Celebrate The Winter Holidays In Fun And Different Ways

First they teach you the ABC's of French wine and how to do a proper wine tasting. They focus on 3 of the major French wine regions at a time. The wines selected come from any of these famous French wine regions: Bordeaux, Burgundy, Alsace, Loire, Provence, Languedoc or Champagne. Next, they teach you how to read a French wine label - how to sound like a pro when ordering French wine at a restaurant here in Paris, France or anywhere in the world. Then, they take you out to a favorite wine and small plates bar. Here you get to try out your new wine pairing skills straight away. Order a small plate of something delicious and then choose the wine you'd like to pair with it. Groups up to 10 people are welcome!

One of Paris' main draws is its timeless devotion to fashion. The city certainly has carved out a place for itself on the throne of world fashion centers. And it has done so largely thanks to its designers and its reverence for the decorative arts. This museum, dedicated to all things decorative, whether that be interior design, textiles, furniture or fashion, puts the spotlight on outstanding creative talent and collections. For example, during the summer of 2017 the exhibiton was devoted to Christian Dior's collections mainly from the 50s and early 60s. The museum is located just next to the Louvre at the beginning of the Tulieries. It covers over 6OOO square meters of exhibition space and houses more than 6000 objects of historical and decorative value. The most popular time to visit is in the afternoon after lunch, so if you don't want to wait in line or be rubbing shoulders with big crowds, it's probably best to go at off hours. The exhibits change every few months so check the website to see what you will be able to take in while there.

For women who seek a luxury hair care experience, renowned colorist Christophe Robin offers his expertise at his bespoke salon in the ultra-trendy Montorgueil district. His motto is "free your hair," and the likes of Catherine Deneuve, Tilda Swinton, Kylie Minogue and Kristin Scott Thomas have all decided to do so, with him. Christophe Robin = pampering. Dedicated to the use of natural products, his complete and creative product line is silicone free, paraben free and use no colorants either. For example, his Regenerating Hair Finish Lotion with Hibiscus Vinegar, when applied to the scalp, helps dissolve sebum and chemical residues, which allows the scalp to breathe, making hair light and airy. Says superstar haircare expert and colorist, Christophe Robin, "In a personal drive towards better health and well-being, I created this line of hair and body care." The full range is available in his boutique and shop online, too!

If your kids love seeing life-sized polar bears, horned rams and white tigers, then this is going to be the outing highlight of their Parisian days. Housed in a beautiful Marais building, the 17th c. Hotel Guenegaud by Mansart, just at the start of the very chic and charming Upper Marais, this museum of hunting and nature is three floors full of spectacular taxidermied zoological specimens. A collection of centuries' old oil paintings and other precious art objects all depicting the hunting culture of France over the last centuries as well as depicting the relationship between humans and animals since antiquity. This is a private museum that gives visitors a glimpse of wild animals in their natural habitat. It also features rotating temporary exhibits alongside its permanent collections and these can be enjoyed Tuesday through Sunday with late nights on Wednesdays.

Let's face it, as much as we all love to indulge, there are times when too much pumpkin pie and ginger-spiced hot lattes can catch up with you and contribute to that feeling of rundown holiday haze. So this holiday season you can come to your own (and your family's/ loved ones') rescue by placing a simple order for Pure Delight daily delivery at their Printemps department store restaurant. Because I'm here to tell you, detoxing delightfully is where it's at this holiday season. Anywhere you are in the city, they'll deliver your freshly prepared super healthy and balanced meals and cold pressed juices to your door. Just type in your address on your order form, hotel or apartment, and Voila, the next day just as you're coming in from your morning jog, there it is, your days' fresh provisions waiting for you. This Pure Delight team recently joined up with the celebrated French chef, Thierry Marx (2 Michelin stars) to prepare the light menu fare. And now they even have an eat-in/take-away restaurant in the basement level of Printemps Department Store's Beauty boutique. So spin yourself around a bit this season and avoid the holiday feelings of stress and overstrain. These healthy juices and fresh foods, all delightfully tasty, will detox your mind and spirit and make you ready for the new year.

One of the best routines to keep when you're traveling is your exercise and fitness regime. Why? Because it is just the antidote to the stress of traveling. However, that is often easier said than done! These days, Paris has a flourishing yoga community and one of the newest yoga studios is now right in the heart of St. Germain des Pres, less than a minute walk from the metro station and the church, Eglise St. Germain. The entrance is that to a normal-looking apartment building on this stately street, and once you enter the courtyard, there is little more than a small sign at the far end of the courtyard to indicate that here is a yoga studio. But continue and go through the doors and you will find 3 large yoga studios, heated and well-lit. There are even towels for rent on site and changing rooms with lockers.

This is Paris' spanking new, bright and shiny mega auditorium, sports arena and concert hall. So glorious is it that THE Rolling Stones played the inaugural concert on opening day in late October 2017. Located just past La Defense it's accessible via the Metro line 1, RER A and soon there will even be a TGV (fast train) stop there. The arena cost 353 million Euros to build and holds up to 40K spectators. It will be used as much for sporting events as it will be for musical concerts. It will be a nice draw for the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games that were just awarded to Paris. Starting December 2017 it will be the home of the Rugby club, Racing 92, a Top 14 ranked rugby team from Ile de France.

This marketplace located in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris in pretty Marais is a great place to wander around and expand your Parisian palate. Boasting stands that offer everything from cheese to meats to pastries to chocolate, you'll find French delicacies on every corner. This marketplace also has international cuisine, so be sure to try the popular Moroccan food available. In addition to the food, you can find impressive selections of wine and bright and fragrant flowers. Some tables are available where you can sit and enjoy your food while taking in the hustle and bustle of Paris' oldest food market - it originated in 1615. But it was first an orphanage founded by Marguerite de Navarre in 1534. Since 1912 it has been the property of the City of Paris and since 1982 it has been classified as an historic monument.

Looking to see the City of Lights in a new light? Let Larry Davis be your go-to guide for experiencing Paris in luxurious new ways. Like how, you ask? Ride in a vintage limo as you take in the sites along the Seine, from the Eiffel Tower, up through Trocadero and down along the Champs-Elysees. What about a horse and carriage or a private yacht hire? These are just some of the things that Larry's company, Experience Paris, specializes in. It caters to those who have good taste and who want to create lasting good memories while they are in Paris. It's the perfect service to call when you want to pop the question or celebrate a special occasion. His company can also arrange day excursions that can take you to nearby destinations and get you back to your hotel by supper time.