The City of Lights is never so aptly named than in winter, the time of Christmas markets and illuminations. But how do we avoid tourist traps and unnecessary expenses to find genuine Christmas attractions, especially those best suited to children?
In my article, I will give you all the information you need about the best Christmas Markets in Paris and the most spectacular illuminations of the capital.
The 5 Best Christmas Markets in Paris
1) Tuileries Garden Christmas Market
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Pl. de la Concorde, 75001 Paris
What better way to celebrate Christmas than a magical party at the heart of Paris?
Head to the verdant Tuileries Garden and stroll among the wooden chalets of its Christmas market.
Take time to savor a delicious fairy floss or a crispy waffle and enjoy the many attractions of the fairground.
The ghost train will give the whole family shivers of delight, and you’ll have a splendid view of Paris from the top of the Ferris wheel.
And who knows, you might get to slide on the ice rink from the last edition.
And guess what: Santa Claus is sure to attend the festivities!
2) Notre-Dame Christmas Market
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6 Parvis Notre-Dame – Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris
If you’re fond of French cuisine and craftsmanship, you’ll be happy to discover this market on the René Viviani Square, quai Montebello.
A stone’s throw from Notre Dame Cathedral, you’ll find at least thirty stalls brimming with original and varied creations suited to all budgets, ranging from knitted scarves made of silk or mohair, candles, and costume jewelry to hand-cut precious stones.
If you feel peckish, the market is full of local and seasonal products such as foie gras, roasted chestnuts, and warm wine.
Best of all, Santa Claus will visit the market!
3) The Alsatian Christmas Market of Gare de l’Est
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Rue du 8 Mai 1945, 75010 Paris
From Friday 1st December to Sunday 17th December 2023, you are invited to the Alsatian Christmas Market 41st edition.
Slip under the market’s tent to discover the best Alsatian artisans and get a sip of their delicious wines and liqueurs. There are also soft and crispy pretzels aplenty if you prefer.
Not only will kids be delighted to see Santa Claus, but other surprises await them. Like storytelling sessions or, perhaps, the 4.50-meter-high gingerbread Saint-Nicolas featured last year.
4) La Defense Christmas Market
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For its 28th edition, the largest Christmas market in Paris will bring together nearly 180 wooden chalets filled with treasures to discover while strolling among its many alleys.
If you’re feeling hungry, you will find something tasty in one of the stalls loaded with gingerbread and other seasonal treats or in one of the many catering points.
This market is open to the whole world on the culinary front, and you’ll find plenty of various things to eat, ranging from tartiflette to traditional Creole dishes.
If you want to cross items off your gift shopping list or find decorations to spice up your home for Christmas Eve, you’ll find everything you can wish for here.
Santa Clauss welcomes children and grown-ups in his shining house on the Parvid de la Défense.
More information. (Website in French)
5) Champ de Mars/Eiffel Tower Christmas Market
Quai Jacques Chirac, 75015 Paris
What better way to celebrate Christmas than a tête-à-tête with the Iron Lady?
Enjoy a cup of warm wine in the shadow of the capital’s most famous monument and try the dishes served by the many food trucks gathered at its feet.
It’s also the perfect time to purchase everything you need for Christmas. The many craft shops among the 60 wooden chalets lined on the fields of Mars are brimming with original creations.
Top 6 Christmas illuminations in Paris
1) Avenue des Champs Elysées
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Paris is known as the City of Lights. Few streets in the capital illustrate this idea so well as the Avenue des Champs-Elysées, especially in the end-of-year festivities.
At Christmas, the most beautiful avenue in the world sparkles with a thousand lights and buzzes with celebratory sounds all night long.
It is a unique experience to head toward the Arc of Triumph among a verdant cortege of fir trees. You don’t want to miss it.
2) Avenue Montaigne
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A haven of French high fashion, this street is also famous for the spectacle it offers each year in December.
Take the time to stroll among the fir trees in the garlands-filled street and admire the illuminated windows of its luxurious shops.
All the great fashion houses and upscale hotels gathered here are upstaging each other in their bid to amaze passers-by.
3) Boulevard Haussmann
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A fashionista’s paradise, the Boulevard Haussmann and its department stores put out their finest clothes for the end-of-year festivities.
At Christmas, the most famous stores like Galerie Lafayette or Printemps deploy treasures of imagination to decorate their windows.
A perpetual uproar of sounds and lights awaits you here from late November to early January.
4) Place Vendôme
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With its historical central column, luxurious boutiques, and prestigious hotels, Place Vendome has the understated elegance of one of Paris’s refined enclaves. But it also knows how to dress up when the circumstances require it.
Come Christmastime, from November to December, multicolored garlands and giant fir trees bathed in light fill the street and joyfully intermingle with the premises’ classic architecture.
5) L’Hôtel de Ville de Paris
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Pl. de l’Hôtel de Ville, 75004 Paris
Every year in December, Paris’s majestic city hall lights up, and a sparkling forest of fir trees and white birches settles at its feet.
Admire the colorful facade of the building and, if you feel up to it, visit the chalets of the Christmas village nestled at its feet.
You’ll have the chance to enjoy some tasty treats or shop in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
There are plenty of kid-friendly activities including a carousel sure to delight your children.
6) Bus tour of Paris’ illumination
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If you want to see every inch of Paris in Christmas colors, there is no need for a sleigh and magical reindeer. For 35 €, you can hop on a bus and embark on a road trip throughout the shining streets of the City of Lights.
During the tour, you will discover or reacquaint yourself with iconic monuments such as the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvres Museum, and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
I aim to share my tips and recommendations for the beautiful country of France. My goal is to help you plan your next adventure, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. From finding the best hotels and restaurants, to discovering unique activities and sights, I’ve got you covered!
