Christmas in Paris: Best Things to Do in Paris in December

Christmas in Paris is a magical season with thousands of twinkling lights, offering so many fantastic things to do for your trip to Paris in December. Each of Paris’ districts has its own unique festive offerings, from window shopping at grand department stores and strolling through Christmas markets with a warm glass of vin chaud, to gliding across an outdoor ice rink and enjoying the charm of a vintage funfair in this City of Light.

Discover our top picks for the best experience of Paris at Christmas 2023:

Visit Christmas Markets in Paris 2023

Try festive treats from wooden stalls, offering everything from handcrafted Christmas tree ornaments, wooden gifts, an assortment of cheeses sourced from various regions of France, and delectable Eiffel Tower-shaped biscuits. These charming 'Marchés de Noël' take place across the city, typically starting in late November.

1. Eiffel Tower Christmas Market

In 2023, the traditional Christmas village is back at the Champs de Mars, beneath the Eiffel Tower. The Christmas Market is one of Paris's best mid-sized Christmas pop ups, offering Parisians and tourists the opportunity to soak up a little Christmas spirit.

The outdoor ice skating rink is an absolute must-do, as there's nothing more romantic than gliding hand-in-hand at dusk as the Eiffel Tower twinkles nearby. This year, there’s a regional focus on the gourmet dishes and treats of the French regions Alsace and Savoie, and a large mulled wine stand.

Dates:  December through January (precise dates in 2023 to be announced)

Address: Champs de Mars square, Paris 7^th

2. Tuileries Garden Christmas Market

La Magie de Noël ("The Magic of Christmas") in Tuileries Garden, next to the Louvre, has evolved from the former Champs-Élysées Christmas Market and is by far the largest and most popular Christmas market in Paris.

You can enjoy a wide range of amusement games, including a massive Ferris wheel, an ice skating rink with a dedicated section for young children, a Champagne bar, steaming copper cauldrons filled with traditional onion soup and hot mulled wine, and more than 100 Swiss-style stalls offering French-produced specialty food products, artisan crafts, and gifts from around the world. The market is adorned with glittering lights, oversized plastic Santas, reindeer, and much more!

When you visit this Christmas market, you'll be just a five-minute walk away from the famous dazzling Christmas lights and decorations on the Champs-Élysées avenue - so exit Tuileries Garden near Place de la Concorde, and walk over to experience them in all their beauty.

Dates: November 2023 through early January 2024

Address: Jardin des Tuileries - place de la Concorde, Paris 1^st

3. Notre-Dame Christmas Market

While Notre-Dame Cathedral is still under renovation following the devastating fire in 2019, 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, this quaint market offers visitors a warm and festive way to celebrate Christmas in 2023.

Here, you can indulge in regional treats and gastronomic specialties from across France, listen to live music performances by musicians dressed in traditional attire, and bask in the cosy atmosphere with the Cathedral as your backdrop. Santa Claus also makes an appearance at the market, offering little ones a chance to get a photo with the man himself.

Dates: 8^th to 25^th of December, 2023 (precise dates to be announced)

Address: Square René Viviani - 2 rue du Fouarre, Paris 4^th

4. Saint Germain des Prés Christmas Market

Escape the bustling crowds of Champs-Elysées and step into the Christmas Market nestled beside the Saint Germain des Prés church since 1999. In 2023, this cosy and intimate market specialises in luxury items, offering fine leather pocketbooks, exquisite jewellery, premium French gastronomy products, and handcrafted treasures.

This is an ideal place to buy scented candles, glass Christmas ornaments, leather-bound notebooks and bags made in France.

Dates: Mid-December until early January (precise dates in 2023 to be announced)

Address: Saint-Germain-des-Prés district, Paris 6^th

5. Abbesses Christmas Market in Montmartre

Located in the picturesque Montmartre near Sacre Coeur, the small yet charming Abbesses Christmas Market highlights local artisans, designers, and creative talents. At this market, you'll find a large Christmas tree with occasional visits from Santa. If you're seeking a delightful Christmas market experience in Paris while avoiding the larger, bustling crowds, this is a fun market to visit. With the friendly neighbourhood vibe, it's an unbeatable choice!

