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Christmas in Paris: The 10 Best Things to See and Do

By Lindsey Tramuta

It’s impossible to deny the joy and spirit everywhere when it's Christmas in Paris . During the December holiday season, the city literally shines, from the lights along the Champs-Élysées to the rainbow-colored tree at Galeries Lafayette to some of the most decked-out window displays in the world . When you’re not outside taking in the festivities, you’ll find that Parisian joie de vivre indoors at tea salons, restaurants, and pastry shops that put out all the stops for the Christmas holiday. If you find yourself visiting Paris in December, add these 10 ideas to your to-do list—they're some of our favorite ways to celebrate Christmas in Paris, a capital that is never short on magic.

This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Take in twinkle lights on the Champs-Elysées

After years of being done up in a striking red hue, the most iconic avenue in Paris and its 400 trees have gone back to a slightly more modest look. It’s also more energy efficient: The 100% LED lights on the Champs-Elysées, running all the way up to the Arc de Triomphe , will begin to sparkle at 5:00 p.m. and shut off at midnight—two hours earlier than in previous years (with the exception of December 24 and December 31 when they will remain lit all night long). Other features making a grand return for New Year’s Eve include fireworks and music.

Visit Christmas markets at the Tuileries Gardens and Notre Dame

While there won’t be a Christmas market lining the Champs-Elysées, there are plenty of markets and Christmas villages popping up in other places around town. On the Square René Viviani, directly across from Notre Dame, you’ll find an intimate market with some 30 exhibitors selling regional food, hot chocolate, and handmade crafts. But the bigger market to visit can be found at the Tuileries Gardens until January 7, 2024. There, you’ll discover hundreds of wooden cabins selling small gifts and seasonal treats but a selection of stands run by French artisans, from glass blowers to woodworkers, and designers from the Paris Chamber of Commerce presenting their crafts.

See the best holiday displays in the world...

There’s a theme for every taste: The BHV/Marais department store has become an enchanted forest this year, with plenty of ateliers and events scheduled inside the store throughout the month. There’s also a Canada-focused travel pop-up on the ground floor with a special selection of Canadian goods and accessories. At the Samaritaine , it’s an indulgent, Willy Wonka vibe that has taken over– thanks largely to a partnership with Warner Bros. But the most impressive displays can be found just behind the Opéra Garnier .

Over at Printemps Haussmann, the legendary actress Catherine Deneuve inaugurated a special display made entirely out of paper by the artist and set designer Mathilde Nivet. Nearly one hundred paper birds have taken up residence in the windows of the shop as the main characters to deliver holiday wishes from around the world. The set was constructed out of wood scraps from old decorations, using 1,500 square meters of recycled or fireproof paper from France and Italy. After the holidays, everything will be recycled at specialized centers in France. And at the Galeries Lafayette, it’s the couturier Charles de Vilmorin and Atelier Bournillat who had carte blanche to come up with a story. He opted to depict a fairytale of a little girl and a magic paintbrush who travel to an imaginary land to discover their dreams. In the shop windows, this journey unfolds through a dozen paintings. Inside, there's no shortage of decorations, and each floor is adorned with enchanted characters, decorations, and twinkle lights.

...and some of the best Christmas trees

Galeries Lafayette's holiday cheer doesn't end at the sidewalk—the Christmas tree and holiday displays beneath the store's Art Nouveau dome is an annual event, comparable to New York City’s Rockefeller Center tree lighting. Always vibrant and impressive, visitors who venture into the atrium of the shop this season will find a towering tree, 15 meters high, done up in whimsical masks, celestial creatures, and sparkling garlands. From the 30-foot-long Glasswalk footbridge, on the third floor of the store, visitors can catch an even better view of the tree—and snap a few photos.

Steph Koyfman

Shannon McMahon

Charlie Hobbs

Go ice skating in iconic locations

Until the Grand Palais reopens in 2025 and can once again play host to amateur ice skaters beneath its glass-canopied nave, you’ll have to get your skate on elsewhere. You can do that on a 300-square-meter rink located at the heart of the Christmas village at Trocadéro , complete with a direct view of the Eiffel Tower. Or you can slip on skates in the Tuileries Gardens where an even bigger rink will be set up through early January.

Sip hot chocolate from the best

Nothing warms up locals and visitors like hot chocolate . For the most well-known, head to Angelina on the rue de Rivoli for its thick, decadent Chocolat Chaud Africain that will leave you wondering if they just melted an entire chocolate bar into your cup. If the lines snake around the block, take it à emporter . For a sit-down experience, give yourself the gift of chocolatier Jacques Genin’s pure and simple hot chocolate, made from whole milk and dark chocolate pistoles, or make a beeline to Café Pavane , a tea salon from Manon Hévin across from the Luxembourg Gardens. Her chocolatier-pâtissier father, Jean-Paul Hévin, supplies both the pastries and the decadent hot chocolate worth a special visit.

Dig into the best Bûche de Noël and other sweet treats of the season

More than the decorated avenues and elaborate window displays, it is the Bûche de Noël (yule log cakes that may or may not be shaped like logs) that takes the lead as the ultimate holiday essential during Christmas in Paris. While most cakes are prepared and sold for take-away, there are a few spots to linger over tea and an individual slice of the indulgent Christmas cake.

At the Four Seasons George V , the head pastry chef Michael Bartocetti has created a special seasonal tea-time, offered through January 10 in L’Orangerie, which includes a preview of this year’s bûche served as a plated dessert. It follows with a citrus-geranium vacherin inspired by the work of a ceramicist, a luscious Piedmont hazelnut chocolate tarte coated table-side with Alba white truffles, and a twist on the Stollen, served warm, among other confections. At La Halle aux Grains , the restaurant inside the Bourse de Commerce-Pinault Collection , Sébastien Bras’ talented pastry chef Jean-Julien Freydt will be serving slices of his hazelnut and buckwheat bûche during tea-time (between 3–6 p.m.), and at lunch and dinner for dessert. If so inclined, you can order a whole buckwheat bûche to take home (we’re sure your hotel won’t mind).

Lucas Carton, one of Paris’s oldest and most celebrated fine dining institutions located on the Place de la Madeleine, will offer a special Christmas tea-time menu on Wednesdays and Saturdays through December—a perfect (and more affordable) opportunity to spend some time in the restaurant’s iconic Art Nouveau dining rooms, complete with wood paneling by Louis Majorelle. And at Butterfly Pâtisserie, the Hôtel de Crillon’ s boutique and tearoom, pastry chef Matthieu Carlin’s exquisite selection of seasonal pastries, including his graphic bûche de Noël, designed in collaboration with the interior product designer Victoria Wilmotte, can be enjoyed on-site with a cup of tea or a thick hot chocolate, or taken to-go.

Experience high luxury at Place Vendôme

The city’s taste for the grandiose and haute-luxe culminates at Place Vendôme, an early 18th-century square in the 1st arrondissement, just blocks from the river. Established at the behest of Louis XIV, the space remains iconic today as much for the bronze column that looms large at the square’s center as for the high luxury jewelry boutiques and the Ritz Paris hotel that surround it. Any Christmas-lit stroll should begin at the tip of shopping street Rue de la Paix, taking you past Tiffany’s , the Park Hyatt Paris , and Cartier. Continue into the square, and out the other side past Louis Vuitton’s Peter Marino-designed flagship boutique, before passing through the Tuileries Gardens and calling it a night.

See the Jardin des Plantes illuminated in a new way

It isn’t the sparkle of holiday lights that has transformed the grounds of the Jardin des Plantes into an illuminated wonderland each night since late November, but rather the glow from hundreds of large scale lanterns in the shape of plants and animal species common to tropical forests. Put on by the National Museum of Natural History, the walk takes guests throughout the park and its menagerie to discover the biodiversity of the tropical rainforests spanning four continents. Jungle en voie d’Illumination, as the installation is called, includes felines, frogs, brilliant flowers, and plenty of other unexpected guests that kids and families will love. Advanced booking required; runs through January 21, 2024.

Have a French meal

The period between Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Paris can be tough. Many restaurants close for a much-needed break after a busy year, and those that do stay open tend to run special menus with sky-high prices.

There are a few reliable favorites, however, that keep their regular offering intact and add a festive twist here and there: Au Pied de Cochon offers everything from French onion soup to oysters and pig’s trotter any time of day (it’s among the only 24-hour brasseries in the city); Le Train Bleu , the Belle Epoque jewel inside the Gare de Lyon station will offer a festive menu, and Le Vaudeville, a 100-year-old brasserie institution at the Place de la Bourse, serves an affordable French Christmas feast, complete with fine oysters, scallops, capon with mushrooms and gratin dauphinois, and decadent desserts.

If budget is of no concern, all of the Michelin-starred and fine dining restaurants inside the city’s top hotels , from the Hôtel de Crillon to The Peninsula and the new Grand Mazarin Hotel, will be open and serving their own refined takes on a holiday feast.

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18 Magical Things to do in Paris at Christmas (+ Travel Tips)

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Paris during the Christmas season ah, what a sight to behold! Imagine strolling through streets that twinkle like a starry sky, thanks to the enchanting lights. The city transforms into a Christmas wonderland, promising magical events and a festive spirit that’s hard to find anywhere else.

It’s an ideal time to experience the unique charm of France’s capital. However, amidst this plethora of joy, it’s easy to feel a bit overwhelmed.

Salut, I am Lena – Travel Planning Expert and parisienne since 2006 🩷

There’s so much to see and do, from the twinkling lights of the Champs-Elysées to the charming Christmas markets. Each corner of the city bursts with festive charm, making it hard to decide where to go first.

But don’t worry, I’m here to guide you through, ensuring you don’t miss out on the quintessential Parisian Christmas experiences.

My Top 3 Shortlist: Paris at Christmas

I’ve put together a handy list of the most popular Christmas activities in Paris for your convenience. If any of them spark your interest, it’s wise to act swiftly. Just like freshly croissants, these experiences are in high demand and tend to sell out fast.

#1 Professional Christmas Photoshoot in Paris: Check here for availabilities & prices

#2 Private Christmas Tour by Night in a CV2: Check here for rates & dates

#3 Paris at Christmas 3-Hour Bike Tour : Find more info & prices here

Christmas in Paris: Practical Travel Tips

But before you dive in and get inspired on how to fill your precious vacation days with activities, let’s take a look at the essentials.

Here’s for you, a quick guide on what to know about traveling to Paris during Christmas : How’s the weather, what do you need to pack, and where to stay for you to have the most wonderful experience.  

To help you plan your Christmas trip to Paris, I put together a list of things that are good to know when traveling to Paris. For a more extensive checklist, take a look at my Paris Trip Planning & Packing Essentials.

Don’t miss out on these articles when preparing for your Paris Christmas trip:

• Winter in Paris: 33 Best Things to do
• Paris on New Year’s Day 2023 – Insider Guide

CHECKLIST for your Paris Trip

✔ Hotel booked?

• Budget: Hotel France Albion (8.6)
• Midrange: Hôtel des Arts (9.6)
• Upscale: Millésime Hôtel (9.2)
• Luxury: La Demeure Montaigne (9.1)
• My Favorite: Hôtel Monte Cristo

✔ Tickets booked?

• Eiffel Tower ( book here )
• Paris City Pass ( book here )
• Louvre ( book here )
• Arc de Triomphe ( book here )
• Hop On Hop Off Bus ( book here )

🎁🎁 Exclusive 5% off on Seine Cruises – BOOK HERE with our code SALUT5 🎁🎁

Paris Survival Tips

• Buy your SIM card in advance
• Get a Travel Adapter
• Book your airport transfer
• Download the free survival guide

Fun Activities

• Explore the Covered Arcades
• Discover the quaint Bookstores
• Find Paris Hidden Cocktail Bars
• Take an easy Day Trip by train

How’s the weather in Paris at Christmas?  

The bad news first: If you are hoping for white Christmas in Paris, it is probably not going to happen. December is not a very cold month in Paris, but rather a wet one. 

December usually sees the highest precipitation of the year, with temperatures ranging between 4° C ( 39 °F) and 8° C (46 °F) , and dropping below zero during the night. 

But the good news is, that even if you’ll have showers in December, it rarely rains in Paris for an entire day. Furthermore, Paris has so many indoor activities, that you’ll hardly notice the weather anyway. Just prepare for changing weather and dress in layers, and the weather won’t be an issue.

How to dress & what to pack for Paris during Christmas?

The greatest challenge when packing for Paris in December is to anticipate changing temperatures and rain. While it might be pretty chilly outside, indoors it is often quite hot, overheated even. Hence, the best is you are prepared to dress in layers and carry some simple rain gear with you. 

Tip: I always carry a little tote bag in my purse, so I can easily store my hat, scarf, and jacket when spending a little more time in stores or museums.

Stay Dry during Christmas Time in Paris

#1 Waterproof Shoes

December is the month with the most rainfall AND as well one of the coldest, so keeping your feet dry and warm is a must! Your best and most versatile option is a pair of waterproof Chelsea boots . They look not only great, but they also keep your feet warm and dry.

Plus, you can easily dress them up and down, and the sturdy sole gives grip on the slippery cobblestones. If you stay in Paris, you don’t need heavy-lined winter boots, it’s enough if they stay dry, and you wear warm socks.

For more winter shoe ideas, also take a look at my guide about the best travel shoes for Paris.

#2 Small Travel Umbrella

Honestly, you shouldn’t travel anywhere in Europe without a little umbrella in your

purse. This one is just the perfect size to do both: fit in your purse and keep you dry. It also comes with a little pouch, so you are not flooding your purse when putting the umbrella back, wet after usage.

Stay warm in Paris in December

#3 Warm Merino Socks

The best way to keep your feet warm in Winter in Paris is by investing in a fine pair of quality Merino Socks . I know it hurts to spend so much on a pair of socks, but from my own (long-distance) hiking and ttravel experience, I can guarantee you that it absolutely pays off .

My favorites are these ones . You find as well more affordable Merino socks, but make sure to verify how much Merino wool they actually have. The less Merino, the cheaper – and the less good.

#4 A Cute Hat

I know that a beret might sound like a cliché from Emily in Paris , but in fact it is not. Many French women wear it in Paris, it is normal everyday clothing and nothing that would make you stick out. Especially not if you wear a high-quality beret like this one.

It’s High Season: Book your Attraction Tickets in Advance

I know, it kills a bit the spontaneous, easy-going holiday vibe you are certainly keen on, but I can’t stress this out enough: Buy your tickets in advance! Christmastime is high-season in Paris, and many sights will be sold-out quick .

Hence, I strongly recommend reserving your entrance tickets well in advance. Even if some sights have some leftover tickets, the queues are huge, and you’ll spend precious time waiting in lines.

Below, you find the sights that you absolutely need to book before you arrive in Paris . For your convenience, I added links to my most trusted ticket provider:

• The Eiffel Tower – click here for tickets to the summit!
• The Louvre – Click here to see the Mona Lisa
• The Catacombs  – click here to enter Paris’ underground
• The Castle of Versailles – book your ticket here

You can also purchase tickets directly on the sights homepages. However, the downside is that they usually don’t have a cancellation policy. While reserving your Paris tickets with get your guide grants you a 24h cancellation and refund policy.

Christmas in Paris: These are the best things to do in Paris at Christmas

But even though Paris’ winter will be cold, and probably often gray, wet, and windy, don’t worry! There are so many things to do in Paris, that whether you travel to Paris during the Winter or Summer, you will never run out of activities.

When you spend christmas time in Paris, you can fully immerse yourself in the Christmas magic. Sparkling fairy lights, Christmas carols, mulled wine, and of course Christmas markets, gingerbread, and festive decorations. If you love the holiday season, Paris is your place to be this Christmas.

Read on and know how to embrace Christmas in Paris to the fullest.

#1 Explore the Paris Christmas Market

Christmas Markets are a tradition from the east of France and Germany, but for some years they are very popular in Paris as well. The Tourism Office of Paris hasn’t published the list of Christmas Markets in 2023 yet, but last year there were no less than 25 markets registered!

Most markets open on the first weekend of December , but some markets open their chalets already by the 18th of November . The one in the Tuileries for example

ATTENTION: Christmas Markets are a popular place for PICKPOCKETS ! Read this article and know how to prevent getting scammed. 

The biggest Christmas Market in Paris is usually at La Défense. However, you can find smaller ones around Montmartre, Trocadero, and Saint Germain. Visiting a Christmas market is one of the best things to do in Paris in December.

Did you know that the oldest Christmas Market in Europe — and also one of the nicest — is less than 2h away? If you’re keen to get the full Christmas experience, check this post and know how to   take a day trip to Strasbourg ! 

#2 Cruise on the Seine: Admire the Illuminated Paris

Quick Link: Click here to book your cruise

Treat yourself to something special and enjoy a Cruise on the Seine by night . You will not only be awarded one of the most incredible views of Paris, but you also get to unwind, lean back, and appreciate a glass of Champagne, if you like.

This budget option allows you to cruise up and down the Seine. It’s absolutely enough if you want to take in the mesmerizing and twinkling citiyscape.

For a festive extra, take a look at the Illuminated Dinner Cruise, though:

Best Seine Dinner Cruise

• 3-Course Dinner with Drinks
• Live Jazz Music & Window Seating
• Panoramic views on Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and more
• Boarding near Musée d’Orsay

#3Tour Christmassy Paris with a Local!

With a local on your side, you can be sure to make the most of your trip to Paris during Christmastime. You will not only explore corners you normally wouldn’t have set foot in, but you also get interesting insider stories, anecdotes and so much Christmas cheer.

Luckily, there are a handful of local experts available to reveal to you what this unbelievable city has to offer.

#4 Buy beautiful Christmas Ornaments and Christmas Decorations in Paris

With its many department stores, Paris is a great place to stock up on beautiful and original Christmas decorations.

The most wonderful selection you find in the Bon Marché. The upper floor has many themed Christmas Trees on display with plenty of gorgeous ornaments.

But it’s as well a great idea to look out for cute Christmas decorations at the Parisian Christmas Markets.

#5 Enjoy Disneyland Paris at Christmas

Buy your tickets to Disneyland in advance, they sell out quick

It’s likely you always dreamed about visiting Disneyland, and maybe you have it already on your Paris must-do agenda. But know that Christmas at Disneyland is beautiful, especially if you are a Disney fan.

You find the park magically decorated and Christmas flair is everywhere. For many, Disney is a must when visiting Paris around those events. Plus, if you are visiting during the week, you’ll find shorter queues. Disneyland is a straightforward day trip from Paris by train , as it is just a short ride.

For more infos about planning your trip to Disney, see these posts:

• 15 Quick Tips for Visiting Disneyland Paris
• How to get from Paris to Disneyland
• Disneyland to the Eiffel Tower – How to get there Best

#6 Take an Open Bus Tour to See all the Christmas Lights

Secure your spot and book here

Make sure you don’t miss anything in the Christmas decorated Paris and sign up for a sightseeing bus tour. During Christmas, you will not only get a glimpse of the most beautiful corners of Paris but you will also be granted fantastic views of the most breathtaking Christmas illuminations of Paris. Just don’t forget your coat!

Click here for more information and schedules for your Christmas lights bus tour.

#7 See the Festive Christmas Displays at the Big Department Stores

A must-do for many Christmas fans in Paris is the visit to the big department stores. Not only because the facades of Gallery Lafayette, Le Bon Marche, Printemps Haussmann, and BHV are illuminated!

The window displays are revealing whole worlds of Christmas scenes with animated figures, wrapped gifts, and everything that goes with it. If you are already at the Galeries Lafayette, don’t miss their excellent food hall ! Click here to know more about it!

#8 Learn how to Cook a Traditional French Christmas Dinner 

Did you ever wish you could cook a French dish as a real French Chef could? That’s your chance! Take a cooking class in Paris and learn from a professional French Chef how to cook a 3-course Christmas Dinner from scratch! Click here for more information

#9 Admire the Christmas Tree at the Galarie Lafayette

If you are following Paris-related social media channels, you will notice that there is barely another topic by the end of November than the Christmas Tree at the Galerie Lafayette, and the big question: What is the theme of 2023?!

The gigantic tree is always stunning and something you shouldn’t miss at all. The tree get usually revealed around the 17th of November and of course, I always check it right away. Here’s the tree from 2021:

Pro Tip: When you are at the Galeries Lafayette to marvel at the Christmas tree, plan in a bit extra time to visit the free rooftop. It is a wonderful viewpoint , and actually also a great spot to take fantastic photos of the Eiffel Tower .

#10 Enjoy the Christmas Decorations and Illuminations all over Paris

During Christmas, you’ll be surprised to find many Parisian streets beautifully decorated and illuminated. The most famous illuminations are along the Champs Élysée, but you find them within every neighborhood. For example, in the Rue Montorgueil or the Rue Daguerre.

Those streets are excellent places as well to buy french specialties, as they are home to many delis. Don’t miss this post if you want to know more about in hidden gems in Paris!

#11 Go Ice Skating

Paris at Christmas is Ice skating season. All over town ice skating rinks are opening, just waiting for you to try out your skills. One of the most popular is at the big Christmas Market in the Tuileries garden .

For 2023, it’s not announced yet where ice skating rinks will be installed. However, in the past, there was one on top of the Tour Montparnasse, on the Roof Top of the Galerie Lafayette , and even in the stunning Grand Palais! Stay tuned for 2023!

#12 Visit the Bon Marché

The Bon Marché is the place to be if you are looking for Christmas presents in Paris. The big Department store in the 7th Arrondissement is an excellent place to stock up on culinary treats but also for high end shopping and if you are looking for original and unique Christmas Ornaments in Paris.

Don’t get lost though. The Bon Marché is spread over several buildings that are connected by covered bridges.

#13 Stroll through the Covered Galeries of Paris

Did you know that back in the days more than 100 covered galleries where sprinkled all over Paris? The gorgeous shopping passages with the iconic glass roofs where the first shopping malls in Paris, where the rich could comfortably run their errands, without being bothered by the mud and the rain.

Today, around 20 of these beautiful monuments are left and are just perfect for outings on grey winter days. The most known Galerie is the Galerie Vivienne, with vintage book stores and restaurants.

Other beautiful arcades are the Passage du Grand Cerf and the Passage des Panoramas.

Tip : One of the best speak easy bar of Paris is tucked away in one of the Passages, read this post to know more!

What to do in Paris on Christmas Day?

If you plan to celebrate Christmas day in Paris, you have many options to make this day a very memorable one. However, know that many sights and museums close on Christmas Day.

Not the Eiffel Tower , though! Book your tickets here in advance because it will get very busy!

#14 Enjoy a festive Christmas Dinner on Christmas Eve at a Cabaret!

Click here to know which Cabarets in Paris are the best

If you are celebrating Christmas Eve in Paris and are looking for a very festive and unique way of spending this special day, have a look at the Cabarets ! Many are hosting special events on Christmas Eve with a festive dinner, Champagne, and of course, the famous Cabaret show .

Tip: Those shows are wildly popular and fast sold out , reserve your spot quick . If you want to be on the safe side, some shows are offering free cancellations up to 24h before the show.

#15 Take a Panoramic Christmas Dinner Cruise

An exceptional way of celebrating Christmas day in Paris – or Christmas Eve – is on board of a ship! Take this Cruise on the Seine and enjoy a festive 5-course Christmas dinne r while enjoying the beautiful view over the illuminated Paris by night.

#16 Have a Bûche de Noel

The traditional French Christmas cake! A Bûche de Noel is a Yule log made from sponge cake with buttercream, icing, or/and ganache. It’s one of the indispensable food items to try during Christmas season.

It is a traditional French Christmas dish and usually ate for dessert. A full-size Bûche is usually for an entire family, but all throughout Christmas time, you find small Bûche in every Parisian bakery . Perfect for a little sweet trait.

#17 Attend a Christmas Concert

During Christmas in Paris, many classical concerts and chorals are taking place in Paris. Click here to know what’s going on where and purchase your tickets.

#18 Attend a Christmas Mass in Paris

Parisian’s churches are obviously celebrating Christmas and you can choose whether you want to go to one of the big churches like the Basilica Sacré Coeur or Saint Sulpice, or attend a service at a local church .

Basilique de Sacré Coeur service times

Christmas Eve

• 11 pm: Sung Christmas vigil
• Midnight: Midnight Mass

Christmas Day

• Mass: 7 am, 11 am, 6 pm, and 10 pm.
• Vespers: 4 pm

Tip : arrive at least 30 minutes early

Et Voilà, that’s it! I hope I could give you some ideas on what to do during Christmas in Paris. If you need any clarification, join my free Paris Travel Planning Facebook Group!

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Must Have Paris Travel Essentials

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PS: Check out these posts, they will help you plan your trip to Paris

• 20 Arrondissements in Paris (Quick Guide + Map)
• Paris hidden gems: 80+ well kept secrets you shouldn’t miss
• What NOT to do in Paris -23 (costly) Paris Mistakes you need to avoid!
• 14 Hotels with stunning Eiffel Tower views- for (almost) every budget!
• Your Perfect 2 Days in Paris! Itinerary & Insider Tips
• 5 ways to get from Charles de Gaulle airport to Paris – THE complete guide!
• Scams in Paris! How to avoid the most common cons

FAQ Christmas in Paris

If you enjoy Christmas decorations, illuminations, shopping, and sightseeing, but don’t mind the cold and occasional rain, Paris is a fantastic destination during Christmas.

The Eiffel Tower is illuminated every evening all year round and sparkles every full hour.

The typical Parisian Christmas decoration consists of millions of lights, Christmas trees, ornaments, and Christmas baubles. Many streets are decorated with seasonal lights, and most stores have Christmas trees and seasonal decorations.

Usually, it does not snow in Paris at Christmas . During December, temperatures are on average above freezing, and it’s too warm to snow.

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Paris in winter: 9 of the best things to do in Paris at Christmas

Posted on Last updated: March 18, 2024

Nine of the best things to do in Paris at Christmas – discover why Paris makes a great festive break with sparkling light displays, Christmas markets, ice skating, church concerts and funfair rides.

* This site contains affiliate links , where I get a small commission from purchases at no extra cost to you.

There’s an extra dose of magic to a trip to Paris in winter, when the City of Lights is lit even brighter by thousands of twinkling bulbs. Each of Paris’ districts has something festive going on, from window shopping at grand magasins and browsing Christmas markets with a glass of vin chaud , to a spin on an outdoor ice rink and riding a vintage funfair. So dig out your scarf and gloves and discover the best things to do at Christmas in Paris 2023.

This post will be updated with dates and details for 2024 as they become available.

What’s Paris’ winter weather like?

The weather in Paris in the winter is usually fairly mild – average temperatures range from highs of 8°C (46°F) to lows of 3°C (37°F). It can get frosty at night though and there are a few rain or sleet showers, so pack a waterproof or umbrella. But the city has plenty of cosy cafés, museums and indoor attractions so you can always find a spot to thaw out.

Things to do in Paris at Christmas

1. Admire Paris’ Christmas lights

From mid-November, Paris is decked out in her Christmas finery. Trees are draped with twinkling lights and colourful decorations are strung across the streets. Most areas of Paris get an extra sparkle for the festive season, but head to the Champs Elysées for the most over-the-top décor. The display runs from late November 2023 to January 2024.

Over a million bulbs are hung in 400 trees along the Champs Elysées. They alternate between plain white and flashing blue lights, and are normally illuminated between 5pm and 2am each night, but stay on all night on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Elegant Place Vendôme is decorated with a forest of pine trees lit with white lights. In the shopping and entertainment district of Bercy Village the sky is filled with glowing balloons. And the Jardin des Plantes botanical garden hosts its Festival of Lights from 22 November 2023–21 January 2024, with giant illuminated sculptures of jungle creatures.

As well as the lights decorating the streets, the high-end boutiques of Rue du Faubourg-St-Honoré, Avenue Montaigne and the Champs Elysées also go all out for Christmas, with buildings draped with lights or colourful patterns projected onto them.

If you want an easy way to see the best of the light displays in Paris at Christmas, you can take a 90-minute guided tour * of the highlights on a open-top bus.

2. Go window shopping

Paris’ big department stores dress for Christmas with impressively festive store window displays. Each year’s decorations have a different theme – from Hollywood glamour to Beauty and the Beast . And they feature lights, animations, music, snow and sparkle.

Planning for next year starts as soon as the previous year’s decorations get taken down, and there are big opening nights when the new displays are unveiled. Windows are normally revealed in early November and are on display until the end of the year.

You’ll find some of the best Christmas window displays at Galeries Lafayette on Boulevard Haussmann from 15 November–31 December 2023. This year’s theme is ‘The Christmas of my Dreams’ with 11 decorated windows as well as a giant Christmas tree underneath the building’s central dome, complete with a sound and light show.

Other great spots for window shopping are Le Printemps (Boulevard Haussmann, nearest Metro: Chaussée d’Antin), Le Bon Marché (24 Rue de Sèvres, nearest Metro: Sèvres-Babylone) and BHV Marais (52 Rue de Rivoli, nearest Metro: Hôtel de Ville). Or you can take a festive shopping tour * of Paris’ department stores and covered passages.

3. Visit the Paris Christmas markets

Since they started in Germany, Christmas markets have spread across Europe and beyond to become an annual festive tradition, and you find them in most cities – Paris included. Fill up on festive treats from wooden chalets, selling everything from handmade tree decorations and wooden gifts to cheeses from across France and Eiffel Tower biscuits.

These ‘Marchés de Noël’ are held across the city, usually starting in late November. Best-known of Paris’ Christmas markets is the ‘Magie de Noël’ market in the Tuileries gardens near the Louvre, which is open 18 November 2023–7 January 2024.

It’s big, busy mix of a funfair and Christmas market, running for almost half a mile along the gardens from the Place des Pyramides to Place de la Concorde. There are lots of food stalls selling roasted chestnuts, raclette (melted cheese), crêpes and vin chaud (mulled wine). There’s even a Pommery Champagne bar inside an inflatable igloo.

You’ll also find gifts and crafts for sale in the chalets of the artisan village, an ice rink (see below) and lots of fairground rides, including the giant ferris wheel. If you time your trip on the wheel just right you get a great view of the Eiffel Tower as it sparkles on the hour.

There’s also a big Christmas market outside the city centre in La Défense , with over 150 stalls as well as carols, music performances and Santa’s grotto (16 November–27 December 2023). But our favourites are the smaller markets, like the one outside Notre Dame cathedral (8–26 December 2023) which sells French-made crafts and food.

Or the Hôtel de Ville Christmas Market (1 December 2023–1 January 2024), with the building illuminated with a light show, a carousel and market stalls. There are also markets in St Germain des Prés , Place des Abbesses in Montmartre , the Gare de l’Est and specialist markets ranging from vegan and Japanese (see Paris Je T’aime for details).

4. Go ice skating

Try out your skating skills in the festive surroundings of the Magie de Noël Christmas Market in the Jardin des Tuileries this winter in Paris. Their ice rink (known as a patinoire in French) is open between 18 November 2023–7 January 2024. It’s fairly small but there’s enough room for a spin around the ice, and skates are available to hire.

In previous years there’s also been an ice rink underneath the glass roof of the Art Nouveau Grand Palais. Known as the Grand Palais des Glaces, it’s the world’s largest temporary indoor rink. Unfortunately renovation work at the Grand Palais means it won’t be running this year, but it’s hoped it will be back once the palace reopens in 2024.

5. Take a trip to the fair

Go back in time with a vintage fairground at the Musee Des Arts Forains . This private collection of fairground rides and stalls which dates back to 1850 is normally only open to visitors on guided tours. But for 10 days at the end of the year (27 December 2023–7 January 2024) it hosts the Festival du Merveilleux (entry €22 adults/€14 children).

You can explore the exhibits, have a go on some of the vintage rides and watch performances by storytellers, magicians, musicians, dancers and puppeteers. The gardens are also open to visitors to look around with a vin chaud or onion soup.

It’s also free for children to ride on many of the city’s carousels over Christmas. You can find carousels in the Jardin des Tuileries and the Jardins du Trocadéro, outside the Hôtel de Ville, in front of the Eiffel Tower and below Sacre-Coeur cathedral.

6. Listen to a Christmas concert

Some of Paris’ most atmospheric buildings hold festive concerts around Christmas. There are classical concerts in the churches at Saint-Germain des Prés, Saint Sulpice, Saint Ephrem, Saint Eustache and La Madeleine in the week before Christmas.

But one of the most spectacular is Sainte-Chapelle, where there are daily concerts from 22–31 December (excluding Christmas Day). This Gothic chapel’s walls are made up of 16 huge stained glass windows which cover over 600 square metres. When the musicians are playing and the light hits the windows and makes them glow, it’s just magical.

Or for something even more unusual, concerts also take place on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower , where you can listen to an orchestra perform with views across the Paris rooftops. On 24 and 25 December 2023 there’s Christmas music and opera arias, and on 31 December and 1 January 2024 there are works by by Mozart, Verdi and Handel.

7. Join in a Christmas church service

If you’re spending Christmas in Paris, services are held in churches across the city. At Sacre-Couer Basilica there’s an organ concert, sung vigil and midnight mass on Christmas Eve as well as several masses on Christmas Day. There are also Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services at the churches of Saint Sulpice, Madeleine and Saint Eustache.

There are also English-language services held at the American Cathedral in Paris, the Scots Kirk and St Michael’s Church. Church services in Paris at Christmas do get busy though so arrive early as numbers may be limited. It’s also worth calling into the city’s churches before Christmas as many have ornately carved nativity scenes on display.

8. Eat, drink and be merry

A steaming cup of vin chaud is a French festive staple. Dry red wine is mixed with sugar, orange and fragrant spices like cinnamon, star anise, cardamon and cloves to make a real winter warmer (and you can sometimes add an extra nip of cognac or rum).

You can find it on sale in bars and cafés across Paris as well as in the Christmas markets. Prices are €3–€6 (depending on where you are). And it often comes in a commemorative mug which you pay a few euros deposit for and can take home as a souvenir.

Another favourite at Christmas in Paris is the Bûche de Noël . These sponge cakes are covered with chocolate buttercream to look like festive yule logs. You can buy them, whole or by the slice, at patisseries. Or chefs at Paris’ top hotels like the Shangri-La and Four Seasons compete to create the most unusual, exotic and elaborate versions.

The French eat their main Christmas meal on 24 December, with delicacies like foie gras, oysters and escargots to start followed by roast poultry or game. Many Parisian hotels and restaurants offer a Christmas menu, but you need to book well in advance. Or you could have a festive three-course meal * while you cruise the Seine on a scenic boat trip.

9. Spend an Enchanted Christmas at Disneyland Paris

For an extra dose of festive magic for the family, head just outside the city to Disneyland Paris, who are celebrating an ‘Enchanted Christmas’ from 11 November 2023 to 7 January 2024. Disney puts on a brand-new parade as well as Christmas shows, markets, illuminations, streets dripping in decorations and all the traditional Disney characters.

A pre-booked one-day ticket * ranges from €89–€124 for adults and children over 12, or from €84–€116 for children aged 3–12, with the prices depending on the date.

You can reach the park from central Paris by taking RER line A to Marne-la-Valée station, which takes around 40 minutes. Or you can pre-book the Disneyland Paris Express shuttle, which departs from the Gare du Nord, Eiffel Tower, Opéra and Châtelet. It gets you to the park around 9.30am and returns to the city at 9pm for a full day of festivities.

Looking for somewhere to stay in Paris?*

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Planning a trip after Christmas..:this is helpful!

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Hope you enjoy it! I've just come back and the decorations are beautiful this year.

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Adventure Travel With a Glass of Wine

The Ultimate Guide to Christmas in Paris

By Jennifer Dombrowski 31 Comments

Christmas in Paris is simply magical. Paris at Christmastime is as refined as the city itself. Every corner of every quartier has its own special enchantment from lively outdoor ice skating rinks to the many charming Christmas markets that line the streets and squares. Paris isn’t called the City of Light for nothing, and especially so at Christmas. Here are just a few of the things not to miss in Paris at Christmastime:

Paris Christmas Markets

Europe’s Christmas markets are magical. A favorite part of the holidays in Europe, Christmas markets are a long tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages. Traditionally held in the town square, the Christmas markets were a bright spot during the short winter days that ushered in the Advent season.

While Christmas markets originated in Germany, they’re now found all of Europe. And Paris is no exception. The city has a number of Christmas markets from some of the largest in the Paris region to quaint, boutique Christmas markets tucked away from the normal tourist trodden streets.

Eiffel Tower Christmas Market

The Eiffel Tower Christmas Market at Quai Branly offers Parisians and tourists alike the opportunity to soak up a little Christmas spirit. Visit the 120 chalets for a wide selection of gifts, treats and decorations for the holiday season.

Not to be missed is the outdoor ice skating rink. Nothing is more romantic than skating hand-in-hand at dusk as the Eiffel Tower twinkles near by. Warm up afterward with some vin chaud (hot mulled wine) while admiring the Eiffel Tower as the glittering lights cascade up and down it like golden bubbles in a champagne flute for the hourly show.

The Champ-de-Mars Christmas Village takes place December 2022 – January 2, 2023.

La Magie de Noël Tuileries Garden Christmas Market

The former Champs-Elysées Christmas Market that stretched from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place du Concorde was cancelled in 2017 after a dispute between the organizer and the city of Paris. But it was re-imagined starting in 2018 as the Tuileries Garden Christmas Market with more than 100 chalets set up in the Tuileries Garden next to the Louvre.

It’s not Paris’ biggest Christmas Market, but not to be missed when visiting Paris at Christmastime. Santa himself will make an appearance to delight the young and old alike. Each year the Tuileries Garden Christmas Market promises to be better than ever as both a traditional Christmas market and a fun fair.

The Tuileries Garden Christmas Market is open November 19, 2022 – January 8, 2023.

La Défense Christmas Market (Le Village de Nöel sur le Parvis de la Défense )

Another of Paris’ biggest Christmas Markets (if not THE biggest in the Paris region), La Défense has more than 350 chalets with artisans from all over France selling their wares spread over 13,000 square meters. Each year since its launch in 1995, La Défense Christmas Market has grown bigger and better. This year’s edition promises a minimum of 20% of local exhibitors in chalets labeled Origine France, selling artisanal products.

Energy saving LED lights illuminate immersive light displays created especially for Paris La Défense. Like Christmas magic, they switch on and off as you walk past leaving visitors feeling like the experience was created for them personally.

The ice skating rink atop the Grand Arch also returns, along with visits to Santa for the little ones and an animated village that will enchant everyone from 1 to 92.

La Défense Christmas Market is open November 23 – December 24, 2022.

Saint Germain des Prés Christmas Market

Away from the crowds of the Champs-Elysées and a favorite Parisian neighborhood of many Paris insiders, a Christmas Market has appeared alongside the church of Saint Germain des Prés since 1999. The small, but quaint Christmas Market again returns with merchants delight visitors with a selection of French crafts and gastronomic specialties.

The Saint Germain des Prés Christmas Market is open November 26, 2022 – January 1, 2023.

