How to Spend the Perfect Christmas in Paris

Few things are more magical than waking up on Christmas morning and exchanging gifts with loved ones under a tinsel-strewn tree—though spending it in Paris with a view of the Eiffel Tower and a basket of fresh croissants certainly comes close. The City of Light dazzles more brilliantly than usual over the holidays, when cobbled streets and department stores sparkle with Christmas lights, and festive fun can be found in every arrondissement.

While you may need to put any dreams of having a white Christmas on the back burner—Paris rarely gets more than a thin layer of snow—there’s no shortage of romantic ways to spend winter days there, whether on a moonlit cruise down the Seine or in the toasty glow of a heated terrace with a glass of wine in hand. 

From magical backdrops for holiday concerts to prime places to stay, shop, and be merry, here are the best things to do in Paris at Christmastime.

Sip mulled wine at the Christmas markets.

Some of the best Christmas markets in Europe can be found in Paris. They’re more like winter villages, with Swiss-style wooden chalets doling out vin chaud (mulled wine), raclette sandwiches oozing cheese, and plenty of made-in-France souvenirs.

Holiday markets begin popping up around the city in late November and usually run through late December (a few happen through the new year), ranging in size from a handful of stalls to upwards of 300. For a quaint, picturesque experience, check out the Marché de Noël Notre Dame de Paris on the Left Bank in Square René Viviani (due to ongoing post-fire cathedral construction). Or, pop across the river to the one outside Hôtel de Ville, where you’ll typically find an evening light show and gaggles of children gunning for the carousel.

For larger-scale productions, make your way to La Magie de Noël (The Magic of Christmas) at Tuileries Garden, a Christmas market turned carnival. Further out, at the end of metro line 1, you’ll find the most sprawling market in all of Paris, La Défense, set in the heart of the business district at the base of the Grande Arche. Head to the top of the modern monument for a bird’s-eye view of the whole spectacle.

Several Christmas markets also happen annually in Montmartre, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and Gare de l’Est train station, so you’ll never be too far from one, no matter where you are in Paris.

Window shop at the decked-out department stores.

A beloved Parisian pastime is the art of l​​èche-vitrine, or window shopping—it translates literally to window licking, which you might be tempted to do when faced with the delicious displays at the city’s grands magasins.

There are four major department stores, each boasting over-the-top winter wonderlands you can ogle through the windows or while warming up inside. Galeries Lafayette and Printemps Haussmann famously feature lavishly decorated Christmas trees beneath their art nouveau domes. Le BHV Marais and Le Bon Marché also go all out with their decor, with the latter’s iconic crisscrossing escalator typically dripping with white lights and snowflakes.

Beyond the big four, Samaritaine is another must-see department store. The beautiful Belle Époque building is worth a look at any time of year, but like most of Paris, it gleams with extra charm around the holidays. 

Stroll under the twinkling lights on the Champs-Élysées. 

Lined with luxury boutiques, the Champs-Élysées hardly needs a glow-up, but that’s exactly what this famed avenue gets each winter when its 400-odd trees are strung with lights. The dazzling spectacle runs from the Arc de Triomphe down to the Ferris wheel at Place de la Concorde, where you can take a spin before exploring the Tuileries Garden Christmas market.

To see more of how the City of Light lives up to its name over the holidays, consider an open-top Christmas lights bus tour, during which you’ll cruise around the city to see the sparkling sights from new heights. 

Take in a classical Christmas concert at an awe-inspiring church.

The churches of Paris are worth a visit for their magnificent architecture alone. In addition to religious services, some of the most picturesque in the city offer seasonal musical performances within their hallowed halls.

Located on the Île de la Cité, the island where Paris was first founded, the striking Gothic Sainte-Chapelle hosts classical concerts during the holidays. The former royal chapel features some of the most beautiful stained glass windows in Europe, which help to set a dramatic mood for the music.

You’ll also find Christmas concerts at other churches around town, including Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Saint-Sulpice, and Saint-Eustache.