Dates: precise dates in 2023 to be announced

Address: next to Place des Abbesses metro station, Paris 18^th

Admire Christmas Lights and Decorations in Paris

From mid-November, Paris adorns itself in its Christmas finery with trees draped with twinkling lights and colourful decorations across the streets. Throughout the city, Paris takes on an extra sparkle for the holiday season. Here are some spots you absolutely must not miss:

1. Avenue des Champs-Elysées

More than a million bulbs are hung on 400 trees along the Champs Elysées. They create a mesmerising display, with alternating bright white and twinkling blue lights, and are normally illuminated between 5pm and 11.45pm every night from late November, but stay on throughout the night on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Nearest Metro: Franklin D. Roosevelt or Champs-Elysées Clémenceau

When: from late November 2023 through January 2024

2. Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré

Renowned for its high-fashion boutiques and iconic Haussmanian buildings, the charming Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré epitomises Parisian luxury and allure. During winter holidays, it shines even more brightly with festive decorations, and the urge to enter its luxurious shops gets all the harder to resist.

Nearest Metro: Saint-Philippe du Roule or Miromesnil

When: from November 2023

3. Place Vendôme

The quiet yet classically elegant Place Vendôme, with its iconic bronze column, is a must-see when visiting Paris. During the year-end festivities, the square is adorned with exquisite lighting and decorations, creating a harmonious display. While you’re in the area, be sure not to overlook the Christmas chalet in front of the Ritz Hotel this year, open from early December through early January.

Nearest Metro: Tuileries, Concorde or Opéra

When: from late November 2023 through January 2024

4. Galeries Lafayette

The famous department store near the Opera Garnier consistently showcases some of the most intricate and creative window displays. For this year's presentation at Galeries Lafayette, an otherworldly Christmas tree named "Elato," a Nordmann fir, takes centre stage within a captivating and warming collection of 11 uniquely designed holiday windows. These windows are inspired by a children's story penned by Claire Castillon and brought to life through the illustrations of Florent Chavouet.

Nearest Metro: Chaussée D’Antin-Lafayette or Auber

When:  from late November 2023 through early January 2024

5. Bercy Village

While Bercy Village is quite away from the centre of Paris, it can be a worthwhile stop, especially if you’re looking for a family-friendly Christmas spot. Every year, a lot of work is put into transforming this area into a warm and enchanting place for the holiday season. It features a giant Christmas tree, a holiday market, and captivating festive lights that are sure to captivate both young and old. Plus, it’s an ideal location for any last-minute Christmas shopping.

Nearest Metro: Bercy

When: from late November 2023 through 2024

6. Avenue Montaigne

Not far from the renowned Champs-Elysées, the elegant Avenue Montaigne, known for its lavish residences and luxury boutiques, undergoes a stunning transformation with an array of holiday lights and festive decorations. The decorations extend all the way from the Avenue’s southwest to the equally elegant Place de l’Alma.

Nearest Metro: Alma-Marceau or Franklin D. Roosevelt

When: from late November 2023 through early January 2024

Other Things to do in Paris in December

1. Go Ice Skating

Going ice skating in Paris at Christmas is something of a cherished tradition, enjoyed by both pros and amateurs, making it a memorable family outing. In addition to the ice rink at the Jardin des Tuileries Christmas market (as mentioned above), there are a few more rinks in Paris to get your skates on this year. However, full details regarding their opening dates and hours are not yet available, so it’s worth checking their websites closer to the time. Some popular Christmas ice rinks in Paris include:

• Grande Arche Rooftop Ice Skating at Paris La Défense
• Galeries Lafayette Rooftop Ice Rink with a view of the Eiffel Tower
• Champ-de-Mars Christmas Village Ice Rink
• Le Grand Palais des Glaces
• Plaza Athénée Ice Skating at La Cour Jardin

2. Go to a classical Christmas Concert

Attending a concert or opera in Paris during December, especially around the holidays, is a popular tradition. Some of Paris’ most atmospheric churches host festive concerts leading up to Christmas, including Saint-Germain des Prés, Saint Sulpice, Saint Ephrem, Saint Eustache, and La Madeleine in the week before Christmas.

But one of the most spectacular venues is Sainte-Chapelle, where daily concerts are held during the last two weeks of December (excluding Christmas Day). This Gothic chapel boasts 16 enormous stained glass windows that cover over 600 square metres. When the musicians perform, the light illuminates the windows, creating a magical experience.

