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Until January 15 2012, the Cirque Phénix pays tribute to the Chinese heroine in a show full of amazement and wonder. Under the huge big top set up on the Pelouse de Reuilly in Paris, the stars of the Beijing Circus will transform the Legend of Mulan into an extraordinary circus event.

For its now traditional winter date with the Parisian public, the Cirque Phénix has decided to pay tribute to the young Hua Mulan, who, as her country was being invaded by the Huns in the year 316 – disguised herself as a man to take the place of her father, who had been called to fight.

It’s the story of this courageous and very modern women which the talented stars of the Beijing Circus tell over almost 2 hours.

Jugglers, tightrope walkers, foot jugglers and acrobats, the ring will see a hundred artists take their turn: while their spectacular performances will inspire admiration, the beauty of the production and the 300 costumes needed, ensure that the evening will be full of enchantment and magic.

High in colours, light and music, this show, never before seen in France, promises to be an unforgettable evening for both young and old.

The Legend of Mulan, until 15 January 2012

• Cirque Phénix, Pelouse de Reuilly – Paris 12ème
• Metro : line 8, Porte Dorée or Porte de Charenton stations
• Further information and booking: Cirque Phénix

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The Hotel Britannique will enthrall you with its exceptional location in the heart of Paris, only a pace away from the Seine on the Avenue Victoria, in a beautiful building dating back to 1860, surrounded by theatres and cabarets, shops and oh so Parisian bistros…

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To celebrate Christmas a special programme has been organised for the general public until 2 February, combining celebrations, mangers, vigils and concerts.

Unmissable services for all the faithful, the messes are at the heart of the Notre Dame’s programme for this Christmas.

On 24 and 25 December, there will be many celebrations under the cathedral’s nave: international mess, Christmas vigil, Midnight mass, evensong… contemplation and prayers will blend with the musical emotions produced in turn by the great organs and the choirs. Several musical events will be organised. Concerts, recitals, choir singing, enhanced by the exceptional setting, promise music lovers some wonderful moments of enchantment.

The cathedral’s manger, like the Christmas tree on the forecourt, will both be in place until 2 February, inviting visitors to contemplate or even meditate.

From Masses to concerts, with the choirs breaking out into song, just as with the silent communions, Christmas will be religious.

Notre-Dame’s Christmas programme in Paris, until 2 February 2012:

• Further information :
  • Notre-Dame de Paris
• Notre-Dame de Paris : 6 parvis Notre-Dame – Place Jean Paul II – Paris 4ème
• Access :
  • Metro :
    • Line 4, Cité or Saint-Michel Stations
    • Lines 1 and 11, Hôtel de Ville Station
    • Line 10, Maubert-Mutualité or Cluny La Sorbonne Stations
    • Lines 7, 11 and 14, Châtelet Station
  • RER: Lines B and C, Saint Michel – Notre-Dame Station

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Local specialities, snowshoe trail and small wooden chalets: until 2 January, the Trocadero has been transformed into a true Christmas village giving Paris the appearance of a ski resort.

This is the 3rd year of Trocadero on Ice and it’s the ideal occasion to enjoy the charm of mountain life… in the heart of the 16the arrondissement of Paris!

The event, full of fun activities and delicious food, provides an express return trip to one of the most beautiful French mountain regions.

The Eiffel Tower has replaced the Mont Blanc, the paths of the Trocadero have become snowy paths and a large igloo stands in for a mountain hut for visitors suffering frozen limbs: The stage is set.

The Iron Lady seems to watch benevolently over this pretty Alpine scene, where the winter sports enthusiasts can come and enjoy a 200m long snowshoe trail, dedicated to mountain animals and a 400m skating rink where they can glide to the music.

The rest will find their happiness in the village chalets, a celebration of craftsmanship and tasty regional specialities.

