Paris is special at any time of the year, but Christmas in Paris is a truly magical experience.
The weather is fairly mild, with winter sun and temperatures of around 3°C to 8°C. Occasional rain means it’s worth wrapping up warm and packing your umbrella. When the weather does turn, there are many charming bistros and cafes offering a warming coffee or cocktail.
Once the festive season takes hold, enthusiasm for Christmas engulfs the French capital. Wonderful Christmas markets spring up across the city. Restaurant menus change to feature celebratory specialities. A convivial atmosphere washes over public spaces and attractions. Everything sparkles.
Let’s explore some of the best of Christmas in Paris.
Christmas in Paris is like a fairytale
- Wander the streets and soak up the magic
- Bask under Christmas lights
- Cruise the River Seine
- Shop for treats at Christmas markets
- Ice skate up the Eiffel Tower
- Browse festive window displays
- Take in a classical Christmas concert
- Attend an operatic Christmas masterpiece
- Kick your heels up at Moulin Rouge
- Join the Festival of Lights
Wander the streets and soak up the magic
Paris’ charm seems to intensify at Christmas. Its mediaeval streets and famous landmarks take on an even more enchanting look. Buildings and trees are wrapped in the glow of twinkling lights and festive decorations.
Streets are transformed into Christmas markets selling the most delicious vin chaud and chocolat chaud. The air is permeated with lingering smells of roasting chestnuts, cinnamon and allspice.
You’ll find free carousel rides spread around the city. From the Christmas market at Jardin des Tuileries to the palatial gardens of Trocadéro, as far as the Sacre Coeur. There’s an abundance of Christmas concerts in world class venues. And nothing beats ice skating at the Eiffel Tower.
To see what Paris has to offer as a city break destination, check out the KAYAK guide to a Paris City Break. Or read our in depth guide to visiting Paris year-round.
Bask under Christmas lights
If there’s one thing that signals the start of Christmas, it’s the switching on of Christmas lights. Paris doesn’t skimp on its festive light shows, taking its ‘City of Light’ nickname to entirely new levels.
You’ll find one of the best on Avenue De Champs Elysée, one of the world’s most beautiful and famous streets. From mid-November to January, millions of lights adorn the trees lining the boulevard in a spectacular and colourful display. They remain lit from 5pm to 2am every day and all day at Christmas and New Year.
A stroll along the boulevard’s fabulous shops and chic restaurants is one of the most memorable Parisian experiences. Start at Place de la Concorde and head towards the illuminated Arc de Triumph in the distance. Elsewhere, don’t miss the lights on Avenue Montaigne and in Montmartre. The Bercy Village also has some spectacular displays. Not sure where to start? Hop on an open-top Toot Bus tour and see them all!
Cruise the River Seine
For an altogether different perspective of Christmas in Paris, jump aboard a cruise on the Seine. The glass-panelled boat drifts lazily along the capital’s famous river, taking in most of the illuminations and major sites. Cruises depart regularly throughout the day but darker hours make for more spectacular viewing. Some day cruises come with lunch, or even better take one in the evening with dinner and champagne.
Other evening options include a champagne cruise to the Eiffel Tower. You’ll be whisked up to the Tower’s second floor to better appreciate the splendour of Paris twinkling below. The view here is actually better than from the top of the tower – and you won’t have to queue. Cruises last anything up to three hours and are a romantic and atmospheric way to experience Christmas in Paris.
Shop for treats at Christmas markets
The tradition that started in Germany and has become a firm fixture of major European cities. In Paris, the Christmas markets come with incredible backdrops – architectural wonders and historic squares.
As most of the wares sold are usually handcrafted and unique, they’re a great place to pick up Christmas gifts. While there it would be rude not to indulge in something to warm chilly winter bones. There are lots of local treats to try but few beat the vin chaud that Parisians do so well. This warm, slightly sweetened red wine laced with cinnamon and other spices is Christmas in a cup.
With 300+ stalls covering 10,000 square metres, one of the biggest Christmas markets is at La Défense. Big isn’t always best though. The most charming is the Marché de Noël Notre Dame in the picturesque Square Viviana by the Latin Quarter.Elsewhere, the market at Jardin des Tuileries is a staple of the Parisian Calendar and home to the ‘Magic of Christmas’. Save some room when you leave and make for nearby Angelina Paris for a proper chocolat chaud. Thick, chocolatey and seriously indulgent. If you’ve still got room, grab an obligatory Mont Blanc chestnut cream cake – a desert of legend.
