Winter
Christmas in Paris
Winter
Christmas in Paris
Paris
A FESTIVE CITY BREAK
What’s it like to visit Paris during the winter months? What Christmas traditions do you need to know about? What happens on New Year’s Eve?
The main focus here is on the food and the shows – done in signature Paris style! Why not try something new? You’ll never be far from festive fun!
Are you feeling festive? Keep reading to find out what Paris is like at Christmas…
THE TRADITIONs
AND TO DOS!
CHRISTMAS MARKETS & Co.
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Exciting to dos
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Shows & Cabaret
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Christmas Eve
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NEW YEAR’S EVE
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Three Kings’ Day
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CHRISTMAS MARKETS
AND MORE
While 6 December is a special day in Germany and the Netherlands, it’s not such a big deal in France or Spain…
But the French sure do love their Christmas markets! There’s no shortage of them in Paris. You’ll find big ones and little ones. Traditional markets and winter wonderlands. And even a sprinkling of international inspiration! It just wouldn’t be Christmas without a Marché de Noël.
Here are the main markets in Paris:
Christmas market near Notre-Dame (Square Viviani): 8 – 25 December 2023
Christmas market in the Tuileries Garden: November 18, 2023 – January 7, 2024
Christmas village on the square in front of La Grande Arche (Parvis de la Défense): November 16 – December 27, 2023
Christmas village in Saint-Germain-des-Prés: 25 November 2023–1 January 2024
Alsatian Christmas market in Gare de L’Est: December 1 – 17, 2023
Eiffel Tower Christmas Village on Quai Branly – November 29, 2023 – January 1, 2024
Christmas market in front of the Hôtel de Ville: November 30, 2023 – January 1, 2024
Christmas market on the Place de la Bastille: December 2 – 26 2023
You won’t be able to get your fix of mulled wine at all of these Christmas markets, but they definitely serve it at the Champs de Mars one!
Now, they don’t call Paris the City of Lights for nothing! So it should come as no surprise that the Christmas lights in the French capital don’t disappoint.
The city shimmers and sparkles more spectacularly than ever between the end of November and the start of January. You can even go on a festive bus tour to admire all the lights. More on that later…
The streets with the loveliest lighting are: Champs-Élysées (until 9. January 2023), Avenue Montaigne, Place Vendôme, the Montmartre-Quarter & Bercy Village.
You’ll come across an ice skating rink every so often too. The Christmas markets in front of the Eiffel Tower and at Tuileries Garden are a good place to start if you’re keen to get your skates on. Unfortunately, the biggest and best ice skating rink of all – the one at the Grand Palais – is closed for 2022 because of the ongoing renovation work.
If you’re looking for the most impressive Christmas trees in the city, head to Notre-Dame and…
Galeries Lafayette! The Christmas tree in the department store is so huge and colourful that it’ll make you feel like a big kid.
It is always exciting in Paris to look at the expensive shops like Chanel, Dior or Louis Vuitton: the decorations are really unique and wonderful! Most are on the Champs-Élysées, but also on the Place Vendôme. You can also get here on the Hop Bus, but it’s a more relaxed way to see it all on foot!
FEATURES AROUND
CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR
Wondering how to celebrate Christmas in style in Paris? I have a few special suggestions for you right here…
Tootbus Christmas Tour
I’ve been on a tour like this in Barcelona before and I’m guessing that the Paris equivalent is just as fun. I can just imagine how exciting it is to drive up to the Arc de Triomphe with the Christmas lights leading the way.
Runs until 6 January
How much does it cost? EUR 35
How long does it last? 90 minutes
Here is our experience report!
Bus tour minus the Christmas lights
If you’re in Paris after 6 January, you can always hop onto a regular bus tour at night. You might not get to enjoy all the pretty Christmas decorations, but the main attractions are lit up all year round. I promise you won’t be disappointed!
Runs from 7 January
How much does it cost? EUR 28
How long does it last? 2 hours
Only running until the christmas tour starts in November, and then again after the Christmas Tour ends.
Dinner on Bus Toqué
Now, this almost didn’t make the list but the reviews are just so good. Even French locals rate the food and overall experience as excellent! And the dishes look so divine in the photos. With all of that in mind, I didn’t want you to miss out on this special journey because of me excluding it from my list. So who fancies exploring Paris and enjoying a proper meal on a… BUS?! I hope this experience actually delivers on its promise. I’ll test it out one of these days!
How much does it cost? Prices start at EUR 126
Different menu options are available
Hot air balloon
Well, this is a bit different! Enjoy your first hot air balloon experience in the Ballon de Paris Generali. It may be tethered, but it still reaches a height of 150 metres. Since flights run between 9.30 a.m. and 7.30 p.m., there’s plenty of time to admire Paris in all its festive glory by night after 4.00 p.m. But the view of the city is excellent all day long and all year round anyway.
How much does it cost? EUR 15.00
How long does a flight last? It’s hard to say for certain, but not very long.
Flights depend on the weather conditions, so you might end up being disappointed on a windy day…
Helicopter trip from Paris to Versailles
If you’ve got your sights set on even higher heights, here’s an unforgettable experience for you. It won’t come cheap, but how often do you get the chance to fly to Versailles in a helicopter and take in the view of Paris on the way? The trip includes a one-hour stop with the opportunity to enjoy a drink and fly off somewhere else thanks to the power of VR glasses.
How much does it cost? EUR 239 for two people
How long does it last? 90 minutes
EVENING ENTERTAINMENT
HOW ABOUT A SHOW?
Moulin Rouge
Moulin Rouge is an institution in Paris! Why not celebrate New Year’s Eve in spectacular style at this fabulous venue? If it’s fully booked, you can always enjoy the show another day. You can soak up the atmosphere over dinner from 7.00 p.m. and settle in for the two-hour show that kicks off at 11.00 p.m.! Make the most of the incredible opportunity to enjoy music, singing and dancing like never before!