Notre Dame Christmas Market

Notre Dame may have suffered a devastating fire in 2019, but the annual Marché de Noel Paris Notre Dame still sets up at the Square René Viviani. Considered one of the most picturesque Christmas markets in Paris, visitors find a quaint Christmas market with around 30 stalls. It’s here you’ll find true French artisans and craftsmen, along with a selection of regional French specialties to sample. Santa Claus also comes on the market for the little ones to get a photo with.

The Marché de Noel Paris Notre Dame is open December 19 – 26, 2022.

Paris Christmas Light Displays

Champs elysées.

While many streets in each arrondissement are decorated, the Champs-Elysées is one of the most popular and festive of the Parisian light displays. The most beautiful avenue in the world transforms into a Christmas wonderland with lights.

For 2022 the Christmas Lights on the Champs Elysées are officially switched on November 20 in a ceremony beginning at 5pm. The Champs Elysées is even car-free for the occasion, so that visitors and Parisians alike can gather right in the middle of the Champs Elysées.

Galeries Lafayette

Don’t miss Galeries Lafayette for holiday lights and windows that arguably rival those of New York City department stores. Every year the theme changes. and past themes have included classic American musicals.

There’s not a more mesmerizing sight than window displays with with animated scenes like the Radio City Rockettes dolls wearing Santa suits, gold clogs and red tams or bathing suit clad teddy bears with snorkels and fins dancing away to the tunes of Mamma Mia. No matter what the year’s theme, Galeries Lafayette knows how to enchant window shoppers from near and far.

Inside, the famous 20 meter Christmas tree under the glass dome is gorgeously decorated to Instagram perfection.

Printemps Paris Haussmann

It’s “A Very Curious Christmas” at Printemps Paris Haussmann this year! The French department store known for its selection of beauty, fashion and accessories has created a magical world with amazing animals with contagious energy. Spot the Longchamp Christmas racehorse or Jott’s crazy colorful parrots in Printemps’ window displays, and find Printemps exclusives created by these brands inside for the perfect gift for someone back home (or for yourself as a souvenir from your trip to Paris.

You can take the perfect Instagram shot with one of the 12 original scenographies to try to win a gift card each week worth €250. And on Saturdays and Sundays until Christmas, Santa will be stopping by Printemps ready to pose for a selfie with you.

Le BHV Marais

Le BHV Marais department store transports Parisians and visitors alike to Switzerland with their Swiss themed Christmas window displays for 2021. Switzerland knows Christmas; you’ll find at least one Christkindelsmarkt in every Swiss City. And Bern, home to Switzerland’s oldest Christmas market, has had a Christmas market livening up its medieval streets for centuries.

It’s all brought to life with fondue, window displays featuring Swiss peaks and more from November 9 – December 31, 2021. Warm up with cheese tastings, fondue and vin chaud while enjoying the window displays.

Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche

On the Left Bank, department store Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche celebrates Christmas with four windows of the Rue de Sèvres side decorated in gingerbread Christmas scenes.

The star this year is a gingerbread man named Aristide, named for Le Bon Marché founder Aristide Boucicaut. Four postcard scenes with dancing gingerbread men and candy canes have the following themes: musical, cheerleader, hip hop and cabaret burlesque.

See the window displays from October 29, 2021 and the interior Christmas decor from November 11, 2021.

Ice Skating in Paris

One of my favorite holiday activities is ice skating. It immediately transports me back to my childhood when I’d impatiently wait for our pond to freeze so I could lace up my skates and practice my figure eights. The magic of twirling around the ice definitely hasn’t escaped Parisians, and a number of rinks pop up around the City of Light during the festive season.

Grande Arche Rooftop Ice Skating at Paris La Défense

The rooftop of Paris La Défense’s Grande Arche gives visitors a 360-degree view of some of Paris’ most beautiful monuments. Worth a visit for the panoramic view anytime of the year, the Grande Arche is even more magical when the 110 meter high rooftop ice skating rink opens for the holiday season.

The ticket gives visitors to the rooftop, exhibition and ice skating rink. Just don’t forget to bring gloves, which are mandatory to ice skate on the temporary rink.

La Défense Grande Arche ice rink 2022 dates TBD.

Galeries Lafayette Rooftop Ice Rink

Galeries Lafayette is one of Paris’ most famous department stores. But you don’t have to be a fashionista to appreciate the 8th floor open-air rooftop rink with unobstructed views of the Paris Opera and Eiffel Tower. Best of all: the Galeries Lafayette rooftop ice rink is free to access.

The rink can have up to 88 ice skaters at one time, and even has cute little honey bee aides to helps littles skate around the rink.

The Galeries Lafayette rink 2022 dates TBD. All ages welcome.

Champ-de-Mars Christmas Village Ice Rink

One of our favorite outdoor ice skating rinks in Paris is the one at the Champ-de-Mars Christmas Village. The ambiance of the Christmas Village and the stunning views of the Eiffel Tower across the Seine make for a romantic spot to twirl around the rink with a loved one.

The rink at the Champ-de-Mars Christmas Village is open to all ages. We recommend going around dusk when the Eiffel Tower twinkles for its hourly show for the first time of the evening.

The Champ-de-Mars Christmas Village is open December 2022 – January 2, 2023.

Le Grand Palais des Glaces

For the holiday season, the Grand Palais turns in to the largest ice skating rink in the world with 3000 square meters of space to jump and twirl. By day, the light filters through the famous glass roof. But by night, ice skating is illuminated with over 1000 lights.

From 8pm, Le Grand Palais des Glaces turns into one giant dance party on ice skates just like the skate parties of my childhood. A DJ spins tunes as a disco ball and light show illuminate the night.

The onsite cafe offers a hot chocolate fountain and snacks like waffles and French hot dogs.

Le Grand Palais des Glaces 2022 dates TBD.

Plaza Athénée Ice Skating at La Cour Jardin

Plaza Athénée makes afternoon tea even more special with a 100 square meter ice rink just for kids aged 5 – 12 to take a spin on. The rink is located in Plaza Athénée’s La Cour Jardin, which is transformed into a magical fir-tree forest for the holidays.

Mainly dedicated to guests of the hotel, the rink is included with a Festive Afternoon Tea booking. Instructors are on hand to help the littles skate while the adults feast on tea and gorgeous holiday cakes created by the Plaza Athénée’s pastry chef.

Festive Tea Time at Plaza Athénée is on from November 20, 2022.

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Things to Do in Paris at Christmas

While there’s enough Christmas markets, Christmas light displays and ice skating to fill up any Christmas in Paris itinerary, these experiences are and extra special way to spend time in Paris during the holidays. From a Christmas treat filled foodie tour of one of Paris’ best foodie neighborhoods to a cabarets that will definitely land you on Santa’s naughty list. there’s plenty to see and do in Paris during Christmas beyond the Christmas markets.

Take a Christmas-themed Food Tour of Paris

Did you know that the French have a tradition of eating 13 desserts at Christmas? Learn all about this unique French Christmas tradition while trying some of France’s seasonal delights like nougat, gingerbread and a yule log on a walking food tour in the Saint Germain des Prés.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of pâtisserie and specialty shops. With the help of a local guide, you’ll be sure to eat the best Paris has to offer. Definitely a holiday experience any foodie will love.

The Paris Christmas Gourmet Food Tour is available November 26 – December 31, 2022. Tours are not available on Christmas Day.

Go on a Horse Carriage Ride through Paris

The Christmas lights of the Champs Elysées are one of Paris’ most magical holiday sights. Hop in a horse-drawn carriage for a ride along the Champs Elysées for a unique look at Paris’ sparkling Christmas lights and monuments like the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe.

Upgrade the experience with a bottle of champagne to enjoy on the 1.5 hour tour of Paris while snuggling up with your special someone. It’ll be a memorable way to experience Paris during the holidays.

Horse drawn carriage rides are available Wednesday – Sunday year round.

Winter Tea Time at Mandarin Oriental Paris

It can get chilly after a day shopping at Paris’ Christmas markets and wandering the many sights of Paris. Head inside for the festive Winter Tea Time at the Mandarin Oriental Paris.

The delicious festive afternoon tea by Mandarin Oriental Paris’ pastry chef Adrien Bozzolo features an array of savory delights. The tea includes the hot beverage and pastry of your choice (we recommend choosing the passion fruit yule log), plus salty and sweet treats such as: citrus gingerbread, a chocolate Christmas ball, a coconut snowman, flavored scones and more.

Winter Tea Time at Mandarin Oriental Paris is available daily at Camelia at 3:30pm.

Christmas Dinner at Moulin Rouge

Moulin Rouge is a living legend in Paris. As the birthplace of the can-can, the lavish champagne-filled parties that famous dancers performed during have been attracting visitors since 1889.

The current show Féérie traces Moulin Rouge’s history with 80 dancers (yes, they are topless) adorned in feathers and rhinestones. The cabaret attracts some 600,000 visitors every year who feel like they’re stepping in to the Paris of days gone by.

A special Christmas menu is served during the holidays, though the Féérie show itself is the same. But if you’re looking for an adult night out, don’t miss dinner and a show at France’s most famous cabaret.

The Moulin Rouge Christmas dinner is served from December 22, 2022 – January 4, 2023 The Moulin Rouge show Féérie is nightly year round.

Take a Seine River Christmas Cruise

Paris is at its most beautiful as the lights come on. With monuments like the Eiffel Tower reflecting on the Seine and the night lit up with colorful Christmas lights, you won’t want to miss out on a Seine River Christmas cruise.

Choose to cruise either at lunchtime or dinnertime on December 24 and December 25. A 5-course gourmet feast of holiday French dishes with wine awaits as you cruise the Seine, which has been called Paris’ most beautiful avenue. Live entertainment is a nice enhancement to the Christmas lunch or dinner experience.

The Seine Christmas Cruise is available December 24 – 25, 2022 for lunch or dinner. A nightly Seine dinner cruise is also available year round.

Attend a Classic Concert in Sainte-Chapelle

There are a number of churches worth visiting in Paris, but Sainte-Chapelle simply can’t be missed. Commissioned by King Louis IX, Sainte-Chapelle is not only the very first royal chapel to be built in France but also considered the finest royal chapel to built in France. The chapel’s more than 1100 stained glass windows depicting scenesfrom the Old and New Testaments and recounting the history of the world are worth marveling at on any trip to Paris.

But Christmastime in Paris brings some extra magic to Sainte-Chapelle. Imagine enjoying in a classical concert in this beautiful Gothic chapel. You can even enjoy champagne and appetizers (for an extra fee) ahead of the concert. But be sure to book tickets well in advance, as they sell out quickly.

Eat a Galette des Rios for Epiphany

The Galette des Rois (King cake) is found in Paris at Christmastime. Its most notable feature is the hidden fève (prize), usually a porcelain figurine, in the cake. Whoever finds the fève in their slice of cake gets to wear a paper crown and be King (or Queen) for the day.

I can imagine that in the US a hard, pointy figurine baked into a cake would be considered a safety risk, but that’s not at all the case here in France with lines of galette-hungry customers snaking out of every bakery that you pass. Tim found one of these porcelain collectibles in his cake and was king for the day! Of course, we only learned of the tradition after he thought a piece of the mixer had fallen into his cake.

Now as residents of France, having Galette des Rois is a must every January 6. Don’t miss trying a Galette des Rois if you’re in France during the holidays.

Where to Stay in Paris at Christmas

Just because you’re traveling away from home during the holidays doesn’t mean you need to end up in a boring hotel room that looks like it could be anywhere in the world. Some Paris hotels have some of the best Christmas decorations in Paris. Or if you’re looking for a home to make your own, including whipping up your own Christmas morning pancakes, we’ve got some suggestions for holiday homes stay too.

Mandarin Oriental Paris

Christmas is definitely in the air at the Mandarin Oriental Paris . The lobby and restaurants are turned into a winter fairytale every year with elaborately decorated Christmas trees and glittering baubles. You can typically expect a few holiday themed surprises from the MO Paris’s pastry chef to pop up for guests, too.

And guests won’t want to miss the yule log in collaboration with Gilles & Boissier, architects of their new signature suite: The Parisian Apartment. This year’s yule log is chocolate and passion fruit, wrapped in a shiny chocolate glaze and decorated with edible golden dipped chocolate toys. It’s *almost* too beautiful to eat!

We love the location in Paris’s 1st Arrondissement and just two blocks from the Tuileries Garden. The Louvre, Opera Garnier and upscale shopping are all nearby.

Hotel Plaza Athénée

Hôtel Plaza Athénée is one of the world’s most legendary hotels. For more than a century, the hotel has been a chic fixture on Avenue de Montaigne every bit as fashionable as its neighbors like Dior and Chanel. Donning the ultimate distinction when it comes to Parisian luxury hotels, Hôtel Plaza Athénée is a grand palais hotel and even more desirable after a multi-year and more than 200 million Euro renovation.

A gorgeous experience any time of the year, Hôtel Plaza Athénée is transformed into a magical winter wonderland for the holiday season. The hotel is decked out in its holiday finest, and even has its very own private ice skating rink surrounded by twinkling Christmas trees in the hotel’s La Cour Jardin.

Located in the 8th Arrondissement, being near the Champs-Élysées is one of our personal favorite parts of Paris to stay in. We love that you easily walk to just about any Parisian sight, or pop onto a number of metro lines with Charles de Gaulle–Étoile being a major artery in the Paris metro network.

Paris Perfect Holiday Apartments

If you’re headed to Paris with family and need a little more space than a hotel room or hotel suite, Paris Perfect holiday apartments offer the best of hotel meets an Airbnb-like experience. As Paris’s premier vacation apartment rental company, you’re assured a chic Parisian apartment in some of the city’s most desirable neighborhoods.

With multiple bedrooms in many of the Paris Perfect holiday flats, the whole family will feel right at home. And with amenities like kitchens, you can even bring some of your favorite holiday traditions from home along on your Paris Christmas trip.

Paris Perfect’s neighborhood guides definitely help you to find the best restaurants, shops, patisserie and more in your temporary Paris neighborhood. It’s an excellent Airbnb alternative run by a small team of Francophiles who personally select, decorate and ensure everyone who stays in a Paris Perfect rental truly has the dream Parisian experience.

This article contains affiliate links. When you book on Viator or Booking.com through our affiliate sites, we earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Loved this post? We love when you share our content! ~ Jen & Tim

About Jennifer Dombrowski

Jennifer Dombrowski is an independent travel publisher and an American expat who has lived in Bordeaux, France since 2016. She previously lived in Northern Italy in a small village near Venice for seven years where she fell in love with wine and wine tourism. She is an award-winning travel writer. She is also a travel correspondent on Traveling on the American Forces Radio Network. Luxe Adventure Traveler was named one of the top travel blogs to watch by the Huffington Post and TripAdvisor, and has been featured by top publications such as National Geographic, CNN, Buzzfeed, and Business Insider. Jennifer's photography has also been featured on publications such as USA Today and Travel + Leisure and on the Travel Channel.

samantha says

November 18, 2013 at 6:42 PM

I love Christmas lights! And decorated trees. Christmas in Paris is something like a movie fantasy for me, I hope to experience it one day! Thanks for sharing 🙂

Jennifer Dombrowski says

December 5, 2013 at 9:04 AM

It’s definitely a magical city, and especially at Christmas! Hope you make it to Paris for Christmas one day, Samantha!

November 18, 2013 at 7:48 PM

Love the night shot – I’d like to see cities dressed up all year round but then I guess I’d take if for granted. Looks like a great time of year to be there.

December 5, 2013 at 9:05 AM

As Audrey Hepburn said, Paris is always a good idea. And especially so at Christmas!

Ellen Christian says

November 19, 2013 at 12:18 PM

Gorgeous photos!

Thanks, Ellen! Tim gets the credit for most of our photography.

Sirinity F. says

January 9, 2019 at 8:45 PM

Did Tim really find a porcelain piece in his King cake? How old is Tim? What year was it when Tim found the porcelain figure in his King cake? Wher are you going for your next trip?

Janice says

November 19, 2013 at 11:07 PM

Well, we won’t be in Paris for Christmas. But we can always dream :-). That “king cake” reminds Janice of the Christmas pudding her mother always makes. Inside, she puts coins. The larger the piece of pudding, the more money you get.

December 5, 2013 at 9:06 AM

That sounds like a unique tradition! How did she start putting coins in the Christmas pudding?

Devlin says

November 19, 2013 at 11:31 PM

Though I loathe winter – 30+ years living in Chicago – I’d still love to see Paris in the winter time, it’s such a beautiful city.

December 5, 2013 at 9:07 AM

Small world, Devlin! Tim is from Chicago and his family still lives there.

Cheryl Howard says

November 20, 2013 at 1:42 AM

I really have to visit this city someday! It’s on my very long list. 🙂

Christmas in Paris looks fab.

December 5, 2013 at 9:08 AM

You’d love it Cheryl!

November 20, 2013 at 8:32 AM

Great post, but I just thought I’d let you know having returned from Paris two days ago, that the Christmas Markets are down the Champs Élysées this year near to the Grand Palais. The ice rink is there too. Doesn’t look like there’ll be anything going on by the Trocadero this year. Keep up the great work!

December 5, 2013 at 9:10 AM

You were just a little too early, Neil. The Trocadero Christmas Village is open daily from December 12th, 2013 to January 5th, 2014. Too bad you missed it – it is our favorite in Paris.

Veronica says

November 21, 2013 at 5:44 PM

LOVE that you can ice skate (and in my case, fall) in front of the Eiffel Tour! VERY cool! -Veronica

December 5, 2013 at 9:11 AM

Definitely one of my favorite places I’ve ice skated! You can beat the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop.

November 24, 2013 at 8:07 PM

Must be a unique experience to spend the advent season in Paris with all the lights and christmas atmosphere in the air.

It’s definitely a gorgeous time to visit Paris!

December 2, 2013 at 1:31 PM

Apart from the cold, i think Paris is a great destination to visit over Christmas. I can imagine the decorations that will be all over to give it a Christmas feeling. Its amazing! Good work too. 🙂

December 5, 2013 at 9:13 AM

No where in mainland Europe is particularly warm this time of year, so the cold didn’t bother us. Plus, the cold gives you a reason to snuggle up with your special someone! 😉

Heather says

December 5, 2013 at 1:43 AM

Is there any place more romantic than Paris at Christmas? That tree in the Galeries Lafayette is gorgeous!

December 5, 2013 at 9:14 AM

I think NYC gives Paris a run for its money at Christmas. 😉 But there’s definitely no arguing that Paris is indeed romantic any time of the year.

December 5, 2013 at 4:16 AM

I was in Paris for Christmas about 5 years ago. My most vivid memory is of it pouring down with rain and having to take shelter in the Sacre Coeur on Christmas Eve, which was like an oasis of calm and peace. At that moment, we wouldn’t have liked to be anywhere else.

(P.S. we use the same WordPress theme!)

December 5, 2013 at 9:15 AM

What a great memory! And that’s what Christmas is really about – making memories with your loved ones.

Charlotte Gade says

December 6, 2013 at 9:25 AM

I have been through some of your very exciting blogs and I really like what i’m reading – not only “the stories” but also the way you write, which makes it even more interresting 🙂

I am editor on the fairly new Danish Travel portal RejseTanker.dk and I would love to bring some of your Blogposts – translated into Danish – maybe starting with Christmas in Paris…. Ofcause you will have your name and link there as well.

Please let me know if you could be interested in some co-operation 🙂

Have a great weekend 😉

Best regards

December 6, 2013 at 6:13 PM

Hi Charlotte! Can you email is at [email protected] about this?

January 31, 2014 at 6:36 PM

Sounds like I have to spend a Christmas here 😉 I was in Paris only early spring:)

October 17, 2018 at 5:24 AM

Do you have any tips for a Christmas Eve dinner? Nothing too touristy. Thank you

October 17, 2018 at 11:27 AM

Check out our suggestions for the best restaurants to eat at in Paris here: https://luxeadventuretraveler.com/best-restaurants-in-paris-france/

Christopher O'Bannon says

December 29, 2018 at 9:43 AM

Helpful article. Thank you.

Just FYI, King Cakes are a huge part of the Mardi Gras tradition in Louisiana.

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How to Spend the Perfect Christmas in Paris

Christmas in the City of Light is magical, with festive luxury hotels, twinkling lights, and beautiful holiday markets.

Jorg Greuel/Getty Images

There are few things more magical than waking up on Christmas morning and exchanging gifts with loved ones under a tinsel-strewn tree, but rousing to a view of the Eiffel Tower and a basket of fresh croissants in Paris might do the trick. The City of Light dazzles more brilliantly than usual over the holidays, when cobbled streets and department stores sparkle with Christmas lights and there’s festive fun to be found in every arrondissement. 

While you may need to put dreams of a white Christmas on the back burner — Paris rarely gets more than a thin layer of snow —  there’s no shortage of romantic ways to spend winter days there , whether on a moonlit cruise along the Seine or in the toasty glow of a heated terrace with a glass of wine in hand. 

From the most majestic backdrops for holiday concerts to prime places to shop, stay, and be merry, here are the best things to do in Paris during Christmas.

Sip mulled wine at the Christmas markets.

Maremagnum/Getty Images

Christmas markets in Paris are more like winter villages, with dozens — and in some cases, hundreds — of Swiss-style wooden chalets doling out vin chaud (mulled wine), raclette sandwiches oozing cheese, and made-in-France souvenirs to take home.

Markets begin popping up around the city in late November and run through the new year, ranging in size from a handful of stalls to upwards of 300. For a quaint, picturesque experience, head to the market at Notre Dame or across the river at the Hôtel de Ville, where you'll typically find an evening light show and gaggles of children gunning for the carousel.

For larger-scale productions, make your way to La Magie de Noël (The Magic of Christmas) at the Tuileries Garden, a Christmas market turned carnival. Further out, at the end of the metro line 1, is the most sprawling market in all of Paris: La Défense. It's set in the heart of the business district at the base of the Grande Arche. Head to the top of the modern monument for a bird’s-eye view of the whole spectacle. 

Window shop at the decked-out department stores.

Marc Piasecki/Getty Images

A beloved Parisian pastime is the art of l​​èche-vitrine, or window shopping — although it translates literally as window licking, which is likely what you’ll be tempted to do when faced with the delicious displays at the city's grands magasins . 

There are four major department stores, each boasting its own over-the-top winter wonderlands that you can ogle from the windows or while warming up inside. Both Galeries Lafayette and Printemps Haussmann , located a stone’s throw from one another, famously feature lavish Christmas trees that are decked out beneath their art nouveau domes. Le BHV Marais and Le Bon Marché also go all out with their decor — the latter’s iconic crisscrossing escalator is typically dripping with white lights and snowflakes. 

Beyond the big four, Samaritaine is another must-see department store. The beautiful Belle Époque building is worth a look at any time of year, but like most of Paris, it gleams with extra charm around the holidays. 

Stroll under the twinkling lights on the Champs-Élysées. 

Massimo Borchi/Atlantide Phototravel/Getty Images

Lined with luxury boutiques, Paris’s famed avenue is hardly in need of a glow-up, but that’s exactly what it gets each winter, thanks to 400-odd trees strung up in vibrant red lights. The shimmering show — called La Flamboyance — runs from the Arc de Triomphe down to the Ferris wheel at the Place de la Concorde, where you can go for a spin before exploring the Tuileries Christmas market. 

If you’re eager to see more of how the City of Light lives up to its name over the holidays, consider an open-top Christmas lights bus tour , during which you'll cruise around the city to see the sparkling sights from new heights. 

Take in a classical Christmas concert at an awe-inspiring church.

David Clapp/Getty Images

Drinking Champagne in church may not be the holiest way to celebrate Christmas, but it’s certainly one of the more memorable. Paris's churches are worth a visit for their magnificent architecture alone, and in addition to religious services, some of the most picturesque in the city offer musical performances in their hallowed halls. Located on the Île de la Cité, the island where Paris was first founded, the striking Gothic Sainte-Chapelle hosts classical concerts during the holidays. The former royal chapel has some of the most beautiful stained glass windows in all of Europe, which set a dramatic mood for the music. For an additional fee, you can enjoy a Champagne and tapas pairing.

Cruise along the Seine on Christmas Eve.

renan gicquel/Getty Images

While Paris is a city best seen on foot, a tour along the Seine provides a romantic new perspective. Tours run daily throughout the year, but a handful of vendors tout special Christmas offerings like Bateaux Mouches' Christmas lunch cruise . Some include five-course meals, Champagne, and more on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Just be sure to book sooner rather than later, as they’re likely to sell out. 

Dress up for the ballet at Opéra Bastille.

Getty Images/Thierry Pix

Throw on your Frenchest finery and head out for an elegant evening at Opéra Bastille , a modern building designed by the Canadian-Uruguayan architect Carlos Ott. But the venue has a longer history — it's located on the site of the 1789 Storming of the Bastille during the French Revolution. In the weeks leading up to Christmas and up until January 1, 2024, you can catch a performance of The Nutcracker .

Ice skate against iconic backdrops.

momo11353/Getty Images

When visiting the Tuileries Christmas Market, you may want to take it easy on the mulled wine for a chance to lace up your skates and glide along the charming ice rink, encircled by wooden chalets and the smell of Nutella crepes. There are a few iconic places around the city known to set up ice rinks, such as the Hôtel de Ville and even the Eiffel Tower, where a small rink is set up on the first floor. Many also head to the rink beneath the glass dome of the Grand Palais .

Eat, drink, and be merry.

Olivier DJIANN/Getty Images

Plenty of places close for the week between Christmas and New Year’s, so if you’ve been bookmarking restaurants on Instagram for months, you’ll want to confirm that they're open on their website (or their Instagram page, as that's often more up to date). If so, be sure to book well in advance to nab a table. Note that many restaurants will offer prix fixe menus.

Treat yourself to a stay at one of the city's most luxurious hotels.

Courtesy of Ritz Paris

There is certainly no shortage of splurge-worthy hotels in Paris . In the historic heart of the city is Le Meurice , a hotel where you can wake up to a view of the Eiffel Tower and have your skin gently nudged toward perfection during a glow-inducing facial at La Maison Valmont pour Le Meurice Spa . In the lobby, you can cozy up with a martini for nightly jazz at Bar 228 , the intimate Philippe Starck-designed wood-paneled bar with heavenly frescoed ceilings. 

Or, go for the timeless elegance of the Ritz Paris , which decks its halls in festive holiday fashion every year. Other sumptuous digs include Cour des Vosges , a unique pied-à-terre at once modern and classic, where you can get ready for the day while overlooking Place des Vosges, the oldest square in Paris.

How to have the most magical Christmas in Paris

From where to see the best christmas trees to the top things to do on christmas day..

The scent of mulled wine, the ringing of carols, and the sparkling decorations along Champs-Elysées could only mean one thing: it’s Christmas in Paris .

The festive atmosphere takes over Paris throughout December—putting you in the mood for all things Christmassy, like shopping for gifts, ice-skating in outdoor rinks, and sampling treats in Christmas markets.

The days leading to Christmas are chock-full of concerts and events. Parisians spill out onto the streets to become tourists in their own city. After all, Paris is a different Paris this time of the year. As cliché as this sounds, it’s a Christmas wonderland… minus the snow. Be sure to pack your winter jackets, scarves, and an extra suitcase for all the gifts you won’t be able to resist.

The best Christmas trees in Paris

It’s an open secret that Christmas brings along a battle for the most outrageous Christmas trees in Paris—the bigger, the better. These giant trees are erected throughout the city from mid-November onwards. Here’s where you can see the best Christmas trees in Paris.

The best department store Christmas trees

The Galeries Lafayette along Boulevard Haussmann has been pulling out all the stops for Christmas since 1920. Venture on the Glasswalk, a glass walkway that’s suspended 52 feet above the ground. You can snap the best photos of the massive Christmas tree, decked in hundreds of ornaments and lights, from here—but only if you manage to keep your hands steady.

The Christmas decorations in Galeries Lafayette don't go unchallenged. It’s a tradition for all Parisian department stores to put up Christmas trees and window displays. Head to Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche or Westfield Forum des Halles and be the judge.

The best outdoor Christmas trees

Of course, there are plenty more Christmas trees standing proud and tall outdoors. In the historic heart of Paris, Place Vendôme dazzles with fir trees draped in lights. Just around the corner from this public square is a Louis Vuitton store that will surely be decked in Christmassy luxe. A few streets away, at Place de la Concorde , perfect cones surround the Luxor Obelisk.

The best Christmas markets in Paris

To soak up all the festive vibes you’re craving, just walk into a Christmas market in Paris. Some of them pop up for a weekend or two in December, while others stretch from mid-November to early January.

Tuileries Garden Christmas market

When: November 18, 2023–January 7, 2024

The largest of them—and the one you don’t want to miss—is La Magie de Noël (“The Magic of Christmas”) which is held at the Tuileries Garden . Under the shadow of the Ferris Wheel, this epicenter of fun combines a market and a fun fair. You can walk from stall to stall browsing French artisanal products or go straight to the carnival rides for bumper cars; there’s even ice skating. Afterward, tuck into food laden with cheese or sip Champagne in an igloo bar.

Notre-Dame de Paris Christmas market

When: December 8–25, 2023

The Notre-Dame de Paris Christmas Market in Square René Viviani is small in size but big on quality. Its stalls are manned by artisans specializing in ceramics, jewelry, and French food.

Eiffel Tower Christmas market

When: November 17, 2023–December 16, 2024

The Champ de Mars Christmas market, on the other hand, is a gourmet delight that will take your taste buds around the country. Enjoy delights from the Alsace and Savoy regions, and of course, the Christmas classic—mulled wine. While you’re there, you might as well skip the lines and head up the Eiffel Tower .

The best Christmas lights and decorations in Paris

Want to see Paris at its sparkly best? Put on your walking boots for this tour of the City of Light. Christmas lights and decorations are usually up from mid-November and last through New Year’s.

Start at the most emblematic avenue of Paris, Champs-Élysées , when the lights flicker on at 5 p.m. This walk takes you from the Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde. You might succumb to shopping—but that’s just part of the experience. Then, turn back and wander into Avenue Montaigne for more ornate decorations all the way to Alma Bridge.

A dinner cruise is another great way to see the city lights and illuminations along the Seine while enjoying a five-course meal.

If you can’t get enough of the Christmas lights in Paris (and who can blame you?), there are two more locations to visit: the bohemian neighborhood of Montmartre and Bercy Village , an open-air shopping and dining district where you might just encounter Santa Claus and his elves.

We recommend the all-in-one private tour where you can see the Christmas lights around town, visit the Christmas markets, and enjoy a ride on the Ferris wheel.

Disneyland Paris at Christmas

Disneyland is always a good idea. But Disneyland around Christmas—now, that’s a fantastic idea. Disneyland Paris is at its merriest during the holiday season, when the Christmas light-up starts from mid-November to early January. All your favorite Disney characters will be dressed up in their Christmas best, ready to enchant you with exclusive seasonal shows and parades.

To get the low-down, check out our guide to Disneyland Paris at Christmas .

Things to do in Paris on Christmas Day

The Christmas hurrah builds up through the advent and reaches a peak on Christmas Eve when families gather for a feast that typically comprises roast turkey, foie gras, and prized seafood like oysters, scallops, and lobsters.

If you’re traveling in Paris during this time, there are still plenty of things to do even though many shops and restaurants are closed on Christmas Day. Tons of attractions remain open, so let’s start planning.

Get up close with the animals

Get tickets for Parc Zoologique de Paris or Aquarium de Paris for a day of animal discovery. At Parc Zoologique de Paris, go on a festive Christmas-themed tour of the zoo and stay for present unwrapping time where the animals tear into their special Christmas "gifts".

Check out museums

Head to Grevin Museum to strike a pose with the wax figures of celebrities, step into Atelier des Lumières for an exhibition of lights and sounds, or peek into the Centre Pompidou 's extensive modern and contemporary art collection.

Visit the “Iron Lady”

Even the Eiffel Tower is open, but if you’ve checked that off your list, head up the observation deck of Montparnasse Tower for panoramic views. After all, you can’t take pictures of the Paris skyline with the Eiffel Tower from the Eiffel Tower.

Hit the shops for some Christmas shopping

If Santa has topped up your bank account and you’re in the mood for shopping, a handful of department stores like Printemps and Le BHV Marais remain open on Christmas Day.

Score a table for a Christmas Day lunch or dinner

Want some fine dining, too? Then make your reservations now (we mean it: now!) at the few French restaurants that are open on Christmas Day, such as Cléo and Bouillon Julien .

Recommended tours and activities

More like this:

• 17 magical Christmas markets in Europe that are happening this year
• Your guide to visiting Disneyland Paris at Christmas
• Christmas in London: Christmas markets, festive lights & more
• Your guide to spending a magical Christmas in Rome

Your go-to guide for winter travel

Christmas in Paris: What to Do, Where to Go & More!

Last Updated: November 21, 2023

*FYI - this post may contain affiliate links, which means we earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase from them. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Check out our Privacy Policy and Disclosure. for more info.

NOTE: This Paris Christmas guide was written after my visit in 2019, but has been updated with the most recent info and dates I could find online. Do note that some details/locations may differ year to year though, so let me know in the comments if you notice anything inaccurate.

As a rabid fangirl for all things Parisian, it was only a matter of time before I celebrated Christmas in Paris and let me tell you…

Honestly, I’m still reeling from my chocolate/wine/cheese high. Also, I’m quite certain I’m pregnant with pastries.

But caloric mischief aside, I do think these are all signs of a truly excellent trip.

Granted, I’ve never been great at hiding my love for the French capital (check out my top Paris tips for more), but Paris at Christmas time is a whole other beast – a beast sprinkled with cheese, dipped with chocolate and soaked in buckets upon buckets of wine.

Save this Guide to Christmas in Paris for Later!

You’ll be very glad you did.

Maybe it’s the fact that peak season crowds have thinned, every street is decked with lights and the relentless consumption of sugar becomes 100% normalized, even encouraged.

Regardless of the reason, my conclusion remains the same: Christmas is hands down one of the best times to be in Paris.

I recently returned from a few days revelling in Paris Christmas magic, and if you’re in the lucky position of doing the same this year, boyyy do I have recommendations for you.

My ardent love for both Paris and Christmas have finally collided to produce the crossover episode that nobody asked for… I hope you’re ready!

So, are you wondering what to do in Paris at Christmas time?

This guide has you covered with everything you need to know, including Paris Christmas Market recommendations, where to find the most magical Paris Christmas tree decorations and pretty much everything else you need to know when visiting Paris at Christmas time. Enjoy!

Catch the video version of this Christmas in Paris Guide

Looking for a more visual travel guide? This video below will give you a glimpse at what Paris really looks like at Christmas time:

The Best Christmas Things to do in Paris

Looking for fun things to do in Paris over Christmas? Here are some of the best festive must-dos that you can’t miss when visiting Paris at Christmas time:

Enjoy the Paris Christmas market circuit

First up, one of my favourite things in the universe: Christmas markets!

While nearby Germany and Switzerland are probably better known for their ahh-worthy Christmas markets, Paris has its fair share to enjoy as well.

Most Christmas markets in Paris open after Advent, but luckily I had the chance to mosey my way through a few of the city’s early birds, and also some of Paris’ biggest: the Christmas Market at the Jardins des Tuileries and the Christmas Market at La Défense.

Hands down, a visit to one of these is the most magical way to instantly dunk yourself in glittery Christmas spirit.

Cuddle up with a vin chaud, rub your hands across the fuzziest artisanal goods, and you’ll be ho ho ho ing in no time.

For a full list of Paris Xmas Markets, click here.

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🌎 WorldNomads: For travel insurance

Go gaga over Paris’ stunning Christmas window displays

Parisian Christmas decor is decadently next-level, particularly when it comes to the city’s world renowned department stores.

So, hands down, one of the best Christmas things to do in Paris is to lurk around the different Christmas displays found in shop windows, which can be adorable, enchanting, weird, or most likely, a fun combination of all three.

Printemps for example has a psychedelic creepy-cute bird theme this year, while Galeries Lafayette’s displays center around bees. You can easily visit both in one go, which I highly recommend.

Take a day trip to Disneyland Paris (which is amazing at Christmas time!)

Next: why not consider a visit to the nearby Disneyland Paris?

Honestly, Disneyland Paris is magical on any given day, but deck the park out in Christmas decor and it’s truly one of the happiest, most festive places on earth.

I’m a December baby, and Disneyland Paris was in fact where I spent my 22nd birthday a few years back, because a) I am a child and b) I couldn’t resist the Christmas magic.

There’s nothing quite like seeing the Sleeping Beauty Castle decked out in lights, with Mickey wreaths and a glittering tree to boot. Definitely add this to your Paris Christmas itinerary if you get a chance – you won’t regret it!

Want more info? Read my guide on planning a day trip from Paris to Disneyland Paris.

Marvel at the incredible Galeries Lafayette Christmas tree

Hands down one of the most amazing Christmas spots in Paris is the world famous Galeries Lafayette, a luxurious department store with a showstopping Christmas tree that dazzles the masses every year.

And if that’s not sparkly enough as is, there’s even a light show every 30 minutes that you can enjoy…

As well as a variety of Christmas décor scattered around the store’s multiple floors.

Coming to see this tree is a must-do if you’re looking for Christmas activities in Paris!

BONUS TIP: There’s now even a free skywalk that’s open to the public where you can enjoy a unique perspective over the tree. Check out my list of free things to do in Paris for more.

Go ice skating

Pop-up ice rinks are a common occurrence in Paris around Christmas time, with even the Eiffel Tower offering ice skating opportunities in the past!

While exact venues tend to vary year by year, you can usually count on there being one at the Jardins des Tuileries Christmas Market. You can find a list of them on the official Paris tourism page here.

In 2019, Galeries Lafayette even offered a free SKATING RINK on the roof, which I got to take part. It was undoubtedly one of the most scenic skating views I’ve ever enjoyed, although calling my uncoordinated hobbling “skating” is pretty generous.

Regardless of whether you’re a skilled skater or a failed Canadian sports reject like me, the venue makes every glide and tumble worth it.

My VIP Zone is full of freebies just like this ready-to-go 'winter in Europe' packing list.

Admire the stunning Christmas displays all around the city

It’s hard not to be assaulted with Christmas cheer while gallivanting around Paris. Practically every storefront is jazzed up in some way, whether with twinkly lights or literal sculptures made of chocolate.

There are some places that are better than others for Christmas display spotting in Paris though. Here are a few you should definitely check out:

The Village Royal usually has some great displays, like the glittery bears and balloons they had in 2019:

Paris’ biggest toy store, the Village Jouéclub also has usually has some fun displays, with a wonderfully magical Harry Potter theme the year I visited:

For a real life Christmas village in Paris, head over to Bercy Village, where you can find a trail of trees illuminated with unique modern light sculptures.

While I admit, there’s not a lot to do at Bercy Village besides shop or eat, I do really like this little area because of its unique history.

