At Hotel de Crillon on place de la Concorde, © Philippine Cruse

I am taking the opportunity of Christmas to let you know that Parisdiary is now on Instagram at @parisdiarybylaure. Don’t hesitate to let all your best friends know about it. Paris has been hit by the strikes but Theaters and the Champs Elysées are swarmed by people who want to have a good time. And two castles near Paris are celebrating the holidays in grand style, Chantilly and Vaux le Vicomte. So if you are here do not hesitate to get out of Paris and visit the countryside…

At château de Vaux le Vicomte, you have the Christmas tree AND the decor !

Every year the prettiest Christmas tree in Paris seems to be that of Hôtel de Crillon on place de la Concorde. But there is also the most glamorous Christmas celebration at château de Vaux le Vicomte where every room is decorated especially until January 5 (closed on Christmas day and January 1). The façade is illuminated and you can live a fairy tale with your children…

At home, a wild Douglas pine decorated by Gerald and Sebastian Shea

At home we went and cut a reasonably tall tree in the forest and decorated it. And my friend Antonella Berardi chose a live Italian tree with its roots in a pot in Fiesole, which will be replanted after Christmas. This of course is very green! In Italy, candles are real and the whole Christmas is celebrated with the fear of the tree catching fire!

A live tree with its roots and real candles in Fiesole, Italy, photo Antonella Berardi

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and many more Tuesday mornings with Parisdiary.