A couple of years ago there were three outdoor rinks in Paris; the one near the Grande Bibliothèque (in the 13th area) disappeared last year, and this year the rink in front of the Montparnasse is gone. So what’s left then? Well, Hôtel de Ville… and a few other options.

Our advice then if you’re going ice skating in front of Hôtel de Ville: get there early! Or go late! As it’s (almost) the only outdoor Xmas rink left, there will probably be even more people than ever. Entrance is free, but skate rental is 5€ (meaning it’s totally free if you bring your own skates).

Open from17th December 2010 – 27th February 2011. Open weekdays from midday – 10pm, and weekends (+ public holidays) from 9am – 10pm. ANd if it rains, they could well evacuate everyone. You have been warned!

But let’s stay positive eh? There are two other solutions that might help you out. For example, did you know that each Xmas the Eiffel Tower sets up a skating rink on the first floor, 57 metres off the ground? It’s free for visitors to the Tower, and open every day from 15th December 2010 – 9th February 2011, form 10.30am – 10.30pm.

And if the idea of sliding on ice 57 metres up makes you feel ill, perhaps you’d be beter off at Charléty sur neige from 20th – 31st December, a sort of free winter funland in one of Paris’ sports stadiums. We’ll be telling you all about it tomorrow – there’s plenty to discover!

For more info on the outdoor skating rinks set up for Xmas 2010 in Paris: www.paris.fr (in French only).