Lining the Cour Saint-Emilion, you’ll find 42 white stone storehouses left over from when this area used to host the largest wine market in the world.

Today you’ll find an entertainment complex and various shops/restaurants in place of said market, but it’s still a neat offbeat spot to visit, especially at Christmas when they run special shows and festive programming. Click here to learn more.

Last but not least, the iconic Champs Elysées are also worth checking out during Christmas time, with all their pretty light displays and holiday-themed storefronts.

While far from my favourite place to actually shop in Paris, of all the Paris Christmas lights I’ve encountered, the glittering glasses of bubbly on Champs Elysées are among my favourite, so be sure to check them out:

Go shopping on Rue Montorgueil

Of all the charming streets to skip through in Paris, the quintessentially Parisian Rue Montorgueil is a must visit, especially at Christmas time.

This charming market street is a treat for all senses, mixing beautiful facades with an indulgent parade of bakeries, cheese shops, and cafes.

In fact, you’ll actually find the oldest patisserie in Paris lurking on this street: Stohrer, in operation since the year 1730.

Faceplant into a stunning Parisian yule log

Known in French as a Bûche de Noël, yule logs are traditionally log-shaped Christmas cakes that are gobbled down in France during the holidays.

With Paris being extra as always though, many of the city’s top pastry chefs release their own special yule log creations throughout December… some of which are beautifully creative.

If you’re lucky enough to be in town during yule log season, definitely treat yourself to one, or at least take a gander at all the creative options around town!

Watch a fun Christmassy cabaret

If you’re looking for a glitzy and unique way to spend an evening in Paris, be sure to add a cabaret experience to your bucket list!

This year, the world-famous Paris Lido is offering Christmas packages with four course meals, champagne and even a Christmas log dessert for visitors.

Tickets are limited though so be sure to check availability well in advance of your visit here.

Enjoy boozey festivities at a magical Christmas-themed rooftop, bar, or terrace

A little known Christmas secret of Paris is that many of the city’s fanciest hotels and terraces will be rolling out Christmas pop-ups where you can booze up in a festive and enchanting atmosphere.

While offerings vary year to year, past examples include an igloo bar on the Eiffel Tower to cozy chalets at the Ritz and the Park Hyatt. So, it goes without saying, one of the best ways to warm up after a long day of sightseeing is a scenic drink in a sparkly, festive venue.

I really enjoyed grabbing a drink Le Perchoir at the BHV Marais, a rooftop bar on top of one of Paris’ most famous department stores.

This is one of the top hotspots in the city during the summer, but it’s also open in the wintertime with beautiful lights and of course, one of the top views in town so you can chug your wine with Eiffel Tower views.

… and maybe one of the best light shows the city has to offer.

Click here for a nice roundup of Christmas terraces/bars open in Paris this season.

Learn to make Christmas dinner with a Parisian chef

I love taking cooking classes when I travel, so imagine my squeals of delight when I discovered you can actually book a cooking class in Paris where you prepare a three course Christmas dinner with a local chef!

I didn’t have time during my visit to check it out, but I wanted to let you know about it just in case you love foodie experiences as much as me. Click here to check reviews and availability.

Go hunting for Christmas trees around the city

The Paris Christmas tree scene is pretty lit…. literally.

While I do think that the best Paris Christmas tree decorations are found at Galeries Lafayette, you’ll also find dazzling displays elsewhere in the city, including Place Vendôme and Le Bon Marché.

Book a Christmas themed walking tour ft. Paris’ Christmas markets and main light displays

Lastly, if you want to experience the most magical parts of Christmassy Paris with the help of a guide, several companies offer Paris Christmas tours, like this one which brings you to the top Christmas sights in Paris, and includes a free winter drink, or this one which is a bus tour that brings you to all the nicest Christmas lights in the city.

Click here for more info on the Paris Christmas lights tour.

Celebrating Christmas Day in Paris

There are plenty of things to do in Paris on Christmas Day if you’re lucky enough to be in town! More importantly, there’s loads to eat.

As you might expect, many of Paris’ restaurants shutters its doors for Christmas day proper. This site has a good list of restaurants that are open in Paris on Christmas day.

Here are some other Christmas day experiences to consider in Paris though, to make your visit extra special.

Celebrate your Paris Christmas in style at an elegant brunch

Brunch and Christmas are two of my favourite things… combine them, and I could cry.

If you have similarly strong sentiments towards the team-up of brunch and Christmas, be sure to check out the beautiful selection of Parisian restaurants who offer upscale brunches for Christmas day.  There’s quite a few of them, and they all look incredibly special. Click here for a list.

Enjoy Christmas dinner in Paris….. on a river cruise along the Seine

If you’re looking for a very special Christmas celebration in Paris, consider booking yourself on a delicious dinner sightseeing cruise on Christmas day.

The reviews on this one are unanimously fantastic, with sailings available on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

If you’re looking for a truly magical and unforgettable experience during your Christmas day in Paris – this would be a great idea. Click here to check prices and availability.

Or simply book a Christmas lunch cruise

For a more affordable option on Christmas day in Paris, you can also book a lunchtime river cruise which includes an all-inclusive menu cooked on board. Click here to check availability.

Go window shopping

Just because most shops are closed on Christmas day doesn’t mean its stunning displays and lights are!

Paris is known for its elaborate shop windows and this is still something you’re able to take advantage of even on Christmas day itself.

Check out the Eiffel Tower on Christmas Day

Lastly, while you won’t find a ton of places open in Paris on Christmas day, one reliable bet is the Eiffel Tower, an iconic attraction that remains open on Dec 25.

That’s right – shameless cheesy tourist fun never sleeps!

Click here to see other main Parisian monuments open on Christmas day in Paris.

Other Things to do in Paris at Christmas Time (That Aren’t Christmassy, but Still Magical)

Last but not least, if you’re still looking for some things to do during your Paris Christmas trip, here are some ideas that aren’t necessarily Christmas-themed, but nonetheless magical must-dos during your trip!

Immerse yourself in art at the Atelier des Lumières

If you’re looking for an indoor activity that will absolutely blow your mind (and maybe make you cry twice), I cannot recommend the Atelier des Lumières enough.

This immersive art experience brings amazing artwork to life through moving projections on the walls, coupled with music and dazzling lights.

Visit before January and you’ll be able to catch the Van Gogh and Japon Rêvé experience that I went to. Seriously, it was so good, and I’m not joking about the crying twice thing… they’re even open on Christmas day! Click here to visit their official website.

Escape the chill by exploring Paris’ covered passages

The covered passages of Paris are one of my favourite little eccentricities of the city – covered shopping arcades crammed with tiny boutiques, cafes and restaurants.

Once upon a time, the city boasted over 150 of these, of which only a few dozen remain, all in the city’s right bank.

These beautiful passages become only more magical at Christmas time, with elaborate strings of twinkling lights, bright red baubles dangling from the ceiling, and of course, an ample dose of Christmas magic sprinkled along the enchanting storefronts.

The Maison du Roy at Passage Jouffroy is especially known for its stunning Baroque Christmas displays and the impossibly pretty Gallerie Vivienne sparkles like no other once Christmas comes along.

Whether to rescue your fingers from the biting cold or to simply add some variety to your wistful Parisian wanderings, be sure to dip into a passage or two!

You might even happen upon a filming location that you recognize, like these from Emily in Paris.

PS: If you’re exploring Paris at Christmas with kids in tow, you can even book a special Christmassy scavenger hunt of all these passages. Click here to check prices and availability.

Drink your weight in hot chocolate at a cute cafe

There’s no bad time to be enjoying hot chocolate in Paris, but there’s something about the Christmas spirit engulfing the city that seems to give you a free pass to not count calories and to indulge, indulge, indulge.

One of my personal favourite things to do in Paris at wintertime is to cozy up with a giant mug of hot chocolate… which you’ll find no shortage of in this city.

Angelina is a Parisian institution that many love for their thick drinking chocolate and elegant tea room, but if I can be honest, my tastebuds far prefer the delicious hot chocolate at the Lindt Cafe!

Is it the most Parisian experience? Not exactly, but trust me when I say I would take a bullet for this hot chocolate. Try one with whipped cream and your life will be changed.

Warm up in a museum

If it gets too cold walking around outside, the good news is you have dozens of amazing world class museums to choose from as your warming room du jour.

Besides the Louvre and the Orsay which are of course very well-known, Paris has over 100 museums that you can visit.

I highly recommend getting a Paris Museum Pass here – it’s one ticket that gets you skip-the-line access at many of Paris’ most important museums.

I got one the first time I visited the city and saved a lot of money because I milked it for all it was worth! Click here to check prices and availability.

Enjoy stunning chocolates and pastries

Last but not least, can I really talk about Christmas in Paris without at least a quick shoutout to the city’s unreal pastry scene?

In the name of unhinged decadence, I command you get yourself to a patisserie anytime hunger calls and gorge yourself on the variety of beautifully decorated pastries and chocolates up for grabs.

As a bonus, many of these shops deck themselves out in Christmas decor too.

Any more questions about Christmas things to do in Paris?

I hope you enjoyed this guide to Have the most magical Christmas vacation in Paris! Be sure to stuff yourself silly for me.

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8 good reasons to visit Paris in winter

Inspiration

Paris Cities

Reading time: 0 min Published on 6 February 2024, updated on 15 April 2024

While the image of Paris is often associated with sunny café terraces and strolls along the Seine, winter reveals an equally enchanting side to the French capital. The streets are decorated with twinkling lights, the Christmas markets create a warm atmosphere and Parisian cafés are the place to go for a hot chocolate. From the spectacular illumination of the Champs-Élysées to the enchantment of the department stores, the City of Light has never lived up to its name. So if you needed one good reason to visit Paris in winter, here are at least eight!

#1 Lighting up the streets of Paris

Paris is lit up in winter and the architecture of Haussmann meets the Christmas spirit.

The Champs Élysées: a must see in Paris. Every year, from November to January, the most beautiful avenue in the world is lit up. Lily-Rose Depp, Jean Dujardin and Tahar Rahim have all had the honour of flicking the famous switch to start the festivities.

Rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré: every year, a gilded shop window decorates this upmarket Parisian promenade.

Christmas Montaigne : From the Champs-Élysées to the Place de l'Alma, winter in Paris has never been so chic. Luxury homes are decked out in thousands of lights and even offer creative workshops.

Bercy Village : Whoa! More lights! The Cour Saint-Émilion is all lit up and all that's missing is Santa Claus. Happy shopping!

#2 The magical windows of department stores

It's THE place to be for children (and nostalgic parents). It's been a must for every self-respecting Parisian since 1909. Nestled in a themed decor (enchanted forest, XXL gifts, sparkling Christmas, etc.), the toys come to life and the eyes light up.

Les Galeries Lafayette : undoubtedly the best-known department stores' in the world. And the most famous Christmas windows too. You can't spend a winter in Paris without visiting the "Galeries" windows.

Le Printemps : here too, automatic toys are famous and popular. And just as well, Le Printemps Haussmann is next door to the Galeries. So you can move from one magical setting to another, and off you go! Under the dome, don't miss the traditional (and gigantic) Christmas tree, which gets more fantastic every year.

Le BHV Marais : the famous bazaar has also started decorating its windows for Christmas. So much the better, it's one more address to feast your eyes on. Look up, the lights are twinkling under the canopy!

La Samaritaine : back with us after years of absence, the sublime art deco building seems as if it were designed to celebrate Christmas. Let yourself be transported by its magical window displays, and don't forget to push open the door. The magic continues inside.

Le Bon Marché : when it comes to festivities, the Left Bank is not to be forgotten. In front of Le Bon Marché, too, children have stars in their eyes.

#3 A good hot chocolate

Angelina : The place to go for a snack. People come here especially for the world-famous hot chocolate. We're told that the recipe contains African cocoa and custard...

Au Flore en l'ile : Enjoy a hot chocolate with a view of the Seine and Notre Dame in a typical Parisian brasserie.

Jardin de Mademoiselle : Head to the chic 7th arrondissement for a gourmet snack. Enjoy a hot chocolate in a unique setting worthy of Alice in Wonderland.

Madame Rêve (Kitchen) : Creamy, indulgent hot chocolate at the restaurant of Michelin-starred chef Stéphanie Le Quellec.

#4 Festivals of light

For the past few years, Paris in Winter has been offering fun (or romantic, if you prefer) walks. What's on offer? Light installations to discover at dusk in some of the most beautiful parks and gardens in Paris.

Jardin d'Acclimatation : the famous park in the Bois de Boulogne is hosting a festival of lights this Christmas. An evening stroll for young and old.

Jardin des Plantes : when night falls, plants aren't what you think! An illuminated walk with different themes: tiny animals, tropical forest fauna and flora.

Parc de la Villette : the city also lights up. We're particularly excited about "Lumières!", an ecological and magical event about new ways of producing electricity.

In the Parc Floral : the worst-kept secret in the Bois de Vincennes is the illuminated walk offered by the Parc Floral. We loved "L'Odyssée lumineuse" and its enchanting fauna, all dressed in coloured light.

#5 Christmas markets

For a cosy winter in Paris, there's nothing like a stroll through the Christmas markets.

Marché de Noël de La Défense : Wooden chalets, garlands of lights, the Marché de la Défense is the largest Christmas market in the Paris region. Even Santa Claus will be there!

Christmas magic at Les Tuileries : wooden chalets and a festive atmosphere. Its little extra? The carousels (see below) and the skating rink.

Marché de Noël du Champ de Mars : you won't be surprised if we tell you about the wooden chalets? The difference with other Christmas markets is that these chalets have a view of the Eiffel Tower. And that's not all!

#6 Funfairs and amusement parks

What to do with kids in Paris? A merry-go-round! And you're spoilt for choice.

Le Festival du Merveilleux : without doubt the most magical winter event in Paris. Every year, the Musée des Arts Forains presents a must-see event. Shows, centuries-old rides, cotton candy...

Les Tuileries: the famous Ferris wheel towers over the French capital and candy apples flirt with waffles. This is where winter takes on a festive air.

Disneyland : hop on the RER and you're in Mickey's kingdom, decked out for the festive season.

Parc Astérix : if you don't want to make anyone jealous, try the fairytale atmosphere of the home of the indomitable Gauls.

#7 Covered passageways

A cool breeze, a few snowflakes? Take refuge in one of Paris's favourite covered passages .

The Galerie Vivienne in the 2nd arrondissement. Probably the most beautiful covered passage in Paris.

The Passage du Grand-Cerf. Famous for its glass roof.

The Colbert Gallery in the 2nd arrondissement. Its rotunda and dome are very popular.

The Passage Brady in the 10th arrondissement. For an impromptu trip to India. Here you can have lunch and do some exotic shopping.

#8 Cultural events

Theatre, cinema, concerts? Paris in winter offers a range of festive and cosy cultural events.

Take in an opera or ballet at the Opéra Garnier : feast your eyes on Chagall's frescoes. What more could you ask for?

A concert at the Olympia : shake your hips in Paris' legendary concert hall. Enough to make you forget the cold!

A show at the Théâtre Edouard VII : There's nothing more chic and cosy than the Théâtre Edouard VII. All of Paris gathers there to cheer on (often) French celebrities.

Sustainable travel

The Paris public transport network is practical and efficient. So don't hesitate to get around by bus or metro. Want to feel a few snowflakes on the tip of your nose? Think Vélib'!

Also read: 7 good reasons to travel in France in winter

En savoir plus : Séjourner à Paris

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Paris at Christmas: Things to do this Christmas in Paris

By: Author Sophie Nadeau

Posted on Last updated: 9th December 2023

Categories CHRISTMAS , Paris

Last Updated on 9th December 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

Vin Chaud, glittering lights and the possibility of snow: the experience of visiting the City of Light during the colder months is like no other time of the year. Here’s your ultimate guide to the best of Paris at Christmas , including travel tips, and what to wear…

Christmas in Paris makes the City of Light more beautiful than ever (if that’s even possible!) . The start of advent marks the beginning of a whole host of Paris at Christmastime activities in the French capital which you’ll absolutely love.

While there are some free festive activities in Paris, others are pricier, meaning that there’s something for everyone. After all, the Grand Magasins are filled with twinkling displays and illuminations, while Christmas trees can be found in abundance all throughout the French capital

Psst. If you’re planning to visit Paris, then we’ve created a gorgeous 100+ page eBook full of beautiful photos and insider tips by a local. Included you’ll find hidden gems, arrondissement guides, walking tours, suggested itineraries, and more. Find more information here.

Galeries Lafayette Boulevard Haussmann

Printemps department store, bhv le marais, le bon marché.

• L’Hôtel de Ville, (Ice Skating rink, Hotel de Ville)

Jardin des Tuileries ice skating

La defense ice skating, galeries lafayette ice skating, passage du grand cerf, galerie vivienne, passage du havre, #4 wander through the parisian christmas markets, #5 sip on mulled wine, see the paris christmas lights at bercy village, check out the decorations at au vieux paris d’arcole, rue montorgueil, see the eiffel tower sparkle, admire the mistletoe along avenue montaigne, champs-elysées, place vendome christmas trees, louis vuitton flagship store, #8 go in search of some of the best christmas trees in paris (sapins de noël), #10 attend a seasonal church concert, #12 you’ll have the perfect excuse to get indoors and explore some of the city’s inside attractions, know that grey skies are the norm, check opening times for museums and attractions, there’s no better time for a self-guided walk, the january sales are pretty incredible, a winter jacket, a warm scarf, an umbrella, watch the christmas in paris video, where to stay in paris, did you enjoy reading christmas things to do in paris pin it now, read it again later, #1 visit the grands magasins (department stores).

Admire the shopfronts, soak up the ambiance and take part in a favourite Parisian pastime, that of ‘faire du lèche-vitrine’. Otherwise translated as ‘window licking’ or simply ‘window shopping,’ there is no better way to do this than by heading to one of the grand Parisian department stores and enjoying their festive themed window displays. My personal favourite is Printemps, which tends to be lit up around mid-November!

No trip to Paris would be complete without visiting the World Famous department store, Galeries Lafayette. Situated in the 9e arrondissement , the store first opened its doors in 1912. 

Although now an international company with storefronts worldwide, the flagship store on Boulevard Haussmann has got to be  the  place to go for a spot of Paris at Christmas shopping. After all, this is where you’ll find the Galeries Lafayette Christmas tree, as well as the iconic Art Nouveau Cupola !

Each year, the Printemps Department store ‘vitrines’ (window displays) tend to be the first to be unveiled to the public. Situated close to the Palais Garnier opera house, there are several illuminations in the department stores, in addition to the beautiful window displays. For a glimpse into how amazing they are, check out this post about the Printemps windows from 2019 .

Located right next to Hôtel de Ville (i.e. Paris’ main town hall), BHV Le Marais stands for Bazaar Hotel de Ville and is one of the five grand department stores that the city has to offer. In 2022, the theme of the stalls is the beautiful French region of Provence and there are several chalets outside of the store selling gifts as well as vin chaud and hot chocolate!

Situated on the ‘rive-gauche’ (i.e. left bank) and far away from the rest of the Parisian department stores, Le Bon Marché at Christmas is still worth a visit for those who wish to see some truly spectacular Christmas decorations. After all, it’s here in the grand staircases where giant trees are suspended and glittering for all to see!

#2 Go Ice Skating (Patinoire)

Unfortunately, as of 2023, there is nowhere seasonal or festive to go ice skating in Paris. In previous years, the following destinations have had ice skating rinks. However, I can confirm that none of these places have any ice skating rinks this year!

L’Hôtel de Ville,  (Ice Skating rink, Hotel de Ville)

While many ice skating rinks spring up around Paris as quickly as the temperature plummets, there is none more famous than that of Hotel de Ville, i.e. the Parisian town hall that can be found in the heart of Le Marais area of the French capital.

Every year the rink is opened by a large skating show and the queues that ensue are enough to scare off even the hardiest of travellers. However,  if you do wait , there are ice skating classes, yoga and many more shows all on the ice. The ice skating rink is part of the Hôtel de Ville Christmas Village. Please note that there is not an ice skating rink every year at Hôtel de Ville.

The Jardin des Tuileries is the largest Christmas Market in Paris and is free to visit, though you’ll have to pay for activities once inside. One of the biggest highlights are the ice skating rink equipped with a DJ. Another highlights is the Christmas themed haunted house with zombie Santas on every floor!

One of the more unusual places to go ice skating in Paris is at La Défense, within the area of the giant Christmas Market. The ice skating rink is actually on the rooftop of the Grande Arche of la Défense and offers views onto the rest of the buildings of the area and beyond.

In 2019, the rooftop of the Galeries Lafayette flagship store hosted an ice skating rink that was completely free to visit. In 2020, there was no event due to ongoing world events.

In 2021, a rollerblading rink was installed on the rooftop. In 2022, one of the main events was an immersive viewing experience. In 2023, there is no specific seasonal event.

#3 Explore the Covered Arcades of Paris

If you don’t really feel like braving the cold, there are an array of ‘passages couverts’ ( arcades ) around the city where you can shop for all your Christmas presents without the discomfort of getting snowed on ( or should that be rained on ). Of all the Christmas things to do in Paris, wandering down the covered arcades of the city may well be my favourite…

Predominantly built in the 1800s, there are now under 50 remaining following the extensive renovations by Haussmann later that century. Filled with tiny boutiques and cafés, each has its own vibe and is decorated with an array of tinsel, lights, and ribbons.

One of my very favourite Covered galleries of Paris is that of Passage du Grand Cerf , a beautiful double-decker shopping centre filled with cute boutiques and small cafés. This is one of the best places to head to in the city to purchase unique Christmas gifts.

Best seen at night when it’s possible to enjoy the twinkling lights that completely cover the passage at their best, Galerie Vivienne is to be found in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris and is always spectacularly decorated for Christmas.

Though more modern than some of the other covered arcades of Paris, the Passage du Havre is almost always decorated for Christmas and also happens to be a great place to head to for Christmas shopping.

Best seen by night, Paris’ Christmas markets really come to life when the sun sets over the city and the lights are turned on. The city’s Christmas markets are completely free to wander around, although you might want to make a purchase if something catches your eye!

While there are many Christmas markets to see throughout the city, some of my favourites include that of Montmartre (held in Place des Abbesses ) and the Christmas Market at la Defense – which is also the largest in the city.

Yet another fun event is the Jardin des Tuileries Christmas Market . Located in the space where the summer funfair is usually held, the Christmas market that was once held in the Place du Concorde and is the most popular in Paris Is that of the Jardin des Tuileries. Highlights include food stalls, arcade rides, bars, and boutiques.

Does anything say Christmas better than a glass of hot, spiced wine? The French translation for mulled wine is  Vin Chaud,  literally ‘hot wine’. And come Christmas time in Paris, it is available everywhere; from cafés to markets to bars and fairs, most places price the warming beverage at between 3 and 5 euros a glass.

While you’d be hard pressed to find any mulled wine served in mugs, you can still enjoy some vin chaud at various spots across the city (including, of course, in all of the Christmas Markets). Fancy making some at home? Here’s our Christmas Market wine recipe.

#6 Enjoy a Chocolat chaud (hot chocolate)

No one combines hot drinks and cafés quite like the French. Sip on a chocolat chaud (head to Angelina for the best in town), short espresso (here’s how to really order coffee in Paris ) or a vin chaud (depending on the time of day!). Thanks to the wide boulevards and outdoor heaters, you can even enjoy your drinks outside, in front of the café en terrace…

Even if you’re not a drinker of chocolat chaud, there’s no denying the charm of the terraces on the boulevards of Paris, especially those surrounding Place des Vosges. In other parts of the city, the area surrounding the Grands Boulevards metro station offers some of the best cocktail hours the city has to offer.

If you’re looking for an über luxe hot chocoalte in a pretigious setting, then you need to look no further than Carette. While there are several branches across the city, my personal go-to is at Place des Vosges, where you can sit on a square where Victor Hugo once lived and soak up the atmosphere.

Of course, while we’re on the subject of warming beverages, there is perhaps no better excuse to indulge in a hot chocolate than a takeaway cup from Lindt (located close to Palais Opéra Garnier). I personally recommend taking your cup to go (with whipped cream on top) and heading down the road to Palais Royal or the Jardin des Tuileries.

Though not my personal favourites of the hot chocolates to be found in Paris, many cite Angelina as being their favourite drink of choice! Situated at several locations across the city (including on the first floor of the Galeries Lafayette flagship store) , Angelina’s chocolat chaud is known for its thick texture.

#7 Spy the best illuminations in Paris!

Glittering, sparkling and all decked out for Christmas: there’s a reason Paris is called the City of Light (and no, it’s not actually because of the Christmas illuminations but go with me on this one…)

From the twinkling tree outside of Notre Dame to the decorations to be found within the walls of the ecclesiastical building, no stone (or store, or attraction) is left unturned when it comes to seeing decorations in the City of Love.

The holiday season is one of my all-time favourite times to spend time in the city and from Christmas Markets to Grand-Scale illuminations, there’s no shortage of festive things to see and do. Here’s where to see and find the very best Christmas lights in Paris…

Nearest metro: Court Saint-Émilion (line 14)

Free to enter and full of fir trees, Bercy Village is a commercial centre located in the 12e area of the city. Registered as a French historical monument since 1986, the area was once home to one of the largest wine stores in Paris.

Today, Bercy Village houses around thirty stores and restaurants. And in Paris during Christmas time, a festive holiday market is opened on site which is open to all and filled with plenty of festive decorations.

Nearest metro: Île de la Cité (line 4)

Down a small little side street, not far from the impressive Notre Dame and in the very heart of Île de La Cité, you’ll find the cutest café in Paris. Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole (address: 24 Rue Chanoinesse) is ‘insta-famous’ and one of those spots that’s easily prettier in person than on the ‘gram. Head here to check out twinkling fairy lights and snow-covered sculptures.

Situated in the second arrondissement of Paris and best known as being the home base of the oldest patisserie in Paris, i.e. Stohrer, rue Montorgueil is a true delight to wander around at Christmas time, particularly come night time when the glittering and twinkling lights illuminate the many bars and shops which line both sides of the partly pedestrianised street.

Nearest metro: Ecole Militaire (Line 8), Bir-Hakeim (Line 6). If you want to find the very best views of the Eiffel Tower, particularly during a Parisian sunrise, then head to the Trocadéro metro (lines 6, 9)

Paris in December is aglow with twinkling lights and the Eiffel Tower is no exception. When you’re visiting Paris at Christmas, although there are no ‘Christmas Eiffel Tower’ lights per se, the tower still twinkles for five minutes every hour, on the hour. Admire the sparkling lights of the Eiffel Tower , or head to the Tour Eiffel itself to enjoy one of the best ice skating rinks in the city.

Nearest metro: Alma Marceau (line 9)

Sparkling lights and oodles of mistletoe, stroll down Avenue Montaigne for a more romantic take on Christmas in Paris. This iconic road is close to the Champs Elysées and a wander along the Champs can easily be combined with a visit to Avenue Montaigne. Many famous haute couture stores find their bases here; Chanel, Christian Dior and, Chloé to name but a few.

Nearest metro: Charles de Gaulle Etoile (lines 1, 2, 6), Franklin D Roosevelt (lines 1, 9)

Of all the things to do in Paris at Paris, what screams Paris and Christmas  more than a walk from the Arc de Triomphe down through the Champs-Elysées? This is  the perfect  place in Paris to see Christmas lights and en route you can even do a spot of shopping!

From the sparkling plane trees to the Bow topped buildings, there is something to see in every direction you look. While there used to be a Christmas market along the iconic avenue, a dispute between the organiser and the City has meant that this festive event has since moved nearby and into the Jardin des Tuileries.

Each year, from the end of November onwards, you’ll find a whole host of fir trees covered in glittering lights and of gargantuan proportions in the heart of the world-famous square. Best seen at dusk so as to admire the trees when their fairy lights begin to twinkle, Place Vendome is easily home to some of the best trees in Paris.

The site where the Louis Vuitton store now stands also happens to be the location of Louis Vuitton’s very first store, some one hundred and sixty years ago. Each year, the shop’s façade is decorated for Christmas. Back in 2012, Louis Vuitton sponsored the Galeries Lafayette Christmas Tree.

Each year, on Place Vendôme, Louis Vuitton decorates its shop front with an eye-catching design. Whereas 2017 was a large sun-shaped mirror, 2018’s decorative piece was a quirky and modern tree, draping around the sides of the building. In more recent years, there has been a return to the sun-shaped mirror.

Christmas trees (known as Sapins de Noël in French) can be found in abundance when it comes to Christmas in Paris. From little themed displays to larger than life glittering masterpieces, there are trees to be found all across the city. For more inspiration, be sure to check out our guide to the best Christmas trees in Paris.

Of all the free Christmas activities in Paris running throughout the holiday season, attending a Christmas concert in a church or chapel may be the one activity that hadn’t even crossed your mind.

While you’ll have to pay a pretty hefty fee to attend a concert at Sainte-Chapelle (though admiring the medieval glass while listening to choral music may well be worth the fee), other churches hold regular concerts which are entirely free to attend.

Some of the most popular venues include the Saint-Roch Church, the Louvre Oratory and occasionally the Madeleine Church. Attending mass on Christmas day or on Christmas Eve at Notre Dame is also free, though you’ll have to queue early if you want to secure a spot. Please note that since the fire at Notre Dame, there are no services until further notice.

#11 Take a trip out of the city and see some festivities in the rest of France

Although you’ll have to pay the price of a ticket to leave the city, many of the best Christmas activities and festive things to do in the pretty towns and cities surrounding Paris are completely free. Many of these small settlements around the city are filled with festive decorations and Christmas markets of their own.

Pretty and magical, Chantilly makes for the perfect chilly day trip from the city. Here, you’ll find a beautiful town to wander around, a château that is one of the most beautiful places to visit in France . Around Chantilly, you’ll also be able to admire and enjoy lots of festive lights!

The well preserved medieval town of Provins is home to an annual Christmas market (just make sure to head there earlier in the day as the crowds can become quite large), lots of cobbled lanes and a basilica where Joan of Arc herself attended Mass.

Of course everyone has heard of the Palace of Versailles, but did you know that the rest of the town is well worth a visit. The Gardens at the Palace of Versailles are pretty to visit during any time of the year- even in the winter- and are free to see! The rest of Versailles town is filled with museums, small churches and cute coffee shops, making it the perfect day trip from Paris.

Small passageways, opera performances, quirky museums and plenty of cute cafés : the chillier air and shorter days are the perfect excuse to cosy up indoors and get familiar with Paris’ indoor attractions. Even if it’s windy and raining outside, the covered passages of Paris mean that there’s no excuse not to be able to wander around while staying dry.

Some of my favourite small museums in the city include Musée de Montmartre , Musée de la Vie Romantique and Musée de L’Orangerie. Even if you’re ‘not a museum person,’ then you’re sure to find a gallery or vintage shop that’s right up your alley. So head inside to soak up the history, all the while keeping warm!

What to know before visiting Paris at Christmas

If you’re headed to Paris in the winter and are expecting blue skies and plenty of sunshine, then you may be in for a disappointment. Instead, pack your warmest clothes and hope for the best. There’s still plenty of fun to be had in the city, even on a dreary day!

Though most things are open as normal, many galleries and museums will have reduced opening times as a result of the fewer crowds and shorter days. This may also be the case for restaurants and cafés so be sure to check before going there!

As a result of fewer people, you can really take your time to wander around the city and soak up Paris’ many millennia of history. Some of my favourite walking tours of the city include this Le Marais Walking Guide , this Montmartre Tour , and this Ile de la Cité self-guided walk .

By law, stores and shops in France are only allowed to hold sales twice a year. The first of these occurs just after the Christmas holidays at the beginning of January. Travel to Paris during this time and you can also expect to find some of the lowest hotel rates!

What to wear in Paris in winter

By far the most important thing you’ll need to pack when visiting Paris, a winter jacket is an absolute essential on any packing list. I personally have a North Face jacket . Although it is a little on the pricier side of things, I’ve had mine for years and am sure it will last for years to come! If you’re looking for a comfortable vegan alternative, then check out this jacket .

Comfortable shoes and warm socks

Paris is not the place to be bringing your heels, nor is it a destination for bringing along your newly purchased shoes. Instead, bring along some attractive yet well-worn in shoes and warm socks. Like many European cities, you’ll probably be walking a lot when you visit Paris in the winter.

I personally always bring a pair of comfortable trainers ( I love these fashion ones ) and a pair of cute boots like these ones or these ones for when it’s raining.

Bringing along a large scarf is a must-pack for any European trip. After all, it can be used as a pillow or blanket while in flight. Once at your destination, a scarf is not just for wrapping up warm, but also great for accessorising an evening outfit where you’re worried you might get a little chilly!

Much like bringing a jacket, packing an umbrella is an absolute must. Even if you’re only in the city for a few days, it’s likely that it will rain at some point or another. As such, it’s best to come prepared. Just be sure to bring a pretty umbrella so as to make the most of your photos!

Mandarin Oriental: Located along rue Saint-Honoré, which is famous for its many shops, this five-star luxurious accommodation is home to highlights like a marble lobby and beautiful courtyard. Check availability and rates here!

Shangri-La:  If you’re looking to  seriously  splurge on a romantic stay during your time in the city, then this hotel faces the Eiffel Tower, is home to a 2 Michelin star restaurant and spa facilities. Check availability and rates here!

Luxury experience: The Hoxton : For those who are looking for the ultimate luxury experience when staying in Paris, The Hoxton has it all. Charm and several beautiful communal guest spaces including a stunning bar and restaurant, other highlights of the hotel include breakfast options, WiFi, and room service.  Check prices and availability here.

Mid-range boutique stay: Hôtel Fabric : As you might gather from its name, Hôtel Fabric is set against the backdrop of a former textile factory and simply oozes charm. Beautiful and with friendly staff, this four-star hotel is welcoming and is located just a fifteen-minute walk away from Le Marais area of the city.  Check prices and availability here.

Mid-range: Hotel Petit Paris:  Not far from the Luxembourg Gardens and close to the Latin Quarter of the city, this boutique hotel is in the perfect position for exploring Paris on foot. From here, it’s easy to explore top Parisian attractions such as the Paris Pantheon, as well as the Saint Germain des Prés area of the city. Check availability and rates here!

Affordable chic: Hôtel Chopin : Located within one of the covered passages of Paris, in the 9th arrondissement , and close to all the action (the nearby Grands Boulevards are full of bars and restaurants), Hôtel Chopin is a small hotel offering affordable rooms. Amenities include a restaurant and spa on site. Check prices and availability here.

Budget hostel: Generator Hostel : Those in search of an affordable option, Paris has a number of hostels which are fairly conveniently located. This hostel is situated close to the lively area of Canal Saint Martin and offers mixed-sex and female-only dorms. Check prices and availability here.

Sophie Nadeau loves dogs, books, travel, pizza, and history. A Francophile at heart, she runs solosophie.com when she’s not chasing after the next sunset shot or consuming something sweet. She splits her time between Paris and London and travels as much as she can! Subscribe to Sophie’s YouTube Channel.

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Sunday 8th of October 2017

Looks like Paris is even more romantic during xmas time. I think I'd pass up the yoga on ice though.

Friday 22nd of September 2017

So excited to have going your site. Taking my second ever trip to Paris this December and can't wait to experience Christmas in the city of lights!

Sophie Nadeau

Wednesday 27th of September 2017

Thanks, I hope the site was helpful for planning your trip :) I'm sure you'll have an amazing time in Paris this Christmas time- it's one of my favourite winter destinations in Europe!

Wednesday 16th of August 2017

This was really enjoyable to read. Having read this there seem to be some wonderful places to visit.Had a quick look at your blog and love it already. Have subscribed. Looks like you’ve spent time in many of the places listed in this post.

Sunday 6th of December 2015

I've been to Paris around last year, and did some of the things you've mentioned, it was a magical city during this time of year :)

http://www.roomxcv.com | Room 95

Christmas in Paris: Magical & Festive Things to Do in 2023

Last Updated on December 27, 2023

Christmas in Paris can be enchanting. From mid-November onward, the French capital transforms into a wintery landscape: streets are festooned with dazzling lights that twinkle nonstop, and department store windows come to life with fairy-tale-inspired window decorations. Traditional, heartwarming Christmas markets, enormous Christmas trees, ice skating rinks, mulled wine and holiday-themed tours of the city round out the festive offering.

Whether you formally celebrate the holiday or simply enjoy the seasonal festivities and rituals, there’s plenty to see and do in late November or December. If you’re planning to celebrate Christmas or other winter holidays in Paris, keep reading for our tips on how to enjoy it to the fullest.

Explore This Article

Christmas Lights & Department Store Window Displays in Paris

At year-end, the city of lights lives up fully to its name and the streets are illuminated with sparkling colors and extravagant decorations. Dozens of major streets, squares and other landmarks get the festive treatment, strung with miles and miles of holiday lights.

{Why to Love Paris in December — & What to Do}

And for those who can brave some crowds, heading over to the city’s main department stores is in order, too. All the historic grands magasins one-up each other with grandiose, often-animated window displays, one more magical than the next.

These are just a few of our favorite places to head this year. For a complete list of areas featuring holiday illuminations in 2023, see this page at the Paris Tourist Office website (generally updated in October or November).

Avenue des Champs-Elysées

There’s something magical about walking down one of the most famous avenues in the world on a crisp December night. At year end, the Avenue gets flooded with lights all the way from the Place de l’Etoile and the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde.

In 2023, 200 trees lining the iconic Avenue des Champs-Elysées will sparkle with soft golden light from Sunday, November 19th to Sunday, January 7th. They can be admired from 5pm to midnight, the perfect time for an evening stroll.

The lights will be left on all night long on Christmas Eve (December 25th) and New Year’s Eve (December 31st). This year, fireworks will reportedly be part of the New Year’s festivities in the area, after a hiatus lasting several years.

French actor Gilles Lellouche will preside over the opening ceremonies at 6:00 pm on the 19th, “flipping the switch” on the scintillating spectacle.

• Metro: Franklin D. Roosevelt or Champs-Elysées Clémenceau
• When to see them: From November 19th, 2023 through January 7th, 2024

Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré & surrounding streets

Known for its high-fashion boutiques and Haussmanian buildings, the narrow and intimate Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré shines with festive decorations this season.

The street, which is located in the 8th arrondissement, is a staple of Parisian luxury and glamor. On any given day, it is populated with wealthy tourists and Parisians window-shopping in search of a bit of the celebrated French chic.

For the winter holidays, it shines even more brightly, and the urge to enter its luxurious shops gets all the harder to resist. And in 2023, a festive parade featuring a live DJ set and vibrant decorations will mark the inaugural celebrations in the area on November 16th.

