What it’s like to Celebrate Christmas in Paris France

It’s been said that Paris is always a good idea…and I’m here to let you know that Paris is a good idea at Christmas too. A couple of years ago John threw out the idea of heading to Paris for Christmas. Andy was on his mission and we were looking for a bit of an escape…the chance to do something different so maybe we wouldn’t miss not having him with us at Christmas quite as much.

Yes, I felt a little guilty going without him, but I liked the idea of shaking things up a little. I wasn’t sure what to expect at Christmas time in Paris, and traveling abroad I wasn’t sure what would be open on Christmas Day or what we would do about a Christmas tree or Christmas Eve dinner…all of those things that are traditions here at home, that I wanted to make sure and do my best to plan for while we were overseas.

I was curious to see how the French celebrate Christmas. Let’s just say, the Christmas season in Paris did not disappoint and we have since been back again so Andy could experience the magic with us!

Starting in late November the city of lights starts to transform into a winter wonderland. French Christmas markets pop up all over the city, Christmas decorations adorn every arrondissement and storefronts transform themselves with greenery and Christmas lights. This already beautiful city becomes even more stunning when all dressed up for Christmas.

Here are a few things you must see and do when visiting Paris at Christmas:

Visit the Tuileries Garden Christmas Market

Located in the gorgeous Tuileries Garden which runs between the Palace de la Concorde and the Louvre, this super fun Christmas Market and fair is a great place to spend an evening (or afternoon.) Our hotel was located right by the Place de la Concorde, so we found ourselves walking through the “La Magie de Noël” Market on several occasions at all times of day.

It’s a super festive market full of delicious food chalets, fun rides and tons of vendors selling pretty trinkets and treasures. It is fun to spend the day surrounded by French families enjoying their holiday.

My favorite thing to get at the market? Tartiflette. This incredible French savory food is only available during the festive season and is made of thinly sliced potatoes, reblochon cheese, lardons (ham or bacon) and onions.

It is absolutely divine. They make it in the biggest skillets I’ve ever seen and it is just heavenly.

You HAVE to get it in France because you can not find Reblochon cheese in the United States and it’s just not the same without it!

Visit the Christmas Village at Hotel de Ville

With the backdrop of the gorgeous Hotel de Ville (Paris’s City Hall) lit in blue with white twinkling snowflakes, the main square or plaza is transformed by hundreds of gorgeous Christmas trees adorned in white lights and Christmas bulbs that create a mini forest of sorts with pathways leading you to mini Swiss looking chalets full of treats and goods made in France.

A gorgeous brightly lit vintage carousel really pops against the night sky. This is a smaller market, but such a beautiful display…be sure to stop by!

Visit the Louvre

No trip to Paris is complete without a visit to the Louvre. Even if you don’t consider yourself an art fan, this experience is one you don’t want to miss.

While not a Christmas specific activity, you must wander through this stunning palace and at least stop in to check out the Mona Lisa and Winged Victory.

A reservation is required during the last couple of weeks of December and first week of January, so be sure to book your tickets early if you are planning a Christmas trip.

Skip the line tickets are worth every penny. The lines can be crazy and disorderly.

Check out all the Christmas Lights around the City

The City of Light takes on a new meaning at Christmas time. We have been fortunate to be in France on Bastille Day and a couple of other French national holidays in other parts of France and French celebrations are quite elaborate.

The lights and decorations around this lavish city full of stunning architecture make it even more beautiful than usual. The luxury stores throughout the city go all out with huge displays on their facades and in their windows.

A few places to note are Place Vendome with it’s high end shops decked to the nines, Rue Saint-Honoré Rue Royale toward Place de la Madeleine, and many other Rue’s throughout the city are covered in lights and over the top store front designs and windows.

The best way to see a city is to get out and walk. Turn down all the pretty little hidden and decorated passages that you would otherwise not get to see on the Metro or traveling by car.

Eat Christmas Dinner at a Cozy Cafe

Parisian cafes are known for their cozy vibes to begin with. Add in some cool weather, festive greenery and Christmas lights and suddenly they become like something out of a movie.

Speaking of movies, we spent Christmas Eve at the famous Le Grand Colbert in a cozy booth eating escargot and enjoying live music, the sights and sounds of clinking glasses and twinkling lights and the hustle and bustle of a busy wait staff and families and friends celebrating December 24th.

Try foie gras or roast goose or different desserts that you may not find at home.

Many films have used this spot as a set including “Something’s Gotta Give” with Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton.

Les Antiquaires and Les Deux Magots are both worth mentioning too if you are looking for a good cozy cafe.

See the Eiffel Tower Sparkle at Night

The Eiffel Tower always sparkles, but it seems to shine more brightly during the Christmas holiday season. Find a spot to with a good view of the tower and watch the more than 20,000 light show at the top of every hour.

The show runs from sundown (which is very early in December) until 1am. It begins at the top of the hour and runs for 5 minutes, except for the last show at 1am that runs for 10 minutes.

There is also a smaller holiday market just across from the base of the Eiffel Tower with more amazing food vendors.

Visit Père Noël and the Fabulous Windows at Galleries Lafayette

The Galleries Lafayette is a premiere shopping destination in Paris.

Each year during the Christmas season this massive department store creates gorgeous displays in their store windows outside along Haussmann Boulevard and an even more incredible display inside under the stunning La Coupole.

Make your way up to the higher floors of the store to walk out onto the clear bridge to get a closer look at the display.

On the children’s floor, don’t miss a chance to visit with Père Noël, the French Father Christmas or Santa Claus as we know him here in the US. He is a jolly old man looking forward to seeing you!

Celebrate Christmas Eve with a Bûche de Noël

A local holiday tradition, a Bûche de Noël is a chocolate sponge cake log – a delicious flourless chocolate cake made on a sheet pan, filled with whipped cream (sometimes chocolate flavored) and rolled. It’s covered with a rich chocolate frosting and decorated to look like a yule log. This cake is a tradition in French culture dating back to medieval times. You can order or even pick up a ready-made Bûche de Noël in most pastry shops throughout Paris. We picked ours up at an Eric Keyser (one of our favorite places to eat in the city.)

Whatever you do, be sure to get out on foot and explore the city. Every neighborhood has its own decorations and there are just too many beautiful things to share there or even capture while you explore. A few more notable things to stop by and see while you canvas Paris on foot:

Montmartre – This beautiful area of the city, home to the Scare Coeur is always a fun place to see but it’s even more fun during the festive season. 

Moulin Rouge – A fun photo op in front of the Moulin Rouge with it’s bright red windmill and rooftop covered in fir trees. 

There are so many galleries and arcades in the city that go almost unnoticed if you aren’t walking and exploring.

They are home to so many pretty shops, cute cafes and more. Some real gems and they are decorated beautifully as well. 

I hope that these tips help you have a Merry Christmas in Paris enjoying French Christmas tradition.

You can read these other popular articles if you are looking for more tips for visiting Paris or other fun places to visit:

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Happy Travels!

Tammy

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