Stylish outings to trust during the Christmas holidays

© Raphaël Chêne et Carrousel Vuitton

Yippee, the holidays have finally arrived! How about making the most of this well-deserved break by indulging in unique outings and original activities? On the agenda: dethrone Cyril Lignac by making your own chocolate marshmallows, channel your inner Hermès artisan with creative workshops, marvel at the most iconic Broadway musical, relive childhood memories with your Navigo pass, savor ultra-comforting food in a fairytale setting at Ora Farmhouse, craft your bespoke perfume at Molinard, or skate under the Grand Palais dome. Boredom is not an option!

Let’s all collectively embrace our singular obsession during the holidays: feasting. Nestled in the heart of the Buttes Chaumont park in a chic urban farmhouse adorned with enchanting decorations, Ora Farmhouse and its Guinguette offer a drool-worthy menu. Mulled wine, hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows, endless crêpes, a sublime apple tatin with a cookie base (€12), and other wildly nostalgic treats crowd the menu. The pièce de résistance: the Christmas brunch served on the morning of December 25th (€38). The menu is 100% veggie, of course (the concept’s signature): Christmas karaage (mushrooms, squash, carrots), granola, pancakes, croissants with stracciatella and arugula, cinnamon financiers, and orange-basilade...

The festivities don’t stop there, as this new temple of cool is also hosting an incredible New Year’s Eve party. On the program: a menu at €89 (roasted butternut medallion, smashed potatoes with truffle chantilly, foie gras with mulled wine caramel, black pavlova…) accompanied by a glass of Moet & Chandon champagne, all enjoyed to the gentle sounds of their live musician. Don’t forget to head up to their karaoke space and showcase your skills singing Céline or Gaga in the attic of the house.

ORA Farmhouse, 63 rue Manin, Paris 19th.
© Raphaël Chêne

We’ve found the chicest (and yet free!) activity to try during this Christmas holiday! Head to the Hermès boutique on rue Saint-Honoré, where creative workshops are being offered for the festive season. In this elegant setting, you’ll recycle pieces of leather, silk squares, or colorful string scraps and transform them into adorable scented mini Christmas trees, Advent wreaths with metal frames and silk leaves, or beautifully decorated baubles, garlands, and greeting cards!

Guided by one of the creators from Petit H (Hermès’ line of products crafted from recycled materials), you’ll cut, assemble, and choose all the elements to make your decoration truly unique. Too cute: don’t miss the miniature train where you can pick up Hermès accessories and capture the moment with a photo.

Hermès Workshops, 24 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris 8th, on the first floor behind the high jewelry section at the back of the boutique.
Until early January, free, no reservation required. Workshops vary daily. It’s recommended to arrive no later than 30 minutes before the boutique closes.

The iconic Dolly, on a journey since 1964, is back in Paris. Originally brought to life by Carole Channing and later played on screen by the legendary Barbra Streisand alongside Gene Kelly, the character is now portrayed by musical theater icon Caroline O’Connor. The audience follows Dolly, a 19th-century matchmaker, as she tries to find a bride for her client Horace—only to fall in love with him herself and sabotage the very meetings she arranges!

With its timeless hits performed by legends like Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald, exuberant dance numbers, and flamboyant, over-the-top costumes, Hello, Dolly! is the most spectacular and breathtaking musical of the season. Dolly embodies the sparkling joie de vivre of 1960s America, but she’s also a trailblazing girlboss, a symbol of the girl power that inspires women of her era. A sumptuous show (in English with subtitles!) that’s sure to make you smile—and might even inspire you to take singing lessons. Don’t miss it!

Hello, Dolly! at Lido2, 116 bis avenue des Champs-Élysées, Paris 8th.
© Hello, Dolly!

You can’t miss it. At the ultra-chic Place Vendôme, Louis Vuitton unveils its extraordinary Carrousel to celebrate the holiday season, inspired by the iconic stand from the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle. This enchanting merry-go-round showcases colorful animal wonders—greyhound, giraffe, gazelle, snail, ostrich, leopard, and zebra. Surrounded by Monogram shooting stars, they transport children and adults alike into a truly magical world. Place Vendôme, Paris 1st, until January 1, 2025. Monday to Friday and holidays from 12 PM to 7 PM, weekends from 10 AM to 8 PM. Free entry.

To keep the festive magic alive, visit Paris’ largest outdoor skating rink (450m²!) at Parc André Citroën. Patins en Folie promises a delightful experience with a gourmet village and stunning Christmas decorations. Skating lessons are available for beginners, while evenings transform into music and light-filled celebrations. Parc André Citroën, Paris 15th. Until March 2, 2025. Entry: €11. Skate rental: €3.

Finish this nostalgic journey with family at the Mon Ours en Peluche exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, where you’ll uncover the true story of teddy bears. From the first Teddy Bear designs to their modern incarnations (hello, Care Bears and Winnie the Pooh!), these beloved plush toys have quite a history. Children can even play in a dedicated room and cuddle the giant Gobelins bears that adorn the terraces of the museum’s neighborhood.