• Metro: Saint-Philippe du Roule or Miromesnil
• Dates: From November 16th 2023 (end date to be confirmed)

Place Vendome

The quiet yet classically elegant Place Vendome and its iconic bronze column is a must-see when in Paris. Nothing is more glamorous nor feels more grandiosely Parisian than to take a stroll around the magical square. At year-end, the Place is beautifully lit and decorated. Adjoining streets, including Rue de Castiglione and Rue de la Paix, will also be festively lit.

We recommend a stroll across the square in the evening, when all the lights shine in unison. In 2023, four enormous Christmas trees and 22 smaller ones will turn the Place Vendome into a veritable wintery wonderland. Follow up with a walk in the nearby Tuileries Christmas Market (see more below).

• Metro: Tuileries, Concorde or Opéra
• Dates: From late November 2023 through January 2024 (precise dates to be confirmed)

Bercy Village

Although Bercy Village is quite a ways from the city center, it can make a worthwhile stop, especially if you’re looking for a family-friendly spot.

This off-the-beaten track outdoor shopping and entertainment strip in Paris’ 12th arrondissement is home to cozy restaurants, a movie theater complex, and a great museum dedicated to theme parks.

Every year, a lot of work is put into turning the strip into a convivial and magical destination for the holiday season. It features a giant Christmas tree, a holiday market, visits with “Père Noël” (Santa Claus) and festive lights strung throughout the complex. Plus, it’s a great spot for last-minute Christmas shopping.

And if you’re visiting in January and are looking for some continued holiday cheer, the decorations here stay open through late in the month.

• Metro: Bercy
• Dates: November 6th, 2023 through January 8th, 2024

Avenue Montaigne

Not far from the Champs-Elysées, the elegant Avenue Montaigne (lined with opulent residences and high-end boutiques) gets decked out with holiday lights and decorations. The decorations stretch from the Avenue southwest to the equally elegant Place de l’Alma.

Don’t miss a special performance from a local choir in front of the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées at 6:00 pm on November 20th, to coincide with the “switching on ceremonies” that evening.

• Metro: Alma-Marceau or Franklin D. Roosevelt
• Dates: From November 20th 2023 through January 7th, 2024

Hotel de Ville (Paris City Hall)

In 2023-2024, the enormous square outside Paris City Hall (Hotel de Ville) will be decked out for the holiday season. A Christmas market, live trees and warm lights will take over the Parvis de l’Hotel de Ville, as well as light up the City Hall itself, bringing out its fine architectural details.

• Address: Place de l’Hotel de Ville, 4th arrondissement
• Metro: Hotel de Ville
• Dates: From early December 2023 (precise dates to be announced)

Galeries Lafayette

The famous department store near the Opera Garnier always has some of the most elaborate and imaginative window displays– as well as an annual, enormous Christmas tree that changes every year.

In 2023, the tree rising up into the Belle-Epoque cupola at the Galeries features blue, pink and green baubles surrounded by what appears to be an illuminated, sparkling ribbon in light silver. An ethereal angel tops the tree, while a Santa-Claus elf and other enchanting creatures decorate it at other angles.

Take a look at the video to get a better sense of what last year’s display was like:

Meanwhile, the theme of the enchanting windows display at “Les Galeries” in 2023 is “The Christmas of my Dreams”, with fairy-tale-inspired, colorful scenes featuring a little girl and her magic wand, designed by Charles de Vilmorin.

{How to Enjoy Paris With a Baby or Toddler?}

• Metro : Chaussée D’Antin-Lafayette or Auber
• Dates in 2023: December 15th, 2023 through December 31, 2023

Other department stores worth checking out this season include nearby Printemps (also on Boulevard Haussmann), BHV Marais in the city center, La Samaritaine , which recently saw a dramatic rebirth, and Le Bon Marché on the left bank, at the edge of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district .

All four of these emblematic Parisian stores have their own painstakingly designed, inspired holiday window displays to enjoy. This is a genuine treat for kids.

At Printemps Haussmann, French actress Catherine Deneuve is slated to preside over the inauguration of holiday lights and window displays on November 9th, 2023, while at the Samaritaine, festivities include a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-themed main atrium, a festive parade on November 8th and 9th, and several gourmet-themed pop-up events.

Traditional Christmas Markets in Paris: 2023 Locations

There’s nothing like steaming cups of spiced mulled wine and roasted chestnuts to awaken the holiday spirit while fending off the December cold. Traditional French Christmas markets are an integral part of the winter holiday season in Paris; they’re the perfect place to sample some amazing food and get a sense of both local and regional Christmas traditions.

{Related: French Christmas Traditions to Enjoy at Home or Abroad}

Here’s a list of the main markets springing up around the capital in 2023

Marché de Noël at the Jardin des Tuileries (“The Magic of Christmas”)

In the heart of the Jardins des Tuileries , this Christmas market and funfair offers great products from all over the country. It’s a convivial space where visitors can get a taste of French gastronomy, including sausages and cheeses, roasted chestnuts and mulled wine. Santa Claus will be present for visits with kids. There’s also a funfair for kids, complete with carousels, log ride, ferris wheel and more.

{Related: Where to Find Authentic, Inspiring Gifts in Paris?}

This is currently the most-visited Christmas market in Paris and with its wide array of fresh gourmet treats and gift ideas, not to mention the impregnable views over the formerly royal gardens, and a large ice rink, it’s easy to see why.

• Metro : Tuileries
• Dates : November 18th, 2023 through January 7th, 2024. This market is typically open between 11am-11:45 pm on weekdays; until 12:45 am on weekends.

Marché de Noël de la Canopée des Halles

One of the newest but also largest Christmas markets in Paris, the Marché de Noël de la Canopée des Halles has a little bit of everything, from local products to international crafts; from traditional mulled wine (vin chaud in French ) to raclette cheese with potatoes and roasted chestnuts.

With its 75 wooden cabins nestled around the monstrous, mostly underground shopping center, this market has a more modern feel, but it’s also vibrant and packed with delicious treats and festive gifts.

• Metro: Les Halles or Chatelet
• Dates: November-December 2023 (check back for specific dates)

Marche de Noël Alsacien at the Gare de L’Est

There are a few distinctive aromas wafting around the Alsatian Christmas market in Paris. It’s the smell of potato galettes, munster cheese, choucroute (a traditional Alsatian sauerkraut recipe), gingerbread, fresh pretzels and Kougelhopf , a yeasted bundt cake native to the region.

Located in front of Gare de l’Est, this is the ideal place to discover new flavors native to the Franco-German region– and get to meet some of the producers and artisans behind them. You’ll also find a variety of traditional toys, gifts and crafts at this beloved annual marché .

{Related: 5 Traditional French Desserts to Taste & Bake for Christmas}

This one stays open for a shorter time than many of the other Parisian markets in 2023, so make sure to enjoy it while you can.

• Metro: Gare de l’Est
• Dates: From December 1st through December 17th, 2023

Christmas Market at Notre-Dame Cathedral

After a tough few years for the beloved Parisan Cathedral, it’s survived the terrible fire that destroyed part of it in 2019 and is offering a warm and festive way to celebrate Christmas in 2023. A traditional market and giant tree is taking over the Parvis (square) outside the entrance from early December.

At the market, enjoy regional treats and gastronomic specialities from around France, enjoy performances from live musicians dressed in traditional garb, and take in the warm ambience from the Cathedral just beyond.

• Metro: Cité (or RER Notre Dame-Saint-Michel)
• Dates: December 8th-25th, 2023

Eiffel Tower Christmas Village

{Sadly, the traditional Christmas village that typically takes over the Champs de Mars, beneath the Eiffel Tower, is not scheduled for 2023}. In typical years, you can enjoy a large variety of festive stands, food trucks selling hearty seasonal fare, gifts and more. There’s often a regional focus on the gourmet dishes and treats of the French regions Alsace and Savoie, and a large mulled wine stand.

• Place: Champs de Mars lawns ( pelouse )
• Metro: Bir Hakeim or Trocadero
• Dates: Not taking place in 2023 (check back for future markets)

La Défense Christmas Market

Located just west of the city center, the sprawling La Défense business district hosts a large Christmas market most years, with some 350 festive stands and chalets, food trucks and seasonal decor lending a warm yet modern atmosphere.

{Related: The Ultimate Guide to Finding Unique Parisian Gifts}

This is an ideal place to look for gifts, since there’s a large shopping center here as well. Christmas carolers, visits with Santa Claus, and other events round out this much-awaited event, which opens earlier than most markets in the capital this year.

• Place: Parvis de la Défense
• Metro/RER: La Défense
• Dates: November 16th through 27th, 2023

Full List of Paris Christmas Markets in 2023

Looking for a more complete list of Parisian marchés de Noël this year? From vegan and African markets to ones focused on regional crafts and eco-friendly gifts, there are more choices than ever this year. See this full list at the Paris Tourist Office to find the right one/s. Sortir à Paris also has a useful and frequently-updated list here.

Stock Up on Classic French Desserts & Sweets

Spiced breads, fluffy yeasted cakes dusted with almonds and sugar, rich chocolate logs decorated with marzipan mushrooms and berries? These are all typical French desserts served on and around Christmas.

Stock up on some at one of the aforementioned holiday markets, at bakeries around town (see some of my favorites patisseries in Paris here ), or at specialty food shops such as Galeries Lafayette, Fauchon, and the Grande Epicerie.

Ice Skating in Paris: Rinks Open in 2023

Going ice skating in Paris during the holidays is something of a cherished tradition. In 2019, several alluring outdoor rinks open their doors to the public, and put on some enchanting light displays. They’re fun for pros and amateurs and make for a memorable family outing.

Ice Rink (Patinoire) at the Tuileries Christmas Market

In 2023, an enormous ice rink can be accessed at the Tuileries Christmas market, running from November 18th, 2023 through January 6th, 2024 (see more on the market above). Entrance to the rink is free for all, but there’s a small charge for skate rentals.

Christmas decorations festoon the rink, there are separate skating zones for younger visitors, and there are several “sleigh” areas for kids to enjoy.

Metro: Tuileries or Concorde

Ice Skating Rink at the St-Denis Basilica Christmas Market

This ice rink’s just outside of Paris, but it’s easy to access via metro– and it offers the opportunity to go see the sublime St-Denis Basilica, one of the country’s most important historic pilgrimage sites and the burial place of dozens of French monarchs. The Christmas market at St Denis runs from November 15th, 2023 through January 7th, 2024.

• Metro : Basilique de Saint-Denis (line 13)
• Dates: December 15th, 2023 through January 7th, 2024

Other Festive Activities for the Winter Holidays

Looking for other interesting things to do this season? Here are just a couple of ideas. You can also see our guide to cozy, quiet things to do in Paris during the winter for a more laid-back holiday season in the capital.

Holiday Tables & Dinner Cruises in Paris

Finally, if you’re interested in booking a table for a special, festive holiday dinner in the capital, you’ll have plenty of choices– but also quite a bit of competition for tables. See this guide for ideas on where to book.

You can also consider booking a dinner cruise on the Seine for a special year-end lunch or dinner.

See this page at GetYourGuide to browse a wide variety of Seine River dinner cruise packages. You can also look for a holiday-themed guided tour, cruise or dinner package in Paris (here (via Viator) .

If it’s just the two of you and you want a romantic and purely adult evening out on the town, you might consider an evening of holiday-themed dinner and dancing at traditional cabarets like the Crazy Horse (book here via Viator) . Just make sure to reserve sooner than later to ensure you get a table.

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9 Best Things To Do In Paris During Christmas

MarinaD_37 / Shutterstock

• Activities and Interests
• Destinations
• Holiday Travel
• Seasonal Travel

Paris during the Christmas holiday is a wonderland of festive activities and attractions including Christmas markets, decked-out department store windows and interiors, concerts, theater and spectacles, ice skating, and glittering street decorations.

Here are our top picks for things to do and see during the holiday season in Paris.

Most Christmas festivities in Paris start around November 15 and end the week after New Year’s.

Matej Kastelic / Shutterstock

1. Department And Luxury Stores

The main shopping area of Paris is behind the Opera Garnier, where you’ll find two department stores, Galeries Lafayette and Printemps . Both stores do extravagant Christmas windows and decorations with a specific theme each year, sometimes in tandem with a fashion brand. Past themes have included the Winter Garden, dancing turkey, parrot, and reindeer puppets, Lego, Pierre the Pigeon, a family of polar bears, Cirque du Soleil, and Gustave, a giant, hot pink, cuddly monster. Do not miss the towering, 10-story Christmas tree on the first floor of Galeries Lafayette.

Every year a celebrity is invited to officially inaugurate the windows of Galeries Lafayette, and Marion Cotillard, Uma Thurman, and Cate Blanchett have been past guests.

Across town on the Left Bank. Le Bon Marche , a more sophisticated and high-end department store. They always do a quirky, non-traditional style of decorations and in 2018, they featured mechanical, dancing Christmas trees in the windows.

Here’s a suggested walking itinerary to view the best holiday windows:

Start at the Galeries Lafayette on Boulevard Haussmann. Keep walking west to Printemps, and make a left onto Rue Tronchet. In a few blocks, you will reach Place Madeleine, where you can see the holiday windows of the iconic Fauchon gourmet shop and cool chocolate sculptures at Patrick Roger. Walk south on Rue Royale to view the windows of the Laduree (one of our picks for incredible places to enjoy high tea in Paris ), with mountains of macarons, and the elegant French china, crystal, and silverware boutiques Christofle, Lalique, Bernardaud, and Havilland. Finally, make a right on Rue Saint Honore and indulge in the decadent window displays of Hermes, Prada, and Dolce and Gabbana, or make a left for Givenchy, Louis Vuitton, and Yves Saint Laurent.

They say sometimes the best things in life are free, and that’s the case when it comes to these grand five-star hotels in Paris, where you can just walk into the lobby and have a special holiday experience.

At the Four Seasons George V Hotel , artistic director Jeff Leatham decks out the lobby with his over-the-top floral arrangements. In the last few years, displays have also included giant reindeers and bears sculpted out of colored mirrors. The hotel also installs an igloo-shaped ice bar in the courtyard that serves hot chocolate.

Other hotels worth visiting are the Crillon , Shangri-La , Mandarin Oriental , The Ritz , and the Bristol . The hotels also have holiday events such as special menus and drinks in their restaurants and activities for the children if you check into the hotel.

MisterStock / Shutterstock

3. Concerts, Ballet, And Opera

The theaters, opera houses, churches, and concert halls abound with holiday music and performances.

Sainte-Chapelle

Get a double treat when you attend a concert at the Sainte-Chapelle , a closeup view of the extraordinary stained-glass windows and classical music with world-class musicians. Musical selections include Schubert’s “Ave Maria,” Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Don Giovanni , Pachelbel’s Canon, and Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons .

On certain evenings, Sainte-Chapelle offers a package of a concert with tapas and Champagne and wine and also a three-course dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Opera Bastille

The modern-day Opera Bastille was inaugurated on the bicentennial of Bastille Day, July 14, 1989. From mid-November till the end of December 2020, the Opera Bastille has a packed schedule of opera and dance, including La Bayadere by Rudolf Nureyev, La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi, and Carmen by Georges Bizet.

Madeleine Church

The handsome neoclassical Madeleine Church surrounded by 52 Corinthian columns was originally built as a temple for Napoleon before it became a church. Holiday concerts this year include Gospel Dream , Mozart’s Requiem, Bolero by Ravel, and organ concerts on Sundays at 4 p.m.

Swan Lake At Champs Elysees Theatre

The art nouveau showplace, Champs Elysees Theatre presents the beloved ballet Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky performed by the prestigious Kiev National Opera Ballet.

Photomarine / Shutterstock

4. Ice Skating At The Grand Palais

The Grand Palais , a massive exhibition space built for the 1900 World’s Fair, has been turned into the largest indoor skating rink in the world and will give you plenty of room to show off your best skating moves and turns. The rink is transformed into a giant dance floor at night with disco balls with a light show and a DJ.

Pro Tip: The venue has ice skate rentals for a nominal fee.

5. Musee Des Arts Forains

Musee des Arts Forains , a museum of vintage amusement park rides and artifacts, is only open to the public once a year from the end of December to the first week of January. Guests can ride on vintage merry-go-rounds, play games from the 1900s, view the hall of mirrors, see the wonders of Venice with the show Venise la Serenissime , and enjoy performances of jugglers, performers, and acrobats throughout the day.

Thomas brenac photographyv / Shutterstock

6. Vaux Vicomte

Vaux Vicomte, a 17th-century palace that rivals the extravagance of Versailles , is still privately owned and opens its doors to the public to celebrate Christmas in a big way. The palace is decorated with lights, decorations, trees, fireplaces with burning fires, and Christmas music playing in every room. An enchanted outside garden is illuminated with special lights, a parterre of flowers, and a 15-foot-high squirrel greeting guests. The highlight of the holiday celebration is an 8-minute-long illumination show that uses the entire outside of the palace as a giant screen along with a Baroque music soundtrack.

sduraku / Shutterstock

7. Disneyland Paris

You can always count on Disneyland to put on a great holiday spectacle. If the park is open for Christmas 2020, events will include a new Santa’s workshop, Disney favorites Donald and Daisy, Minnie, Goofy, and Stitch dressed in holiday costumes, Mickey and Minnie Mouse greeting you at Fantasyland Theater, and special appearances by Beauty from Beauty and the Beast, plus Cinderella and her Fairy Godmother.

Kiev.Victor / Shutterstock

8. Christmas Markets And Fairs

Christmas markets can be found in almost every neighborhood of Paris and there are somewhere between 15 to 20 markets, all with their unique stamps. On Place des Abbesses in the village of Montmartre, a quaint market of 20 mini-chalets offers locally made products. You may be distracted by the spot-on view of the Eiffel Tower at the Champs de Mars, but it shouldn’t stop you from loading up on holiday gifts at this high-quality market. The Alsatian Christmas Market at Gare de l’Est has a bounty of gourmet treats, including Kougelhopf, a brioche laced with raisins and almonds and introduced to France by Marie Antoinette. Every market will have treats such as roasted chestnuts, mulled hot wine, Champagne, and fresh-made crepes.

Want more? These are the best Christmas market towns in France , and, yes, Paris makes the list.

9. Christmas Mass

The spiritual essence of Christmas is embraced at beloved churches in Paris. In the 17th century Renaissance-style Saint Eustache Church , there’s a Children’s Christmas Eve Mass at 7 p.m. followed by classic Christmas songs at 7:30 p.m. and a midnight mass. An annual favorite is the mass at the Sacre Coeur Basilica in Montmartre. Festivities start with a concert played on the Cavaille-Coll pipe organ at 10 p.m., followed by a Christmas vigil at 11 p.m. and Midnight Mass. Saint Sulpice, the second-largest church in Paris and an integral site in the book and film The DaVinci Code , has a children’s mass at 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve, and on Christmas Day, High Mass is from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., followed by Christmas Vespers at 6 p.m. The American Cathedral of Paris , an interdenominational Protestant church, offers Christmas services in English. Other churches that have services in English include St Michael’s Church, the American Church, Trinity International Church of Paris, and Temple de Pentemont (the United Protestant Church of Pentemont-Luxembourg).

If attending a Christmas service in Paris or elsewhere in France is on your must-do list, consider these five incredible Paris churches to visit besides Notre Dame and our picks for seven incredibly beautiful churches in France besides Notre Dame , too.

The weather in Paris from November 15 to December 31 averages in the mid-40s Fahrenheit during the day and the mid-30s at night, but it can be very damp. Also, pack an umbrella because nine days with rainfall are expected during the month of December.

Up until December 15, airfare and hotel rates are lower because it’s still considered offseason. If you are coming between December 20 and January 2, make sure to reserve your hotel or apartment at least three months in advance because many Europeans come to Paris for the holidays. Also, reserve your museum and event tickets online at least a month before you arrive.

Richard Nahem is an ex-New Yorker living in Paris since 2005. A travel writer and photographer, he’s been publishing his blog Eye Prefer Paris since 2006 and also writes for publications such as Travel Agent Central, Passport Magazine, The Guardian, Bonjour Paris, and Luxury Travel Advisor. He focuses mainly on luxury travel in Europe. Richard also leads private personalized tours of Paris for clients looking to explore the off the beaten path Paris they never usually see on their own.

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How to Spend Christmas in Paris in 2024

Sean Finelli Last Updated: October 29, 2023

A trip to Paris is a trip worth planning, but planning it takes. There are tons of festive Christmas activities in Paris from the incredible hot chocolate and Christmas markets to the window displays at the Lafayette Galleries. Those are just a few things you should add to your list for how to spend Christmas in Paris.

Pro Tip: Planning what to do on your trip to Paris at Christmas? Bookmark this post in your browser so you can easily find it when you’re in the city. Check out our guide to Paris for more planning resources, our curated list of tours in Paris at Christmas for a memorable trip, and how to spend a weekend in Paris .

Why You Should Spend Christmas in Paris

Paris is a breathtakingly beautiful city to visit at any time of year. Christmas in Paris, though, puts the city on a whole new level. The City of Lights truly lives up to its name as its streets are lined with all types of Christmas lights and decorations during the winter.

Restaurants begin serving up delicious winter specialties like boeuf bourguignon, raclette and soupe à l’oignon. To help you see some of the best Paris has to offer during the holiday season, we’ve put together a list of the top things to do for Christmas in Paris. And make sure to reserve one of our curated tours for Christmas! They often sell out fast!

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if Paris tours are worth it .

Explore the City’s Christmas Markets

While Christmas markets aren’t unique to Paris, they are one of the best ways to get in the holiday spirit. Wooden chalets packed with Christmas decorations, foods, mulled wine and all kinds of trinkets pop up throughout the city.

These markets are perfect places to pick up a special Christmas gift or simply enjoy the warm Christmas atmosphere. You can find some of the best Christmas markets in Paris in Notre Dame, Les Halles and Champs de Mars. And of course, check out the Christmas Village at La Défense for the biggest Christmas market in Paris.

Go Ice Skating

Get into the holiday spirit by bundling up in your winter coat and going for a spin on the ice. Only a few of the ice skating rinks in Paris for this year have been released.

Check out the Grand Palais de Glaces for the main skating scene. You can also enjoy ice skating right underneath the Eiffel tower to get the full Christmas in Paris experience. We will happily update you when more ice skating rinks are announced for this year!

Sip on Indulgent Hot Chocolate

You probably enjoy hot chocolate at home made from a local or chain brand. We’re here to tell you that they hold no comparison when it comes to a true, made-from-scratch hot chocolate using the finest French ingredients. Since it’s going to be cold in Paris in the winter, you might as well stay warm and indulge yourself!

There are a few great places we recommend grabbing some fresh, steaming hot cocoa. First, we have to recommend chocolatier Jean-Paul Hévin , and we like the location near the Louvre. Another spot we can’t miss is Crêperie Contemporaine 142 , which is not far from the Eiffel Tower. The best thing about this restaurant is you can get incredible crepes with your hot chocolate. (Still drooling over their pear crepes!)

Take a Magical Stroll on the Champs-Elysées

One of the best ways to soak up Paris’s Christmas spirit is simply by walking its streets. The famous Avenue des Champs-Elysées, Avenue Montaigne and Bercy Village all present beautiful holiday displays with thousands of twinkling lights.

Our personal favorite spot for lights is Place Vendôme, one of Paris’s most beautiful squares. Home to the Ritz hotel and high-end shopping, this area is the very definition of a chic Christmas in Paris! 

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our  Paris Guide for more resources.

Try Some Typical Parisian Christmas Food

If you visit Paris during Christmas, you’ll want to try some typical Parisian Christmas specialties. There are a few foods that you will likely see on every Parisian’s Christmas dinner table.

The star of the show: foie gras ! Usually served on toast, foie gras is the go-to Christmas appetizer for the French. Raw oysters and smoked salmon are also very popular. For dessert, restaurants often serve a Bûche de Noël , or yule log. This is a delicious chocolate cake rolled in a cylinder to resemble a log.

See the Galeries Lafayette Window Displays

Paris’s streets light up for the holidays, but many of its stores do, as well! This gives you a great excuse to window-shop, or as the French say, faire du lèche vitrines – which literally translates to “window-licking”.

The Galeries Lafayette department store undoubtedly showcases the city’s most infamous holiday window displays. From early November to early January, the multiple large windows lining the street filled with incredibly inventive displays, many with music.

If you stop by to look at the windows, don’t forget to also step inside to admire the beautiful Christmas tree placed beneath the famous Galeries Lafayette dome every year.

Reserve Your Eiffel Tower or Versailles Tour

Whether you’ve been to Paris before or not, seeing some of the monuments in and around Paris is a must-do at Christmas. You can book a tour of the Louvre if you prefer to stay inside where it’s dry and warm. Or choose a Seine River cruise (drink some hot chocolate too!) with elevator access to the Eiffel Tower . And you can always opt to see Versailles covered in a light layer of snow.

We’ve curated our list of perfect Christmas tours and activities to choose from as you plan your holiday travels. Click below to reserve your spot!

Prepare for the Weather

If there’s one potential downside of visiting Paris during Christmas, it’s the weather. While you’re unlikely to see much snowfall during this period, December is still typically one of Paris’s coldest months.

The average December temperature is about 40°F (4°C) and you’ll likely see some rain at some point during your trip. But you don’t have to see the cold as a negative. Depending on your point of view, it could actually add to the magic of Christmas in Paris!

We recommend packing layers and a good rain jacket so that you can prepare for the change in temperatures throughout the day.

Where To Stay in Paris

With a city as magnificent as Paris, it can be hard to find the perfect hotel at the perfect price. Explore the best hotels and places to stay in these incredible neighborhoods in Paris.

About Sean Finelli

Sean is a co-founder and owner of The Tour Guy and its subsidiary The Roman Guy. He studied finance and statistics, but that is his "Dr. Jekyll" side! His "Mr. Hyde" is in love with travel, art, history, and culture. Sean has read libraries of historical text and believes that all internet content should come from books. A practice he follows!

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15 things to do in Paris on Christmas Day

• Christmas Markets , Paris

You might be surprised to know that there’s loads to do in Paris during the festive season! On the big day, some of the major museums are open, not all restaurants are open but there are quite a few, bars, attractions and even some shops are open. We asked Paris local Barbara Pasquet-James for her favourite  and most fun things to do in Paris on Christmas day

Here are our top 15 things to do in Paris on Christmas Day

1. The Pompidou Centre for an infusion of modern art – it’s rarely busy on Christmas Day and you can visit the vibrant exhibitions in tranquillity!

2. The Eiffel Tower – go see it on a quiet day for a fabulous experience!

3. The Grande Roue de Paris (above), the giant Ferris wheel on the Rivoli side of the Tuileries Gardens, will take your breath away – and it’s just a hop to Angelina’s Team room…

4. … which is open Christmas Day and not remotely busy as it normally is, the chance to enjoy Angelina’s famous hot chocolate in peace!

5. The old Marais Jewish District around rue des Rosiers is just so pretty…

6. Most shops and showrooms on the Champs-Elysées are open through they close earlier than usual.

Wine and Dine in Paris on Christmas Day

7. Brash brasseries on the boulevards do a brisk business, try the iconic names such as La Coupole, Les Deux Magots, Le Café de Flore – sure to be filled with other holiday homeless

8. If a nice hot Chinese soup for lunch is your idea of Christmas coziness, try a Chinatown restaurant: there’s one in Belleville and another south of Place d’Italie in the 13th around rue Tolbiac…

9. Palace hotels – Plaza Athénée, Bristol, Saint James, Mandarin Oriental, Meurice, Lancaster have terrific bars and sometimes live music. Call first to make sure.

10. Head to Bar Hemingway at the Ritz, its open on Christmas Day and you don’t need to make a reservation. You’ll enjoy one of the finest cocktails its possible to drink. Discover more great bars to enjoy a cocktail in Paris here.

11. The Seine might be your scene: some boat companies will be operating (check first). Les Vedettes de Paris will operate Christmas Day from their base at the foot of the Eiffel Tower (and if it’s your birthday, they’ll offer you a free ride and a glass of Champagne or hot drink!).

Activities in Paris on Christmas Day

12. There’s ice-skating (patinoire) at l’Hôtel de Ville on the edge of the Marais district and close to Notre Dame Cathedral

13. For many Parisians taking in a movie is a holiday ritual. There are multi-salles galore on the Champs-Elysees; also in Saint-Germain and the Latin Quarter. Pick up a copy of Pariscope at any kiosk and head for films in “V.O.” – version originale with French subtitles.

14. Go for a wander in one of Paris’ parks – you’ve got a huge choice, there are more than 400 in total, but the Luxembourg gardens, the Tuileries and Parc Monceau are particularly lovely.

15. And finally… Be honest: How many times will you find yourself in Paris on Christmas Day? Splurge for an elegant brunch at the famous Hotel Meurice in the restaurant Le Dalí or at the Ritz in the summer Salon – unforgettable.

Paris in pictures at Christmas

Barbara Pasquet James is a U.S. lifestyle editor, speaker, and urban explorer who writes about food fashion and culture, from Paris. She is known for helping launch, write and edit USA Today’s City Guide To Paris and can be contacted via her photo blog FocusOnParis.com

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Paris in Winter: 31 Reasons to Visit (+ Tips!)

We have now visited Paris in winter several times, and we have to say–as if returning voluntarily for more than one helping wasn’t hint enough–we adore it.

Sure, the weather is generally gray, cold, and wet , there are no cherry blossoms or colorful gardens to speak of, and I’m wearing the same coat in like 90% of photos from those visits… but Paris in the winter is a magical experience.

The streets get quiet, the gobs of tourists melt away until only a reasonable crowd remains, the Christmas decor is beautiful, and the whole city has a subtle atmosphere that is a combination relaxed and mysterious (Venice in November is the only other place we’ve experienced this specific vibe).

Suffice it to say, we won’t stop returning to Paris in winter anytime soon. W hether you’re aiming for a festive trip to Paris in December, a romantic Valentine’s day trip to Paris in February, or something in between, we recommend everyone who wants to visit Paris consider staying open to bundling up and exploring the City of Lights in winter.

Here’s why.

Table of Contents

31 Reasons to Visit Paris in Winter

Tips for visiting paris in the winter, winter weather in paris, where to stay in paris in winter, what to pack for paris in winter.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

The Christmas markets are magical.

Christmas markets are a treat throughout Europe, but the ones that pop up all over Paris in winter have a little something extra: great views of Paris!

Consider picking up Christmas gifts for your loved ones (and plenty of mulled wine and sweets for yourself, of course) within sight of classic Parisian sites like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and Sacre Coeur.

Want to mix it up? Head out to La Defense, Paris’ normally-quite-dull business center, to experience the biggest Christmas market in Paris!

Ice skating in Paris is a dream.

Ice skating is a classic Parisian winter tradition, and courts are set up all over Paris–including at the Eiffel Tower!

There’s no better city for museums than Paris.

When visiting Paris in the winter, there’s no reason to feel guilty about missing out on sunshine and cherry blossoms by ducking into some of Paris’ truly spectacular museums.

The Louvre and the Musee d’Orsay are the best known (and they are truly wonderful), but you can also consider checking out the Centre Pompidou, Musee Jacquemart-Andre , Le Grand Palais and Le Petit Palais, the Musee Rodin, and more!

Cozying up at a cafe with hot chocolate is a wonderful Paris experience.

People-watching is an iconic Parisian tradition, and there’s no cozier time to do it than during winter in Paris!

Pick an adorable cafe (preferably with a large window), grab a steaming cup of hot chocolate and a macaron, and enjoy watching the city go by.

It’s the perfect time to learn to bake macarons.

Winter in Paris is the perfect time to duck inside for a cooking class!

There is plenty of variety on offer, from croissants to full meals, but for people with a sweet tooth, you can’t go wrong with a macaron baking class.

We spent an afternoon learning how to make beautiful, delicate, and delicious macarons with Le Foodist, and we can’t recommend the class (or the resulting leftovers) enough.

Book your macaron baking class with Le Foodist !

You can see an opera.

The winter is the height of Paris’ opera season, so there’s no better time to book a ticket, get dressed up, and head out for a very classy night on the town.

Sainte-Chapelle glistens in the winter sunlight.

Sainte-Chapelle is always stunning… but if you have the opportunity to admire the stained glass interior during a sunny day, you’re in for a real treat.

Even in January, the long line in front of Sainte-Chapelle made us glad we had planned ahead. Book your skip-the-line tickets now and avoid waiting in the cold!

You can check out the Christmas decor inside Notre Dame.

As one of the most famous cathedrals in the world, it should come as no surprise that Notre Dame is well decorated for Christmas! Their intricate nativity scene is well worth a visit when you’re in Paris in winter (and of course the church is a must-see on all Paris visits anyway).

Update 2019: Unfortunately, after the April 2019 fire at Notre Dame, this Christmas decor is unlikely to be around for awhile. There’s still plenty of decor to enjoy during December in Paris, though!

… And the Christmas tree out front.

Paris’ best-known Christmas tree towers over the crowd in front of Notre Dame, giving an unmistakably festive feel to the courtyard–you absolutely can’t miss it while visiting Paris in winter!

Paris has excellent perfume workshops.

Parisian perfumes are world-famous… and what better way to warm up during winter in Paris than to learn all about them?

Consider taking a perfume workshop to learn all about the science behind those lovely scents (and maybe take a perfume or two home yourself, too).

Learn all about perfume making (and even take home your own bottle!) with this Parisian perfume workshop !

Stepping into the catacombs in winter is spooky and incredible.

Visiting the catacombs of Paris in winter is like stepping into another world–and perhaps that is always the case in the catacombs, but the need to bundle up in a coat and scarf paired with the lessened crowds makes for an altogether epic experience!

Even when we visited in January, the line for the catacombs was still more than 2 hours long! Save time &  book a skip-the-line ticket before you go!

There’s no reason to feel guilty about curling up with a book at Shakespeare & Company.

Shakespeare & Company may be (rightly) famous, but fewer people know that the second floor of the bookshop is actually a reading room and library: curl up with any of the books there for a cozy, literary afternoon in Paris.

If you’re lucky, you may even snag the seat by the window that boasts a stunning view of Notre Dame!

Paris’ legendary winter sales!

France’s history as a world fashion capital has resulted in the government closely protecting the industry: among other things, sales (in French, “les soldes”) are regulated and happen only twice a year!

January sees the first sale of the year, so if you’re hoping to stock up on some designer fashions, schedule your winter trip to Paris in January… and bring an extra suitcase!

Paris’ department stores have epic Christmas decor.

Paris’ department stores may not be the first place that you think of when considering sightseeing, but the Christmas decor is impeccable!

If you only go one place, be sure to stop by Galeries Lafayette–they put up stunning Christmas decorations in their already-beautiful stained glass dome each year!

Two words: Disneyland Paris.

Disneyland Paris is always magical, but Disneyland Paris in winter inherently comes with one of two major benefits: Christmas decor for the early-winter visitors, and shorter lines for those who come later in winter!

Plus, since the bulk of Disneyland Paris’ rides and attractions are located indoors, the cold weather won’t be nearly as much of a factor as in most amusement parks!

Book your tickets to Disneyland Paris now!

A long walk through the streets of Paris is incredibly magical.

This may be true at any time of year, but there’s just something extra special about the streets of Paris in winter: the streets are a little emptier, the city a little quieter, and the air a little thinner.

It’s peaceful, it’s magical, it’s romantic, and it’s the quintessential Paris experience–don’t leave Paris without at least one hour-long walk through the streets!

You can shop ‘til you drop.

Paris’ shopping is famous worldwide, and from upscale boutiques to classic department stores, from the thrift stores of Montmartre to the dignified shops of the Champs-Elysees, shopping during winter in Paris can keep you enthralled and out of the cold for hours!

There are great travel deals during winter in Paris.

After Christmas, you’ll be able to find some of the best Paris travel deals of the year during winter–especially on lodging and airfare.

Paris’ covered passages are begging to be explored.

If it’s too cold (or rainy) to stroll outside, consider taking to the covered passages!

Paris’ covered passages date primarily to the 19th century, and they are both beautiful and delightful to explore.

Each passage has a different style, so you definitely won’t get bored exploring them all–for example, Passage Verdeau is home to several antique dealers and Passage Brady is home to lots of South Asian shops!

A multi-course Parisian meal tastes even better when it’s cold outside.

Half a dozen courses, several glasses of wine, relaxed conversation, and a meal that ends up taking hours because you aren’t in the least bit of a hurry to move on: every trip to Paris deserves at least one epic meal like that, and a winter Paris trip is no exception (and might even taste a little bit better, since you’re avoiding battling the chill outside).

There’s no reason to avoid a Seine River Cruise.

An enclosed river cruise, perhaps even with dinner–what better way to experience the magic of the Seine without braving Paris’ winter weather?

This well-reviewed Seine River Cruise is on an enclosed boat and includes dinner!

Paris’ spas are happy to pamper you.

Paris is a city of luxury, and what’s more luxurious than a spa?

Pick a couple of treatments and a day to splurge, and you can have a true Parisian experience without ever stepping a foot outside.

An indoor wine tasting tour will warm you up in a heartbeat.

Sure, maybe winter isn’t the best season to set off on a day trip from Paris in search of vineyards… but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some delicious French wines!

Try an indoor wine tasting at a wine cellar to experience some wonderful wines while staying warm.

Wine, cheese, and lunch: this wine class will quickly make you forget the cold weather outside!

You can eat your heart out in crepes.

Crepes are the unofficial street food of Paris and stands doling out crepes with delicious toppings like Nutella, strawberries, bananas, and more dot dozens of street corners around the city.

Crepes are cooked to order, and there’s nothing like a hot, fresh crepe to keep your hands (and belly) warm when visiting Paris in winter.

There’s no better time to see a movie in Paris.

Paris is dotted with classic movie theatres dating back to the first third of the 20th century, complete with stunning interiors and opulent decor–and several of them are still open for business!

As a bonus, many of the theatres show classic movies in their original language–so even if you don’t speak French, there’s a chance to enjoy a little bit of old Hollywood-style glamour during your visit to Paris in the winter.

The show must go on: Paris in winter is a great time for a cabaret show.

Whether it’s the famous Moulin Rouge in Montmartre or simply another cabaret show, winter in Paris is the perfect time of year to spend an evening at a show.

Shop  tickets to shows at the Moulin Rouge !

Celebrating a holiday in Paris is incredibly special.

With Christmas, New Year’s , Valentine’s Day, the Chinese New Year, and Carnival de Paris–just to name a few–winter in Paris is bursting with holiday celebrations.

Join in the fun and add an extra layer of excitement to your winter Paris trip by planning it around a special holiday!

Our first trip to Paris was over New Year’s, and while we were too exhausted and jetlagged to do much, we were still overjoyed with the opportunity to kick off a whole new year of our lives in the City of Lights.

Visiting La Tête dans les Nuages is tons of fun.

How often can you come to Paris and visit something as silly as a game room without feeling like you’re blowing off something more “Parisian”?

Well, on a bad winter weather day in Paris, you may just decide that exploring the biggest game room in Europe, complete with everything from classic arcade games to bowling, is well worth the time spent!

