Christmas tree in the center of a square in Paris, surrounded by classic beige buildings with lights and adornments. Christmas tree in the center of a square in Paris, surrounded by classic beige buildings with lights and adornments. Explore

Christmas in Paris: Whimsical Things to Do This Holiday Season

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At Christmas time, Paris transforms into a magical wonderland, with twinkling lights and festive decorations set up in its grand boulevards and on the façades of many of its cafés, restaurants and stores, bringing a warm sense of enchantment into the air.

Christmas Lights at Place Vendôme

  • Christmas tree with lights, in front of a classic building in Paris, with ornaments adorning the windows and doors of the building.
  • Classic building with antique outdoor high black lamps and Christmas adornments with lights around the windows and doors.
  • Three Christmas trees with lights at a square in Paris, in front of classic buildings.
  • Paris square at sunset, with classic buildings and a tower at the middle of the street where cars pass through. Christmas ornaments adorn the streets, and the doors and windows of the buildings.
  • Hotel entrance door, on a classic building, with an antique outdoor high black lamp and two Christmas trees light lights by the side.
  • Classic building with the store Louis Vuitton logo and emblems adorning the façade, next to a Christmas tree and behind an antique black outdoor lamp.

Place Vendôme is one of those postcard locations in Paris, and even more so during the festive season, blending its all-year-round elegance with Christmas charm. The façades of the high-end jewelers, fashion houses, and hotels are also individually adorned, and in each of the square’s four quadrants, a set of twin tall Christmas trees is placed, creating a whole multi-layered, enchanting, and glamorous ambiance.

Christmas lights at Rue Faubourg-Saint Honoré

Paris street at sunset, with classic buildings where cars pass through. Christmas ornaments adorn the streets, and the doors and windows of the buildings.

Rue Faubourg-Saint-Honoré is one of the most iconic streets in Paris, known for its luxurious stores selling anything from fashion to jewelry, watches, or art, and with some iconic hotels and restaurants too. In late November, the Comité du Faubourg Saint-Honoré prepares a show to celebrate the beginning of Christmas time, with the festive lighting of the street, a DJ set, and some live music.

Classic wooden door with Christmas adornments, under an archway of a classic building in Paris.
Classic building façade in Paris, with Christmas ornaments hanging in the street.
Paris street at sunset, with classic buildings where cars pass through. Christmas ornaments adorn the streets, and the doors and windows of the buildings.

Galerie Vivienne

  • Hallway with Christmas lights and glass ceilings above archways, over people walking pass stores.
  • A corner of an interior hall with Christmas lights, glass ceilings, classic buildings outside, and wooden store windows.
  • Coffee setting with brown chairs and tables, next to windows with Christmas lights.
  • Library setting with dark wood shelves and multiple books.
  • A store entrance, with glass and wooden windows, adorned with Christmas ornaments and lights on the inside.

Perfectly located by the Palais Royal and the beautiful National Library is the exquisite Galerie Vivienne. Beautifully adorned with Christmas lights and decorations every year, the galerie is the perfect and charming winter wonderland, especially on cold and rainy days. There is a variety of shops and nice cafés, so any time I am in Paris, I like to come here to see what is new in the stores, since this is one of my favourite places to visit all year round.

Ice Skating Rink at Plaza Athénée

Ice skating ring in front of a highly ornamented building with Christmas lights.

For a family experience that is not short of a dreamy and festive scenario, the Le Goûter at Plaza Athénée, in the iconic Avenue Montaigne, is your go-to. One of the highlights during December is the ice-rink that is set in the courtyard of the hotel. Here, young children from three to twelve years of age can go ice-skating and experience the absolute magic of the Christmas spirit, while you enjoy the refined pastries and warm tea inside.

A highly ornamented classic building with Christmas lights.
Small sweets, on a table with white dishes in a coffee setting.

The Notre-Dame Christmas Market

  • Christmas market in French garden, with high trees and bushes, white tends and red ornaments.
  • Notre Dame behind a Christmas market in the park, with white tends and red ornaments.
  • Christmas market entrance, with an archway and lights, in the middle of a garden's bushes.
  • Christmas market outdoor setting, in a garden, with a pingiun in the center and white tends in the background.

The Notre Dame Christmas market is located at the picturesque Square René Viviani. There you can enjoy the beautiful views of the south façade of the Cathedral, its bell towers, and its iconic flèche. The market starts in late November and is assembled every year around the central fountain, fully decorated in the spirit of the season. In this market, you can find a delightful mix of French crafts, regional gourmet products, and seasonal treats, all while admiring the sound of live music performances.

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A Guide to Paris at Christmas - Cover Page, by Simply Slow Traveler

Paris during Christmas is a delightful blend of elegance, tradition, and festive cheer, offering unforgettable memories for anyone who visits, whether it is the first time or the tenth.

To learn more about these five experiences and many more, explore my special Christmas Edition Paris Travel Guide.

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