Paris is a magical city year-round, with stunning architecture, amazing food and drink, beautiful artwork and an atmosphere that is unlike anywhere else. However, if you really want to experience Paris at its best, you have to visit during the holiday season. The streets are filled with sparkling lights and decorations, Christmas markets pop up all over the city and you can eat your fill of the festive French food. Interested in finding out more? Here’s our guide to having a very Parisian Christmas:
Parisian Christmas Traditions
The Christmas season in Paris and France starts early, on December 6 which is the feast day of Saint Nicholas. In the past, this was the day that children would either be given coal if they were naughty or candy if they were good. Over time this tradition moved to Christmas Eve, but December 6 still marks the start of the festivities; when Christmas decorations and trees are lit and Christmas markets really get going.
Christmas Lights
Paris is literally filled with light displays and holiday decorations at Christmas. The whole length of the Champs Élysées is lined with twinkling lights, as well as along the banks of the river Seine. Different arrondissements (neighborhods) have their own Christmas lights and of course the Eiffel Tower continues its light show as well.
Some of our favorite festive lights are those set up by the many stores and boutiques around Paris. The Christmas window displays change from year to year, with the big fashion houses like Dior, Hermès and Chanel going all out. Take a stroll along the Champs Élysées and prominent shopping streets like Rue Saint-Honoré as the sun starts to set to see them all.
Christmas Trees
You’ll also find Christmas trees in multiple places in Paris. There is always a collection of lit trees outside the Pantheon, one in front of Notre Dame cathedral and in Place Vendome, not to mention those in all the Christmas markets.
However the most exciting tree reveal each year is the one inside the Galeries Lafayette department store. The department store is one of the most special places in Paris year-round, dating to 1912 and being home to an ornate steel dome with stained glass windows – it feels more like a piece of history than a store.
Each year Galeries Lafayette cover their store and display windows with elaborate light displays and Christmas decorations, but the pièce de résistance is the gravity-defying Christmas tree that is suspended from that historic dome. Pictures don’t do it justice so you’ll have to join us in Paris to see it for yourself.
How Parisians Celebrate Christmas
In France the main day of celebrations is Christmas Eve rather than Christmas Day itself. On December 24 it is traditional to have a huge meal with family and friends known as the Réveillon de Noël. In the past this large meal was served after everyone got back from midnight mass but over time it has become normal to have it earlier in the day.
The meal is full of rich and delicious treats, often starting with oysters, smoked salmon, foie gras or lobster. A big roast turkey is common but there are also more unusual birds on the table like roast goose, capons or guinea fowl, along with lots of side dishes and plenty of wine.
There is a lot of variation on what makes up the Christmas Eve meal, but the one constant is the Bûche de Noël; a heavenly chocolate cake made to look like a wooden log. These start appearing in Parisian patisseries through December so you’ll see a huge selection throughout the city.
Children receive their presents on Christmas morning from Père Noël (Father Christmas) and after more food, families tend to head out into the city. If you’re in Paris on Christmas Day you will see lots of people walking around admiring the Christmas trees, going ice skating, getting some roasted chestnuts and just soaking up the holiday spirit.
Christmas Markets in Paris and Beyond
One of the major elements of a Parisian Christmas has to be visiting the Christmas markets. There are lots of different markets to enjoy, but all of them are top quality and will give you the holiday spirit. The wooden chalets are reminiscent of the Germanic and Alsace origins of Christmas markets, and you can enjoy plenty of vin chaud (mulled wine) as you shop for festive presents or souvenirs.
Here are our favorite Paris Christmas markets:
Tuileries Garden Christmas Market
The Jardin des Tuileries stretch out from the Louvre all along the banks of the Seine river to Place de la Concorde (where an ancient Egyptian obelisk stands). In summer the gardens are filled with people strolling in the sun or relaxing in chairs around the Grand Bassin pond, but in mid November they are transformed into a winter wonderland.