Cruise along the Seine on Christmas Eve or Day.

While Paris is a city best experienced on foot, a boat ride along the Seine provides a romantic new perspective. Tours run daily throughout the year, while several vendors offer special holiday-themed sailings, such as Bateaux Mouches’ Christmas lunch cruise. Depending on the company, you might also be able to enjoy a five-course meal, Champagne, and other festivities on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Be sure to book sooner rather than later, as these are quite popular and may sell out. 

Dress up for the ballet at Opéra Bastille.

Throw on your finest French styles and head out for an elegant evening at Opéra Bastille, a striking modern building designed by the Uruguayan-Canadian architect Carlos Ott. The venue has an intriguing history—it’s located in Place de la Bastille, the former site of the Bastille prison, which was famously stormed in 1789 during the French Revolution.

Ice skate against iconic backdrops.

Feeling inspired by Emily in Paris and want to try ice skating in a romantic Parisian setting at Christmas? Head to the La Cour Jardin Ice Rink to recreate the scene. Or better yet, lace up your skates and glide along the charming rink at the Tuileries Garden Christmas Market, encircled by wooden chalets and the smell of Nutella crepes.

A few iconic places around the city also have seasonal ice skating rinks, including the Paris La Défense Christmas markets. Many skaters also head to the Grand Palais to glide beneath the glass dome on one of the largest indoor ice rinks in the world.

Eat, drink, and be merry.

Plenty of places in Paris will be closed the week between Christmas and New Year’s, so if you’ve been bookmarking restaurants on Instagram for months, confirm they’ll be open well in advance. If they are, book as early as you can to nab that coveted table. Note that many eateries offer prix fixe menus during the holiday period.

Treat yourself to a stay at one of the city’s most luxurious hotels.

There’s certainly no shortage of splurge-worthy hotels in Paris. At Le Meurice in the 1st arrondissement, you can wake up to a view of the Eiffel Tower and have your skin gently nudged toward perfection during a glow-inducing facial at La Maison Valmont pour Le Meurice Spa. Cozy up with a martini for nightly jazz at the hotel’s Bar 228, an intimate Philippe Starck-designed wood-paneled nook with heavenly frescoed ceilings. 

Alternatively, indulge in the timeless elegance of the Ritz Paris, which decks its halls in festive holiday fashion every year. Other sumptuous digs include Cour des Vosges, a unique pied-à-terre at once modern and classic, where you can get ready for the day while overlooking Place des Vosges, the oldest square in Paris.

Try Bûche de Noël, a traditional French yule log cake.

For a seasonal sweet treat with Parisian flair, try the traditional Bûche de Noël, the French version of a yule log cake. During the holiday period, it’s offered at bakeries and eateries around the city in a variety of creative styles, flavors, and fillings. If you’re not up for a whole cake, which many French families order ahead of time to share at Christmas, you can find it sold by the slice or in smaller sizes at some neighborhood patisseries.

See Disneyland Paris in all its holiday glory.

Located about 35 minutes from Paris by car or RER A train, Disneyland Paris makes a fun day trip, especially around Christmastime. From November 8 to January 6, you can see Mickey, Minnie, and all your favorite characters decked out in festive costumes and get your photo taken in front of the 78-foot-tall Christmas tree. Mickey’s Dazzling Christmas Parade is a real stunner, while the sing-along show is a surefire way to get everyone into the holiday spirit. The nightly Disney Stars on Parade also provides seasonal sparkle, with little extras built in to help you celebrate this time of year.

Wander among illuminated dinosaurs at the Jardin des Plantes.

If you’ve hit the point where you just need a break from the constant flow of holiday cheer, the “Nature’s Lights” exhibit at the Jardin des Plantes offers a perfect respite. While the garden is a beautiful place to visit year-round, it’s especially magical during the holiday season for its elaborate illuminated sculptures. Take a nighttime stroll among the huge, vivid displays of flora and fauna before resuming your regularly scheduled seasonal festivities.