Ice skate up the Eiffel Tower
In Paris, traditional Christmas markets usually go hand-in-hand with ice skating. Many of the festive markets I’ve mentioned include access to a rink – Jardin des Tuileries, Champs Elysée and Trocadéro included.
Few however can match the impact of skating up the Eiffel Tower. Yep, you can go ice skating on its first floor rink! With a champagne or vin chaud in hand and Paris spread out below, it’s a uniquely festive experience.
Browse festive window displays
Much of the charm of Christmas in Paris is captured through the city’s lovely window displays. From shelves overflowing with festive pastries to the most elaborate and creative shows and nativity scenes.
In particular, the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann displays have captivated all comers annually since 1912. Previous displays include a stunning and now legendary animated scene and light display where toys appeared as if by magic. There’s already a buzz to see what this year’s display will be.
Head inside to see the huge Christmas tree that stands in the shopping mall’s atrium. It reaches out to the dome above with streams of light shimmering like showers streaming from the sky. Don’t stick to the atrium though; it only looks grander as you climb from floor to floor.
There are plenty of other stores whose festive window displays are worth seeing. My favourites include the grand Printemps Haussmann and Le Bon Marché, one of the first department stores in the world. If you head to the trendy Le Marais, Le BHV also puts on a great show.
Take in a classical Christmas concert
Christmas concerts in Paris are elevated by their surroundings. Here they come in atmospheric buildings with aeons of history. You’ll find classical concerts at the Église Saint-Germain de Prés, located in the village-like quarter of Saint Germain de Prés. The oldest Abbey in Paris, it dates as far back as 543.
The Église Saint Eustache close to the Louvre in the 1st arrondissement also puts on a great festive show. It has one of France’s largest church organs in France with 8,000 pipes. So you’ll definitely be able to hear it at the back!
Most atmospheric of all though is the mediaeval Palais de la Cité. Head to Île de La Cité on the River Seine and you’ll come across this one-time residence of French kings. In it lies the gothic masterpiece, Sainte-Chapelle.
Listening to Schubert’s Ave Maria inside this magnificent abbey with its 1,113 stained glass windows is truly exhilarating. Enhanced by the light hitting the windows and the rising music of the orchestra, it’s a uniquely overwhelming experience.
Attend an operatic Christmas masterpiece
Paris has a booming theatre district with performances of every kind. Few, however, are more atmospheric than a trip to the Opéra National de Paris.
2023 sees the Opéra Bastille performing Rudolf Nureyev’s Nutcracker for the Christmas season, running December 8th to January 1st. Set on Christmas Eve to Nureyev’s dazzling choreography, it promises to be a wonderfully festive evening out. Book in advance as tickets will sell out.
Kick your heels up at Moulin Rouge
If you prefer your evening entertainment a little more raucous, Paris has you covered. For two weeks from December 21st, the legendary Moulin Rouge puts on its equally legendary Christmas Evening.
Take your table and let the food and champagne flow, as Paris’s most famous dancers put on their spectacular Féerie show. Feathers and sequins, high-kicking cancan and sumptuous sets make for a night to remember.
Join the Festival of Lights
Much like the wonderful Kew Gardens in London, Paris has its own Festival of Lights at the equally lovely Jardin des Plantes. Hugely popular, it attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors during its annual two month run.
These botanical gardens in the 5th arrondissement are the perfect setting for an enchanting winter walk. Your way is lit by huge illuminated statues of creatures at a specific phase of evolution. The theme changes each year, with last year’s Mini Worlds focusing on bugs and insects. Displays are elaborate, colourful and fantastical.
Christmas in Paris FAQs
Is Paris worth visiting at Christmas?
Absolutely! Christmas in Paris can be whatever you want it to be but is always magical. Romantic retreat under twinkling lights, festive family extravaganza, raucous celebrations with friends. The City of Light caters to it all and treats Christmas with flair and style. This is France, after all.
If you can’t make it to Paris in time for Christmas, don’t fret. It’s one of the world’s great cities at any time of year. Find out why with my rundown of the best 24 things to do in Paris (no matter when you visit).