Paris has a chocolate museum.

Yes, Paris, the land of delicious chocolate, has an entire museum dedicated to sugary goodness–what better way to treat yourself to something sweet after a cold day of sightseeing in Paris during the winter?

Paris tip: depending on how many highlights you want to see on your winter trip to Paris, you may want to purchase the Paris Museum Pass to save money! Check out inclusions & prices for the Paris Museum Pass here !

Embrace the gray skies.

Sure, maybe gray skies aren’t exactly what you’d like to see in the background of your pictures–but when you’re visiting Paris in winter (and a surprising amount of days in other seasons, too), it’s probably going to be what you get.

Luckily, people and architecture can both come out lovely in photos with gray skies, so just roll with it–it is classic Parisian weather, after all–and have fun!

Dress the part.

And by “dress the part”, I mean layers… lots of layers.

Between warm cafes and chilly streets, you’re going to want fashionable layers from the inside out: think classic cuts and dark or neutral colors, and did I mention the layers?

Jeremy and I grew up in a very warm climate, so we worried when we were packing for our first trip to Paris years ago that all of that might be overkill–but as anyone who grew up in a place with actual winter will tell you, it’s really not–especially when you’re planning on spending lots of time outside.

Bring a pretty coat.

When visiting Paris in the winter, your coat is likely to show up in the vast majority of photos of you in Paris… so make it a pretty one!

While I do sometimes opt for brightly colored coats, you’ll definitely blend in better in Paris if you bring a black one!

… And a pretty umbrella.

Most things will run normally during winter in Paris, but double check.

While winter in Paris is definitely the offseason for tourism, saying that tourism ever really shuts down in Paris is a wild overstatement–there are always people visiting, and typically speaking, businesses are always going to be around to serve them.

If you have your heart set on a specific experience, though, be sure to check with the company in advance–especially if you’re planning your winter Paris trip near Christmas, when some small business owners might be more focused on family than tourists.

The Christmas decor doesn’t come down right after Christmas.

Our first trip to Paris spanned from a few days before New Year’s through the first week of January, and most of the Christmas decor, including the Notre Dame Christmas tree, was still up by the time we left town.

The Christmas market near the Eiffel Tower was still open, too!

Any trip to Paris involves lots of walking, but Paris in winter means lots of walking in the cold.

Personally, I absolutely despise being cold… and I also didn’t mind walking around Paris in winter.

Sure, the beautiful surroundings helped (why hide myself down in the metro when I can enjoy the view up above?), but it’s also true that winter temperatures tend to be mild enough in Paris that if you dress well and keep moving, it’s not much of a chore to walk outside.

Keep your feet toasty warm with broken-in shoes that have room to be worn with cozy socks.

Cold, sore feet with kill the vibes of your winter Paris trip faster than just about anything else, so take care of your feet!

Bring comfortable, broken-in shoes (we recommend classic brown or black boots) that are versatile, neutral, can be worn with warm socks (or even a pair of tights with socks layered over them), and that match most or all of your Paris wardrobe.

I’m currently obsessed with this pair of warm boots and wore them on our last winter trip to Paris, and paired them with cozy fleece leggings .

[instagram url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BgwIJv8hMeg/?taken-by=ourescapeclause]

Don’t expect a typical Paris trip.  

Paris is insanely beautiful at any time of the year, but don’t give yourself the wrong expectations for a trip to Paris in winter by scrolling through Instagram photos of Paris in the spring or summer–this won’t be a trip to the Paris of flowers and picnics, but one to the Paris of cozy cafes, stunning museums, and ever-lovely architecture.

Expectations are most of the battle here: there’s no such thing as a bad time to visit Paris, but unrealistic expectations will dampen your trip far faster than the risk of rainy weather.

Weather during winter in Paris can generally be characterized as gray, cold, and wet.

Here are a few things to know about the weather in Paris in the winter.

Temperatures aren’t extreme.

Temperatures tend to be chilly, but rather mild with the right clothes–think highs in the low 40’s Fahrenheit (or around 5-6 degrees Celsius).

The days will be short.

During winter in Paris, daylight doesn’t stick around very long, with an average of 8-9 hours of daylight each day (as opposed to around double that in the summer).

Don’t expect snow.

It doesn’t snow often in Paris, and when it does, it’s typically later in the season–think late January or February.

If it happens to snow during your visit to Paris in the winter, count yourself very lucky and immediately start taking All The Pictures!

Hotel Bellevue Montmartre  — We chose to base ourselves in Montmartre during one visit to Paris, and were completely satisfied with our choice! Set on a quiet street just a 5-minute walk from Sacre Coeur and a 10-minute walk from a metro to whisk us away to anywhere we needed to go in Paris, we couldn’t have found a better location in Montmartre for the price.

The room itself was clean and unremarkable, which was all we were looking for in a place to lay our head at night.

Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Bellevue Montmartre!

Hotel Abbatial Saint Germain  — We loved, loved, loved this cute boutique hotel in Paris, mostly because of its truly unbeatable location less than a 10-minute walk from Notre Dame and therefore an easy walk away from much of the attractions of Il de la Cite (and a metro stop, of course).

Despite the super central location, the streets outside were still quiet at night, a huge benefit, and the views during the day lovely.

The customer service was excellent, the bed cozy, and the room, while still very small by global standards, a bit roomy compared to what we’ve gotten used to in Paris.

We’d be happy to stay again!

Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Abbatial Saint Germain!

Le Clos Medicis — This mid-range hotel is one of our favorites in Paris so far!

Located on a beautiful, quiet street just a 5-minute walk from the Pantheon and Luxembourg Gardens (plus a metro stop that connects directly to the RER B line), Le Clos Medicis is an excellent option in the perfect Paris location.

While the rooms are small (typical of Paris), the hotel was extremely comfortable, the customer service lovely, and did I mention the location? Being so well-located in Paris has spoiled us for future trips.

One small quirk? They don’t allow any food in the rooms. It wasn’t a big deal for us, but if you’re planning on buying any groceries or takeout, this might not be the hotel for you.

Check rates & book your stay at Le Clos Medicis!

Relais Christine  — For opulent luxury in the heart of the city, consider a stay at Relais Christine for your weekend trip to Paris!

Located in a 17th-century mansion just a short walk away from Notre Dame and boasting beautiful decor, you couldn’t ask for a better location to be pampered like Parisian royalty.

Check rates & book your stay at Relais Christine!

Travel Insurance — We don’t ever suggest traveling without travel insurance–anything can happen, and a trip to Paris in winter is definitely a case of better safe than sorry. We use and recommend Safety Wing for trips to Paris.

Travel Adaptors for France   — If you’re coming from outside of Europe, you’ll definitely want to make sure you can plug in your electronics once you arrive!

Lotion   — Winter in France can be rough on the skin–be sure to pack a moisturizing lotion.

Lip Balm   — You know what’s not fun? Eating crepes with chapped lips.

Money Belt  — This is up to you: we no longer use a money belt, but if you’re more comfortable having your passport with you at all times in France, you can consider bringing one. We used to use  this one  and had no complaints.

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

14 thoughts on “Paris in Winter: 31 Reasons to Visit (+ Tips!)”

Hi Jeremy & Kate Storm

This is very useful information.. thanks alot

Thanks, Suresh! Glad we could help.

Thank you for sharing this helpful information. I am going to Paris this Christmas and feel READY! I now know how to dress for the weather and will also visit a couple places you mentioned that I hadn’t thought about.

So glad we could help, Timolin! Hope you have an amazing trip to Paris. 🙂

Headed back to Paris for our 28th year anniversary. First time during December. Thanks for your review. I am excited to return. Happy Holidays!

Thanks so much, Rebecca! Happy anniversary & hope you have a lovely trip!

Thank you for this helpful article! Do you happen to know where this pic was taken? The view is amazing and I would love to ride that same Metro line!

https://www.ourescapeclause.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Paris-15-1024×682.jpg

Thank you so much, Cheryl! I so wish I remembered what station that was at, but I don’t–it’s been almost 2 years since I took that photo. Paris has several lovely metros with great views, though. If you’re looking for some incredible views, riding line six between Passy and Bir Hakeim will show you amazing views of the Eiffel Tower from the train!

We were there last February and although cold, it was amazing!! I totally recommend a winter trip and your recommendations are absolutely true. . We were lucky to have a sunny and warm day! We will be back next year and I can’t wait! Paris truly has stole my heart!

Thank you so much, Lourdes! Paris sure is excellent at stealing hearts… we just wrapped up yet another winter trip there and love it more than ever!

Love your article! Thank you for sharing such great information re: visiting Paris in winter. We are planning on visiting Paris this coming January 1-14. Are the Christmas markets still open? Store Christmas decorations still up? Thank you! M.g.

Two whole weeks in Paris! What a treat.

In the beginning of January, you’ll still see quite a few Christmas decorations around and a few of the markets open. I’d prioritize anything Christmassy that you’d like to do for the first few days of your trip, though, because much of it will come down during the first week of January.

If you’re a shopper, your visit also coincides with the big winter sale, which is scheduled this season for January 12-February 8, 2022–something to enjoy at the end of your trip! 🙂

I’m going around late January. What’s the big Winter sale?

Hi Lillie! In France, sales are regulated and only happen twice a year, once in the winter and once in the summer. You can get wonderful deals as a result, as there are often true discounts on the previous season’s items.

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Getting around paris, paris travel guide, paris essentials, train travel, paris arrondissements, christmas in paris 2024 – how to have the best holiday ever, christmas in paris 2024 – the best celebration ever.

It's Noël in Paris, when store windows are aglow with colorful displays, patisserie shelves virtually groan with seasonal delights, and restaurants create special holiday menus filled with the bounty of the season — fresh oysters from Brittany, foie gras, truffles, chestnuts and champagne.

At the heart of Christmas in Paris is a sense of wonderment — millions of lights adorn Champs-Elysées, the Grand Magasins , Hôtel de Ville and the Eiffel Tower . Chocolate shops are filled with gorgeous creations, Christmas markets seem to be found at every corner of Paris, their wooden chalets enticing you with mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, and gingerbread. In 2024 all of Paris will be joyeuse for Christmas, and it will be a busy season. So, be sure to book as early as possible as tours and activities sell out quickly!

Our Top-Rated Christmas in Paris Experiences

1. Holiday VIP Dinner Cruise… View the Paris lights from the Seine

2. Christmas Day Lunch Cruise on the Seine… Very likely to sell out

3. New Years Eve Dinner Cruise & Party… Don't miss the party! Book now!

4. Nureyev's The Nutcracker at Opera Bastille… Tchaikovsky's classic holiday ballet

1. Holiday VIP Dinner Cruise…

2. Christmas Day Lunch Cruise on the Seine…

3. New Years Eve Dinner Cruise & Party…

4. Nureyev's The Nutcracker at Opera Bastille…

The Best Paris Christmas Experiences 2024

Celebrate christmas day or christmas eve on the seine.

This may be the ultimate Christmas celebration in Paris. Luxuriate in a VIP Christmas Day (or Christmas Eve) gourmet meal while sailing the most magical river in the world. Decide between a lunch cruise, an early dinner cruise, or the late cruise at 9:15, all the while watching the city's iconic monuments pass by. This is something you will remember forever. Available Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for lunch or dinner. These sailings WILL sell out, so book right now…

A Christmas Day Dinner Cruise in Paris

Christmas dinner on the Seine River with the landmarks of Paris on display and lit up for the holiday season. Does it bet any better? The Excellence Menu cruise on December 25, complete with champagne, is a rare chance to experience Paris in this way. This is another activity that certainly going to sell out, so book right now…

Holiday Dinner on the Eiffel Tower

One of the absolute best ways to experience the Eiffel Tower is to dine at its newest restaurant, Madame Brasserie . As you sip champagne you gaze down at the Paris landscape in its full glory. From 200 feet above the ground you truly understand the magnificence of the tower built by Gustave Eiffel one hundred forty years ago. For the best experience, be sure to choose the Menu Grande Dame – Paris View option.

New Years Eve Dinner Cruise & Party – LIMITED

New years eve dinner cruise – limited.

On this night of nights, you board a bateau for an unforgettable 5-hour dinner cruise that's followed by a Paris party to celebrate 2024. Champagne is included, of course, and wine with dinner. The dinner cruise is a five-hour extravaganza featuring a multi-course dinner on a glass-walled river boat on New Years Eve! It's a safe bet that this is going to sell out. You need to book now.

Nureyev's The Nutcracker

In Paris, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without experiencing a performance of Tchaikovsky's classic holiday ballet, The Nutcracker . Here, Tchaikovsky explores the realm of childhood in Rudolf Nureyev's famous interpretation. Performed at Opera Bastille, there are even performances on New Years Eve and New Years Day. If you want to see this, you'd better book right now. Like, right now!

Classical Christmas Concerts in Paris

We can't think of a better way to celebrate the holiday season than attending a concert at a stunning historic venue in Paris. Experience classical music with works by Bach, Beethoven, Purcell, Vivaldi, and Chopin in stunning venues like La Sainte Chapelle, Palais Garnier, and Église Saint-Sulpice. Concerts and dates will be announced later in 2024, so check back. This is something you don't want to miss.

Christmas Season VIP Dinner Cruises

Step aboard one of the luxurious dinner boats and immerse yourself in the winter beauty of Paris while you enjoy a memorable holiday dinner, prepared on board by a team of French chefs. Sip champagne & enjoy live music as you take in the best views of Paris. Choose the Service Premier option for the best seating, the best menu, and the ultimate experience aboard this comfortable, glass-walled boat.

Holiday Dinner Cruise with Live Music

You. In Paris. At Christmas. On the Seine River. Do we have your attention? The night begins on the banks of the Seine where you'll board your floating dinner cruise. Over three leisurely hours you sip French wine while enjoying course after course, all the while watching the illuminated monuments of Paris slowly drift by from a table on the glass-sided boats of Bateaux Mouches .

For the best seating, the best meal, and the ultimate experience we suggest you book the Excellence package. Available most evenings in December.

Christmas Day Lunch Cruise on the Seine – LIMITED

Christmas day lunch cruise – limited.

Make magical memories of Christmas in the City of Light. Cruise along the Seine on December 25. Savor a gourmet 3-course lunch with bubbles, wine, cheese, tea or coffee, and dessert. The holiday sights of Paris drift by — the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame, Musée d'Orsay — as you relax to the sound of a live band on board a classic bateau mouche .

Moulin Rouge Dinner + Cabaret + Champagne

Create a spectacular holiday-in-Paris memory with a dinner and a show at the historic Moulin Rouge. Sip champagne and dine on a traditional multi-course meal while the dazzling show takes place on the stage in front of you. This nighttime extravaganza is the best way to get the total experience and create a holiday evening you will long remember.

Paris Ballet & Opera at Palais Garnier

The stunning interior of the Belle Epoque opera house Palais Garnier is best experienced during a performance of a classic ballet or opera. Concerts and dates will be announced later in 2024, so check back. Performances at Palais Garnier will sell out, so you need to book as soon as you can. (You knew we were going to say that, didn't you?)

Experience the Splendor Of Versailles

The best christmas activities – paris 2024, louvre masterpieces tour.

So far this Christmas we've got you out on the river, fed you lunch and dinner, and taken you to the Moulin Rouge. What's missing? A visit to the world's most famous art museum, of course. You certainly need to see the historic and important art found at the Louvre, but you also don't want to wait in a long line.

Luckily, this semi-private guided tour of the Louvre gets you past the line-ups and directly to the most famous works of art. Currently available every day (except Tuesdays) including Christmas Eve. But not for long!

Christmas in Paris Private Extravaganza

Experience the festive magic of Paris on this private Christmas tour. Visit the top landmarks at their most merry, including Galeries Lafayette's famed Christmas window display & decorations. There's a ride on the historic Grande Roue de Paris (Ferris Wheel) and a trip to a holiday market. With an experienced guide you travel by foot and by private vehicle. Hotel pick-up and transportation is included as well as seasonal snacks and the mulled wine?

Top-Rated Paris Museum Tours

Nighttime champagne cruise along the seine.

When you're in Paris, a cruise on the Seine is an essential activity and that's doubly true during the holiday season when the city is decked with Christmas illuminations. This champagne-fueled evening cruise starts with priority boarding onto the bateau , where you are escorted to a private tasting room at the front of the boat for the best views of Paris. And, of course, there's beaucoup de bubbly. Your sommelier takes you through a flight of three champagnes as the best of Paris slowly drifts past.

Skip the Lines at the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is very popular, and there are always very long lineups. We don't like to stand out in the cold in a Paris December… for that matter, we don't like to wait in line, period! So we always book a skip-the-line tour.

To our way of thinking, the best aerial views of Paris are from Level 2 (the middle level) of the Eiffel Tower. It's like seeing a human-scale model of Paris. But, it you want the full experience of seeing Paris like a bird, book a tour that takes you to the very top, the summit, Level 3. Whichever your choice, these tours will sell out quickly, so book as soon as possible. It's important to know that Eiffel Tower tours can be booked only 90 days in advance.

Delectable Food Tours in Paris

Christmas in paris 2024 – food & wine activities, cheese tasting in a paris cheese cellar.

Visit hidden Paris in a special cheese-aging cave underneath a top fromagerie in the Marais. You'll get an Insiders view, led by a Master Affineur , on how cheese is aged to perfection before it is ready to sell. You will taste the most famous cheeses of France, paired with the perfect wines, while you soak up the stories of how cheese is made and aged. This very popular tour is likely to sell out during Christmas.

Wine Tasting in the Heart of Paris

Sign up for a in-depth wine tasting — that allows enough time to explore all the best regions of France, including Champagne. In this informal & informative wine tasting a professional French sommelier pours wine from the regions while giving an in-depth explanation of each. It takes place in a charming, centrally-located wine cellar.

A Taste of Montmartre Food & Wine Tour

If you've never to Paris during Christmas you're in for a treat. Join a food-expert guide for a walking tour of historic Montmartre to taste some of the best foods of France — baguettes, charcuterie, cheeses, pastries, chocolate. This quartier on the hill is famous for its cobblestone streets, café and terraces, and for the bohemian crowd who once lived here. Don't miss the views of the city from its highest point.

Chocolate & Pastry Tour – Holiday Edition

During the holiday season you can hook up with the special Christmas edition of this very popular chocolate and pastry walking tour. As we said, Christmas in Paris is all about food, and chocolate is perhaps the best example. Everyone's in the holiday mood as they pass out plenty of samples! This is one of the most popular food activities and, hence, likely to sell out.

Gourmet Food Tour – The Christmas Edition!

In Paris, La Saison Des Fêtes , the holiday season, is all about great food. On this small-group walking tour of the City of Celebration, you delve deep into the world of seasonal goodness — and you sample heartily! The tour starts at the renowned Christmas market on Place Saint-Sulpice , right in front of the magnificent church, and wanders through Saint-Germain. Bonnes Fêtes ! Available Monday through Saturday in December.

Q&A – What To Do In Paris At Christmas?

What's the best way to uncover what to do in Paris during the holidays? Ask us! That's what readers Joann & Gil did. Click to learn what we told them!

Find Hotel Deals for Your Dates in Paris

Seven more reasons to spend christmas in paris.

1. Hotel de Ville Christmas Decorations - Enchanted Paris

You won't want to miss the place in front of the Hôtel de Ville. This year it will be decked out in festive attire with a forest of fir trees and winter chalets. Top Paris florists will add their expertise to this year's theme, Enchanted Paris . As always, there'll be plenty of free activities for everyone including the old-fashioned carousel, a climbing wall, a toboggan run, and a chance to meet Pêre Noël . December 2 to January 1, 2024

2. Hotel de Ville Christmas Market

While you're admiring the Christmas decorations at Hotel de Ville, visit the Christmas chalets displaying seasonal foods and beverages, as well as gifts featuring the Made in Paris stamp of quality approval. December 2 to January 1, 2024. Open until 11:45, with the exception of New Year's Eve with a 7 pm closing.

3. Jardin des Plantes Christmas Lights Spectacle

In the middle of Paris is the spectacular Natural History Museum, found in the Jardin des Plantes . This holiday season the gardens will be decorated for Noël in a theme of Tropical Wonders. Come to see the lighting magic where fearsome felines, astonishing frogs, giant flowers and other wonders will dazzle you in a maze of intricate lighting displays. November 22 to January 21, 2024.

4. Champs-Elysées New Year's Fireworks

Celebrate the start of 2024 with thousand of revelers on the Champs-Elysées. Music, mulled wine, merriment, and spectacular fireworks will bring in the new year with a flourish. The fireworks show commences at midnight following a two-hour "pre-game" party event.

• 10:00 PM to 11:59 PM. An outdoor party includes music with laser light shows at the Arc de Triomphe.
• Midnight. The countdown begins, culminating with pyrotechnic wonders on the Arc de Triomphe.
• Midnight to 12:09 AM. The fireworks show lasts for exactly nine minutes that may turn out to be the most memorable moments of 2024.

5. Dragons and Lanterns Festival

Head to the pretty Jardin d'Acclimatation in the Bois de Boulogne for the first Dragons and Lanterns Festival. Take a magical journey with fantastical creatures from the classic of Chinese literature, The Book of Mountains and Seas . Admire the traditional lanterns adorning the pathways, designed and made by artisans from the Shanghai Yuyuan Garden.

6. Christmas Markets

What would Christmas in Paris be without its traditional Noël markets ? The classic chalets will start to display their artisanal products in mid November. Every corner of Paris has its own Christmas market — from Notre-Dame to Les Halles, La Défense to the Jardin des Tuileries. Paris will be decked out with seasonal markets for the best of holiday crafts, jewelry, fashion, food, and fun.

7. Le Grand Noël at Vaux-le-Vicomte

Sure, there's Versailles , which you can easily visit from Paris . But if you want to discover a rare treasure of France, head to this other spectacular chateau for a memorable Christmas. Every year the Vaux-le-Vicomte celebrates Christmas with pomp and splendor. It's a royal occasion that finds the courtyard, the chateau, and the French garden enhanced for the season. Wander through the enchanted forest with its decorated fir trees and Christmas wreaths. Visit the chateau's state rooms adorned with thousands of lights taking you to a world of refinement from the 17th century. A highlight is the eight-metre-tall Christmas tree, outfitted with 1,500 sparkling decorations.

Christmas in Paris 2024 – Seasonal Events

Christmas markets – marchés de noël.

Bundle up warm and go out exploring to see how the French celebrate Christmas. Every year seasonal Christmas markets spring up in many quartiers of Paris. It's where Parisians shop for crafts, decorations, and other seasonal specialties. From the middle of November to early January you can find Christmas Markets throughout the city. (Exact locations of some markets may change as the season progresses. We'll do our best to keep the list up to date!)

• Saint-Sulpice (and Père Noël Village ), 6th Arrondissement
• Saint-Germain-des-Prés (and Père Noël Village ), 6th Arrondissement
• Place de la Nation , 11th Arrondissement
• Place des Abbesses in Montmartre , 18th Arrondissement
• Gare de l'Est , 10th Arrondissement
• Trocadero , 16th Arrondissement
• Place de la Concorde , Norwegian Christmas Market, 1st Arrondissement
• Notre Dame , Square Viviani, 5th Arrondissement
• Saint-Sulpice (and Père Noël Village), 6th Arrondissement
• Saint-Germain-des-Prés (and Père Noël Village), 6th Arrondissement
• Eiffel Tower, Quai Branly, 7th Arrondissement
• Eiffel Tower, Port de Suffren, near the Vedettes de Paris, 7th Arrondissement
• Jardin des Tuileries, just off Place de la Concorde, 1st Arrondissement
• Gare de l'Est , Alsatian Christmas, 10th Arrondissement
• Place d'Italie , 13th Arrondissement
• Tour Montparnasse , 15th Arrondissement
• Made in France Market , Place Charles-Michels, 15th Arrondissement
• La Defense , at Line 1

Notre Dame Christmas Market

The magic of the Notre-Dame Christmas market is back! Just across the river from the cathedral the Christmas vendors will be open from December 9 to 26. Marvel at the reconstruction of the cathedral that was nearly lost in the 2019 fire while you sample French seasonal delights and shop for authentic arts & crafts. The square's famous 400-year-old tree will be decorated for the season. So, grab a mug of mulled wine as you wander through the chalets, shopping for artisanal gifts, nibbling on roasted chestnuts.

• Square René Viviani
• December 9 to 26
• Information …

Christmas Market at Hotel de Ville

From mid December to the beginning of January the place in front of the Paris city hall will celebrate Christmas. For the past few years the team at Hotel de Ville has decided to stage a Christmas market rather than the annual skating rink, and we're waiting to hear more about the 2024 plans. carousel , shop the chalets, and keep warm with chocolat chaud — hot chocolate. ~~>

Christmas Lights on Champs Elysées

Paris lights up for the holidays and you find light displays in shop windows and on streets throughout the city. But the most famous light show, and perhaps the most spectacular, is on Champs Elysées. In late November each year a celebrity has the honor of turning on the lights, kicking off the holiday season at the ceremony alongside Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo. The lights will be turned on between 5:00 PM and 2:00 AM and will stay on all night on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve.

Paris Museums Open During Christmas 2024

• Open: Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve
• Closed: Christmas Day & New Year's Day
• Closed Tuesdays

Musee d'Orsay

• Open: New Year's Day
• Closed: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve
• Closed Mondays

Pompidou Centre

• Open: New Year's Eve

What to Do on Christmas Day in Paris

"What's open on Christmas Day in Paris?" readers ask us. So, for the lucky visitors who will be here on December 25, we've compiled the best things to do.

Christmas Eve & New Year's Eve Schedule

Most shops, museums and many restaurants will be open. Although Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve are not official holidays in France, the train stations will be packed as Parisians head out for their Christmas getaway.

But be warned — chocolatiers , fromageries and anywhere food and wine are sold will be jam-packed with locals stocking up for Christmas and New Year celebrations. Make sure to stock up yourself as most everything will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. If you plan to dine out, make reservations well in advance around the holidays.

The good news is that the Eiffel Tower is open 365 days a year.

Christmas in Paris 2024 – Churches & Cathedrals

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

As you'd expect, at the historic churches and cathedrals of Paris there are many religious services during the Christmas season in Paris. Traditional Midnight Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral will probably not be held this year, but keep your eyes open for special outdoor service. But here we've collected some other options. Tip: the only way to secure a seat for mass is to to arrive early.

Église Saint Germain des Prés

Founded back in 542 AD (remember those years?), this Left Bank Paris church has history. Noted for its wonderful acoustics, it's an ideal destination for Christmas mass. Check their website for more details. (In French only). • Information …

Saint Eustache

Although a church has been on this site since 1213, the first stone of the current church was laid in 1532 by Francis I. Fun fact — Saint Eustache's floor-plan and structure will remind you of Notre Dame, with a nave flanked by double aisles and chapels. • Information …

Holy Trinity Cathedral

Nestled in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower the immense Russian mega-spiritual center with no less than five gleaming onion domes opened in 2016 and has become a popular religions destination. • Information …

Sacre Coeur Basilica, Montmartre

Celebrate Christmas at the famous snow-white basilica set on the highest point of Paris. There is a Christmas Eve organ concert at 10:00 PM and an 11:00 PM vigil and Midnight Mass. On Christmas Day there is Mass at 7:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 6:00 PM & 10:00 PM. It's recommended to arrive at least 30 minutes before the service. • Sacre Coeur Christmas Schedule …

Sainte-Etienne-du-Mont

Just kitty-corner from the Pantheon , Sainte-Etienne features stained-glass windows that date from the 16th and 17th centuries. By the way, the steps on the northwest side of the church were used as a location for Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris ! Place Sainte-Genevieve, 5th Arrondissement • Website …

Saint Alexandre Russian Orthodox Cathedral

Set in the 8th Arrondissement close to Parc Monceau , this was the first Orthodox church in France, (established in 1861). Pablo Picasso and Olga Khokhlova were married here in 1918. 12 Rue Daru • Website …

The American Cathedral in Paris

This historic monument is a a center for English-speakers in Paris. 23, avenue George V, 8th. • Website …

American Church in Paris

This was the first American church established in Paris, in 1814. It's located on the left bank of the Seine between Pont d'Alma and Pont des Invalides . 65 Quai d'Orsay, 7th. • Website …

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Journey of Doing

Visiting Paris at Christmas: A Magical Time of Year

The decision to be in Paris at Christmas wasn’t hard after our amazing Valentine’s Day trip to Paris .  I know I keep saying this, but Paris in the winter is the best kept secret in travel.  Tom was really excited about another trip to Paris, and I was convinced after watching his youtube videos of the Christmas window displays and the Champs Elysées Christmas lights.  We’ve gone to Paris for Christmas in 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023, so it’s become a bit of a holiday tradition for us!

December in Paris is a lot like Venice is at Christmas .  The city was absolutely magical, especially the area around Place du Vendome.  Could there be a more picturesque view in Paris during Christmas time?  I don’t think so.  I preferred it to the Champs Elysees and the Place du Concorde.  Both of those areas are beautiful in their own right, but they really didn’t compare to Vendome, in my opinion.  Beyond the beauty of the holiday decor, the tourists are mostly gone.  You’ll find locals out and about and going about their holiday business.  And, everyone is in a good mood.

Disclosure:  This post contains affiliate links for tours and products I love at no additional cost to you.  You can read my  full disclosure policy here.

Things to Do in Paris at Christmas

I’ll cover the Paris Christmas markets in a bit of detail below, but there are so many things, both indoor and outdoor that are enjoyable during the holiday season in Paris.  I found the days to be fairly temperate.  Yes, sometimes the winds got up at times, but a good down coat and boots will keep you warm.  (Take your boots to a local cobbler and get them weatherproofed.  This works wonders for me.)  I didn’t actually need my thermals at all.  It did rain more in December than it has on our previous trips, but we would use those days to take advantage of the myriad of indoor activities available to us.  And, it didn’t rain all day.

See the Paris Opera Ballet Perform The Nutcracker

When I was 12-years-old, I read an article in Dance Magazine about the boarding school of the Paris Opera Ballet . I still remember the beautiful blue of their uniform, and I was captivated by the discussion of what it was like to perform in the Opera Garnier and the Bastille. In 2023, when we thought about going to Paris for my birthday , I subscribed to the Paris Opera Ballet mailing list. When they announced their 2023-2024 season, I was stoked to see the Nutcracker (Casse Noisette) being performed. I got up at 4:00am to buy tickets on the day sales opened. Our entire 2023 trip to Paris at Christmas was built around when I could find availability.

It did not disappoint. Guillaume Diop and Dorothée Gilbert are incredible. We were 5th row center at the Opera Bastille, and it was truly a bucket list experience for me. Casse Noisette is not part of their season every year, so it’s extra special when you find it on there. However, there is always a ballet performance in December, and it’s a great way to spend an evening. Further, the Paris Opera Ballet school does demonstrations every year during this time, so that’s a great way to see up and coming ballet stars.

Galeries Lafayette Christmas Displays & Rooftop Ice Skating Rink

I thought the holiday displays in New York City were amazing and then I went to Galeries Lafayette.  It’s beautiful at any time of year, but is absolutely astounding at Christmastime.  The Christmas tree at Galeries Lafayette seems to transcend gravity and the backdrop is amazing. However, don’t stop at the department store. 

Head to the rooftop for the ice skating rink and incredible views of the Eiffel Tower and the back of the Garnier Opera House.  It’s a great place to see the sunset in Paris. I have very fond memories of watching the Paris sky change from this rooftop. If outdoor ice rink on a rooftop doesn’t appeal to you, head to the Grand Palais for one of the world’s largest indoor ice skating rinks.

Try the Bûche de Noël

Spending Christmas in Paris means that you can try the famous Buche de Noel dessert.  The Buche de Noel (yule log) is a traditional chocolate roulade dessert. In 2019, a magazine in Le Spa at the Park Hyatt Paris profiled the famous pastry chef at the Ritz Paris and his chocolate hazelnut take on this traditional dessert.  Did you say chocolate hazelnut?  SOLD.  We had dessert and a nightcap at the Bar Vendome on their (covered) terrace under the stars.  It remains one of our favorite Christmas experiences and one we tend to repeat.  It’s a splurge worth making, but make a reservation . 

If Bar Vendome isn’t in your budget , there is a small chalet in front of the Ritz that sells pastries and warm beverages.  I recommend on splurging on one of their sweet treats.  They have tables where you can enjoy the view of the Place du Vendome and your sweet treat.  You can also hit up the Ritz Comptoir Pastry shop that opened in 2021.  (I love to pick up cookies for the flight home!) They sell the Buche de Noel in two sizes, and you can take it to go. We’ve done click and collect Le Comptoir when we couldn’t get a reservation at Bar Vendome!   

Learn to Make the Buche de Noel

In 2022, I took a Buche de Noel pastry class at the Ritz Paris , and I would put that on your Paris Christmas wishlist! I think this is one of the best things to do in Paris in December, and the Ritz Escoffier generally offers several dates starting in early December and continuing through the days leading up to Christmas.

The buche recipe changes from year to year, so you could make this a tradition, if you wanted to! It’s a half day course in the kitchens of the iconic Ritz Paris hotel, and you will leave with your own perfect Buche de Noel to enjoy at home, the recipes, and some incredible baking skills.

I’ve taken several half day, full day and weeklong pastry classes at the Ritz , and while it can be a little intimidating, it’s also such a cool thing to do! The course is taught in French, but they do provide interpreters. If you wanted to gift this experience, Francois Perret, the head pastry chef at the Ritz Paris, has a beautiful cookbook, French Pastry at the Ritz Paris , that you could include with a gift card for the experience.

If the Ritz Paris Escoffier is fully booked, Cookn with Class also offers a Buche de Noel class on select dates in December.

Take a Walking Tour of Paris on Christmas Day

One of benefits of being in a city is that there will be things to do throughout the holiday season. I’m not saying it will be wide open like the US, but there are things to do in Paris on Christmas Day (and on other holidays). We have found that Paris Walks and their incredible guides will generally offer walking tours on Christmas Day and New Year’s. (We really enjoyed their French Revolution tour on Bastille Day!)

Their tours are 25 euro per person, and you can reserve by sending an email in advance. Sometimes they ask for a deposit and you’ll pay the balance in cash on the day of your tour.

Paris Museum Tours

One of the best things to do in Paris at Christmastime is to take advantage of the museums!  Paris museums are so much quieter in the winter.  The Musee d’Orsay is one of my favorite museums in the entire world and I’ve visited numerous times throughout the years, over the years, but it is always fairly busy.  We booked a tour of the Musee d’Orsay on Saturday morning, and we basically had the museum to ourselves both during the tour and afterwards.  The tour was incredible and provided a great introduction to both the museum and the impressionist artists.  It provided a great historical framework of what was going on both in Paris and in the art world.  Later on this trip, when we took a walking tour of Montmartre , we were able to learn more about how the artists worked in Paris, specifically.  (This free tour starts at Moulin Rouge and ends at Sacre Coeur, so you’ll get the entire scope of the neighborhood frequented by the Impressionists!)

Another tour I recommend is a  night tour of the Louvre .  There is just something about being in the Louvre after hours that gives it a sense of mystery and magic to this daunting museum.   This evening tour made the museum feel less daunting and more intimate.  It covers many of the famous paintings and sculptures, so don’t worry about missing the Mona Lisa.  The Louvre collection  would take a lifetime of visits, but this is a good tour to start with on your first trip to Paris. After your tour, your can head to the Marché de Noël at Jardin des Tuileries for an easy dinner, mulled wine, and some sweet treats.

Paris Museum Pass

If you aren’t a guided tour person, I would recommend purchasing a Paris Museum Pass .  While you might not need the skip-the-line capabilities in the winter, it provides the ultimate flexibility in terms of visiting 60 major Paris museums and attractions.  You can also use it to go to the top of the Arc de Triomphe and watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle, which is also a great way to see the lights of the Champs Elysées from above, too. You’ll want to double check the closing dates and purchase the appropriate number of days based on your trip.  For example, most sites are closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so you could buy a 4 day pass instead of a 6 day pass, depending on your arrival date.

Don’t Miss: Musee de l’Orangerie  – This small, manageable museum is in the running for one of my favorite museums in Paris.  Monet’s work is truly incredible in person.  Go when they open or late in the day to have the lilies to yourself.

Don’t Miss:   Musee de l’Armee  – A fascinating look at France’s military history.  A must-see for anyone who wants to better understand Napoleon or appreciates military uniforms.  The Paris pass doesn’t cover special exhibitions, but it’s worth looking into seeing what is on exhibition.

Don’t Miss:   Sainte-Chapelle  – One of the most breath-taking churches I’ve ever been in.  Go on a sunny day to really appreciate all the stained glass windows and the beautiful colors. I love going to Ste. Chapelle around noon because it’s not quite as busy, but you get that beautiful noon-day light.

Learn to Make Croissants and Baguettes in Paris

If you really want to appreciate some of the “basic” French breads, you need to take a croissant and baguette class in Paris.  It’s incredible how labor intensive these pastries are – and it’s amazing how inexpensive they are!  (The croissant dough takes 3 days to make!)  Just as an FYI, if you don’t speak French, Chef Didier will likely use an interpreter.  You’ll learn exactly how a French bakery works (like clockwork, truly) and learn how to make croissants, pain et chocolat, and different types of baguettes.  You get to take your baguettes (and the recipes) home with you!

Food Tour of the Marais

We’ve taken a lot of food and wine tours in Paris . This Marais food tour is one of the best ways to try different flavors of France, and I think it was the best food tour we’ve taken in Paris.  The tour starts at the Le Marché des Enfants Rouges with a cheese and wine tasting and winds through the Marais for numerous tasty stops.  We tried the delicious choux pastries filled with cream, marmalades and jams, macarons, falafel, chocolate, olive oils, balsamic vinegars, and other specialties from Provence, and Corsican specialties.  This tour is a great way to shop for Christmas gifts and souvenirs to take home, too.  We actually visit one of the stores and bring things home every time we go to Paris now!

I would love to try a chocolate and pastry tour of Saint Germain des Pres and the Left Bank .  We wandered through there on our last trip to Paris and there are so many delicious looking shops!  This neighborhood is directly across the Seine from the Louvre, if you are looking for somewhere to explore that is a little less high end than Vendome.

Marchés de Noël // Paris Christmas Markets

There are approximately 15-20 Christmas markets that pop up all over Paris throughout late November and December.  We made it three  of them during a six day trip to Paris.  (There is just so much to do in Paris, especially at Christmas!)  When we go back, I would love to do this Paris Christmas market food tour  to see more of them and learn more about the local foods and traditions.  The Paris Visitors Bureau will have the most up to date information on the Christmas markets throughout the city.  One thing that I think is really neat about Paris is that they have a lot of country-specific markets throughout December.  Much like the Tuscany Christmas markets , you have to plan your trip around the specific dates, but what a great adventure!

