Paris at Christmas Time
I recently posted about Paris in the fall. However, Paris is especially magical at Christmas-time. By mid-November, Paris is completely decked out for the holidays. The city is covered in lights and decorations, everywhere you go! There is a ton to do in the City of Light near the holidays. Here are some of my favorites:
Galeries Lafayette
As if Galeries Lafayettes wasn’t already stunning enough, every year it has a new Christmas Tree design. The year I spent Christmas in Paris, the tree was made out of recycled paper! The interactive window displays were all made with the recycled materials theme. The tree was very intricate, with polar bears and crossing rails. There was even a Ferris Wheel beside the tree with bears peeking out the car windows.
Of course, you cannot visit Galeries Lafayette without heading to the top floor for a free overlook of Paris! This year, there is a skating rink set up on the Galeries rooftop!
Marchés de Noël
Champs-Élysées typically has the largest Christmas Market in Paris, but for the third year in a row Village de Noël des Champs Élysées is closed. Fortunately for locals and tourists alike, the Christmas Market will still take place as it was relocated near Jardin des Tuileries in front of the Louvre. You can grab a vin chaud and browse for Christmas gifts, souvenirs, and trinkets. There are rides for the little ones and lots of different foods to buy. The Tuileries Market also has an ice rink!
In addition to the large market by the Tuileries, there are also Marchés de Noël in La Défense, Champs de Mars, Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, St. Germain neighborhood, Montparnasse, and Montmartre. Hôtel de Ville used to host a large skating rink each year, but this has now been replaced by the market.
Marché de Noël de la Défense and the Tuileries Market are both already open (as of November 21st). The markets in Champs de Mars, in front of Hôtel de Ville, and at Place des Abbesses, however, will not be open until mid-to-late December.
Christmas Mass
Notre Dame is normally decorated with Christmas trees out front. Three years ago, I went to a Christmas Mass with my mom in the Notre Dame. Unfortunately, Notre Dame de Paris has been closed since the April fire and will be for several years more as they repair it.
If in town for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, there are still a number of Christmas services available throughout the city.
Christmas Lights and Decorations
Storefronts are all decked out with lights and decorations for the holidays. The high end boutiques and popular stores on Champs-Élysées have especially gorgeous set ups. Holiday decorations make it even more alluring to explore different neighborhoods and shops.
Happy Holidays!
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XoXo
24 Comments
Kaybee Lives
I love living vicariously through your gorgeous pictures! I have never visited Paris in the Christmas season, but I can see how magical this city would be! Thanks for sharing it with us!
Rudy
OMG! Paris at Christmas looks and sounds amazing. I always have Manhattan as my go to for the Holiday, I had never considered checking out what occurs on the other side of the pond.
lexieanimetravel
France has a lot of beautiful places to offer for its visitors. Galeries Lafayette is a beauty, it is well decorated. Would love to visit soon here.
kidneyfornikki
I hadn’t really thought much about White Christmas trees but the pictures from Galeries Lafayettes are making me reconsider. Your pictures are really beautiful!
myspiritualshenanigans
Stunning and such a magical place to be in the winters, cant wait to go to Paris!
itsasweetsweetworld
Wow I can only imagine how magical Paris would be during Christmas time!
Luna S
Wow what stunning views, I really love that all white Christmas tree, it is gorgeous.
Henson Bee
Wow awesome.. I love the pics, beautiful, glamour….
Audrey
Absolutely stunning photos! This post is totally getting me in the Christmas spirit.
Shanelle Jarrel
I lived in Paris for a few months and can attest to how spectacular it is with its Christmas markets and lights covering the whole city