Christmas in London and Paris

Jason, Lucas and I were very lucky to enjoy a trip to London, England and Paris, France just before Christmas.  This was a very special trip because it was Lucas' first to Europe and we had been planning it for quite a while.  It would have been perfect if only Sophie had been able to be there too.

A little Christmas for you....

Covent Garden

Everything was done up for Christmas and I just loved that.  It reminded me of when we lived in England so many years ago.

Christmas Carols every night in Trafalgar Square

 

We found a number of traditional Christmas markets and they were amazing to wander through.  The Southbank Christmas Market was near Big Ben and the London Eye on the Thames.  It was gorgeous to walk along the river with the sights and smells of the market.  Chestnuts roasting, mulled wine, it was so much fun to experience.  We had a dinner in one of the little restaurants and I ordered my favourite from my childhood, Welsh rarebit.  Yum.

Before we knew it we were on our way to Paris.  We took the Chunnel and Lucas thought it was great.  He didn't realize that we were already in Paris when we arrived, it was pretty cute seeing him figure it out.

Christmas markets were everywhere in Paris as well, the boys were very patient as we strolled through them. The french cheeses and chocolates, dried fruits, nougat and macaroons were just beautiful the way they were displayed.

As we walked along near Notre Dame we came across this beautiful Creche, it was in the street in front of a restaurant that has been in business since 1594.  Seven hundred years, it was magical to see.

There were two storey carousels all over Paris and Lucas decided he wanted to try one out our first night.  It was a bit slower than he anticipated but it was still fun for him.  They played the most beautiful french songs, I could have listened all night.

Everywhere you turned there were little touches of Christmas.  I loved this cupcake tree!

 

 

 

We saw so many different traditional french foods, drinks and gifts, it was amazing, even if it did rain pretty much every day!  Walking along the Champs Elysees with the trees all lit up, the carousels in the distance, it really felt like Christmas in Paris.

Time flew by and it was time for me to head home to spend a few days with Sophie, just us girls, before Jason and Lucas came home in time for Christmas a few days later.  Lucas was very excited when he saw it was a white Christmas on the morning of the 25th.