2023 Paris Christmas Market Dates

• 11/18/2023 – 01/07/2024  – Jardin des Tuileries Christmas Market
• 11/25/2023 – 01/01/2024 – St Germain Christmas Market
• 11/28/2023 – 12/31/2023 – Hotel de Ville Christmas Market
• 12/01/2023 – 12/17/2023  – Alsace Christmas Market at Gare de l’Est (However, I highly recommend adding a trip to Alsace to your France itinerary .  The Christmas markets in Alsace are amazing. We’ve taken a few trips along the route du vin . It never disappoints.)
• 12/14/2023 – 01/02/2024  – Eiffel Tower Christmas Market
• 12/08/2023 – 12/25/2023 – Notre Dame Christmas Market 
• 11/24/2023 – 01/07/2023 – Abbesses Christmas Market
• 12/16/2023 – 12/28/2023 – Montmartre Christmas Market

Louvre / Jardin des Tuileries Christmas Market

We usually stay in the 2nd or 8th arrondissements when we come to Paris at Christmas. We walked through the Tuileries Christmas Market on our way to walk along the Seine.  I couldn’t wait to come back and check it out when I was hungry.  There are so many smells and so many foods to try! This Christmas market is very family friendly with carnival games, rides, and food for everyone.  The market runs from mid-November until early January, so you’ll still get to enjoy it, even if your travels take you to Paris after Christmas and into the new year!

Similar to the Santa Croce Christmas market in Florence and the Bordeaux Christmas market , there is an international flair to the food stalls.  From the French raclette and vin chaud, to Spanish paella to German sausages and beer, you can go on a tour of Europe without ever leaving Paris. We actually had one of our dinners at this Christmas market because everything smelled SO good!  Check out this post before you go and make a list of the best foods to try in Paris!

Notre Dame Christmas Market

The Notre Dame cathedral is still closed for restoration until 2024, so I didn’t know if the Christmas market would still be happening.  On our way to dinner in the Latin Quarter, we found it right across the Seine.  While it is a lot smaller than the Louvre Christmas market, it is just as lively and local.  My favorite part of this Christmas market were the local musicians.  It added so much ambiance and warmth to an otherwise cold and rainy evening.  If you’re looking for local, high-quality gifts, this is your market.  (Excuse the quality of the photos – it was pouring down rain!)

Hotel de Ville Christmas Market

Of course the Paris city hall has one of the most magical Christmas markets in Paris.  The first time we saw it was when we were walking from our hotel to Bastille for dinner.  The city hall was awash with blue light, there was loud and lively music, and a carrousel for the kids.  It was packed every time we went by it!  We decided to save it for a visit on a morning when it was a little less busy, but it fills up so quickly.  It looked like all the wooden stalls were selling French products, including fresh crepes, raclette, and vin chaud.  

This market is a lot smaller that the Tuileries Christmas market, but it is larger than the Notre Dame market.  (I feel like Goldilocks describing these markets!)

Where to Eat in Paris at Christmastime

While I’ve posted about some of our favorite restaurants in Paris , I thought I would highlight a few restaurants for a cozy meal.  Many small restaurants in Paris close for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but some are open. Some close for the entire week between Christmas and New Year’s. If I could give you one tip, it would be to call and get reservations. You’ll want to start in late November, but you should know that some may ask you call back within two weeks of your date. By that time, it may be too late. Don’t wait to find out what’s open when you get there.

Below are a few places that we enjoy for their ambiance and delicious food.  It is not meant to be an exhaustive restaurant guide for Paris. With so many restaurants in Paris, that would be impossible.  If none of these recommendations appeal to you, Le Fooding and its app are a great place to start Paris restaurant research. It’s also worthwhile to reach out to your hotel concierge for their recommendations. Often times, they will have a list of who is going to be open, whether there are set menus, and are happy to help with reservations. That’s actually how we learned to navigate New Year’s Eve in Florence!

Le George at the Four Seasons Paris (8th arrondissement)

After an unbelievable meal in summer 2023 at Le George , Tom and I had to find out if it really was that good or if we were letting the wine cloud our judgement.

Spoiler alert: We went back two nights in a row. It really is *that* good.

One of the reasons we went back again is because they had an Alba white truffle menu that I wanted to try. We had the truffle menu at Il Palagio in Florence last Christmas , but I had not been able to confirm that it would be available this year. (Real) truffle is not offered all the time, so I wanted to take advantage of it when I could. I ordered the white truffle risotto, and it was incredible. It’s a splurge, but it’s a good splurge if you’re going to do it. The ambiance is straight up magical at Christmas.

The other great thing about Le George is that, for a Michelin starred restaurant in Paris, the price can be very fair. They have an extensive wine list and a great sommelier, so you can make the meal as expensive as you want. This is actually one place where they really stood out to us though. When we visited in July 2023, we had two amazing bottles of wine from small producers. (We actually went to visit the Montalcino winery in November and bought several bottles of the wine while we were there.)

When we returned in December 2023, the wine list was different. We chose two different bottles of Italian with help from the Sommelier. When we knew we would be returning the next night, we asked the Sommelier to think about some French wines we should try in a particular price range. Upon arrival, we were met by the Sommelier who had come up with several options for us to try, including a wine from Le Cinq’s wine list, the other restaurant at the Four Seasons Paris. Everything presented was within our price range, and they were truly special recommendations.

Le George is truly a special experience, and it’s definitely worth the splurge. The staff is very kind, the food is incredible, and the wine list is extensive and fair. My friend Ana the wine pairing, instead of buying a bottle, and she loved the wines. They ended up buying a few bottles of them and sending me the list. We’ve tried some of them, and they are exceptional. Yes, you could spend a lot of money on wine, but if you know what you want to spend, they will work within that.

Sacree Fluer (18th arrondissement)

This is absolutely my favorite steakhouse in Paris.  We’ve never had a bad meal here, and they have some of the kindest people you’ll ever meet.  You need a reservation for Sacree Fleur ; it’s a tiny restaurant not far from Sacre Couer.  On our first visit, we got the last table of the night and have watched them turn many people away ever since, even in the low season.  

This cozy restaurant in perfect for carnivores to try all the French specialties, including onion soup, snails, frog legs, duck, and steak served with blue cheese, shallot, and peppercorn sauce.  Personally, we love the cote de bouef, but they have other cuts available, too. I love every dessert I’ve tried here, but the apple sorbet and calvados is an absolute must. If you’re one of those people that can’t do ice cream in cold weather, the tarte tatin (flambéed with calvados!) is delicious, too. Sacree Fleur has one of the calvados I’ve ever tried, and I actually prefer it to the ones we tried in Honfleur .

They have a small but mighty wine list, and they make great recommendations on wine. Part of the reason that we ended up visiting Bordeaux is because of the wines we’ve tried at Sacree Fleur. Next up on our France itinerary will be Cotes du Rhone and Languedoc because of them… All of our exploration of wine has happened very organically and it’s largely because of people we meet and experiences we’ve had. It is a great way to travel.

Le Petit Chalet (5th arrondissement)

If you are looking for a classic French bistro experience near the Notre Dame Christmas market, you can’t get any closer (or better) than Le Petit Chalet! Now, I know what you’re thinking – it’s on a main street adjacent to the Seine, next to Shakespeare and Company, and in the shadow of Notre Dame – how good could it be? It’s a pleasant surprise and you shouldn’t be swayed by the location.

You will need to call for a reservation, tables are close together and cozy, and the daily menu is written by hand. We were lucky enough to have a table in the front dining room with a view of the open fire, in which we watched the staff bustle around and cook their dishes to perfection. But, they have an upstairs and tables with a view of Notre Dame, which may be the move when the cathedral reopens in all her glory in 2024.

The menu changes quite a bit, and while the dishes aren’t much to look at, the food is very tasty. I really liked how cozy the ambiance was. While I don’t find Paris too cold at Christmas, I love finding a warm and cozy restaurant to warm up at with a good meal before strolling home through the Christmas lights, and Le Petit Chalet fits the bill perfectly.

Bistrot Richelieu (1st arrondissement)

Bistrot Richelieu is a classic Parisian bistro experience.  Recently remodeled, it has a lot of character and romantic ambiance.  It is a great place to enjoy a leisurely meal or happy hour before heading out to dinner.  Our kind waiter made tasty recommendations on everything from drinks to the dinner menu.  It is where we ordered our first French onion soup and a traditional entrecôte with shallot sauce.  Tom found a French beer that he really enjoyed, but he’s still disappointed that he didn’t try the duck.  They do take reservations by phone and email.

East Mamma (11th arrondissement)

East Mamma is listed in one of  my favorite Paris guide books and I saved it for our honeymoon.  We didn’t make it there.  When I read about it on Mackenzie’s blog , I knew we had to try it.  We walked from Vendome to Bastille (and back) for this meal.  Thank goodness for the walk because the food was incredible.  Everything was incredibly rich and the walk was a nice way to walk it off.  Their famous truffle pasta is worth it.  Tom was suspicious so he ordered a pizza, but when we go back, we will both be ordering the truffle pasta.  We ordered two desserts, but we should have only ordered one.  Both the profiterole and the nocciola pizza are delicious, but they are both big enough to be split between two people.

This is probably the most trendy restaurant that I have recommended.  It doesn’t take reservations, so you’ll want to be there when they open.  We arrived about 15 minutes before they opened and a line was already starting to form.  I would expect it to be even busier during other times of the year.

Gambino (1st arrondissement)

Gambino is super close to the Park Hyatt, so on our first couple trips to Paris in the winter, we generally had our first dinner there.  It was the best bet for an easy meal to beat jet lag.  The service is always incredibly friendly, even on Valentine’s Day (with no reservations)!  The food is unique and absolutely delicious.  I recommend their raviolini with prosciutto, asparagus, and truffle cream sauce or pizza Genovese.  Truthfully though, everything we’ve ordered at Gambino has been good though.

Best Place to Stay in Paris at Christmas

When you’re thinking about where to stay in Paris for Christmas, you’ll want to consider a few different things. The most important questions you have to ask yourself is how do you do in cold weather and do you enjoy walking, even when it’s cold? If you’re someone who doesn’t like the cold, you’ll want to think about staying close to a metro stop. We LOVE walking in Paris, even in the winter, so we don’t have to be right next to a metro stop. I find the area around Rue Sainte Honore, Rue Cambon, and Place du Vendome to be the most atmospheric with Christmas lights (but not as crowded as the area behind Opera), so I love to stay there at Christmas.

If you are hoping to use points for your stay, book your room early. You can get off-peak rates if you are visiting Paris in December, and I regularly do at the Park Hyatt Paris. It’s also a great time to look for great rates at smaller hotels that may not pull as many American tourists as the large chain hotels.

Park Hyatt Paris (2nd arrondissement)

We’ve stayed at the Park Hyatt Paris on on seven? (I’ve lost count) trips to Paris and it’s been incredible every time.  The room that we had over Christmas in 2019 is my favorite though.  It was on the 6th floor with vaulted ceilings.  Not only was the room huge, but it was an incredible and efficient use of space.  Though the room only had one small window, it did not feel dark and it was incredibly well lit.  We’ve had at least 5 different rooms at the Park Hyatt Paris , so it’s worth noting your preferences with the hotel if you feel strongly.

While there are less expensive hotels in Paris, there are a few things that keep us coming back to the Park Hyatt.  The first one is the spa.  At the end of a long day, there is no better way to relax and recharge than in the spa and the sauna at Le Spa.  I’m a huge fan of their Le Mer facials and body treatments, but the massages are also amazing.  We get so much use out of the spa when we stay at this hotel.  During our Christmas trip, we started going in the mornings, as well as the evenings, which felt truly luxurious, especially considering how much we had to walk.  (More on that below.)

The second one is the location.  The Park Hyatt is close to several metro stops, but it is also ideal for walking to most attractions and restaurants.  We have been in Paris for the transportation strikes and the yellow vest protests.  We would not have been able to see as much as we did if we had not been within walking distance of the main attractions.  We stayed near Etoile on our honeymoon and it was a trip to get anywhere.  Fortunately, we had the metro at our disposal, but we also relied on cabs quite a bit more, too.  Staying near Vendome means that we can walk to any of the main sights, although the Eiffel Tower feels a bit far, at times.

Third,  it’s the best place to indulge the holiday spirit.  Vendome is the perfect place to stay in Paris at Christmas because of how beautiful the area is.  The Champs Elysees has nothing on Vendome.  Our entire street was decked out with Christmas trees, Christmas lights, and the Place du Vendome was magical.  It’s also a very short, scenic walk to the Tuileries Christmas market at the Louvre.  A lot of the expensive shops have beautiful displays.  The Louis Vuitton store had the most magnificent starburst when we were there.  Just stunning.

Hotel du Louvre Paris (1st arrondissement)

The  Hotel du Louvre  is the perfect place for sightseeing and museum hopping.  You walk out, cross the street, and you’re in the Louvre and the Tuileries Christmas market.  If you cross the Seine, you’re at the Musee d’Orsay.  If you need to get around, the Palais Royale metro stop is right outside the hotel.  From there, you can travel along the Seine, or travel a few spots to Chatlet / Les Halles and connect anywhere in Paris!

I always request a quiet room when we travel to Paris, so we typically receive rooms that overlook interior courtyards.  In this case, we stayed in a junior suite on the 5th floor.  This suite isn’t large, but it is  very well designed.  We loved having a sitting room where we could enjoy an in-room picnic separate from our bedroom.  

The room details feel very luxurious and high end.  Our room had two small built-in closets, which weren’t ideal for long dresses, but I was able to make it work.  The built-in closet drawers meant that they didn’t have more furniture than necessary in the room.  It worked really well for us.

The bathroom is definitely on the smaller side, however the walk-in shower is actually quite large, especially for Europe.  It offers both an overhead shower and a hand shower. Perfect for winter and cooler Paris temperatures, I loved the warm bathrobes and slippers.  The Fragonard bath amenities were perfectly branded and fit the aesthetic of the hotel.  

As an arrival gift, we received madeleines and a bottle of lemonade.  The previous occupant had left his arrival gift, a bottle of red wine, so we enjoyed that, too.  The Hotel du Louvre does offer free breakfast for Hyatt Globalist members in its restaurant.  We didn’t take advantage of it, but I’m sure it’s delightful.  Everything about this hotel was perfect.  

I first found out about this hotel from Heather , who stayed her with her large family, so I know it has room for everyone if you’re planning a large family trip to Paris at Christmas.  There were a lot of families with young children staying at the hotel when we were there.  That being said, I believe it is perfect for a romantic getaway to Paris as well.  Paris luxury hotels are expensive and many run more than $1,000 per night.  If that isn’t in your travel budget, the Hotel du Louvre is still a luxurious romantic experience. If you’re looking to maximize your ROI with Hyatt points, the Hyatt Paris Etoile is a great option. We had a great stay there in 2023.

Hotel Dress Code Paris (9th arrondissement)

After doing a lot of hotel research, I was really excited to find Hotel Dress Code , which is just steps from the Place Vendome and the Ritz Paris.  It is an incredible hotel at a great price point.  We spent a week here and really enjoyed the location.  It is on a quieter street than both the Park Hyatt and Hotel du Louvre with easy access to the metro.

One thing that stood out about Hotel Dress Code was how welcoming the staff was.  They were always quick to check if we needed anything or if they could help.  We had a really tight train connection and were having difficulty finding a cab, and they immediately sprung into action to help make sure we were able to make it to the train station on a busy Friday afternoon.    

The rooms at Hotel Dress Code offer a lot of color, chic details, and gorgeous fabrics.  The rooms are individualized and you book based on size of the room.  I booked a medium room, which was classified as a superior room.  Like most hotel rooms in Paris, the rooms here are on the smaller side.  That being said, they are efficiently and expertly designed.  Our room had a small desk, a queen bed, and a decently-sized bathroom with a large walk-in shower.  Our window opened up to an interior courtyard, which was very quiet.  I loved the soft pink and gray accents in our room.  The white marble bathroom was gorgeous with stunning tile work in the shower.  It was very cozy and romantic.  

The hotel offers both breakfast and an honor bar on site, and the lobby has plenty of work space during the day.  You can book a private visit to the hotel spa on the lower level.  They have a sauna and pool.

As far as getting around, the Madeline and Opera metro stops are a short distance from the hotel.  You can easily walk to the Louvre, the Tuileries, and beyond from this hotel.  If you’re wanting to stay in, there is a small grocery store next to the hotel.  We ended up with fresh, warm baguettes on our first night in Paris, which made for a perfect apertivo before heading out to dinner.  (More detailed review of Hotel Dress Code and what is nearby!)      

Navigating Paris Transportation Strikes

I should note that the Paris transportation strikes had been going on for a few weeks when we arrived.  We were seeing a lot of reports of restaurants and stores suffering as a result of it.  While we experienced some disruption when getting from the airport to our hotel, overall, we did not let affect our trip.

We took the RER B to Gare du Nord and then took a taxi to our hotel.  It took us over an hour to get a taxi.  Uber wait times were similar.  In retrospect, it would have been more efficient to book car service from the airport to the hotel, but we weren’t in a hurry.

When we flew from Orly to Rome on Christmas Eve, we had our hotel arrange a car in advance because we didn’t know how difficult it would be to find a taxi, given the challenge we had when we arrived.  We also weren’t sure how the traffic would be around rush hour.

Beyond that, we used our own two legs to see Paris.  It did result in us not seeing as much or covering as much ground as we would normally do, but we didn’t feel comfortable utilizing transportation during rush hour for sightseeing.  We wanted to respect the spirit of the strike and ensure that the locals were able to get to and from work in the way that they needed to.

What to Pack for Paris in December

Since Paris in winter is temperate (compared to our winter trip to Prague and Vienna’s Christmas markets ), I didn’t need my cuddleduds very often, if at all.  I recommend taking at least one pair on every winter trip though.  I tend to pack an assortment of cashmere sweaters that I can dress up or dress down.  They keep me warmer than cotton sweaters, don’t require thermals like wool sweaters do, and generally don’t wrinkle.  Last Call by Neiman Marcus has great sales on cashmere throughout the year.  I tend to buy my sweaters on clearance and they last throughout the year. I have a couple of Akris Punto blazers and Marta Scarampi capes that I love to pair with a Wolford body suit .  I always pack a pair of Wolford velour leggings , which have a suede look and look more polished than my J. Crew Factory Gigi pants . Depending on how I’m feeling, I’ll pack my J Brand Maria skinny jeans (a favorite of Princess Catherine!) or my L’Agence Selma boot cut jeans .

I have a knee-length Pueterey down coat that is perfect for winter anywhere.  As far as shoes go, I purchased a pair of flat Stuart Weitzman 50/50 boots and they have served me well thus far in terms of being both stylish and comfortable.  If you are heading to colder destinations, I recommend lined Ugg boots (with thick socks) to keep your feet warm!  (I bought mine on clearance and they have lasted more than 8 years!)

Dressing up in Paris

I usually pack a wool dress in case I want to dress up for dinner. This Emilia Wickstead Meryl dress packs perfectly and doesn’t need any pressing. It’s a great weight for winter temperatures. (You might recognize the blue version from our anniversary photos in Florence !) I took the blue Stella McCartney gown that I wore for my birthday dinner in Florence for the Paris Opera Ballet. We were *way* overdressed, but it’s fun to dress up. While not the most practical for winter, I went for comfort and packed my favorite Sarah Flint heels. I had no problem walking from Le George to the Park Hyatt Paris. ( Save 15% with my Sarah Flint discount code: SARAHFLINT-CCSARA2 ! )

Paris weather in December is fairy gray and a bit more rainy.  We always pack a set of study umbrellas that fit into my day bag.  The Park Hyatt offers them when you leave, if rain is in the forecasted, if you don’t want to travel with your own.  We just find it is easier to carry the smaller ones.

Listen, Learn & Read More

If you want to skip guided tours, Rick Steves offers free audio tours of Paris .  The Rick Steves app offers snippets of his radio show.  One of the most interesting episodes on Paris (to me) is the Eat Like a Parisian episode.  This helped us understand why we would want to seek out separate shops to make our picnic, rather than relying on Monoprix.  Monoprix does not have good bread.  Eric Kayser , easily found throughout Paris, has good bread and I prefer his pastries to Paul, if you need to pick up bread in a hurry.  There is always a line for lunch and things sell out, so stop by earlier rather than later.

There is not a singular complete guide to Paris, in my opinion.  I don’t think there’s a single guide (or blog post to anywhere).  I like to take a little bit from this, a little bit from that, and pull things together to create our trip itineraries.  Currently, the most helpful guides have been  Paris Day by Day and Top 10 Paris .  These small books fit easily into my day bag.  Tom prefers the Rick Steves Paris book for the walking tours, though I find the Day by Day book has some good walks in it, too.  We also love the Frommer’s 24 Great Walks book and Paris City Walks cards .

I quit reading a lot of blogs before our Valentine’s Day trip because so many people said winter was such a miserable time in Paris.  (They were wrong.)  That said, Mackenize offers some great hotel and restaurant recommendations .  Brooke offers a comprehensive list of the  pastry classes you can take in Paris .  There are plenty of blogs that offer a lot of different tips for Paris, and I’ve started a pinterest board just for Paris because I think we’re going to be going back again and again.  Catch me over there if you can’t find what you’re looking for below! 

Until next time, au revoir!

Our Paris Christmas Trip Video

Sara loves to help people use their vacation time more effectively by planning beautiful, memorable, and delicious trips. She spends several weeks every year exploring Italy and central Europe. In addition to her full-time job, she is constantly searching for beautiful places and spaces. She loves the direct flights between Dallas and Italy, France, and Germany but is always up for wherever a great deal on an airline ticket will take her. (Sara also really loves European Christmas markets and tries to visit at least one new one every holiday season.)

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12 comments.

I have been to Paris at Christmastime, and there is nothing like it! Loved the post!

It looks so magical and romantic! We visited Paris last year but it was really just to go to Disneyland with the kids – I’d love to explore the city one day! 🙂

Hope your week is going well 🙂 It’s turned into a rainy one here!

Paris at Christmas time is beautiful! You have given me so many great ideas of things to do that I haven’t had a chance to try yet. Thanks for the information!

Wow, what a wonderful, beautiful article; your photos are phenomenal! I was lucky enough to spend a week in Paris last summer, and loved it. My favorite thing was our private tour of the Louvre. There’d been 40,000 visitors there that day, but when the doors closed, there was our group of 20; it was amazing! I usually spend Christmas in Germany (love the Christmas markets there), so popping over to Paris wouldn’t be an issue. I took notes of the places you mentioned; thanks so much for all the info.

Even better than NYC at Christmastime! Great photos and article!

I’ve always felt a connection to Paris as my birthday is Bastille Day. I was there once over twenty years ago for a few days and loved it. I would LOVE to see Paris at Christmas, and now I have some excellent tips should that ever come to pass.

Oh this post was so wonderful!! I usually got Paris in the fall for FW but sadly won’t be going this year. I would love to there for Christmas. Actually I would love to move there, but it seems very complicated. So going to watch this video! I have made videos of my Paris trips too! Very inspiring and helpful, thanks for posting 🙂

Allie of http://www.allienyc.com

Can you believe I have still never been to Paris? I’ve been to Marseille, but never the beloved Paris. That needs to change when this pandemic sees it’s way out the door. It looks even more magical at Christmas time <3

Green Fashionista

Great post, we are heading there in December – fingered crossed! Looking forward to see Paris decked out for Christmas.

Loved your pictures! I went to Paris last summer and I am so upset now that I didn’t do a baking class. Would have loved to make some croissants.! I am definitely considering Christmas in Paris now!

We have never been to Paris nor do we have it on our bucketlist until I saw this post! Great post, Sara. All the photos have convinced us to GO to Paris and your information will be very helpful for our future travel planning.

This sounds and looks magical!!! I’m craving Christmas and really hope that we will be able to do things!

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12 Best Things To Do In Paris In December [+ The Weather, Where To Stay & What To Pack]

Want to travel to Paris in December but not sure what to expect? This post will give you all the best practical tips on the weather, where to stay, plus what to do!

Known for its ice skating rinks, glorious Christmas lights, exciting Christmas markets, and so much more, there’s truly nothing better than visiting Paris in December!

You can do so much to make the best of the weeks leading up to Christmas, bring in the new year, or participate in holiday cheer that you’ll be hopping from one place to another.

Disclaimer:  This post might contain affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) should you choose to sign up for a program or make a purchase using one of our links. It’s okay – We love all of the products we recommend anyway, and you will too! Also, that commission helps us keep this awesome free blog up to date! You can read our  full disclosure here  for more details!

Whether you enjoy a low-key festive season or want to celebrate the end of the year in style with added Parisian charm, visiting Paris in December is bound to be a treat.

Every morning you can wake up and treat yourself to a hot chocolate or a vanilla latte from your favorite local café accompanied by a freshly baked pain au chocolat, and get on with the list of things you’ll have planned to truly soak in the beauty of the city of love in the month of festivities and cheer!

So, keep scrolling to find out how to best enjoy your December in Paris, the top things to do, where to stay, and all the practical tips for visiting the city of love during this time of the year.

Before You Go, Here’s How to Plan Your Visit To Paris: Practical Quick Tips

WHERE TO STAY Best Eiffel Tower Views:  Hôtel Le Walt  (9.0) Luxury stay:  Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel  (8.2) Mid-range stay:  Hôtel Eiffel  (8.7) Budget Stay:  People – Paris Bercy  (8.9) Apartment Rental:  Résidence Charles Floquet  (9.1)  

BEST GUIDED TOURS Louvre Museum guided tour : (4.5/5) Seine River Dinner Cruise : (4.7/5) Montmartre Walking Tour : (4.8/5) Le Marais Walking Food Tour : (4.5/5) Versailles Guided Tour : (4.8/5) Eiffel Tower Guided Tour : (4.4/5) 

• Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation, and more.
• Prepare your trip extensively with this Paris Travel guidebook .
• Don’t forget a universal travel adapter , a travel neck pouch , and comfortable walking shoes .
• Consider getting either the museum pass or the Paris city pass if you plan to visit many attractions. The city pass comes with free transportation and access to the hop-on-hop-off bus. You can read my Paris museum pass review to see if it’s right for you.
• Book this private transfer from CDG airport to Paris to avoid the hustle of figuring out how to get to Paris.

Psst… Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation, and more. If you’re considering travel insurance for your trip, check out World Nomads .

Weather in Paris in December

The weather in Paris in December is pretty chilly as it is one of the coldest months of the year.

Though you can expect only a handful of snow showers, the sun won’t appear as frequently as it does in autumn; instead, you’ll be faced with more overcast days.

The days are pretty short, with sunlight hours between 8 and 8 and a half hours, (the sun rises at around 8:30 AM and sets at around 4:50 PM), so you can make the most of the daylight and enjoy a cozy night in or party it up under the stars.

Paris in December weather is not everyone’s cup of tea, but the holiday lights and warm festival drinks make it extra magical this time of year! If you can brave the cold, you can be assured of an amazing time.

Paris Temperature in December

To understand more about the weather to be best prepped and dressed, here are specifics about the temperature in Paris in December.

• Paris temperature in December: 7.5°C (46°F) High and 3.4ºC (38ºF) Low with an average of 5ºC (41ºF)
• Average humidity in Paris in December: 86%
• Average days of rainfall in Paris in December: 14.3 days
• Average days of snowfall in December in Paris: 1.8 days

Where to Stay in Paris in December

If you’re searching for accommodation options for when you visit Paris in December, keep reading to find excellent options (ranging from economical to luxury 5-star hotels) to stay in!

Budget Accommodation

The People Hostel – Paris Bercy: A visit to Paris can definitely get heavy on the pocket, especially if you plan to tour all the top museums and landmarks, so staying in a wallet-friendly hostel like this one is a great way to save up since you’re going to be out exploring most of the time anyway! The People Hostel – Paris Bercy offers family rooms, a terrace, a shared kitchen, and other amenities, along with the option to interact with other travelers easily.

>>>   Check rates and availability on Booking.com   <<<

Mid-range Accommodation

Derby Alma: Located in the center of the city within proximity of iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Champs-Élysées, Derby Alma is a contemporary hotel equipped with anything you’d need. With its on-site bar, perfect location, accommodating staff, and more, Derby Alma is the ideal place to stay during your visit to the city if you’re on a mid-range budget.

Luxury Accommodation

Mandarin Oriental Paris: If you’re searching for a hotel where you’ll be treated like a royal, look no further than Mandarin Oriental Paris . Set in the city’s heart in a 1930s palace building juxtaposed with minimalist decor, this hotel is fully-equipped with a landscaped garden, gourmet restaurant, fancy spa, and more. Though pricey, it’s worth it for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Paris!

Apartment rental/Airbnb

Citadines Trocadéro Paris: If you’d rather stay in an apartment rental during your stay in the city, you’ll also be able to find a plethora of options to choose from, like this one . Located right next to the Trocadéro Metro Station, which will easily connect you with the rest of the city, the Citadines Trocadéro Paris is the ideal apartment to stay at. You’ll have an air-conditioned apartment with a kitchen, laundry, on-site car park, and be within walking distance from top attractions.

These are some of my recommendations but if you can’t see what you like, you can check out my complete list of  Paris hotels with Eiffel Tower views  or these  hotels near the Louvre Museum  if you prefer to stay near Mona Lisa.

But if you’d rather sleep in an apartment to have access to a kitchen and have a homey feel, here is my list of  apartment rentals with views of the Eiffel Tower , these  budget Paris apartment rentals  if you’re on a budget, or these  luxury vacation apartment rentals  if you’re all about luxury.

Now that you know the  practical tips for visiting Paris , here are the best things to do in Paris in December that you shouldn’t miss out on.

12 Best Things to do in Paris in December

In no particular order, here are the fun things to do in December in Paris.

1. Admire the Christmas Window displays at Departmental Stores

With December comes the well-loved Christmas time , and that means that on top of the million lights that adorn the city at night throughout the year, you’ll also be greeted with exquisite Christmas window displays!

Mainly, you’ll find spectacular displays at the departmental stores at Boulevard Haussmann, especially the animated graphics and shows at Galleries Lafayette and Printemps Haussmann .

You can also admire well-designed and decorated window displays in other department stores like BHV MARAIS , and  Bon Marché Rive Gauche each unique and different from the next.

And while you go window licking ( read window shopping) and admire the stunning window displays at Galleries Lafayette , be sure to step inside to glance at the most beautiful and biggest Christmas tree in Paris.

Related post: Best Thing to do in Paris at Christmas

2. Watch an opera performance

Sometimes the chilly weather in the city can be a bit much to bear, especially if it’s rainy and glum, so one of the top things to do in Paris in December is to book yourself a seat at an opera performance.

Paris, renowned globally for its lavish opera house and ballet performances has been the land of art and culture for centuries, making a performance at the opulent, well-designed, and luxurious Palais Garnier worthwhile.

Besides watching excellent performances, you can also book this guided tour of the Palais itself to learn more about its history, architecture, and design.

However, if you’d rather visit on your own, you can still book this self-guided tour to take in all the magnificent beauty the Opera harbors.

Related post: The Ultimate Paris bucket list

3. Spend an evening at Atelier des Lumières

Located in the 11th Arrondissement, Atelier des Lumières is one of the up-and-coming places for tourists in the city.

The digital art exhibition has become a new spot for art lovers and technology aficionados to converge their interests in this ample space to observe art in a new form.

The museum has featured some world-renowned works of greats like Vincent Van Gogh , Salvador Dalí , Monet , and more.

The exhibitions keep changing every quarter, so be sure to check this website to know what they’re displaying before you make your trip.

If you’re an art and tech lover, Atelier des Lumières is definitely one of the must-visit museums in Paris .

You can also book your ticket to Atelier des Lumières from here to watch the current exhibitions.

4. Splurge on a fine-dining meal with a view

Among its famous historical landmarks, expansive gardens, and quaint bakeries from where the scent of freshly baked French pastries escapes onto the streets, Paris is also well-known for its plethora of fine dining joints.

French culture, art, and food all scream exquisite, so there’s nothing quite like a fine dining meal in Paris, preferably with a view!

If you happen to be visiting in December and wish to get away from the cold in the thick of the night, splurging on a once-in-a-lifetime meal at a fancy restaurant is entirely worth it.

You can choose from top-rated places like Les Ombres , Jules Verne , Café de l’Homme , Terrass Hotel restaurant , Maison Blanche , or any of these Paris restaurants with Eiffel Tower views , where you can gorge on signature French dishes accompanied by specialty wine and end the night with the fanciest dessert on the menu.

Or better yet, book this 3-course dinner Seine cruise to not only enjoy a scrumptious meal but also enjoy the amazing views of Paris from the Seine.

Psst… If you’d rather go on a food tour to taste various foods in Paris than fine dining, then I recommend going for this Paris-guided food tour in Le Marais .

5. Be Blown Away at the Festival of Lights at Jardin des Plantes

Photo by Andy Hammond / Flickr

If you’re thinking about what to do in Paris in December, one of the attractions you can’t miss out on is the marvelous Festival of Lights that happens annually at the expansive Jardin des Plantes.

Located in the 5th Arrondissement, this festival illuminates the park’s area and beyond with its impeccably-designed lanterns based on a different theme every year, taking you on a journey of evolution through time with a focus on endangered species and the amazing flora and fauna.

As you soak in the beautiful lights, you can admire the vast garden at this iconic festival, a perfect blend of art, poetry, and science.

Not only are the exhibits so fun to look at, but each theme aims to raise awareness about a particular issue that plagues the world, making it even better than just a regular exhibition.

A coveted spot to visit during the long winter nights in Paris, book your tickets online in advance to avoid queuing for long in the cold.

6. Go ice skating in the city

Out of the several things to do in December in Paris, ice skating is a must-do! Several ice rinks come up across different parts of the city, each with something different to offer.

Some notable rinks include Patinoire Sonja Henie , where you’ll be able to enjoy weekend nights filled with top pop hits and neon lights, and the La Défense Rooftop , which offers stunning views of the city .

The most coveted ice skating spot is located on the first level of the Eiffel Tower, where you can skate with a view and sip on some delicious hot chocolate to warm up from the cold!

Other ice rinks worth checking out include; the Galeries Lafayette Rooftop ice rink and Tuileries gardens ice rink.

Related post: Best Things to do in Paris in January

7. Shop around at a Christmas market

Some of the top ​​places to visit in Paris in December are its beautiful Christmas markets.

During the festive season which is the jewel of the city and country, several Christmas markets come up in the weeks leading up to Christmas with all showcasing a charm of their own.

While the most well-known markets actually take place a short trip away from the city, in Alsace (especially in Strasbourg), a stroll through Paris’ Christmas markets is equally rewarding.

Paris’ largest and most popular Christmas market is Tuileries Garden Christmas market offering carnivals, countless food stalls, an ice rink, and a huge Ferris wheel.

Other smaller markets also come up near famous Parisian landmarks , and some notable ones you can visit include; Montmartre Christmas Market , Eiffel Tower Christmas Market at Champs de Mars, Notre-Dame Christmas Market located at Square Viviani, Hôtel de Ville Christmas market , Saint-Germain-des-Prés Christmas Market , and many more.

8. Witness the winter charm at Disneyland Paris

Photo by Found Around Disney /Flickr

The hustle and bustle of the city can indeed be exhausting, so a great way to escape that just for a day or two is by taking a day trip outside Paris to any of the attractions, a short train ride from the city.

One of those landmarks is Disneyland Paris , the most magical place on earth, made even more magical with its Christmas lights, holiday cheer, and winter charm.

Besides spending time on iconic Disneyland Paris rides and witnessing stellar performances, you’ll also get to sing Christmas carols and festive songs with your favorite Disney characters.

A trip enjoyable for both kids, and adults, and in between, the food, festivity, and charm of Disneyland is a great way to spend a day outside the city in December!

And as you plan your Disney trip, make sure that you buy this 1-day Disney entry ticket in advance if you plan to spend just a day there, but if you want to fully enjoy what this magical place offers, then I recommend booking this multi-day entrance ticket to Disneyland which gives you access to the park for more than one day.

But if you’d rather go camping, you can check out these campsites near Disneyland Paris .

Related post: Best Cities Near Paris to Visit

9. Take a tour of The Parisian churches

On the list of the top things to do in Paris in December, one of the unique and distinctive activities is to tour some of the beautiful churches in the city and even get a chance to attend a Christmas concert or two.

Some of the top Parisian churches to visit include Sainte-Chapelle which is a gorgeous blend of gothic and renaissance style architecture, Église Saint-Séverin , located in the Latin quarter and dates back to the 11th century, Madeleine church in the 8th arrondissement, Sacre Coeur basilica on a hill in Montmartre and more.

Besides the impressive architectural beauty, during December especially the weeks leading up to Christmas, some of these churches organize musical concerts and nativity scenes worth seeing.

Of course, just visiting the churches and the nativity scenes is free but if you want to attend a Christmas concert, you’ll have to buy a ticket and book a bit in advance.

10. Watch the Christmas lights

The city of Paris is all decked out in December to celebrate Christmas and the end of the year.

A special time across the world, Paris’ long winter nights are illuminated by the excellent light displays across the city, especially on famous historical landmarks that go all out to bring festive cheer.

One of the top places to watch the Christmas lights is the luxurious shopping arena and the most famous Parisian street in the city’s heart, Champs-Élysées !

The avenue is adorned with up to a million lights to light up the overcast winter nights, making a late evening or post-dinner walk through this street from Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde, one of the most loved activities during this time of year.

You can also pick up a box of French macarons from the aesthetic Ladurée on the street to carry back to your hotel!

Besides Champs-Élysées , other places to admire the beautiful Christmas lights include Bercy village , Avenue Montaigne , Place Vendôme , Le Village Royal , and many others.

11. Bring in the new year in style

If you’re in Paris during new years eve, you must celebrate it with pomp-and-show because when else will you be in the city of love with your partner, friends, or family, bringing in the new year?

There’s so much going on across the city that you can choose from depending on whether you’d like to party it up with strangers turned friends at some of Paris’ best parties, dine at an exclusive Parisian restaurant, or walk the streets under the Christmas lights and count down until the clock hits 12 by the Seine while popping some champagne, the options are endless.

While all the above activities are fun, the cherry on top is watching fireworks above the Eiffel Tower as it clocks midnight!

From the lights to the sounds, everything about watching fireworks at the magnificent Eiffel Tower is breathtaking.

12. Warm up With hot chocolate or vin-chaud at your favorite cafe

Since the weather will certainly be chilly, it’s important to cozy yourself up, and one of the best ways to do so while exploring the city is by drinking hot chocolate or the delicious vin-chaud (hot mulled wine primarily found in local Christmas markets or cafés and bars in the winter ).

There are so many cute Parisian cafés spread across the entire city, ranging from petit family-run cafes that serve self-roasted beans to large world-renowned joints like café de Flore famous for its hot chocolate topped with latte art, Angelina Paris known for serving the best hot chocolate in the city, and Maison Sauvage in Saint-Germain-des-Prés for Vin Chaud.

