Hôtel de Ville: A not-so bleak midwinter!

This ice rink has become a prominent feature of the urban chit-chat in Paris. Given that it is situated at the heart of Paris, in front of the iconic Hôtel de Ville, it is pretty difficult to go unnoticed. Whether you are a tourist or a local, this seems to be one of the must-do activities if you’re in town during the winter months (December – March). I, for one, was not prepared to let this opportunity slip by. What better way can you think of to get in the mood for winter?

My friend and I arrived at Hôtel de Ville the day after Chinese New Year. We were pleasantly surprised by the red lanterns that were hung up around the ice rink. It was an odd combination but it brought a extra, fusion or somewhat dynamic touch to the scene. Although I have…