Trocadero on Ice :

• Until 2 January 2012
• Allées du Trocadéro, Tour Eiffel – Paris
• Metro: lines 6 et 9, Trocadero, Passy, Iéna and Bir Hakeim stations
• RER C: Champ de Mars – Tour Eiffel station
• Further informations: www.trocadero-on-ice.fr

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Together with a large Christmas market which brings together craftsmen and food producers, many events have been organised to the delight of both young and old alike.

Just a few steps away from the famous boutiques, the Avenue des Champs-Elysées has taken on a very special atmosphere: at the centre of Christmas trees and chalets, the hectic pace of the city suddenly seems far away.

Visitors amble with pleasure past market stalls, being tempted as much by the talent of the craftsmen displaying their creations as the flavours of the regional products available to taste and buy.

And since they look forward to Christmas and the festive season more than anyone else, children will also be the centre of attention! The exhibition Age Magic created especially for them, presents environmental issues in a playful and amusing way, with animated stuffed toys.

Finally, young and old can have fun on the ice trail, built for the very first time, as well as the nearby Big Wheel, for a unhindered view of all Paris.

Champs Elysées Christmas Village :

• Until 2 January 2012, 10:00 – 23:00, Sunday to Thursday, and 10:00 – 24:00 on Friday and Saturday
• Metro :
  • lines 1, 8 et 12 Concorde Station
  • lines 1 et 13 Champs-Elysées Clémenceau Station.

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Presented for the first time in Europe, the exhibition of 130 masterpieces The Forbidden City at the Louvre – Emperors of China and Kings of France, on show at the Louvre Museum in Paris, will shed light on the relations that existed between the two countries from the 13th to 18th centuries.

The visitor will discover the portraits of the different emperors who ruled China during the period. The medieval moat of the Parisian museum houses an impressive scale model of the Forbidden City, capturing its full splendour.

The throne of the Emperor Qianlong, like his furniture in red wood, are on display in the Richelieu room, which has been transformed for the occasion into a true Treasure house!

During the exhibition, visitors can admire scores of objects on loan from China, which have never been seen before, including vases, jade objects, lacquer ware, calligraphy and ceremonial costumes.

The exhibition also examines the mutual admiration which marked the exchanges. For example, while we can see a portrait of the Emperor Yongzheng wearing a Louis XIV wig, one can also measure the level to which this oriental culture and art fascinated women, who from Mme de Pompadour to Marie-Antoinette, all clamoured to possess its creations.

Seeing these exceptional Chinese objects in the perspective of the works of the Louvre, helps transform this magnificent exhibition in a fascinating journey encompassing history, art and culture.

Louvre Museum :

The Forbidden City in the Louvre – Emperors of China and Kings of France

• Until January 9, 2012
• Open every day except Tuesday – From 9 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. (9:45 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays).
• Access: Metro lines 1 or 7, Palais-Royal/Musée du Louvre station
• Further information

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Along a walkway of almost 3,500m², visitors can watch more than 500 species interact in 40 pools organised along different themes. Whether they are dealing with biodiversity, the Seine, or even the Mediterranean, these environments full of discoveries and wonder, promise some curious meetings!

After the excitement of the spectacular shark tunnel with its twenty tenants, comes the gentleness of the touch pool which fills children with awe at being able to touch the fish.

The Aquarium de Paris also has 4 cinema screens and organises many interactive activities, films, practical and cultural workshops for children aged 3 – 12 years, they can even organise birthday parties!

Renewed each month, the programme at this attraction notably includes screenings of documentaries and cartoons, themed exhibitions and many shows which, between stunt pirates and slap stick puppet shows, has plenty to amuse both young and old.

Aquarium de Paris :

• 5 Avenue Albert de Mun  75116 Paris
• Metro: lines 6 and 9, Trocadéro station – line 9, Iéna station
• Entry in the Trocadero gardens
• Open every day of the year (except July 14) from 10:00 to 19:00, cashiers closed at 18:00.
• Further information: Aquarium de Paris

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If you come to Paris, visiting the Eiffel Tower is a must! This beautiful iron lady is the most visited monument of our great capital, and you will experience a special moment.