How much does it cost? EUR 199
How long does it last? 4 hours with dinner
Crazy Horse
The Crazy Horse is a cabaret venue currently providing the stage for a sexy show starring Belgian duo Bangable and Lolly Wish. You can book a show ticket on its own or add extras like Champagne and petits fours.
How much does it cost? EUR 110
How long does it last? 90 minutes
If you’re really keen to see behind the scenes at Crazy Horse, you can even book onto a guided tour with your show ticket.
How much does it cost? Prices start at EUR 275 (drinks and petits fours are included in ticket prices)
How much does it cost? EUR 275
How long does it last? 2.5 hours
Le Lido
Le Lido is almost as famous as Moulin Rouge! It has been a place for partying, dancing, singing and acrobatics for 75 years now. Sound like your thing? Get your hands on a ticket now!
How much does it cost? EUR 75
How long does it last? The meal starts at 7 p.m., the show starts at 9 p.m. – but be sure to check it out again on your tickets!
Paradis Latin
You might not have heard of this cabaret venue, but Paradis Latin has been around for over 200 years! Can you believe it was created by Napoleon and rebuilt by Gustav Eiffel? The shows feature singing, magic, acrobatics and the classic French cancan!
How much does it cost? EUR 70
How long does it last? 90 minutes
SOMETHING FOR THE KIDS?
How does a Christmas trip to Disneyland sound?
Disneyland Paris celebrates the most wonderful time of the year all the way up to 9 January 2023. It’s a magical enough place for kids as it is, so just imagine what it’s like when Mickey and Minnie start handing out Christmas presents too! Happy children guaranteed!
How much does it cost? From EUR 62
24–26 DECEMBER
LE RÉVEILLON DE NOËL
OK, that’s a long list of things for you to do! It must be time for us to get to the main event now and talk about… Christmas Day! So how do they celebrate in France? There’s one thing we need to talk about first of all…
26 December is not a bank holiday in France – and neither is 24 December. Wait, what?! I know, I know. I guess the French just really love to go to work 😉
Christmas Eve is part of the festivities, but the shops are open until 8.00 p.m. The celebrations on 24 December don’t start until late in the day – usually at dinnertime. And then Midnight Mass comes later. The evening meal lasts for hours, with only the finest, most expensive delicacies making it to the table. It isn’t just in Italy that Christmas is all about the food! I actually think the French may even outdo the Italians on the festive food front 😉
It has to be an aperitif to start off with. Champagne and a few nibbles to go with it? What else?! Then it’s time to sit at the table. And it wouldn’t be unusual for the following dishes to be served up: Oysters, foie gras, Coquille Saint-Jacques, Bouchées à la Reine, snails and the list goes on. It could be all of the above on the menu or just a selection.
Those appetisers are followed up by a fish dish which will vary from family to family.
But what comes after that is going to be a cheese board and a Bûche de Noël. Anne described the traditional yule log beautifully for us on our page about public holidays in France. What you really need to know is that it is made to look like a log and decorated with tiny figures (these are not edible – just to warn you)!
What about presents? They’re delivered by Père Noël (also known as Papa Noël) on the morning of 25 December. French children just have to pop their shoes under their Sapin de Noël and hope he leaves something special for them inside.
Let me just say:
Petit Papa Noël
Quand tu descendras du ciel
Avec des jouets par milliers
N’oublie pas mon petit soulier
By the time it gets to midday on 25 December, everyone better be hungry again because four or even five courses are coming up! And it’s a roast dinner this time! Speaking from experience, leave your tightest trousers at home if you’re heading to France for Christmas.
Other than that, all that remains for me to say is Joyeux Noël!
NEW YEAR’S EVE
IN PARIS
Anne covered New Year really nicely for us on our page on public holidays in France. There are plenty of places to see in the new year, but not anywhere near as many fireworks as you might expect.
In France, they tend to celebrate with family at home first and then only head out later. The Arc de Triomphe is a popular choice because there’s a light show at 11.30 p.m. and a small firework display that ends by 11.50 p.m. Afterwards, some people hang around and wait for midnight, while others try and make it to the Eiffel Tower before the year ends!
The other option is to skip the Arc de Triomphe altogether and head straight for the Eiffel Tower. There’s a laser show there and the whole thing sparkles and shines like it does on the hour, every hour. But it’s even more special at midnight on New Year’s Eve somehow 😉
Does the party end there? Not necessarily! Clubs and bars all over the city arrange New Year’s Eve parties, so there are plenty of options for all you party animals!
January
Three Kings’ Day
Three Kings’ Day does not fall on 6 January like it does in some other countries. The French can’t be doing with waiting that long! They celebrate Epiphany on the first Sunday after New Year’s Eve. In 2024, that’s actually 7 January! A Galette des Rois is traditionally served – here’s a photo for you.
This is the best chance you have of being crowned the King or Queen of your family for the rest of the day 😉
SUMMARY
A trip to Paris at Christmas time feels like something out of a fairy tale. There’s so much to see and do! Food and fun are high on the agenda. And you might even see some snow if you’re lucky. In terms of price, a city break in Paris at Christmas time (and all year round) is at the higher end of the scale. But if you’re hoping for a trip to remember, you won’t be disappointed!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!
Céline
Text and image rights: © Céline Mülich, 2021-2023
Special Image Credits: Show and tour images are courtesy of Tiqets;
Bûche de Noël © Yule_Log, Wikipedia; the galette des rois © Lionel Allorge, Wikipedia
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tips for paris
Exhibitions in Paris
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Apéritif in Paris
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Christmas Bus Tour
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Tourist traps
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