Life Between the Pages

My blog posts are free to access, and articles are categorized like a bookstore! From architecture and art, to food and history, travel and video tours, you’ll find a treasure trove to connect you with me, Paris, and my travels in France.

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Autumn 2025

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A Cozy, Family-Friendly Christmas Market at Paris City Hall

A Cozy, Family-Friendly Christmas Market at Paris City Hall

Discover the family-friendly Christmas Market at Paris City Hall, set among sparkling fir trees, festive chalets, and a beautiful Belle Epoque carousel. With warm treats, children’s activities, and a stunning nightly light show on Hôtel de Ville, this cozy holiday village captures Parisian winter magic.

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A Dazzling Christmas Glow at Galeries Lafayette, Paris

A Dazzling Christmas Glow at Galeries Lafayette, Paris

Step inside Galeries Lafayette for a stunning look at the 2023 Christmas tree and its full light show beneath the iconic Parisian dome. This wide-angle tour captures the magic, colors, and festive traditions that make the department store one of the most enchanting holiday destinations in Paris.

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A Magical Christmas Feast at the Marché de Noël in the Tuileries Garden

A Magical Christmas Feast at the Marché de Noël in the Tuileries Garden

Wander through the Jardin des Tuileries Christmas market, nestled before the Louvre, in this festive food tour. From raclette and oysters to hot chocolate and artisan gifts, the market glows with lights, music, and holiday cheer - a Parisian winter dream.

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A Snowy Christmas Escape at BHV Marais - Watch the Window Magic

A Snowy Christmas Escape at BHV Marais - Watch the Window Magic

It’s a quiet evening in Paris, and the department store windows of Le BHV Marais come alive with stories of winter magic. The Christmas windows are designed around a winter visit to the Swiss Alps, with each scene shimmering in delicate whites and silvery greys, capturing the charm of a snowy alpine holiday.

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Christmas in Paris 2025 Dates & Locations

Christmas in Paris 2025 Dates & Locations

Celebrate Christmas in Paris with curated itineraries for Bon Marché and Galeries Lafayette. Indulge in festive shopping, gourmet treats, iconic window displays, concerts, and winter strolls through the City of Light, all while experiencing the magic and elegance of a Parisian holiday.

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Part Four, Best Strasbourg Hotels: Elegant Stays & Seasonal Tips for Alsace

Part Four, Best Strasbourg Hotels: Elegant Stays & Seasonal Tips for Alsace

Strasbourg offers refined stays for every season, from modern pop-art retreats to riverside five-star elegance. With thoughtful tips for spring rains, summer heat, autumn nights, and winter’s chill, this guide helps you choose the perfect base for exploring Alsace with comfort and quiet sophistication.

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Part Three, Colmar Day Trip Guide: A Refined Alsace Itinerary from Strasbourg

Part Three, Colmar Day Trip Guide: A Refined Alsace Itinerary from Strasbourg

A Colmar day trip offers a gentle escape into Alsace’s storybook charm. With an easy train ride, elegant dining, and nearby villages like Kaysersberg and Riquewihr, the region invites slow exploration. Whether in summer’s warmth or winter’s sparkling markets, Colmar remains a timeless French retreat.

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Part Two, Best Strasbourg Restaurants: An Elegant Guide to Alsatian Cuisine

Part Two, Best Strasbourg Restaurants: An Elegant Guide to Alsatian Cuisine

Strasbourg’s culinary scene blends Alsatian heritage with refined French artistry. From rustic winstubs to celebrated pâtisseries, each stop offers a taste of the region’s soul. This curated guide reveals the city’s finest restaurants, unforgettable cheeses, and beloved bakeries worth crossing town for.

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Part One, Colmar & Strasbourg: A Winter Guide to Alsace’s Christmas Markets

Part One, Colmar & Strasbourg: A Winter Guide to Alsace’s Christmas Markets

Colmar’s winding festival streets and Strasbourg’s storied Christkindelsmärik offer an unforgettable winter pilgrimage. From half-timbered charm to historic squares aglow with light, Alsace reveals its magic at every turn. A serene, snow-kissed guide to France’s most enchanting Christmas towns.

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Christmas in Strasbourg & Colmar: A Winter Journey Through Alsace

Christmas in Strasbourg & Colmar: A Winter Journey Through Alsace

Strasbourg and Colmar offered a rare, quiet enchantment during a winter shaped by calculated risks. From glowing Christmas markets to timeless Alsatian streets, this journey revealed the tender magic of the season soft, present, and full of wonder. A poetic escape into France’s holiday spirit.

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Cuisine & Hosting : Warm Winter Recipes
Cooking and Food, Paris restaurants, Winter, Video Shannon Pratuch Cooking and Food, Paris restaurants, Winter, Video Shannon Pratuch

Cuisine & Hosting : Warm Winter Recipes

Raclette, the beloved winter dish of melted cheese, traces its roots to Switzerland before becoming a French Alpine tradition. Today, it thrives in Paris with new-wave spots like MonBleu and timeless havens such as Cloche à Fromage. Discover where to savor this cozy culinary ritual in the City of Light.

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Winter in France

Winter in France

Discover the magic of winter in France with destinations beyond Paris. From Chamonix’s vibrant winter events to Lyon’s Festival of Lights, the French Pyrenees’ scenic hikes, Saint-Malo’s dramatic coast, and Reims’ Champagne delights—these escapes offer culture, adventure, and breathtaking landscapes.

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Molly Wilkinson's Alsatian Spice Cookies

Molly Wilkinson's Alsatian Spice Cookies

Celebrate winter with the warmth of Alsatian spice cookies and vin chaud, two French classics that embody holiday joy. From the fragrant blend of cinnamon, cloves, and ginger to the comforting mulled wine simmered with citrus and spices, these recipes bring Parisian tradition and elegance to your seasonal table.

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Let It Glow

Let It Glow

Warm up in Paris this winter at six of the city’s most enchanting spots with fireplaces. From Auberge du Bonheur’s chalet vibe to Le Coupe Chou’s historic charm, discover cozy interiors, traditional French cuisine, and the best vin chaud around town.

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Virtual Tour, Christmas at a Chateau

Virtual Tour, Christmas at a Chateau

Step into Vaux-le-Vicomte this Christmas for a festive journey through history. Experience Molière’s 17th-century world, immersive gardens, theatrical projections, gourmet treats by the fire, horse-drawn carriages, and enchanting holiday decorations for all ages.

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Roam : Strasbourg

Roam : Strasbourg

Explore Strasbourg and Colmar during the magical winter season. From the largest Christmas tree in Europe to charming Alsacian villages, discover festive markets, cozy cafes, and scenic streets perfect for a serene yet enchanting French holiday.

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Travel Guides

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