Christmas in Paris, London or Rome is a magical season with many wonderful things to celebrate. Glittering decorations light up the city, mulled wine and roasted chestnuts will warm you as you browse the Christmas markets, and Yule log cakes, Christmas puddings or panettone fill the windows of every pastry shop you pass.
But whenever Christmas approaches, two questions always come to mind:
– What can I do for my child?
– Can we do some guided tours or activities together during that particular time of year?
The good news is that there are plenty of things to do with kids in these three cities over Christmas. Read on to find out how to have the best Christmas time with the kids in Paris, London or Rome.
Our favorite experiences during Christmas in Paris and its surroundings
Christmas in Paris and its region is truly magical. Starting from mid-November, Paris, the City of Lights, transforms into a winter landscape: dazzling lights flash, bizarre decorations on department store windows, more than a dozen Christmas markets, ice rinks, and more. You don’t know what to choose, so we made a wish list for you.
winter circus show
In December 1852, the newly crowned Napoleon III opened the Winter Circus. Its sponsor, Louis Dejean, entrusted its construction to Jacques Hittorf, architect of Gare du Nord and Place de la Concorde. In November 1859, Jules Léotard made history by performing the world’s first trapeze show, and the Winter Circus became a world-famous aerial art palace. Every winter, the Winter Circus designs a new show. This is a not-to-be-missed event for people of all ages.
Paris Location: Cirque d’Hiver is located at 110 rue Amelot, 75011 Paris. Experience type: Live performance.
Stroll the corridors of Paris
Wandering through the corridors of Paris, you’ll suddenly feel like you’ve been transported back to the nineteenth century. In fact, these passages were created during this period, when the streets of Paris were dirty and dimly lit. In addition to its dominance in the commercial sector, Paris’s interior passages became the new favorite promenades of the bourgeoisie, with countless cafés, traditional bistros or small theaters where people met and socialized. Today, these passages have become a typical Parisian architectural wonder. Most of them are located in the Grands Boulevards area, from Passage Verdeau to Galerie Colbert. They are like a trip back to the “Beautiful Era”. These places are beautifully decorated for the festival. Our first choice is to visit the Gallerie Vivienne, a must-see.
Paris locations: We recommend you start at Galerie Vivienne, 4 rue des Petits Champs, 75002 Paris. The walk lasts 2 hours.
Vaux le Vicomte decorated with beautiful Christmas decorations
André Le Nôtre, gardener to the King, created groundbreaking expressions at Vaux-le-Vicomte french gardenFrench garden aesthetics that was popular in Europe in the 17th century. The strong lines and nobility of the garden design, the changing views and hidden charms, the symphony of fountains… all this combined with dramatic majesty makes the Château de Vicomte a masterpiece of French formal gardens. Nicolas Fouquet commissioned the most important artists of the time: architect Louis Le Vau, painter Charles Le Brun and landscape architect André Le Notre to execute the entire project. The result of this fraternal union is a work of unparalleled harmony and beauty. Louis XIV later hired the same team to build the Palace of Versailles.
Every Christmas, the Vicomte celebrates the French art de vivre with elaborate stage performances and exquisite decorations. There you will be welcomed by palace staff and your personal professional guide will take you on a 2-hour private tour, along which you can admire the palace’s splendor.
Location: Located 50 kilometers southeast of Paris, the estate is easily accessible by car.
We almost forgot to mention it to you! family twist Treasure Hunt at the Louvre and Highlights of the Musée d’Orsay Tour services are also provided.
Things to do in London during Christmas
Follow in the footsteps of Sherlock Holmes
On this private tour, your guide will tell you stories about Sherlock Holmes that will send shivers down your spine, but are also a great way to learn more about London and its hidden treasures, as well as be mesmerized by the Christmas lights . Your family will have the opportunity to visit the exterior of St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral, built in the twelfth century. To keep the kids engaged and entertained throughout the tour, they will be given a game booklet that is more or less designed to resemble a game like Quest, such as Quest. They must open their eyes and ears to find the murderer!
Location: Meeting point at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Experience type: 2 hours private guided tour.