For something even more unique, consider attending concerts on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower on the 1^st of January 2024. Here, you can listen to an orchestra performing works by Mozart, Vivaldi, and Handel while enjoying views across the Paris rooftops.

3. Go on a Horse Carriage ride through Paris

The Christmas lights of the Champs Elysées are undeniably one of Paris' most enchanting holiday spectacles. For a truly unique view, consider embarking on a carriage ride along the Champs Elysées, where you'll be treated to Paris' glistening Christmas lights and iconic monuments like the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe.

To make this experience even more memorable, you can opt for an upgrade that includes a bottle of champagne. Imagine enjoying this 1.5-hour tour of Paris while cosying up with your special someone, savouring the bubbly delight – a truly unforgettable way to relish the magic of Paris during the holiday season.

4. Take a Christmas Cruise along Seine River

As the lights illuminate Paris, especially at Christmas, the city takes on a breathtaking beauty at night. When iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower cast their reflections on the Seine River, and the streets shimmer with colourful Christmas lights, you won't want to miss the magic of a Seine River Christmas cruise.

You have the choice to embark on a cruise at either lunchtime or dinnertime on December 24^th and December 25^th. A 5-course gourmet meal featuring festive French dishes paired with wine awaits you as you gracefully sail along the Seine, often dubbed Paris' most enchanting boulevard. To enhance your Christmas lunch or dinner experience, live entertainment adds a delightful touch.

5. Take a Christmas-themed Food tour in Paris

Did you know that the French have a tradition of enjoying 13 desserts during Christmas? Discover this unique French Christmas tradition while indulging some of France’s seasonal delights, including nougat, gingerbread, and the delectable yule log, on a delightful walking food tour through the enchanting Saint Germain des Prés.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the abundance of pâtisseries and specialty shops. With the help of a guided tour, you’ll be sure to eat the best Paris has to offer. This is undoubtedly a holiday experience that will delight any food enthusiast.

6. Celebrate New Year’s Eve

While the 1^st of January is a relatively quiet public holiday with few if any events, New Year’s Eve (AKA le Réveillon de Saint-Sylvestre) is jam-packed with parties, concerts, performances, dinners, cruises, fireworks, and more. Ring out the old year in style by enjoying a dinner and champagne cruise on the Seine, attending a classical music concert at St Severin Church or St Eustache Church, partying the night away in a trendy bar or club, or watching the fireworks at the Eiffel Tower.

Classic Christmas places to Eat and Drink in Paris

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to sample the excellent cuisine when you’re in Paris in Christmas. Here are some of our favourite local places to eat and drink.

• Fouquet’s: Established in 1899, Fouquet’s is a Parisian institution. This iconic high-end brasserie is known for serving delectable, reinvented classics such as steak tartare, sole meunière and delicious patisseries. 99 Avenue des Champs-Élysées.

 

• Le Sens Unique: Look no further than Le Sens Unique if you want to indulge in duck or steak cooked to perfection. The wine list is good, and the atmosphere is homely. What a pleasure! 47 Rue de Ponthieu.

 

• Chez Gabrielle: Run by a husband-and-wife team, Chez Gabrielle is known for its cosy, welcoming atmosphere, and excellent seafood dishes, particularly the flambéed scallops. The restaurant also offers fantastic non-seafood dishes. 7 Rue de l’Étoile.

 

• Pleine Terre: A hidden gem among the restaurants near the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Pleine Terre serves beautifully presented original gourmet dishes. 15 Rue de Bassano.

 

• Buddha Bar: The Buddha Bar has been a trendy spot since its establishment in 1996. The lounge bar offers a plethora of cocktails, while the restaurant proper serves mouth-watering Pacific Rim cuisine. The décor alone makes this impressive place worth visiting. 8-12 Rue Boissy d'Anglas tour.

Treat yourself to a Luxurious Stay in Paris at Christmas

Paris at Christmas awaits your discovery this winter. Place yourself in the heart of the action by staying at Fraser Suites Le Claridge, the luxury serviced hotel apartments on Champs-Élysées, central Paris. Our hotel in a lovingly conserved 1900s heritage building within the iconic Champs-Élysées district offers Gold-standard serviced apartments with exquisite views of the famous avenue and the Eiffel Tower. You’ll also enjoy attractive amenities, and a location that puts you within walking distance of major attractions and the Franklin D Roosevelt subway station. Contact us and start preparing for the winter break of a lifetime