First time

I am traveling to Paris the first week of December with my very active 67 yr old mother. I have never been to Europe and the thought of going to Paris for 10 days in December is very exciting. I have read and read and read TA to the point that I think I am almost getting confused with all the information. I would love some help to sort it out ... pretty please.

First, we have decided to book at Hotel de College du France in the Latin Quarter. We are going to book here because of the location, cleanliness of the rooms, price and the overall reviews posted on TA. Is it really as great as all the posts?

Second, we would love to be able to attend some type of Christmas concerts. Any ideas?? Christmas is my favorite time of year and I am very much looking forward to the magic of the season in Paris. I know it will be cool in Paris but we are Canadian - it will feel like spring to us.

Lastly, we would love to spend one night outside of Paris. Somewhere off the tourist track . Perhaps a small town with quaint shops, markets etc and get a taste of day to day life in France. Any ideas? We are very open to splurging on a hotel for one night as needless to say we will be saving quite a bit staying at the Hotel de College du France.

Thank you in advance for any input.

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Depending on the timing of your visit, there will be special Christmas concert performances in the upper chapel of Sainte-Chapelle. There will also be special concerts and performances at Motre Dame, Église Saint Julian le Pauvre, Église Saint Sèverin and many other churches and venues throughout Paris. It%26#39;s much too early for most Christmas concert performance schedules to be posted...but continue to check and research--

http://www.archetspf.asso.fr/

http://www.ampconcerts.com/

http://www.cathedraledeparis.com/

http://www.saint-severin.com/

And when you arrive in Paris, pick up a copy of PARISCOPE magazine at just about any nesstand for whats on offer, where during your visit.

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I have not been to the otel itself, but I cannot remember anybody complaining seriously about it. You can trust the reviews - even if some hotel owners would try to %26quot;fake%26quot; a review or two, 99% of them are from real guests.

Area is great, your will love that.

As for towns outside Paris, how about the medieval town Provins

http://www.provins.net/

You can go there by train from Paris.

Or if you want something really special you should go out to Mont Saint Michel by the coast - I have been there once in 1995 and I was stunned. We didn%26#39;t stay for the night, but I have wanted to ever since. There is no place in the world like that, it is truly %26quot;the wonder of the west%26quot;.

http://www.ot-montsaintmichel.com/accueil.htm

I am sure there are tourcompanies that arrange tours including one night.

Then there is always Chartres, also a medieval town with the famous cathedral, considered to by the finest gothic church still existing (together with Basilique St. Denis, north of Paris). Chartres is also within a 2 hours reach with train from Paris.

www.chartres-tourisme.com/pages/fr/index.php

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Wow, thanks a lot. Those are great ideas and what a bonus with the websites. I am about to check them out.

Would still love to hear from anyone who has stayed in the Hotel (I%26#39;m not sure why but I guess just cause I%26#39;m so new to all of this).

Thanks!

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Thank you Gittek for the ideas. Although they look like great places we are looking for something more alongs the lines of a small, quaint town to putter around in. Somewhere without guided tours and streets lined with tourists.

Any other ideas anyone?

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