Designed for the Universal Exhibition of 1889, it was built in two years by Gustave Eiffel who managed then a real architectural and technical performance as never before engineers had tackled such constraints of height and elevator loads. The Eiffel Tower was the highest building in the world until 1929, when the Chrysler Building in New York topped it at 319 metres.

Throughout his rise, you will have a direct view of the impressive architecture of the tower.

If you have enough energy, instead of using the elevators, you can climb the metallic stairs that lead to the first and second levels, respectively 345 steps and 359 more… Only the elevators can reach the top.

You can visit the tower regardless of the weather, however, we advise you to do it on a clear and unobstructed day. You will have amazing views over Paris and its surroundings. The Arc de Triomphe, the Invalides, the Pantheon, Montmartre … you will definitely not be disappointed. On sunny days, you will also see the surroundings of Paris over 60 km.

So that this moment becomes even more festive and unforgettable at the top of the tower , you could taste a glass of champagne at the Champagne counter open every afternoon from noon.

At each level, you can discover the history of the Eiffel Tower. Various exhibitions will present its construction. At the top you can view the restored office of Gustave Eiffel.

Another way to enjoy the Eiffel Tower is to see it illuminated every night until 1am. It twinkle of thousands of lights during the first 5 minutes of each hour, while its lighthouse shines on Paris.

The Eiffel Tower, did you know…

At the beginning the Eiffel Tower was meant to last 20 years. Eiffel knew that the Tower’s service to science alone could extend its life span. Therefore he spelled out the uses he had in mind: meteorological and astronomical observation, a strategic observation post, a communications base for signalling, etc. In fact from 1889 onward, the Eiffel Tower was used as a laboratory for scientific measurements and experiments. Much scientific equipment was installed. From experience to experience, Eiffel succeeded in saving the tower by promoting the first radio transmissions and telecommunications. The Eiffel Tower is still a transmitter for television and radio programs.

La Tour Eiffel – Practical Information

The Eiffel Tower can be visited every day of the year:

• From 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. from 29 August to 16 June,
• From 9 a.m. to midnight from 17 June to 28 August.

You can buy your tickets directly at the foot of the tower, but you can also save time by buying them online.

Access:

• Metro: Line 6, Station Bir-Hakeim or Line 9, Station Trocadéro
• RER : Line C, Station Champs de Mars-Tour Eiffel

Further information: Tour Eiffel

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At the heart of a fertile region, Pompeii was a flourishing commercial city, close to Naples. It was devastated and totally buried under volcanic ash during the eruption of Vesuvius in AD79. The first archaeological excavations began on the site in 1748, revealing the incredible richness of the site.

With its new exhibition entitled Pompéi un art de vivre (Pompeii, a luxurious lifestyle), the Musée Maillol lets us explore the refined lifestyle of the people of Pompeii, by visiting a faithful reconstructed domus pompeiana.

Pompeii was a place where wealthy Romans liked to live.

Their homes were little palaces richly decorated. Statues sculpted in marble, beautiful coloured mosaics, magnificent frescos… Art was present in all its forms.

Including an atrium with gardens and fountain, a triclinium, a culina, a balneum and a venereum, the typical domus pompeiana (Pompeii house) was equipped with an astonishingly modern infrastructure including an underground heating system, running water in every room, as well as connections to the centralised sewerage system.

Works from Pompeii and other sites of Vesuvius are on show at this beautiful exhibition. You can visit it until February 12, 2012 at the Musée Maillol in Paris.

Musée Maillol :

• 59/61, rue de Grenelle – 75007 Paris
• Opening hours:
  • Open 10.30am–7.30pm,
  • Friday night opening to 9.30 pm,
• Open every day (except 25 December and 1 January)
• Further information: Pompéi, un art de vivre

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