As well as lots of stalls and Christmas decorations, you’ll find a ferris wheel, ice skating rinks, carnival games and much more. Yes, it is a little tacky at points, but it’s one of the most fun things you can do during Christmas in Paris.
The other great thing about this market is that it stays open from November through to early January, so if you’re visiting Paris for New Year’s Eve you can still experience it.
Place des Abbesses Christmas Market
Place des Abbesses is in Montmartre, the Paris neighborhood that is home to the Moulin Rouge and the Sacre Coeur. Much smaller than some of the other Paris Christmas markets, the appeal of this one is that the stalls are manned by local artisans and designers. You’ll find unique items for sale as well as super traditional food and drink to try.
There is also usually a carousel for children and lots of pretty Christmas lights around. Combine a visit to the Sacre Coeur church with the market for the perfect festive afternoon in Paris.
Strasbourg Christmas Market
Okay, so Strasbourg is not in Paris, but their Christmas markets are so good, we could not leave them off this list.
Less than 2 hours away by train, Strasbourg is in the Alsace region of France, close to the border with Germany. Some of the original festive markets were held in this area in medieval times so Strasbourg has had a lot of time to get them just right!
Stretching out from the tall Christmas tree in Place Kléber at the heart of Strasbourg, you’ll find hundreds of chalets selling traditional holiday gifts, cookies, gingerbread, mulled wine, hot chocolate and more festive themed items.
For us, a trip to Paris at Christmas is not complete without a day in Strasbourg, which is why we always include this in our Paris Christmas adventure.
Parisian Christmas Activities
Paris is filled with things to do. From the incredible art collections at the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay to the iconic Eiffel Tower, the impressive Arc de Triomphe or the medieval streets of the Île de la Cité leading to Notre Dame, there is no end to the places to see. This is one of the many reasons we love returning to Paris on our adventures, but during the holiday season everything gets amplified.
You can (and should) still visit all the sights you want, but add in some festive fun to your time in the city.
Outdoor Activities
As well as visiting some of the Christmas markets, there are lots of other outdoor activities to do. Paris at Christmas is cold but not that cold, so as long as you have a warm coat and scarf you’ll be fine. You can always warm up with a hot chocolate or steaming cup of vin chaud too.
Ice skating rinks are popular, with the best ones being at the Tuileries Gardens market and the Grand Palais (just off the Champs Elysées). There is also a big rink at the La Defense Christmas market in Paris’ business district.
Take a nighttime boat ride along the Seine to see Paris flooded with twinkling lights and decorations or arrange to go up the Eiffel Tower at dusk when all the lights come on. The ferris wheel at the Jardin des Tuileries is another great option for seeing Paris at night.
Another fun thing to do during Christmas in Paris is to walk around visiting different churches and see their nativity scenes. Some are very traditional, others more modern, but it’s lovely to explore and see what you find.
Disneyland Paris
While not on the same scale as the Disney locations in the US, Disneyland Paris is a fun destination, especially if you’re traveling with kids.
You can easily reach the park from Paris via regional train, and with lots of festive decorations, a huge tree, characters dressed in special holiday-themed outfits and a big Christmas parade, it’s a great place to spend Christmas – even if just for a day.
Festive Treats
There are lots of ways to treat yourself on a Parisian Christmas trip.
The shopping options in Paris could take up days if you love browsing stores and markets, plus some sales start later in December. There are lots of places you can attend Christmas concerts and the list of Christmas events is long every year.
One of our favorite ways to treat ourselves at this time of year is to go to one of the good cafes or tea rooms around Paris and enjoy a big slice of Bûche de Noël. The delicious cake is normally served at the end of the big Christmas dinner, but if you won’t be here for that, you don’t have to miss out. Why not pair it with a glass of French champagne for the ultimate holiday treat?
Join Us For Our Parisian Christmas Adventure
Our passion for Paris has never lessened. Every time we go back we find something new to do and the magic of the city captures us all over again. We’ve been running our Parisian Christmas adventure for a few years now and are looking forward to the next trip – want to join us and experience that magic for yourself? Check out the tour details here and get in touch to secure your spot.