Related post: Best Coffee Shops in Paris

What To Wear In Paris In December + What To Pack

When it comes to what to wear in Paris in winter , the rule of thumb is layering, and below are some of the things you should wear to stay warm.

Beanie: This beanie is not only cute but it’s also very warm.

Scarf:  One of the essential items to wear in winter is a scarf. Besides keeping warm, it will accentuate your winter attire and also make you come close to wearing like a Parisian. This is the scarf I particularly like .

Winter coat:  You can’t visit Paris in winter and not take a winter coat. I like this hooded winter coat as it’s very warm and it’s dark colored so you can wear it with all kinds of clothes.

Fleece/ sweater: As a middle layer, I recommend either taking this warm fleece or this really cute and warm sweater . But regardless of what you take, you can be assured of staying warm.

Thermals: While you can wear layers on the top, sometimes it’s hard to layer the bottom but it doesn’t mean that you have to freeze your legs to death. Not when you can purchase this pair of warm thermals .

Long-sleeved merino wool top: For your base layer, nothing beats this long-sleeved merino wool top . It is soft, warm, and above all breathable. With those qualities, it’s not surprising that it comes with a bigger price tag, so if you’d rather have something budget-friendly, then you can opt for this long-sleeved warm turtleneck top .

Warm Touch-screen sensitive gloves: You’ll need a pair of warm gloves but not just any pair. Take these ones as they’re touch-sensitive meaning that you can still wear them even when you’re using your phone.

Woolen socks: Take woolen socks like these ones so that they not only keep your feet warm but also dry.

A pair of Boots:  I like  these boots ! They’re warm and stylish.

Umbrella: It is bound to rain in Paris in December whether you like it or not, so you’d rather be prepared by taking this windproof travel umbrella .

Power bank: The cold drains battery like no other and that’s why you need to pack this portable power bank to keep charging on the go.

Universal Travel Adapter :  Instead of taking the European travel adapter , I recommend taking this universal travel adapter so that you don’t keep buying a new one every time you travel to a new country.

On top of these, you can check out my complete list of what to pack for Paris in winter to get an idea of what to take.

FAQS About Visiting Paris In December

Is December a good time to go to Paris?

December is definitely a good time to go to Paris! The city is lit up more than ever, with Christmas markets everywhere and the Christmas vibe filling the air. Paris is a dream during this time of the year. The only downside is that it is cold but if you dress well, you should be able to enjoy Paris this time of the year.

Is Paris too cold in December?

Yes, Paris is cold in December! The average temperature is about 5ºC (41ºF) with very little chance of any sun but it can easily drop to zero at night.

What does Paris look like in December?

Gloomy, cloudy, cold, and rainy days with a lot of Christmas cheer! This is what you should expect Paris in December to look like.

What should I wear in Paris in December?

As I mentioned above, dressing for this time of the year is about layering. If I am to give you a summary, you should wear a winter coat , thermals, scarf , fleece, merino wool long-sleeved top , warm woolen socks, beanie , winter boots, touch-sensitive gloves , and more.

Final Thoughts on the Best Things to do in Paris in December

Whether you’re interested in quaint Christmas markets, musical concerts, or cozy meals by the Seine, there’s so much to do in Paris in December that you’ll fall even more in love with the city.

As long as you make sure you’re well-prepared for the cold weather and make the most of every daytime minute, a trip to the city of lights (especially when it’s covered in Christmas lights) in the last month of the year is bound to be one for the books!

NEVER TRAVEL TO PARIS WITHOUT TRAVEL INSURANCE One of the biggest mistakes you’ll ever make when planning a trip to Paris is to forego Travel Insurance ! You might think that it’s expensive, but when you think of how much it will save you when you lose your valuables or even get sick, then you’ll know that it’s NOT that expensive! Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation, and more. If you’re considering travel insurance for your trip, check out World Nomads .

Most posts to inspire you to visit Paris

• Fun things to do in Paris in January
• Best Things to do in Paris in February
• How to spend a weekend in Paris
• Best things to do in Paris
• Most romantic things to do in Paris
• Interesting facts about Paris
• Best books about Paris you should read
• Places to get the best views of Paris

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Esther is the face and voice behind Dreams in Paris! She has always been obsessed with Paris even before she moved there. She has lived in Paris for a couple of years, and that obsession has not changed! That love for Paris, plus her passion for writing led to the birth of Dreams in Paris! She now shares all the practical tips and guides she’s picked along the way to help you plan a memorable trip to the city of love! You can learn more about her here !

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Christmas in Paris – A Complete Guide

Spending Christmas in Paris is a truly magical experience. The City of Lights is transformed into a festive wonderland, with sparkling decorations and twinkling lights everywhere you look. If you’re lucky enough to be spending Christmas in Paris this year, here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your trip.

Table of Contents

Why you should celebrate Christmas in Paris

Christmas in Paris is a truly magical experience. The city comes alive with festive decorations, holiday markets, and special events. There is something for everyone to enjoy, from ice skating at the Eiffel Tower to taking a festive cruise down the Seine. Of course, no trip to Paris would be complete without enjoying some of the best food and wine in the world. With so much to see and do, Christmas in Paris is the perfect way to celebrate the holidays.

When do Christmas decorations go up in Paris?

One of the questions I often get asked is when the Christmas decorations go up in Paris. Overall, the Christmas decorations in Paris go up around the second or third week of November, right at the start of the Holiday Season.

The Christmas lights in Paris are called Paris Illuminations. They can be seen on all the famous avenues and more than 150 streets all over the city and in the holiday windows.

The Christmas decorations in Paris are taken down in early January.

Best places to see the Christmas Decorations in Paris

Christmas in Paris is a truly magical experience. The city comes alive with festive decorations, Christmas markets, and twinkling lights. Here are some of the best places to see the Christmas decorations in Paris

Champs Elysees – not to miss for Christmas in Paris

The Champs Elysees is one of the most beautiful and well-known streets in the world, and its Christmas decorations are truly a sight to behold. Every year, the street is adorned with gigantic Christmas trees, twinkling lights, and festive garlands. The store windows are also decked out in holiday style, and the whole street has a magical, festive atmosphere.

Go see the Christmas Trees on Place Vendome

The Place Vendome is decorated with a large Christmas tree in the center, surrounded by smaller trees. There are also lights strung up around the perimeter of the square. If you are looking to see Christmas trees in Paris, this is the place to be! There are also a lot of great restaurants and hotels nearby where you can eat and stay.

Galeries Lafayette – The mother of all Paris Christmas decorations

Galeries Lafayette is a high-end department store in Paris, and as such, their Christmas decorations are luxurious and over-the-top. The store is decked out in red and gold, with sparkling lights and ornaments everywhere you look. The main Christmas tree is enormous, and it’s decorated with so many lights and baubles that it’s almost blinding. There are smaller trees scattered throughout the store as well, and each one is just as lavishly decorated as the last. It’s truly a sight to behold, and it’s sure to get you into the holiday spirit.

La Defense – Modern Christmas Displays

The Christmas decorations at La Defense are simply breathtaking. The massive Christmas tree in the center of the square is decorated with thousands of lights and ornaments, and the surrounding area is full of festive lights and garlands. The whole scene is truly magical and is sure to get you into the holiday spirit!

Bercy Village – Christmas lights and Christmas shopping in Paris

The Christmas decorations at Bercy Village in Paris are beautiful. The village is decorated with lights, garlands, and wreaths. There is a large Christmas tree in the center of the village. The stores and restaurants are decorated with lights and Christmas trees.

Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré – Christmas light bonanza

The Christmas decorations at Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris are beautiful. The streets are lined with lights, and the stores are decorated with wreaths and garlands. The atmosphere is festive and cheerful.

What to do in Paris at Christmas?

When it comes to Christmas, Paris really knows how to do it up right! The city sparkles with holiday lights and decorations, and there are plenty of festive activities to enjoy. Here’s a guide to what to do in Paris at Christmas time.

One of the best things about Christmas in Paris is the abundance of charming Christmas markets. You can find them all around the city, selling everything from holiday decorations to delicious food and drink. Make sure to try some of the traditional French Christmas specialties like gingerbread, nougat, and of course, wine!

If you’re looking for a festive activity, why not go ice skating at one of the city’s many outdoor rinks? Or take a leisurely stroll to take in all the holiday sights, like the giant Christmas tree at the Place Vendome or the elaborate window displays at the department stores on the Champs-Elysees.

And of course, no visit to Paris at Christmas time would be complete without indulging in some delicious gastronomic experiences. From full-blown holiday meals to festive treats, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. That is why we have put together a list of the best things to do in Paris at Christmas.

Go for a stroll to see the Christmas markets in Paris

If you’re looking for a festive and romantic activity, you should definitely go for a stroll to see the Christmas lights in Paris. The city looks absolutely beautiful when it’s lit up at night, and it’s a great way to spend some quality time with your loved one.

Go on a cruise on the Seine

Another amazing thing to do at Christmas in Paris is taking a cruise on the Seine. There are lots and lots of amazing cruises you can take, some include wine while others include champagne !

Go window shopping

When you are in Paris during Christmas time, you should definitely go window shopping! All of the windows and shops are decorated for Christmas and they are all beautiful. One of the best places to go for window shopping is in Galleries Lafayette!

Head out to visit the many Christmas markets

If you’re looking for a festive and magical Christmas experience, then you should definitely head to the Christmas markets in Paris! Not only will you find tons of delicious food and drink options, but you’ll also be able to find unique and thoughtful gifts for your loved ones. Plus, it’s the perfect opportunity to soak up the festive atmosphere and get into the holiday spirit!

If you want to know more about the Christmas markets, do read on!

Stretch your legs and go ice skating

It is definitely cool to go ice skating at Christmas in Paris! The Jardin des Tuileries Christmas Market has an Ice Skating Rink where you can skate to your heart’s content.

There is also a massive ice skating rink at the Grand Palais which is probably one of the largest in the city.

We have put together a list with the best ice skating rinks in Paris at Christmas below. 

PS: I have also written an article on Jardin des tuileries which you can read here.

Experience the Christmas Magic at Disneyland Paris

The Christmas Magic at Disneyland Paris is an amazing experience. The whole park is decorated in Christmas lights and decorations and there is even a Christmas parade with Mickey and Minnie Mouse. It’s a great place to celebrate the holidays with your family and friends.

Does Paris Have a Christmas Market?

Yes. Paris even has multiple Christmas Markets. The most famous ones are La Magie de Noël at Jardin de Tuileries and the Paris Christmas Market at La Defense. 

When do the Christmas Markets start in Paris?

When the Christmas Markets start and end in Paris depends on the Christmas market itself. Most Christmas Markets will start at the end of November and end at the end of December or the first week of January. 

Best Christmas Markets in Paris

Christmas in Paris is a truly magical experience. The city comes alive with festive decorations, and the Christmas markets are the perfect place to find unique gifts and souvenirs. There are several different markets to choose from, each with its own special atmosphere. Whether you’re looking for a traditional French market or a more modern one, you’re sure to find the perfect place to do your Christmas shopping in Paris.

La Magie de Noël at Jardin de Tuileries

The Christmas market La Magie de Noël at Jardin de Tuileries is a great place to find unique gifts and enjoy the festive atmosphere. There are stalls selling everything from handcrafted jewelry to traditional Christmas decorations, and the market is always bustling with people enjoying the festive atmosphere. It’s a great place to pick up a few last-minute gifts or just soak up the atmosphere of the season.

Paris Christmas Market at Saint-Germain-Des-Prés

The Paris Christmas Market at Saint-Germain-Des-Prés is one of the most popular markets in the city. It is located in the heart of the city and features a wide variety of stalls selling Christmas gifts and decorations. There is also a large ice rink where people can skate.

Paris Christmas Market at La Defense

The Paris Christmas Market at La Defense is a great place to find unique gifts and holiday decorations. There are a variety of vendors selling everything from handcrafted jewelry to festive holiday wreaths. Visitors can also enjoy traditional French foods and drinks, making it the perfect place to enjoy a festive meal or snack. It is one of the largest Christmas Markets in Paris.

Christmas Market at the Notre Dame

The Notre Dame Christmas Market is one of the most popular markets in Paris. It is located in the square in front of the Notre Dame Cathedral and is open from late November until Christmas Eve. The market has a wide variety of stalls selling Christmas decorations, gifts, and food.

Christmas market at Montmartre

The Paris Christmas market at Montmartre is small but amazing. The market is located in the beautiful Montmartre district of Paris and offers a variety of Christmas-themed goods and decorations. There are also a few food stalls selling traditional French Christmas foods such as mulled wine and roasted chestnuts.

Best Ice Skating Rinks in Paris at Christmas

Christmas in Paris would not be complete without a couple of amazing ice skating rinks. To help you choose the perfect ice skating rinks, we have put together a list of the rinks to look out for on your trip to Paris at Christmas! 

Galeries Lafayette Rooftop Ice Rink

One of the coolest ice skating rinks in the city has to be the Galeries Lafayette Rooftop Ice Skating Rink. On the 8th floor of this famous Paris department store you will find a medium-sized ice skating rink with amazing views of the Paris Opera and the Eiffel Tower. 

Ice rink at the Champ-de-Mars Christmas Village

Another ice rink to look out for is the ice rink at the Champ-de-Mars christmas village. From here you will also have beautiful views of the Eiffel Tower. And if you are not into Ice Skating? Well then you can just head to one of the many little stalls at the Christmas Village to get a large Vin Chaud. 

Ice Skating Rink at Le Grand Palais 

If you re looking for a large ice skating rink, then you should head to the Ice Skating Rink at Le Grand Palais. This large rink is decorated with thousands of lights and at night there is even a dance party with disco and strobo lights! 

Best Paris Christmas Tours

Christmas in Paris is a truly magical experience. The city comes alive with festive decorations, markets, and events. There are a number of ways to enjoy the holidays in Paris, from Christmas markets to holiday-themed tours. If you’re looking for the best way to experience Christmas in Paris, here are some of the top options.

BESTSELLER! Paris: Open-Top Christmas Bus Tou r

If you’re looking to get into the Christmas spirit, there’s no better way than taking a Open-top Christmas bus Tour in Paris. You’ll see all the amazing Christmas lights in the city, and get to pass by some of Paris’ most iconic landmarks, like the Opera, Place Vendome, Concorde, Champs Elysees, Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, and more. It’s the perfect way to immerse yourself in the holiday spirit and make some great memories.

This 1.5-hour tour of Paris is the perfect way to see the city during the Christmas season. You’ll enjoy audio commentary in 2 languages, traditional Christmas songs, and individual earphones so you can hear everything clearly. Plus, a hot drink and blankets will keep you warm and connected throughout the tour with WiFi.

Paris: Cabaret Christmas Eve Dinner and Show

The Cabaret Christmas Eve Dinner and Show is a fun and festive way to celebrate the holidays! You’ll see a dynamic and glamorous live show with dance, live singing, and new technologies. Plus, you’ll enjoy a gourmet three-course French dinner with selected Bordeaux wine and champagne. This is sure to be a night to remember!

The Cabaret Christmas Eve Dinner and Show is a luxurious way to celebrate Christmas Eve. The dinner includes a sumptuous meal with all the trimmings, followed by a spectacular show featuring world-class performers. After the show, guests can enjoy a selection of delicious desserts and a glass of Champagne.

The Perfect Christmas Dinner: 3.5-Hour Cooking Class

This cooking class is the perfect way to learn how to make a gourmet Christmas dinner. You’ll learn how to prepare a traditional French meal, complete with all the trimmings.

This cooking class is the perfect way to learn how to make a delicious and seasonal Christmas dinner. You’ll learn how to use the best seasonal ingredients to make red kuri squash with scallops. Aprons, utensils, ingredients and a copy of the recipe are included, so you’ll be all set to recreate this feast at home.

Paris by Night – Tuk tuk Ride

The Paris by Night – Tuk tuk Ride is the perfect way to see the Christmas lights in Paris and experience the city in a unique and relaxing way. You can choose either a 1-hour or 2-hour tour in the comfort of a pedicab, and you can decide which of the city’s many iconic monuments you’d like to see.

If you’re looking for a truly magical Parisian experience, then a ride on the Paris by Night – Tuk Tuk Ride is a must! Your knowledgeable guide will take you on a tour of the city’s most iconic sights, all while decked out in their best Christmas lights. You’ll feel like you’re in a fairy tale as you zip past the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and more. Trust us, this is an experience you won’t soon forget!

Paris at Christmas 3-Hour Bike Tour

I highly recommend the Paris at Christmas 3-Hour Bike Tour! You’ll get to see the iconic sights of Paris while pedaling at a relaxed pace and taking time to stop for photos. You’ll also hear fascinating stories about the history of Paris and life in the city.

Your knowledgeable guide will provide you with a bike and then lead you on a leisurely ride through some of the city’s most iconic landmarks and neighborhoods. You’ll begin near the Arc de Triomphe and cycle along paths to the Trocadéro, Eiffel Tower, Pont Alexandre III and Place Concorde. From there, you’ll wind your way through the Louvre, Notre Dame and many other iconic Parisian landmarks before finishing up back at the Arc de Triomphe.

Paris at Christmas: Festive Shopping Past and Present

If you’re looking to get into the festive spirit, there’s no better place than Paris at Christmas. The city comes alive with twinkling lights, Christmas markets and festive shopping.

Join a local Parisian on a Christmas shopping tour of the city and discover the charming covered passages full of tiny boutiques and cafés. See the famous glass dome and Christmas tree of the Galeries Lafayette, and learn about French Christmas traditions and festivities.

What to eat during Christmas in Paris?

Christmas in Paris is a magical time. The city is decorated with lights, and the air is filled with the scent of fresh baked goods. If you’re lucky enough to be in Paris for Christmas, you’ll want to make sure you enjoy all the traditional holiday foods. Here is a guide to some of the most popular Christmas dishes in Paris

Roasted Chestnuts

If you want to get into the Christmas spirit while in Paris, one of the best things to do is to enjoy some roasted chestnuts. This is a tradition that dates back centuries, and it’s a great way to enjoy the festive atmosphere while indulging in a delicious treat.

Chestnuts have a lovely, sweet flavor that is perfect for the holidays, and they also happen to be packed with nutrients. They’re a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, so they’ll help to keep you feeling satisfied and energized throughout the day.

What’s more, roasted chestnuts are relatively inexpensive, so they’re a great option if you’re on a budget. You can find them being sold on the streets of Paris, or in most supermarkets.

So, if you want to get into the Christmas spirit and enjoy a delicious treat at the same time, be sure to try roasted chestnuts.

Tartiflette​

If you’re looking for a hearty, warming dish to enjoy during the Christmas season in Paris, look no further than tartiflette. This dish, made with potatoes, bacon, reblouchon cheese, and onions, is sure to stick to your ribs and keep you satisfied on a cold winter’s night. And what’s more, it’s easy to make and can be enjoyed either as a main course or as a side dish.

Quite a lot of restaurants in Paris will be serving Tartiflette during the winter. You will also be able to find tartiflette at one of the many stalls at the Christmas Market.

Mulled Wine

Mulled wine is a delicious, festive drink that is perfect for enjoying during Christmas in Paris. There are many reasons to try mulled wine while you are in the city, including its rich flavor, its warming properties, and its ability to help you feel festive and merry.

Mulled wine is made by heating red wine and adding spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. This creates a delicious, warming beverage that is perfect for sipping on a cold winter day. If you are looking for a festive drink to enjoy during your Christmas in Paris, mulled wine is a great option.

Tarte Flambee or Flammekueche

Tarte flambee is a French dish that is traditionally made with thin dough, topped with crème fraiche, onions, and bacon. It is then baked in a very hot oven until the dough is crisp and the topping is slightly browned.

Tarte flambee is the perfect dish to enjoy during Christmas in Paris. The dish is simple yet delicious, and it is sure to please everyone at the table. The combination of the crispy dough, the creamy topping, and the salty bacon is irresistible.

If you are looking for a dish that is sure to impress your guests, look no further than tarte flambee. This dish is sure to make your Christmas in Paris even more memorable.

La Choucroute

If you want to get into the Christmas spirit in Paris, one of the best things to do is to try La Choucroute. This traditional dish is made with sauerkraut, pork, and other meats, and it is absolutely delicious.

Again, this dish is incredibly easy to find on the many Paris Christmas Markets.

Best Food Paris Food Tours to take during Christmas

Paris is a city renowned for its food, and Christmas is the perfect time to enjoy some of the best that the city has to offer. From traditional French dishes to festive sweets, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

There are a number of food tours available that will allow you to sample a variety of dishes and learn about the history and culture of Parisian cuisine. Christmas in Paris is a truly magical experience, and a food tour is the perfect way to make the most of it.

Paris: 3-Hour Chocolate & Patisserie Walking Tour

Experience 8 tasting stops along this gourmet route and taste chocolates, macarons and pastries. Discover the secrets of French chocolate-making on this 3-hour walking tour through the streets of Paris.

Hear stories about the history of chocolate while indulging in 8 different tastings. Learn how to identify good quality chocolate, taste a variety of chocolate flavors and try your hand at making your own chocolate creation.

Saint Germain des Prés: Food Tour

If you’re looking to get a taste of the best food Paris has to offer, then the Saint Germain des Prés Food Tour is a great option. You’ll get to walk with a local guide through the narrow streets of this historic neighborhood and discover the success stories of some of the city’s top master artisans.

Plus, with Christmas just around the corner, what better way to get into the holiday spirit than by sampling some of the finest French cuisine?

Paris Gourmet Tour

The Paris Gourmet Tour is a walking tour through the famous Latin Quarter, with a visit to a wonderful market and a chance to experience the different tastes and textures of French cheese.

This tour is a great opportunity for food lovers to explore the amazing variety of high-quality food items available in France. You will have the chance to try a variety of cheeses, as well as other delicious French foods.

Les Marais: French Tastes and Drinks Private Foodie Tour

If you’re looking for a unique way to experience Paris during Christmas, look no further than the Les Marais: French Tastes and Drinks Private Foodie Tour. You’ll sample over 10 delicious dishes, taste French wines and beer, and enjoy real Parisian crepes. This is an amazing food tour that you won’t want to miss!

Christmas in Paris – Where to stay?

Paris is a magical place to be during Christmas time. The city is decorated with lights and festive decorations, and there is a special atmosphere in the air. If you’re planning a trip to Paris during Christmas, you’ll need to know where to stay. There are a few different options, depending on your budget and preferences. You can stay in a traditional hotel, an Airbnb, or even a hostel. Whichever option you choose, make sure to book in advance, as Paris is a popular destination during Christmas time. Here we have put together a list of the absolute best places to stay per district.

Montmartre is a great place to stay during Christmas in Paris because it is full of holiday cheer. The streets are decorated with lights and there are Christmas markets to enjoy. Plus, the Eiffel Tower is nearby so you can see the city’s most famous landmark all lit up for the holidays.

$ Ibis Paris Montmartre 18eme – My husband and I stayed here in the summer of 2022. It is the perfect hotel if you are on a budget. Clean, great location, great staff. This is a no-frills hotel perfect for those who want to explore Paris. Check prices and availability here.

$$ Best Western Plus Hôtel Littéraire Marcel Aymé – This Best Western Hotel is clean and modern with everything you might need on your trip to Paris. It is locatred in a gorgeous Montmartre street, and some of the rooms have balconies from where you can see the Eiffel Tower! Check availability here.

$$$ Manolita Paris – Manolita Paris is a luxury 5-star hotel known for its beautiful decors and large suites. It is probably the best-rated hotel in Montmartre, and you can easily see why! If you want luxury, this is it! – Check prices here.

Hotel with pool: Maison Souquet is not only a GORGEOUS hotel with a Belle Epoque interior, it also has a beautiful spa and it is the only hotel in Montmartre with an indoor pool! Book Here.

Dog-friendly hotel: The Ibis mentioned above is dog friendly. If you are looking for something a bit more upscale you can also opt for Aparthotel Adagio Paris Montmartre which is one of the best dog-friendly hotel in Montmartre. Book your stay here.

Champs Elysees

The Champs Elysees is one of the most beautiful and iconic streets in Paris. It is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city. During Christmas, the street is decorated with lights and festive decorations, making it even more magical. If you are visiting Paris during Christmas, you should definitely stay near the Champs Elysees so you can enjoy all the festive activities and attractions the street has to offer.

$ Hôtel des Pavillons – The cheapest hotel near the Champs Elysees is Hotel des Pavillons. This hotel offers modern and clean rooms near the Arc de Triomphe. Reviews mention that it is a clean, no-frills hotel at an amazing location. Check price and availability here.

$$ Princesse Caroline – Princesse Caroline is a gorgeous hotel in a classic Parisian style with beautiful antiques and soft lighting. THe rooms are beautifully decorated in broken whites and pastels with soft lighting everywhere. This is a gorgeous hotel near the Champs Elysees! Check availability here.

$$$ Hôtel San Régis – This luxury hotel offers some of the most beautiful rooms in the area with balconies overlooking the centre of the city and the Eiffel tower. Hôtel San Régis is one of the cheaper of the 5-star hotels in the area but the hotel itself is just stunning! Check prices here.

$$$$ – If you want to splash out during your stay in Paris you can have a look at the following hotels:

• Hôtel Plaza Athénée – Dorchester Collection
• Bulgari Hotel Paris
• Le Bristol Paris – an Oetker Collection Hotel
• Hôtel Barrière Fouquet’s Paris
• Hotel de Crillon
• Hotel The Peninsula Paris (Look at that rooftop restaurant!)
• Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris
• La Réserve Paris Hotel & Spa

Eiffel Tower

If you are looking for a truly magical Christmas experience, look no further than staying near the Eiffel Tower in Paris! From the sparkling lights on the tower itself to the festive decorations all around, you will be charmed by the holiday atmosphere. And of course, what would a trip to Paris be without a visit to the top of the Eiffel Tower? Enjoy stunning views of the cityscape decked out in its holiday best while sipping on some mulled wine – it doesn’t get much better than that!

$ Gavarni – If you want to stay close to the Eiffel Tower, Gavarni is probably the cheapest good option. This hotel offers clean albeit maybe a bit dated rooms that do the trick if you are looking for a place from where you can easily explore the city. Check price and availability.

$$ Hotel Muguet – Hotel Muguet is a great place to book if you want to stay close to the Eiffel Tower and stay in a modern, luxury hotel with beautiful rooms and decor. And the best thing? Some of the rooms come with a view of the Eiffel Tower! Check prices here.

$$$ Résidence Charles Floquet – If price isn’t an issue, book Résidence Charles Floquet. This beautiful Haussmann style hotel offers large apartments with balconies and an almost full frontal view of the Eiffel Tower. Check availability here.

$$$$ Shangri-La Paris – The Shangri-La Paris is probably one of the most impressive hotels in the city. Its balconies and views are unrivalled, and the view of the Eiffel Tower from the balcony… well… that is what I would call a once in a lifetime experience! Check price and availability here.

If you want to experience a truly unique and unforgettable Christmas in Paris, then you should definitely stay near La Defense. This is because La Defense is home to some of the best Christmas markets in the city, which are full of festive stalls selling everything from traditional French Christmas decorations to delicious holiday treats. There is also a huge ice rink in La Defense, which is perfect for skating with your friends or family. La Defense is definately a cheaper option – but you will need to account for the cost of the RER (1.90 Euro) to get into the city when booking here.

$ Staycity Aparthotels Paris La Defense – This cosy aparthotel innear La Defense offers cosy and modern apartments at a fraction of a central Paris hotel room. The hotel has a gym, and you can even do your laundry! Check price and availability here.

$$ citizenM Paris La Défense – Although CitizenM is a bit more expensive I don’t think it is necessarily better than StayCity. I am including it because it is located right on the La Defense Square which makes it a great place to stay if you want to spend your time browsing christmas markets! Check availability here.

$$$ Hotel Particulier La Defense – This boutique hotel in La Defense is great for those who want some Parisian Luxury at a much more reasonable price (no, seriously!). This hotel offers beautiful rooms and there is aven a well-reviewed restaurant connected to this hotel. Book your stay today.

Le Marais is a historic district in Paris, France. The area is known for its architecture, art galleries, and nightlife. It is also a popular destination for Christmas shopping.

If you are looking for a festive and lively atmosphere during your Christmas vacation, Le Marais is the perfect place to stay. There are endless things to do and see in this vibrant district. You can explore the charming streets, do some Christmas shopping at the many boutique shops, and enjoy the festive atmosphere in the cafes and bars. Le Marais is also a great place to experience the traditional French Christmas markets.

$ Hotel Americain – One of the cheapest options in Le Marais is Hotel Americain. The hotel is fine. It is a good place to stay if you are looking for a clean room with comfortable beds for a good price. It is close to public transport and Centre Pompidou. Check price and availability here.

$$ Hôtel Le Presbytère – Hôtel Le Presbytère is a gorgeous hotel set in a period building with modern rooms and decor. At a rating of 9.2/10 you know you can’t go wrong spending Christmas in Paris in this gorgeous hotel. Check availability here.

$$$ Cour des Vosges – You want to taste true Parisian luxury when staying in Paris at Christmas? Then you need to book Cour des Vosges. This hotel is gorgeous with views over Paris and don’t get me started on the amazing freestanding baths! Check prices here.

Christmas at Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris is a magical place to be during the holidays. The park is decorated with twinkling lights, festive garlands, and giant Christmas trees. Santa Claus can be found in his workshop, ready to hear wish lists from children of all ages. There are also special holiday-themed shows and parades, making Disneyland Paris a truly magical place to visit during Christmas time.

Where to stay for Christmas in Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris is a popular destination for Christmas, and there are a variety of accommodation options to choose from. If you want to be close to the action, staying at one of the on-site hotels is a good option. For a more budget-friendly option, there are a number of hotels in the surrounding area.

Some of the best Disneyland Paris hotels include the Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Newport Bay Club, Disney’s Sequoia Lodge, and the Hotel Cheyenne. Each hotel offers something unique and special for guests, so it is important to read reviews and compare rates before booking a room.

The Disneyland Hotel is the most luxurious and expensive of the bunch, but it also offers the most amenities and the best location. It is currently not open as it is being refurbished. The hotel will reopen in 2024.

Disney’s Newport Bay Club is a bit more affordable and is located near some of the best shopping in the area. Check prices here.

Disney’s Sequoia Lodge is a great choice for families as it offers larger rooms and suites, and the Hotel Cheyenne is a good option for budget-minded travelers.

Is Disneyland Paris open on Christmas Day?

Yes. Disneyland Paris is open on Christmas Day. Do keep in mind that the Christmas Period is considered to be one of the busiest times in Disneyland Paris. Christmas Day is a bit less busy bit it is still best to book your hotels and tickets for Disneyland Paris well beforehand if you are planning on visiting during the Christmas Period or on Christmas day. 

When does Christmas Start in Disneyland Paris? 

Christmas in Disneyland Paris starts in the middle of November and ends in the first week of January. In 2022 Christmas in Paris starts on November 12th and runs until January 8th 2023. 

Does it snow in Paris at Christmas? 

Although white snowy Christmases are amazing and romantic, it hardly ever snows in Paris at Christmas. Paris has had only three white Christmasses since the 1950’s. If you are looking for snow, it is best to take a daytrip to the Alsace. You can easily get there in 2.5 hours by train or 1 hour by plane. You can check schedules and prices via Omio. 

How is Christmas in Paris?

Christmas is a magical period in Paris. The weather is cold but not freezing, the streets are lined with Christmas lights, the Christmas markets are brimming with festive cheer, and there is lots of Christmas shopping to do. Christmas is definitely one of the best periods to go to Paris! 

Where to buy Christmas ornaments in Paris?

There are numerous places in Paris where you can buy Christmas Ornaments. You can buy Christmas ornaments at one of the many Paris Christmas Markets.You can also head to Les Galleries Lafayette, Le Cedre Rouge and of course the famous Christmas a Paris. 

Where to eat on Christmas day in Paris?

There are a lot of amazing restaurants in Paris. Where you will eat on Christmas day in Paris will depend on what kind of Christmas meal you are looking for. You can have a look at my article about the best restaurants with a view on the Eiffel Tower or my reviews of Le Ciel de Paris and Le Wepler . I would recommend having a look at both for your Christmas meal!

How do you say Merry Christmas in Paris? 

When spending the Christmas period in Paris you will want to know how to say Merry Christmas in Paris. Merry Chrismtas in French is: joyeux Noël. You pronounce it as Ju-whyoo No-el (J as in juice). 

Are Museums open on Christmas Day in Paris? 

If you are planning your Christmas day in Paris you will want to know whether or not museums are open or closed.

• The Louvre is closed on Christmas day and New Year’s Day. Open on Christmas eve and New Year’s eve.  You can get tickets here.
• Musee D’Orsay is closed on Chrismtas Eve, Christmas day and New Year’s Eve but open on New Year’s Day.  Buy your entrance ticket online.
• Centre Pompidou is closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day but open on New Year’s Eve.  Get a skip-the-line-ticket here.

Some of the museums in Paris that are open on Christmas Day are: 

• Musée Jacquemart-André – You can buy your ticket via this link.
• Musée d’Art et d’Histoire du Judaïsme
• Institut du Monde Arabe

Lieze Neven is a globetrotting travel writer and expat currently based in Nepal. With a passion for exploration, she has lived in Dubai, the UK, and Belgium, alongside her international teacher husband.  Her parents live in France and she tries to visit Paris at least once a year. Together, they travel the world looking for the best hotels, experiences and food locations have to offer!

13 thoughts on “Christmas in Paris – A Complete Guide”

I really wanted to go to Paris this Christmas Guess that is not happening haha

Thank you for this info! Do you know if the Christmas markets are open on Christmas Day?

Hi there! As far as I can remember they should be open. The smaller community ones might be closed though

I’m curious, you mentioned the Champs Elysees as a must-see for Christmas decorations – are there any particular displays or features there that are unique to Paris? Also, the Christmas markets sound wonderful.

Spent last Christmas in Paris. iT WAS SO GREAT!

Christmas in Paris sounds like a dream! I’m particularly intrigued by the Christmas markets you mentioned, especially La Magie de Noël at Jardin de Tuileries. Do these markets also have activities for kids, or are they more for adults?

Hi DaisyMayflower,

There is lots to do for kids such as carousels and ice skating rinks. They sometimes even have puppet shows (in French of course) and interactive workshops.

Just read your guide on Christmas in Paris as I am currently planning my trip. Do you know if they do any special light shows or events on the Champs Elysees during Christmas? Would love to catch something unique while I’m there.

I don’t think there are special events on, sorry. But it is worth walking down the Champs Elysees anyways as most shops will have festive window displays and decorations! There is also a special bus ride I liked to in my article you can do to see most of the best christmas lights in the city.

Absolutely loved reading about Christmas in Paris! I’m especially excited to try the traditional dishes like roasted chestnuts and tartiflette. I’m wondering, are there any specific Christmas traditions in Paris that visitors should know about or participate in to get the full experience?

Alongside enjoying the sparkling city lights, charming Christmas markets, and indulging in delicious foods like roasted chestnuts, tartiflette, and mulled wine, there are a few traditions you might enjoy. One of the most quintessential Parisian Christmas activities is attending a midnight Mass at one of the city’s iconic churches, such as Notre-Dame or Sacré-Cœur. Also, don’t miss the elaborate window displays at Parisian department stores like Galeries Lafayette, which are a true visual treat.

Does anyone know if there’s a specific place or avenue in Paris that’s a must-see for these illuminations?

The Paris Illuminations are a highlight, with the entire city sparkling in festive lights. A must-visit spot for experiencing these lights is the Champs-Elysées, which is beautifully adorned and creates a magical atmosphere. Other great places include the Place Vendôme and the window displays at Galeries Lafayette.

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• Paris Christmas Markets

Where to Find the Best Marchés de Noël

Christmas in Paris

Christmas markets, best paris christmas markets 2024.

A visit to a Paris Christmas Market gives you the fastest way to feel the holiday spirit when visiting the City of Light during the short days of November and December.

With sparkling lights, Christmas trees full of bright decorations, and even occasional visits from Saint Nicholas - or Père Noël , as Parisian children call him - these festive street markets filled with Swiss-style wooden chalets bring a tradition begun in the Middle Ages in Alsace and Germany to the French capital.

See the glowing lights of holiday markets and decorations on an open-top Christmas bus tour of Paris

To get the fullest enjoyment from these winter markets, copy the Parisians:  sip hot mulled wine (vin chaud) , munch on roasted chestnuts , and sample delicious sausages, cheese and chocolates while you shop.

The beautiful displays of arts and crafts, festive Christmas decorations, regional food specialties, fine wines, and other gifts will dazzle you until well into the night.

During a typical year, about 15-20 Paris Christmas Markets appear across the city, joined by additional "pop-up" markets lasting just a day, a weekend, or even a week or two. 

And that's not counting the small neighborhood holiday markets with perhaps a dozen or fewer chalets offering specialty foods and small gifts that appear on a seemingly ad hoc basis - sometimes returning to the same location year after year, but sometimes shifting to new locations.

Traditionally, these picturesque markets span the Advent season beginning four Sundays before Christmas.   This year, look for opening dates from mid-November to mid-December.   For exact dates, check our December events article.

Although a few markets stay in place for only a week or two, most remain open through Christmas Eve and a couple continue through early January. 

Here are Paris Discovery Guide's recommendations for 9 of the biggest, best, & most unique Paris Christmas Markets, plus locations where you can usually find smaller, specialty, and pop-up holiday market locations throughout the city. 

Top photo:  Paris Christmas Market across from Notre Dame Cathedral, (c) Paris Discovery Guide

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Guide to the 9 Biggest, Best, & Most Spectacular Paris Christmas Markets 2024

1.  the magic of christmas:  la magie de noël at tuileries garden christmas market.

La Magie de Noël ("The Magic of Christmas") in Tuileries Garden next to the Louvre grew out of the former Champs-Élysées Christmas Market and is huge - by far the biggest Marché de Noël within Paris, stretching along the garden's entire north edge from Rue des Pyramides to Place de la Concord. 

Half Christmas-themed carnival, half Christmas market, the Tuileries Christmas Market is also the most popular Christmas Market within Paris, attracting over 13 million visitors each holiday season.

What's the theme at Jardin des Tuileries Christmas carnival/market?  Fun, entertainment, shopping, food, and beverages ranging from hot chocolate to Champagne. 

In particular, the large number of Christmas-themed amusement rides and games here make this market stand out from other more sedate Paris Christmas markets with their emphasis on food and gifts (although the Tuileries market excels in those areas too).

Look for an enormous ferris wheel, more than a dozen other carnival rides such as bumper cars and "fun house" amusements, an ice skating rink including a separate section for young children, a Champagne bar, steaming copper vats of traditional onion soup, and hot mulled wine. 

In addition the 100+ Swiss-style chalets offer French-produced specialty food products, artisan crafts and gifts from around the world, glittering lights, numerous larger-than-life-sized plastic Santas and reindeer - and much more!

