group of dancers from Gdansk was showing what real “Pole dancing” is.
The market is open this year Dec. 9-29.
Other Christmas markets are scattered around the city, including one at the foot of the illuminated Champs-Elysées. There are at least 10 markets, including one in Disneyland Paris. To find out more, see http://goparis.about.com/od/shopping/a/parischristmasmarkets.htm