Borough Market Food Tour
Borough Market is perfectly decorated during the Christmas season and is one of the most famous markets in London. Here a great and passionate group of producers come together to sell their specialty products to London connoisseurs and curious tourists. After meeting your personal gourmet guide, who also happens to be one of the very few carefully selected experts approved by Borough Market, follow her as she takes you to the heart of Borough Market. You’ll learn how the British prepare Christmas meals with the purest respect for tradition, such as Christmas turkey with redcurrant jelly, mince pies, Christmas pudding, and the not-to-be-missed Christmas crackers. Many stops along the way will allow you and your children to sample these local products while taking you on a tour of culinary specialties from around the world. From fresh vegetables and fruit to delicious British cheeses and Indian delicacies, Borough Market has it all.
Location: Meeting point Rabot 1745, a chocolate restaurant in Borough Market. Experience type: 2 hours private guided tour.
Explore the Tower of London
Meet your private Blue Badge guide in front of the Tower of London and get ready for a fun-filled tour as they take you to the highlights of this iconic London monument. The Tower of London has dominated the city’s skyline for more than 900 years. Over the centuries it has been a fortress, a royal palace, a prison, a jewelry store and even a zoo! Other highlights include the Green Tower Monument, the beautiful Royal Church of St. Peter Advincula, the famous Crow and the Master of Crows, the Traitor’s Gate and the “Bloody Tower”. To ensure your children have a great time, our guides will distribute a fun-filled game booklet to each child. From there, you can also enjoy views of the beautifully decorated river banks and Tower Bridge.
Location: Meeting point at the entrance to the Tower of London. Experience type: 2 hours private guided tour.
Don’t forget! family twist British Museum Mystery and Westminster and Buckingham Palace Tours are also available this Christmas.
Our Christmas favorites in Rome
During Christmas, Rome transforms into a wonderland. Streets and squares are decorated with Christmas lights and decorations, shops display their finest window decorations and churches are getting ready for one of the biggest celebrations of the year.
Christmas Food Walking Tour
Enjoy a traditional Italian Christmas meal while admiring Rome’s spectacular light installations on a food walking tour. Enjoy charcuterie, hearty comfort pasta and handmade panettone (an Italian sweet bread and fruit cake) at three selected venues, paired with fine Italian wines. Experience this festive time of year with a local guide who will share with you what a traditional family-style Italian Christmas meal is like.
Where in Rome: Trastevere, Piazza Farnese, Campo de’ Fiori, Piazza Navona. Experience type: 3-hour private walking food tour.
Design your mosaic masterpiece
Let your family experience this wonderful Italian craftsmanship in a truly professional mosaic workshop in the heart of Rome. It all starts with choosing a design or pattern that you like. Once you are ready, just follow the clear instructions of your private teacher, a professional in restoring ancient Roman mosaics and opening her studio especially to your family and learn about ancient mosaics Everything that makes art.
After cutting the tiles, carefully place them on the frame. Observational themes begin to emerge. Once everything is ready, add the final touches and walk out with a beautiful mosaic piece of your own!
Rome location: Meeting point for private studios in Rome. Experience type: 2 hours of private practice.
Escape from Castel Sant’Angelo
Castel Sant’Angelo (Castle Sant’Angelo, if we take the liberty of translating the name of this monument into English) is one of the most iconic monuments in Rome. Originally the tomb of Hadrian, one of ancient Rome’s five most revered emperors, the fortress was built nearly 2,000 years ago and was used by popes, later turned into a prison and later the monument it stands today.
Meet your licensed private guide who will take you to this stunning fortress. Explore Ponte Sant’Angelo and the small inner courtyard. You’ll also hear about the Passetto di Borgo, a small elevated passageway that connects the castle to the Vatican and played a key role in Dan Brown’s Angels and Demons (not open to the public) effect. You will enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of Rome and all its Christmas decorations.
Rome Location: The meeting point is at the entrance to Castel Sant’Angelo. Experience type: 2-hour private guided tour with skip-the-line admission.
The splendor of Villa d’Este
Villa d’Este is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Tivoli, a mountain town on the outskirts of Rome. Its location makes it a perfect visit during Christmas in Rome, as the views of the city are breathtaking.
Meet your licensed private guide and let them introduce you to this beautiful 16th-century villa, once the summer residence of Cardinal d’Este. Take a guided tour inside the villa and hear fascinating stories about its history, architecture, decoration and furnishings. Then, head outside to discover the true beauty of Villa d’Este: its gardens and countless fountains of all shapes and sizes. There’s even a musical fountain!
Location in Rome: Meeting point is at the entrance to Villa d’Este. Experience type: 2-hour private guided tour with skip-the-line admission.
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