Musée des Arts Décoratifs, 107 rue de Rivoli, Paris 1st. Until June 22, 2025. Entry: €15.

© Carrousel Vuitton - Patins en Folie - Mon Ours en Peluche

For an enchanting experience, head to the Grand Palais, which has finally reopened its doors to the public. The new exhibition, The Soul Trembles, showcases the captivating work of Japanese contemporary artist Chiharu Shiota, offering a profound journey into the depths of the soul. Her immersive installations, created with kilometers of red or black threads intertwined with objects like suitcases and mirrors, are breathtaking. Highlight: the room covered in red threads suspended from the ceiling and intertwined with iron boats, making it feel like you’re walking in an alternate world.

While at the Grand Palais, why not channel your inner skating royalty? The world’s largest indoor pop-up skating rink is back, inviting you to glide (or tumble gracefully) under the restored glass roof of the Beaux-Arts palace! Even better: by night, the rink transforms into an ice dancefloor with DJ sets and light projections. Lace up your skates!

The Soul Trembles, Chiharu Shiota, Grand Palais, Paris 8th. Until March 19, 2025. Entry: €14.
Le Grand Palais des Glaces, Grand Palais, Paris 8th. Until January 8, 2025. From €25, prices available online.

© Simon Lerat

Calling all sweet tooths: welcome to the most delightful and nostalgic workshop of the season! Here, you’ll play budding Willy Wonkas alongside Manon, the fairy of adorably irresistible marshmallow bears. In a parent-child duo, you’ll create these charming little treats together.

You’ll learn it all: molding chocolate shells, preparing ultra-fluffy marshmallow, and even crafting crispy or gooey centers. From piping and assembling to finishing touches, Manon shares all her secrets for creating edible works of art. You’ll leave with your handcrafted chocolate masterpieces, beautifully wrapped. The challenge? Making it home without taking a bite!

Marshmallow Bear Workshop with Manon, 1h15 / €49 per person. 15 Rue Richard Lenoir, Paris 11th. Reservation online.

When the sun sets and visitors start to leave, something magical begins to unfold at the Château de Versailles. Prepare for an enchanting evening featuring dancers, musicians, magicians, fencers, and actors who take you on a whimsical journey to meet none other than a rather baroque Santa Claus!

Immersed in the grandeur of Versailles, you’ll wander through the Gabriel Staircase for a fencing demonstration, visit the Salon d’Hercule and the Salle du Sacre for a captivating concert, and head to the Hall of Mirrors where dancers from the Royal Opera, accompanied by musicians, perform a costumed spectacle. The evening concludes in the Gallery of Battles, where you’ll greet Santa Claus and witness a magnificent fireworks display. A truly dreamlike evening!

The highlight? From December 21 to January 5, the château’s historical galleries dedicated to the French Revolution will reopen. Located above the Queen’s grand apartment, these grandiose rooms, arranged under Louis-Philippe, feature an extraordinary collection retracing the period from 1789 to the dawn of the Consulate.

Christmas Spectacle at the Château de Versailles, Place d'Armes, 78000 Versailles. From Saturday, December 14, 2024, to Saturday, January 4, 2025, starting at 6 PM. Duration: 1h10. Tickets from €32 to €42, reservations online.
© Pascal Le Mée and Agathe Poupeney

A few years after opening its first Parisian boutique in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the Molinard house has unveiled a second location on the chic rue Saint-Honoré. This stunning boutique, adorned in signature violet tones, invites you to explore Molinard’s unique universe, which has thrived for five generations in Grasse, the world’s perfume capital.

Why did we love it? The workshops to create your custom perfume, held in a newly opened vaulted stone cellar. There, two round tables decorated with dozens of perfume essence bottles await budding perfumers. You’ll learn the formula for the perfect scent: two top notes, three heart notes, and four base notes. The hardest part? Choosing from the dozens of fragrances available. You’ll leave with a bespoke perfume bottle tailored to your style, with its composition carefully stored for easy reordering. Isn’t crafting your own fragrance the ultimate act of self-care?

Molinard, 270 rue Saint-Honoré, Paris 1st. Workshops: 45 minutes, €50. Reservation online.

© Molinard

Feeling a bit like Angélique, Marquise of the Angels, or Sissi? Head to the Bois de Boulogne, the gardens of the Château de Versailles, or the Parc de Saint-Cloud for an exclusive horseback riding experience with the Horse in the City collective. These private rides, perfect for beginners, offer a royal escape.

You’ll meet in a small group at the starting point for coffee and croissants before embarking on a ride through 28 km of equestrian trails, trotting, galloping, and letting your hair flow in the wind. The adventure concludes with a convivial aperitif among fellow riders.

2-hour ride, all-inclusive: €290 per person. For details and reservations, visit horseinthecity.fr or call +33 6 84 33 05 58.

Also discover where to find festive delicacies like caviar and foie gras, and an adorable snowman meringue recipe!