La Magie de Noël truly is magic.  Come experience it for yourself!

Find out more about La Magie de Noël Christmas Market at Tuileries Garden

Getting to Tuileries Christmas Market

• Admission:  Free, plus whatever you spend on rides, food, and gift items; like all Paris Christmas markets, this one offers many tempting things to purchase
• Location:  Tuileries Garden ( Jardin des Tuileries )
• Métro:  Concorde, Tuileries
• Open:   Mid-November - early January
• More to Do Nearby:   Need to do more holiday shopping?   Exit Tuileries Garden, cross Rue de Rivoli, and walk up Rue de Castiglione to Place Vendome, or turn left or right on Rue Saint-Honoré and explore the chic designer boutiques.   Check out the brightly-lit stores in the underground shopping mall Carrousel du Louvre (enter near the Palais Royal/Musée du Louvre Metro station).  Or walk across Place de la Concorde to explore all the stores lining both sides of Champs-Élysées , where sparkling lighted trees dazzle along the famous avenue.  Turn onto nearby Avenue Montaigne and check out the designer showrooms.  If you continue walking down Avenue Montaigne toward Place de l'Alma, you'll soon see the spectacularly lit Eiffel Tower framed by the avenue's ethereal white Christmas lights.

Special Christmas & New Year's Eve Cruises

2. paris notre-dame christmas market at square viviani.

Perhaps the most picturesque of the Paris Christmas Markets is the Marché de Noel Notre Dame, located across the Seine from the famous cathedral in Square Viviani on the Left Bank's Quai Montebello. 

With Notre Dame's soaring medieval towers (plus cranes and scaffolding , due to the reconstruction efforts after the tragic 2018 fire) as a backdrop, this cheerful market offers the usual vin chaud (hot mulled wine) and roasted chestnuts. 

Occasional appearances by musicians add to the festivities.  The vibe here is always elegant, relaxed, and focused on the holiday spirit. 

However, the Marché de Noel's specialties are high-quality arts and artisan crafts made in France. 

You can usually find an especially nice selection of gift-worthy clothing and accessories here, as well as fancy gourmet foods including foie gras, many different kinds of sausages, and expansive arrays of fine cheeses.

In particular, look for cashmere and mohair scarves, sweaters, and gloves, jewelry made from silver and beautiful stones, handmade wooden toys, ceramics, candles, glass objects, and more.

For the little ones, Santa makes frequent appearances - sometimes with a glass of vin chaud in hand.

Getting to the Marché de Noel Notre Dame:

• Location:  Square René-Viviani on Quai Montebello, at the edge of the Latin Quarter in the 5th Arrondissement
• Métro:  Saint Michel, Maubert-Mutualité
• RER:   B and C, Saint-Michel - Notre-Dame
• Open:   Mid-December until (usually) Christmas Eve or later
• More to Do Nearby:   Visit the lovely medieval church next door, Église Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre, which dates back to 1160.  Or cross the bridge and check out the renovations underway at Notre-Dame.  For books, café fare, and perhaps some conversation, stop by Shakespeare & Company, an English-language haven adjacent to Square Viviani at 37 Rue de la Bûcherie

More places to see dazzling Paris holiday lights & decorations

3.  Montmartre Christmas Market at Place des Abbesses (near Sacre Coeur)

Located next to the Place des Abbesses Metro station on one of the most photo-worthy areas in Montmartre, the Place des Abbesses market is small (about 15-20 chalets in total) but charming, and features local artisans, designers, and creators.  A large decorated Christmas tree and occasional visits from Santa to welcome you.

Fortify yourself with a cup of warm spiced wine and a small packet of hot roasted chestnuts, straight off the grill - look for Vin Chaud and Marrons Chaud signs, or just follow your nose.  

This market is also a good place to sample traditional fare, such as escargot, small plates of sauted mushrooms, and raclette.  You'll also find specialties to take back to your apartment, such as foie gras from Périgord, tapenades from Provence, and speciality cheeses.

Alternately, you can also join the crowd at the Champagne bar!

The Montmartre Christmas market is a good place to stock up on hand-knit scarves, Christmas markets, honey from Paris, one-of-a-kind fashion and jewelry, and children's toys. 

For kids, there's a brightly lighted carousel, and usually appearances by Père Noël on the weekends.

This is a fun market to visit if you want to get a taste of the Christmas markets but avoid the crowds filling the larger markets.  With the friendly neighborhood vibe, it can't be beat!

Coming here is also a great excuse to explore the winding hills of Montmartre and make your way to Sacré-Coeur , just a few blocks away, to enjoy the sweeping city vistas. 

• Location:  Next to the Abbesses Butte Montmartre Métro station in Montmartre, 18th Arrondissement
• Métro:  Abbesses Butte Montmartre
• Bus:  80, 95 (get off at Cimetière de Montmartre and walk a few blocks east on Rue Joseph de Maistre/Rue des Abbesses to the market)
• Open:   Late November - end of December
• More to Do Nearby:   Check out the "Wall of Love" ( le mur des je t'aime ) in Square Rictus next to the market while sipping a cup of hot mulled wine.  Explore Montmartre.  Go to dinner and a show at Moulin Rouge.  And of course visit the boutiques along Rue des Abbesses, one of the great market streets in Paris.

If you're heading back into central Paris after your visit, walk down pedestrian-only Rue des Martyrs and enjoy the holiday lights stretching across the street and all the Christmas and New Year specialty foods offered in the dozens of gourmet shops lining this famous market street.

Find out about top Montmartre hotels & apartments

Popular Paris Christmas Experiences

Get into the holiday spirit with these special "only in Paris" activities:

• Christmas Gourmet Tour of Saint-Germain-des-Pres - Enjoy a special 3-course lunch, live music, and magical views of famous sights and landmarks along the Seine River as you cruise by in a comfy glass-covered boat.  These holiday cruises always sell out - so book early to avoid disappointment!  Book now
• Moulin Rouge Dinner & Show - Enjoy a magical cabaret show by a troupe of 100 costumed performers paired with a delicious tradtional French dinner and Champagne.  Book now
• Paris Christmas Lights Tour - Snuggle under a warm blanket as an open-top bus takes you past the city's most brilliant Christmas lights as well as other famous illuminated Paris attractions - Arc de Triomphe, Paris Opera House (Palais Garnier), Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, and more.  It's an unforgettable way to see Paris!  Book now
• Private Christmas Tour of Paris with a Ferris Wheel Ride - On this special tour, you'll see the most famous Paris holiday lights and decorations plus a few "insider's gems," enjoy a glass of mulled wine (or hot chocolate), and a ride on the giant Paris ferris wheel.  Includes hotel pick-up/drop-off.  Book now

4.  Paris Christmas Market at Hôtel de Ville

The spectacular Hôtel de Ville Christmas Market wins the prize (if there were one) as "most beautiful" thanks to the gorgeous light show across the building's neo-Renaissance facade. 

This year, the light show features golden "snowflakes" drifting from the building's peaks, while the rest of the building sports Olympics 2024 emblems and signs instead of the usual falling snowflakes dancing across a brilliant blue background.

The Hôtel de Ville Christmas Market offers an enchanting forest filled with evergreen trees decorated with silver ornaments and sparkling white lights, a few chalets offering "Made in France" gifts, and traditional market stalls offering offering hot mulled wine, raclette, freshly cooked crepes drizzled with Nutella, and the tantalizing smell of roasted chestnuts.

Although the assortment of free family-oriented activities varies a bit each year, you can always spot the brightly-lit traditional carousel on site. 

Other activities might include a "luge" for tubing, a vertical climbing wall, and even visits with Santa.

Look for about a dozen chalets featuring gift items made by French craftsmen or offering mouth-watering food and beverage favorites - crepes filled with nutella, raclette, onion soup, and of course, large copper vats of vin chaud (hot mulled wine.)

The light show, traditional Christmas music playing softly in the background, numerous sparkling lights, and tranquil ambiance makes this Christmas market especially charming at night.

• Location:  Rue de Rivoli, across from BHV Marais (52 Rue de Rivoli)
• Métros:  Hotel de Ville
• Open:   Late November - early January
• More to Do Nearby:   Cross over Rue de Rivoli and shop at BHV Marais department store, or continue farther into the Marais neighborhood and explore the many fantastic boutiques - you'll find some wonderful options along Rue des Francs Bourgeois.

Find out more about the Hotel de Ville Christmas Market

5.  Saint-Germain-des-Prés Christmas Market

Normally, this Christmas Market's 40 or so chalets line Boulevard St-Germain next to the famous St-Germain-des-Prés Church. 

This year, the number is reduced to about 20 due to construction around the plaza in front of the church - just part of Paris's numerous renovation projects ahead of next summer's Olympics.

This is one of the city's most appealing mid-sized markets, and specializes in luxury items, such as fine leather pocketbooks, lovely jewelry, French gastronomy products, and handcrafted items. 

This is a good place to buy scented candles, glass Christmas ornaments, leather-bound notebooks and bags made in France (or Italy, depending on the vendor), and exquisite gift-worthy chocolates filled with liquor.

Fortify yourself with the usual hot mulled wine and roasted chestnuts as you walk past mouth-watering displays of artisinal macarons, marrons glacés (candied chestnuts) from Southern France, caviar, smoked salmon, truffles, foie gras, and jewel-like jars of fruit jams. 

Fortunately, despite the reduced number of chalets, the quality of products remains the same.

You can also find a few vendors selling inexpensive practical items such as warm hats, scarves, gloves, and even umbrellas - handy if you realize you should have dressed in warmer layers, or if you get caught in a surprise rain shower (which seem to be more common than usual this year).

Find Christmas Market tours & other favorite Paris Christmas activities

You'll also find specialty wines and liquors from other regions of France.

And of course, after you've had your fill of shopping and great food and drink at the Saint-Germain Christmas market, check out the boutiques in nearby neighborhood streets, where canopies of sparkling holiday lights create a festive ambiance.

• Location:  Blvd Saint-Germain, next to Eglise Saint-Germain-des-Prés, 6th Arrondissement
• Métro:  Saint-Germain 
• Bus:  39, 63, 70, 86, 96
• Open:   Late November through early January
• More to Do Nearby:   Walk a few blocks to the Cluny Christmas Market, (next to the Cluny Museum at the Saint-Germain/Boulevard de Saint-Michel intersection) where you'll find around a half-dozen stalls offering delicious prepared regional French food to eat on the spot, plus perhaps another 15 or so offering gift items.  Spend an hour or two at the Cluny Museum (free entrance with a Paris Museum Pass ) - also known as the National Museum of the Middle Ages - and immerse yourself in medieval treasures including the famous Lady and the Unicorn tapestries, as well as the 3rd century Roman baths.
• Where to Stay Nearby:    Hotels & apartments near Saint-Germain-des-Prés Church in the 6th Arrondissement

More about things to see and do at Eglise Saint-Germain

More Fun Things to Do & See in Paris at Christmas

6.  la défense marché de noël - the biggest christmas market in the paris area.

The huge Christmas Market along the La Défense Esplanade boasts almost 180 chalets.  Even though this number is down from 350 in previous years due to the number of people who still haven't returned to their offices in this mostly business district, the La Defense Christmas Market continues to be the largest in the Paris region. 

The holiday decorations, lights, and displays next to it on the Esplanade are also fabulous.  The market here dates back to 1995 and welcomes about 1.5 million visitors during the holiday season.

The market's spectacular setting in this glittering business district make the 7-8 minute metro ride from the Étoile/Charles de Gaulle station well worth your time - plus you'll find a vast selection of gifts ranging from trinkets to high-quality jewelry and leather goods, and well-equipped kitchens and restaurants turning out steaming plates of delicious Alsatian fare and Spanish-style paella.

Look for lots of specialty items not seen in smaller markets - Santa costumes, stuffed animals, huge bins brimming over with clementines and other seasonal fruits, candies from the South of France, freshly baked gingerbread, antique books and fine paintings, and large pop-up stores filled with Christmas decorations.

One stall features many different varieties of exquisite nativity figures  at surprisingly affordable prices - you may be tempted to fill your suitcase!

Several stalls offer gorgeous finely-tooled leather goods from Morocco, while others have large selections of fashionable scarfs and coats, candies, and tins of herbal teas. 

You'll also see special regional hams and sausages, foie gras, cheeses, and special brandies and other liquors.

Kids will also find lots to do and see here, including multiple Santas who happily pose for photos. 

For the after-work crowd from the surrounding high-rise office towers, there's even a rotation of popular DJs on a number of evenings.

You can easily spend an entire evening at this market.  And definitely plan to have a meal and glass or two of mulled wine or spiced eggnog here - this is one of the best Paris Christmas markets for dining.

• Location:  Esplanade de la Défense
• Métro:  Grande Arche de la Défense 
• RER:   A (from Étoile Metro Station)
• Open:   About 5 weeks from late November - late December
• More to Do Nearby:   Arrive in daylight hours and check out the 69 sculptures and monuments along the Esplanade.  Ice skate around the rink (still to be confirmed for this year) on top of the Grande Arche, which along with the Arc de Triomphe at Étoile and the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel near the Louvre, forms the Historical Axis of Paris.  After you've explored the Christmas Market, check out the enormous Quatre Temps shopping mall next to the Esplanade.  Sports fans won't want to miss the gigantic Décathlon store on the other side.   During the evening, walk down the Esplanade toward Paris and enjoy the magical displays of Illuminations de Noel - Christmas lights.

Find out more about the La Defense Christmas Market

Check our December Events Calendar for exact Christmas Market dates, as they vary each year

7.  Eiffel Tower Christmas Market on Quai Branly

With Christmas trees, fake snow, and close-up views of the famous "Iron Lady," the Eiffel Tour Christmas Village gives you a magical experience you'll remember long after your visit.

This market specializes in delicious gourmet foods and local cuisine ready to be served on the spot.  Look for the Alsatian and Savoyard stands with their yummy regional specialties, and sip hot mulled wine as you shop. 

With about 35 chalets and usually a few food trucks, this is one of Paris's best mid-sized Christmas markets, and perhaps the most photo-worthy.

• Location:  Quai Branly, across from the foot of the Eiffel Tower (the exact location moves around a bit each year, so don't be surprised when it's not where you remember from previous years)
• Métro:  Pont de l'Alma, Bir Hakeim
• RER C: Champs de Mars or Pont de l'Alma
• Open:   Early December until just after New Year's Day
• More to Do Nearby:    Get tickets to the top of the Eiffel Tower for spectacular views of Paris!

8.  Alsatian Christmas Market at Gare de l'Est

Located in front of the Gare de l'Est train station in the 10th Arrondissement, this popular market - the oldest Alsatian Christmas Market outside of Alsace - takes place under a big tent during the first half of December (check December Events Calendar for exact dates).  Stock up on tasty Alsatian traditional food, with daily free tastings. 

What specialties should you look for?  The Alsace region in northeastern France shares a border with Germany and Switzerland, so look for regional foods with a strong German or Swiss influence.

The 15-20 Alsatian artisans offer charcuterie, Munster, Gruyere, and other German and Swiss cheeses, regional wines and brandies, jams, goose and duck foie gras, kougelhopf, brioche Männele, potato galettes, gingerbreads, sweet and savory tortes, candy, smoked pork, and sauerkraut - all your favorite flavors of Alsace without leaving Paris.

This is the perfect market for shopping for food gifts, holiday foods, and even a tasty on-the-spot snack.  Judging by the large numbers of shoppers filling up their shopping bags here, this is a favorite location for serious Parisian foodies.

• Location:  Next to Gare de l'Est train station, 10th arr
• Métro:  Gare de l'Est
• Open:   Usually about 17 days, starting in late November or early December
• More to Do Nearby:   Walk over to nearby Canal Saint-Martin and admire the holiday decorations along Quai de Valmy on the west side of the canal; pop into one of the many neighborhood cafes such as Chez Prune for a drink or meal.

9.  Bastille Christmas Market

The relatively new Bastille Christmas Market provides a bright spot of seasonal warmth at Place de la Bastille between the July Column commemorating the Revolution of 1830 and the Bastille Opera House.

Normally this rather barren swath of pavement gets used mostly for demonstrations, the occasional mountain of trash when sanitation workers go on strike, and random construction equipment in need of a place to park. 

So the Christmas Market not only provides holiday cheer, but also an alternate vision for how this space might be better used.

The Bastille Chrismas market features an enchanting forest of decorated and lighted evergreen and white bare-branched trees to soften the space (and incidentally highlight the beauty of the surrounding architecture), a festive carousel offering free rides to children, and an assortment of vendor stalls offering hot chocolate, mulled wine, snacks, and gift items.

With holiday musical classics playing softly in the background and occasional visits from Père Noël, this is a lovely, low-keyed market where you'll want to get a warm drink and stroll through the trees for a moment of relaxation.

• Location:  Place de la Bastille, 11th arr
• Métro:  Bastille (plus numerous bus lines have stops here)
• Open:   Early December until a day or two after Christmas
• Good to Know:   The Plaza has free public toilets - look for them on the west side close to Canal Saint-Martin
• More to Do Nearby:   Have lunch or dinner (make reservations in advance) at nearby Bofinger, one of Paris's beautiful classic brasseries; visit the adjacent Marché Bastille/Richard Lenoir, one of the city's best and biggest open-air markets (open Thursday and Sunday from 7am - early afternoon); enjoy an opera or ballet (you'll need to get tickets at least a week in advance) at the Bastille Opera House; go for a stroll along the elevated La Coulée Verte (Promenade Plantée) which you can access just beyond the Opera House where Rue de Lyon morphs into Avenue Daumesnil

10.  Saint-Eustache Les Halles Market

Although the twice-weekly Saint-Eustache Les Halles Market located between Saint Eustache Church and the Chatelet-Les Halles metro station, it begins to feel like one starting around mid-November.

All of the sparkling Christmas lights and decorations along the nearby Rue Montorgueil market street and the enormous decorated Christmas tree in the Canopée des Halles shopping center add to the holiday ambiance. 

Look for a couple of dozen chalets offering sausages, candy, Belgium waffles, and other seasonal specialties, plus vin chaud (hot mulled wine) and assortments of gift items. 

Quite honestly, if you want to visit Paris's best Christmas Markets, you should skip this one.  But if you're in the neighborhood, stop by - it's festive, fun, and filled with good things.

Under the Canopée, an enormous sparkling Christmas tree reminds you that more shopping and dining opportunies can be found among the shops inside the multi-storied complex.

• Location:  On the plaza between Saint Eustache church, the Chatelet-Les Halles, and the starting points of Rue Montmartre and Rue Montorgueil, 1st arrondissement
• Nearest métro :  Chatelet-Les Halles
• Open:   Thursday (12:30pm-8:30pm) and Sunday (7am-3pm) , year-round
• More to Do Nearby:   Shop in Forum des Halles (the below-ground shopping complex surrounding the metro/train station), visit adjacent Église Saint-Eustache, or explore market street Rue Montorgueil to the right (as you face it) of the church.  Hungry for more than just a snack?  Stop by Alain Ducasse's Champeaux restaurant in the Forum,  or any of the appealing cafes, creperies, bakaeries, and bistros along Rue Montorgueil.

What Is the Best Christmas Market in Paris?

In a city such as Paris with a wealth of wonderful and diverse Marches de Noël that may change from one year to the next, "best" is a difficult call to make - but here are some choices that (so far) hold true every year:

Best Paris Christmas Market for Fun:  The Magic of Christmas ( La Magie de Noël) at Tuileries Garden

More about the Tuileries Christmas Market 

Best Paris Christmas Market for Families:  Notre-Dame Christmas Market at Square Viviani  

Friendly Santas make this market special for children, and a relaxed vibe (perhaps thanks to the steaming copper vats of hot mulled wine) keeps everyone smiling. 

Views of nearby Notre-Dame Cathedral are magical, despite the scaffolding and cranes as damage from the 2019 fire continues to be fixwd.

Best Paris Christmas Market for Upscale Gifts:  Saint-Germain Christmas Market

This market features vendors with high-quality goods (check out the leather items) and regional specialty foods and wine to appeal to discerning residents and tourists in this upscale neighborhood. 

Best (& Biggest) Christmas Market for 1-Stop Shopping (& Food):  The La Défense Christmas Market

Located just a 7-8 minute metro ride outside of Paris, with its 150 stalls and the adjacent Quatre Temps shopping center and Décathlon sporting goods store offers just about everything you need for the holidays, including holiday decor and Christmas tree ornaments. 

Food offerings of freshly made paella, couscous, raclette, tartiflette, crepes, and Bavarian sausage and peppers mean you can also dine very well here.  In fact, if a "Best food at a Paris Christmas Market" award is ever given, the La Defense Market will win, hands down. 

More about the La Defense Christmas Market

Most Beautiful Paris Christmas Market:  Hotel de Ville Christmas Market 

Sparkling lights, a forest of Christmas trees, and white snowflakes falling at night across the dark blue façade of the ornate Paris City Hall (thanks to a magical light show) give a festive ambiance that capture the spirit of the holidays. 

This is usually the least-commercial of all the Paris markets - so come just for the pleasure of being there.

More about the Hotel de Ville Christmas Market

Best Paris Christmas Market for Experiencing its Friendly Neighborhood Vibe:  Place des Abbesses Christmas Market in Montmartre

Look for the perfect combination of holiday foods and beverages, nice gifts, beautiful surroundings, and friendly neighborhood shoppers. 

Frequent performances by local musicians make this market extra-special.

Best Paris Christmas Market for Its Iconic View:  Eiffel Tower Christmas Village 

With lots of Christmas trees, fake snow, and tasty cuisine and regional specialties, this market offers a lot - but the Eiffel Tower views make it memorable.

Paris Hotels for Your Christmas Market Visit

Planning a trip to Paris during the holiday season?  Use this Paris hotel map to find hotels near your favorite Christmas markets: 

Check out the newest Paris hotels

Also, check out our recommendations for the best places to stay in Paris in the winter.

Where to Find More Christmas Markets

Most of these are smaller markets.  Most appear faithfully every year and attract hoards of loyal fans, although others are less reliable but worth looking for if you're already nearby. 

Christmas Market at Fontaine Saint-Michel

Located in front of the Gare de l'Est train station in the 10th Arrondissement, this popular market - the oldest Alsatian Christmas Market outside of Alsace - takes place under a big tent during the first two or three weeks in December (check December Events Calendar for exact dates).  Stock up on tasty Alsatian traditional food, with daily free tastings. 

What specialties should you look for?  The 15-20 Alsation artisans offer charcuterie, Munster and other cheeses, regional wines and brandies, jams, goose and duck foie gras, gugelhupf, brioche Männele, potato galettes, gingerbreads, smoked pork, and sauerkraut - all your favorite flavors of Alsace without leaving Paris.

Parc de la Villette

The Parc de la Villette Marché de Noel at La Grande Halle across from the Philharmonie concert hall (221 Avenue Jean-Jaurès) pops up in early December and remains open until Christmas Eve.  The market is small (although it seems to grow a bit larger each year), but you'll find all the essentials:  hot mulled wine, crepes filled with Nutella, and gifts.

Unfortunately, the photo above was taken in pouring rain - but normally, the market is filled with shoppers from the nearby area who stop by to enjoy a cup of vin chaud or steaming hot onion soup and to chat with their neighbors.

Gare Saint-Lazare Christmas Market

Gare Saint-Lazare Marché de Noël, in front of the Saint Lazare train station in the 8th arrondissement, sports a modern look and feel - in fact, purists might not even consider it a Christmas market.  But it's fun and all in good cheer, especially if you like Disney and Legos, plus who can resist the Champagne bar?

Saint-Sulpice Christmas Market

Saint-Sulpice, near the St-Sulpice Métro station, Luxembourg neighborhood in the 6th Arrondissement, usually early December through Christmas Eve; a pop-up Alpine ski rink sometimes also appears here.

Christmas Chalets near Cluny Museum

The Cluny Museum Christmas Market consists of only about a dozen chalets located along in a double row along Boulevard Saint-Germain next to the Cluny Museum in the Latin Quarter, with a few more around the corner on Boulevard Saint Michel.  Like many of Paris's other small hyper-local Christmas markets, you probably wouldn't go out of your way to visit it but if you happen to pass by, it's definitely worth a lingering look.  As you can see in the above photo, the special cheeses alone gives you a solid reason to stop and make a few purchases. 

Most of the chalets offer mouth-watering regional food specialties such as sausages, cheeses, patés, jams, fancy nuts and fruits, and wine, although a couple feature arrays of artisinal chocolates in gift boxes.  On chilly December nights, steaming containers of hot mulled wine and hot chocolates are a welcome sight to Parisians on their way home from work or school at the end of the day.

Trocadéro Christmas Village

Trocadéro Christmas Village takes place at or near (location varies) Palace of Chaillot in the 16th Arrondissement next to the Trocadéro Métro station, typically mid-December through early January - although not every year.

Christmas Market at the Feeries d'Anteuil - To Be Confirmed

This small market is located at 40 rue Jean de la Fontaine in the 16th arr, and runs for about 9 days in early December (see our December Events Calendar for exact dates).   In addition to crafts, leather goods, jewelry, and even an oyster bar, you can enjoy magic shows, puppets, concerts, and other family entertainment.  The market is run by a charity that supports disadvantaged Parisian children, and profits go to this cause.   Find the event schedule here: https://www.apprentis-auteuil.org

Montparnasse Christmas Market

Look for a small number of chalets next to the train station offering nice gift items and a few tasty things to eat and drink such as roasted chestnuts, gingerbread, and spicy hot mulled wine. 

Although you probably wouldn't go out of your way to visit this market, like the Christmas market at Gare Saint-Lazare, it's popular with the numerous commuters who pass through the train and metro station each day.

Bercy Village Christmas Market & Holiday Lights

Bercy Village, a charming cobblestone passage lined with 19th century wine warehouses now transformed into cute boutiques, amusements, bistros, and bars in Paris's 12th arrondissement, stages a spectacular light display created each year by a different artist or designer, along with at least one large brightly lit tree and other decorations.  (The adjacent 18-screen UGC Cité-Cine Bercy movie theater is another big attraction.) 

A few popup stalls join the permanent shops for an experience that's slightly different from the more typical Christmas markets, but always worth a visit. 

Look for the light display from mid-November through mid-January.  

Location:   28 Rue François Truffaut, Paris 12

Christmas Market at Pompidou Center

The Marché de Noël Paris Beaubourg across from Centre Pompidou in the 4th arrondissement is usually open for the month of December until just after the New Year. 

The Christmas Market here is very close to the jazz clubs along Rue des Lombards, in case you need to reward yourself with music and a drink after shopping

15th Arrondissement Town Hall Christmas Market

In the courtyard at the 15th district's Hotel de Ville (31 rue Péclet, near Vaugirard Metro Station), you'll see about 20 chalets offering regional specialities, crafts, jewelry, and Christmas decorations, plus plenty of free fun activities including pony rides, sleigh rides, and even a merry-go-round. 

The market is usually there for about 10 days leading up to Christmas.

Sacre Coeur Christmas Market

This is a small, occasional market, with just a handful of chalets. Look for them next to the carousel in the small park at the foot of the hill leading up to Sacre Coeur.  If you don't see it, head over the the market at Place de l'Abbesses instead.

Place d'Italie Marché de Noel

About 20 chalets offer gifts and mouth-watering specialty food items at the Italie 2 shopping center at Place d'Italie (30 Avenue d'Italie, 13th arrondissement).  The market is usually in place from early December through Christmas Eve.

Champ de Mars / Quai Branly / Eiffel Tower Christmas Market

The location of this market varies - sometimes it's on Champ de Mars in front of the Eiffel Tower, and sometimes it's on Quai Branly next to the Seine.

The number of chalets varies as well, but here's the important thing to know:  food offerings here are usually outstanding, with prepared-on-the-spot treats such as raclette and even paella almost stealing the show.

But of course the real show-stopper here is the Iron Lady, especially when she sparkles during the nightly light show. 

During some years, an ice skating rink pops up next to the market, which usually takes place during the last 2 weeks in December/early January. 

Closest Metro: Bir Hakeim, Alma Marceau (across the Seine) or La Tour-Maubourg, 7th Arrondissement

Pop-Up Stalls Selling Holiday Fare

What's a pop-up Christmas market?  

Usually these are smaller markets, sometimes devoted to a specific theme such as the Japanese Holiday Market and the Swedish Christmas Market. 

These markets typically open from one to several days each season. Sometimes they take place in the same location from year to year, but not always.

Neighborhood pop-up stalls also come and go in some areas, so you will most likely happen upon them. 

One area where this frequently occurs is near Galeries Lafayette, across from the main building on Blvd Haussmann.  Look for luxury goods, such as perfume, designer scarves, and fine leather gloves.

Even the regularly-held Paris street markets expand their offerings at this time of the year. 

For example, Marché Saint-Honoré (Wednesday afternoon/evening and Saturday until 3pm) in the 1st Arrondissement expands with stalls offering gift items such as lovely knit baby garments, fancy confits, and jewelry.

Where to (Maybe) Find a Pop-Up Market

Pop-up Christmas markets, by their nature, are ephemeral and hard to find if you don't know where to look for them. 

A place always worth checking is the spacious Halle des Blancs Manteau (48 Rue Vielle du Temple, 4th Arrondissement), an old covered market dating back to the early 1800s in the heart of the Marais. 

If you don't find a pop-up market underway, you'll find plenty of other shopping opportunities in this part of the Marais - or cross the Seine to Ile Saint-Louis, where appealing gift boutiques and galleries line both sides of the main street down the island's center.

Another excellent and reliable option (it has taken place in the same location for almost two decades is Salon Idées Japon, the Japanese Christmas Market that pops up for three days in late November-early December in Passage Choiseul in Paris's 2nd arrondissement.

More than 40 Franco-Japanese creators and artists present a variety of beautiful creations such as jewelry, calligraphy, decorative objects, clothing, dolls, teas, and books that make wonderful Christmas gifts.  

Check our December Events Calendar for more pop-up markets

Dates for Les Marchés de Noël

Opening dates vary - but the larger markets usually open during the middle or end of November, or early December. 

Closing dates vary from just before or after Christmas to New Year's Eve or even early January.  Those that do continue into early January often close right before the big January sales begin.

A few smaller markets wait until mid-December to open.  Pop-up markets are ephemeral by definition and typically take place for only 1-3 days.

Check our December Events Calendar for exact dates, as they vary each year

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Happening in Paris

January in Paris

• The famous Paris winter sales, concerts, new museum exhibits

February in Paris

• Valentine's Day, Chinese New Year Parades

March in Paris

• Mardi Gras, Fountain Shows at Versailles, French Open

April in Paris

• Paris Marathon, Easter concerts, spring flowers

May in Paris

• Mother's Day, jazz festival, concerts

June in Paris

• Summer sales, Pride week, music fests, air show

July in Paris

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August in Paris

• Free concerts & movies, Rock En Seine

September in Paris

• European Heritage Days, Fashion Week

October in Paris

• Wine festival, Halloween, Motor Show

November in Paris

• Armistice Day, Salon du Chocolat

December in Paris

• Christmas, New Year's Eve

Hanukkuh in Paris

• Menorah lightings 

• Holiday celebrations & decorations

• Gifts, holiday food, mulled wine, and Santa

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Spend Christmas in Paris 2023 | Cabarets, Operas, and Christmas Lights

Step into a world of endless magic by celebrating the "most wonderful time of the year" in the city where dreams come true, Paris! And to make your holiday the merriest it can be, here's a curated list of exciting things to do on Christmas in Paris.

Why Spend Christmas in Paris?

• With Paris being deemed the City of Love as well as the City of Lights, spending Christmas there is bound to bring love and light to your life.
• Paris has almost countless experiences exclusive to the winter months, and more specifically, Christmas and New Year’s Eve .
• Almost all of Paris’s attractions are decked up for Christmas, offering tourists a truly unique experience when they visit these locations.
• Winter in Paris is perfect for tourists to have a relaxing time during Christmas, and if you’re lucky, you can even catch the city capped in snowfall.

Top 12 Things to do on Christmas in Paris

1. Marvel at Christmas Lights

From popular tourist attractions in Central Paris to quieter locations like Bercy Village, the city welcomes Christmas every year with extravagantly decorated streets that have become a must-see for both Parisians and tourists who are lucky enough to visit Paris at Christmas. 

Check out the best Christmas light displays here:

• Avenue des Champs Élysées | Find on map
• Bercy Village | Find on map
• Avenue Montaigne | Find on map
• Rue du Faubourg St Honoré | Find on map

2. Go Ice Skating

As one of Paris’s most popular Christmas offerings, ice skating is the perfect outdoor winter activity. With the onset of December in Paris , most Parisians strap on their skates and head to one of the city’s many famous ice skating rinks.

Check out the best places to go ice skating here:

• Eiffel Tower
• Patinoire Pailleron | Find on map
• Boulogne-Billancourt rink | Find on map

3. Visit the Christmas Markets

Yet another one of the many activities that draw tourists to celebrate Christmas in Paris, the marchés de noël are places across the city where the festive joy comes to life. More specifically, these Christmas markets are known for their artisanal French goods, gifts, and traditional French fare.

The best Christmas markets of the season are in:

• Hôtel de Ville Christmas Market | Find on map
• Notre-Dame Christmas market | Find on map
• La Défense Marché de Noël | Find on map
• Saint-Germain Christmas Market | Find on map

4. Attend a Christmas Concert

The diversity of performances during Christmas in Paris ranges from classical opera and ballet performances to newer rock and jazz pieces - all equally magical, of course. It is quite an experience to witness one of these shows, especially in a venue as historically renowned as La Sainte Chapelle .

Catch the best Christmas concerts at:

• Théâtre des Champs‐Élysées | Find on map
• Eglise Saint‐Eustache | Find on map
• Église de la Madeleine | Find on map
• Église Saint‐Louis‐en‐L’Île | Find on map

5. Dig into Christmas Food

Perhaps the most exciting part of celebrating one of the biggest festivals of the year in another country is the opportunity to taste some authentic local fare. Wash down your hearty meal of boeuf bourguignon , with the crowd-favorite of vin chaud .

The best Parisian Christmas fare and where to find it:

• Boeuf bourguignon at La Crémaillère 1900 | Find on map
• Langoustine at Le Jules Verne | Find on map
• Alsatian specialities at Le Bofinger | Find on map
• Foie Gras at Le Train Bleu | Find on map

6. Visit Disneyland Paris

Disneyland is easily the tourist attraction where dreams come true, for both children and those who are young at heart. During Christmastime, however, Disneyland Paris puts on its Santa hat and prepares to offer a memorable winter wonderland to all its visitors.

Christmas at Disneyland includes:

• An elaborately decorated Christmas tree
• Christmas shows and performances featuring beloved Disney characters
• A meet and greet with Santa Claus himself
• An exciting Christmas parade

7. Cruise the Seine River

Taking the Seine River Cruise is especially popular during the Christmas season. Floating along this magical river and taking in all the landmarks nearby like Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower is truly the luxurious Christmas in Paris you’ve been looking forward to, with Paris's most dependable cruise operators - Bateaux Parisiens and Bateaux Mouches .

Choose from the best Seine River Cruises:

• Lunch and Dinner Cruises
• Bateaux Parisiens
• Bateaux Mouches

8. Go to a Cabaret

Looking for a unique Parisian experience to dazzle your Christmas up? Head to a historically famous Paris cabaret such as Cesar Palace or Crazy Horse (the latter of which offers exclusive Christmas and New Year performances) to be swept off your feet by a fleet of masterful performers.

Best Cabarets to go to are:

• Moulin Rouge
• Crazy Horse
• Paradis Latin
• Lido De Paris

9. Attend Opera and Ballet Performances

The performing arts are deeply entrenched in Parisian culture and history, and thus, to absorb Paris’s heritage entirely, it is important to attend opera and ballet performances in popular theatres such as Palais Garnier and Paris Opera Bastille during Christmastime.

The most exciting opera and ballet performances to go to:

• Casse-Noisette at Opera Bastille | Find on map
• Fantasio Evening at Opera Comique | Find on map
• Jiří Kylián Evening at Palais Garnier | Find on map

10. Embark on a Horse Carriage Ride

Yet another romantic way to make your way about the City of Love is taking a horse carriage ride around Paris. These old-timey carriages take you around popular tourist attractions like the Arc de Triomphe .

11. Attend a Workshop

Learn a new skill during the festive season - because who said vacations can only be leisurely? The possibilities are endless, from learning how to make your own French scrumptious goodies like croissants and macarons to making your own luxury bag with Chanel fabric!

Most fun workshops to attend on Christmas:

• Paris wine-making workshop
• Workshop in Paris: Create your Own Perfume
• Small-Group French Cooking Class in Paris

12. Head to a Department Store

While department stores seem like the least Christmassy location to be in when the festivities are in full swing, Parisians would beg to differ. As a tourist in Paris at Christmas, you can expect to see some of the most extravagant Christmas trees in department stores.

Best department stores to visit on Christmas:

• Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche | Find on map
• La Samaritaine | Find on map
• Galeries Lafayette | Find on map
• Printemps Haussmann |  Find on map

Top Experiences in Paris

Frequently asked questions about celebrating christmas in paris.

Christmas is one of the best times of the year to visit Paris , as the city has many exclusive experiences to offer to tourists during the holiday season.

During the magical occasion of Christmas in Paris, you can go on horse carriage rides, river cruises, shopping at Christmas markets, and viewing Christmas lights around the city.

The weather in Paris on Christmas is mildly cold with temperatures being around 14 degrees Celsius on average - with skies that are overcast but rainfall is limited to a few days in the month of December .

Christmas in Paris is usually a busy time, as tourists flock to the city and locals head out of their houses to take in the Christmas air outside.

Almost all places are open in Paris on Christmas, except for many popular shopping destinations and most museums in the city.

The Notre-Dame Christmas Market on Square Viviani and the Champs de Mars Christmas Market, near the Eiffel Tower , are Paris's most popular Christmas markets.

Many restaurants are unfortunately closed on Christmas in Paris, though almost all places in the Jewish district of Le Marais might be open - a particularly popular restaurant there is L'As du Fallafel.

Hotels in the eighth arrondisement are considered to be the best places to stay in Paris for Christmas, as these are closest to the biggest Christmas markets and the famous Champs Elysées avenue.

Don't miss out on traditional Parisian favorites during Christmas, such as bûche de Noël, foie gras, escargot , and shellfish - and, of course, vin chaud.

Restaurants such as Le Train Bleu and Bouillon Julien are considered to be Paris's Christmas and Christmas Eve favourites, for both tourists and residents.

You can catch the best viewing of Christmas lights in Paris by going to Avenue de Champs Elysées, Bercy Village, and Place Vendome.

Parisians spend their Christmas by gorging on feasts including lobsters, foie gras, and plenty of cheeses, while also indulging in a traditional offering of Thirteen Desserts. Families head to watch Nativity scenes and explore Christmas markets throughout the month of December.