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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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Among the forthcoming events programmed at the Palais des Congrès de Paris, come and enjoy the famous Ballet Igor Moisseiev, who is celebrating his 75th birthday.

With a festive air of ‘all the Russias’, this show will let you discover the unimaginable diversity of folklore from these lands.

Already acclaimed by many audiences, the troupe’s hundred artists, dancers and musicians will take you on a journey through Moldavia, the Ukraine, the Caucasus, Belarus… This superb show comprises 14 ballets in astounding costumes.

Ballet Igor Moïsseïev :

• From December 20, 2011 to January 1, 2012
• Palais des Congrès de Paris : 2 Place de la Porte Maillot – 75017 Paris
• Tuesday to Saturday at 20:00 – Sunday at 15:30
• Further information: here.

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Across a collection of a thousand toys over the ages, this Parisian museum gives you the opportunity to dive into the world of childhood while also providing an insightful view of the development of human culture.

This original exhibition entitled Of Toys and Men is staged by the Grand Palais in Paris and jointly organised with the Helsinki Art Museum, who will host it as from February 2012. It brings together 1000 unique items, including some dating back to antiquity. The toys on display as part of this retrospective curated with the support of the Decorative Arts Museum in Paris, come from prestigious European museums as well as private collections and are organised around different themes including the world of animals, the media age along with sections for girls’ toys and boys’ toys.

As they wander through the exhibition, visitors will find themselves thinking about the role of toys in our lives, but also on the way these objects, so inseparable from childhood, have evolved over time, a mix of conforming to stereotype and true breaks with tradition.

While it asks both social and cultural questions, this exhibition is also full of magical, fun moments thanks to its stunning design. Teddy bears, dolls, robots and trains sit side by side the many visuals together with 15 original interactive installations created by the video artist Peirrick Sorin.

Fancy rediscovering your childhood? Well, here’s your chance to… play!

Of Toys and Men:

• Galeries Nationales du Grand Palais, Paris
• 14 September 2011 – 23 January 2012
• Further Information : Of Toys and Men
• Open every day (except Tuesdays) from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., late night on Wednesdays until 10 p.m. – Anticipated opening at 9 a.m. instead of 10 p.m. during All Saints and Christmas school holidays.

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