For most of us, I’m sure, ice-skating holds a kind of mystical, childish delight; after all, what can be more magical than rivers, lakes, and ponds becoming so frozen that one can strap a couple of slivers of metal to our feet, and glide as gracefully over the resultant winter ice as the swans do upon the water in the summer?
Those of us who grew up on a staple diet of European folk tales, of the Brothers Grimm, of Hans Christian Andersen, of CS Lewis – and even the Nativity – understand that despite the cold, winter is nevertheless a time of wonderment, of transformation, and of pure enchantment. What better way then, to succumb to the allure of winter’s charms, than indulging in steaming cups of hot chocolate, creamy, sweet chestnuts served straight from a brazier into a paper bag… and taking to the ice to live, if only for a short while, a little part of that fairytale magic for ourselves.
This month, the City of Light transforms itself – at least in part – into the City of Ice, with temporary rinks opening up across the center. If you’re planning to be in Paris during this month, through to March next year, wrap up warm, and enjoy this amazing winter wonderland.
Admission to the ice-skating rinks is free, although if you don’t have any of your own, you will have to pay around five euros ($6) to hire a pair of skates. Also, if you elect to go to the Eiffel Tower rink, then don’t forget that although there is no charge for admittance to the rink, should you wish to ascend the Iron Lady, you will have to pay an entrance fee.
Here’s a quick run-down of ice-skating locations in central Paris this winter:
Where: Hotel de Ville (City Hall)
When: December 19th to March 1st
Métro: Hotel de Ville
Where: Santa’s Village, Avenue des Champs-Elysées
When: Now until January 7th 2015
Métro: Charles de Gaulle Etoile, Franklin D. Roosevelt
Where: Place de la Trocadero (also includes a snow park with sledding and skiing)
When: December 13th to January 7th
Métro: Trocadero
Where: Charléty sur Neige Snow Park, Boulevard Kellermann (children 3-16 years only)
When: December 24h to January 3rd
RER: Cité Universitaire (Line B)
Where: Grand Palais des glace
When: December 13th to January 4th
Métro: Champs-Élysées – Clemenceau
RER: Invalides
And for that delicious cup of chocolat chaude? Head over to le Jardin des Tuileries, to Angelina (226 rue de Rivoli) – you won’t regret it!