Christmas in Paris: 5 ideas for a wonderful time

During the Christmas season, Paris shines brighter than ever! I love this period when the capital is adorned with beautiful decorations, lighting, fragrance of gingerbread and hot chocolate and magical store windows. Spending a Christmas in Paris is a dream for many people. 

Here are 5 ideas to spend a fantastic Christmas in Paris and enjoy a magical heartwarming atmosphere. 

Enjoy the lighting in Champs-Élysées

The “city of lights” never wears its name as well as during the holiday season! During this time, the capital is decked with Christmas lights all over. However, there are some places known for lighting, including Champs-Élysées. 

Every year during the festive season, the little twinkling Christmas lights alight the most famous avenue in the world. Visit here for a magical atmosphere! 

During the holidays, Paris is adorned with lights.

Stroll along the Christmas markets in Paris

The end of the year celebrations often rhyme with Christmas markets. Coming from Alsace, these Christmas markets are full of small shacks offering gourmet products, mulled wine, waffles and also decorative items and jewellery. These are ideal for finding a gift that will go under the Christmas tree or to grab a quick snack.

In Paris, Christmas markets are everywhere in the city, in different districts. The most famous ones are in Champ-de-Mars, Tuileries garden and Champs-Élysées. They are the biggest Christmas markets in Paris. 

A festive atmosphere is guaranteed! 

Ice skating in Paris

Between waffles and shopping sessions in the Parisian Christmas markets, why not put on your skates to glide on ice? 

Christmas in Paris also means taking advantage of the many ice rinks set up for the occasion throughout the city. You can skate and free yourself thanks to the ice rink-discotheques set up at nightfall. 

Some iconic places have ice rinks for the occasion. A famous one being the Grand Palais which hosts under its glass dome the largest ice rink in the world (except for the next two years because of the 2024 Olympics). 

The Eiffel Tower installs every year at Christmas a temporary ice rink on the second floor. Galeries Lafayette has an ice rink with a view of the Opéra Garnier and the Eiffel Tower. In the heart of the Jardin des Tuileries there is a large ice rink for the enthusiastic. 

A must-try experience for a magical and… chilly Christmas in Paris! 

Ice rinks are popular during Christmas

Disneyland for a magical Christmas!

At this time of the year, Disneyland Paris is decorated magnificently. Christmas trees, baubles, garlands and lights are added to the special Christmas parades. The Disney characters stroll through the park in festive costumes and spread the magic of Christmas. 

Whatever your age, you can enjoy the Christmas atmosphere in the most famous park in the world. 

What should you look forward to? A Christmas show, a meeting with Santa Claus, a visit to the big tree in Town Square, a Christmas menu in the park’s restaurants, decorations for sale in the Disney stores. 

A magical Christmas in Paris awaits you! 

Discover the Christmas windows of Parisian stores

Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, Le Bon Marché, Samaritaine, BHV are all adorned in Christmas colours during this period. But if we stop there, it is especially for their Christmas windows, which are true works of art. 

To celebrate the end of the year, Parisian department stores are betting on enchanting windows! Animated automatons, illustrations, earthenware, candles, trees, glitter, etc. Their decorators do not lack imagination !

Every year, new theatrical skits and Christmas decorations take place in the windows of these stores. They make the passers-by happy and the customers take pleasure in appreciating the work of the decorators. 

Visual magic to enjoy once a year !

Do not miss the store decorations

Spending your Christmas in Paris is a good idea if you like this festive time. You can eat well, be entertained and discover spectacular decorations.

So, will you be coming to Paris soon to celebrate Christmas? 

If you want to read this article in French, check it out here: Noël à Paris : 5 idées pour un merveilleux moment

Would you like to study French, participate in grammar workshops, prepare for an exam or take conversation classes? Contact me for a quote or to know the program of individual and group French classes. 

Sincerely yours,

Élodie – Your Online French Teacher

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Language stay in France –  Limousin – Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

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