There’s nothing quite like Paris at Christmastime—the City of Light transforms into a glittering wonderland, with the scent of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts wafting through the air. Strolling through Paris’s enchanting Christmas markets feels like stepping into a snow globe, where twinkling lights, cozy wooden chalets, and festive melodies set the scene for holiday magic. Whether you’re hunting for unique gifts, indulging in sweet seasonal treats, or simply soaking in the cheerful atmosphere, these markets are the perfect way to experience Paris at its most charming.
Map of Paris Christmas Markets
Tuileries Garden Christmas Market
The Tuileries Garden Christmas Market, known as “La Magie de Noël” (The Magic of Christmas), is one popular holiday experience in Paris. Set in the historic Tuileries Garden near the Louvre Museum, this traditional European market features over 100 wooden chalets set amongst a full holiday fair complete with carnival rides, “ice rinks,” and live entertainment. Spread through the sprawling grounds are booths selling artisanal crafts and gourmet treats.
Visitors can savour French specialties like raclette, crêpes, and, my personal favourite, mulled wine. Mulled wine, or VinChaud, is the perfect thing to keep you warm while strolling through the beautifully lit market. The enormous sparkling Ferris wheel in the center of the market offers breathtaking views of the illuminated Champs-Élysées and the rest of Paris. Although this market is probably the most commercial, it is such a lively place to visit that is full of Christmas spirit!
From November 16th 2024 to January 5th 2025
Place Suisse Christmas Market
One of the Christmas Markets in Paris that I just happened to stumble upon was the market inside the Place Suisse. Although a Swiss-themed Christmas village might seem strange to visit in Paris during the holiday season, the location of this market, just outside the Eiffel Tower, on the esplanade of the Paris Aquarium, makes this ephemeral village all the most magical.
The village features a collection of wooden chalets reminiscent of a traditional Swiss alpine setting. Visitors can indulge in authentic Swiss specialties such as raclette, fondue, and charcuterie while enjoying a breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower. The ambiance is further enhanced by festive decorations and a warm, inviting atmosphere, with fire pits dotted around the market to help warm you up on a cold winter’s night.
Abbesses Montmartre Christmas Market
The Abbesses Christmas Market, located in the heart of Montmartre at Place des Abbesses, offers a charming and intimate holiday experience. This Christmas market almost feels like a neighbourhood market, with locals meeting up with their children to drink wine and gossip while their children play on the capsule and munch on roasted chestnuts. With only about a dozen stalls, you get the best Christmas culinary delights, and the vendors offer traditional French treats such as escargot, champagne, pretzels and macarons, making you feel like a part of the local community.
From November 23rd – December 29th 2024
La Défense Christmas Village
If you’re looking for the best shopping Christmas Market in Paris, you must head to La Défense Christmas Village. With over 300 chalets, this is the largest market in Paris. This isn’t my favourite location for a Christmas market in the rather bleak, modern business district, but the festive charlet helps transform the area into a festive wonderland. Visitors can browse an impressive array of handcrafted goods, including jewelry, home decor, textiles, and holiday ornaments, many made by skilled artisans.
From November 14th – December 29th, 2024
Saint-Germain-des-Prés Christmas Market
The Saint-Germain-des-Prés Christmas Market is a cherished holiday event in Paris’s 6th arrondissement, adjacent to the historic Saint-Germain-des-Prés Church. The market is very small, but I liked the smaller selection of vendors as it didn’t feel too overwhelming. You needed everything: hot wine, raclette sandwiches, French onion soup, chewy nougat and delectable dried fruit. This market featured more food, making it a great place to grab a snack if you’re walking around the 6th arrondissement.
From November 26th – January 1st, 2025
Square René Viviani
My personal favourite market was the Notre Dame Christmas Market, held annually in Square René Viviani. This market, though smaller in size compared to the Tuileries Garden Christmas Market, exudes a unique charm that is quintessentially Parisian. The quaint atmosphere and the charming vendors create a holiday experience that is truly one-of-a-kind. Set against the backdrop of the recently reopened Notre-Dame Cathedral, the market features over 40 chalets showcasing French craftsmanship, including jewelry, ceramics, textiles, and leather goods.
From November 29th – December 25th, 2024
Saint-Michel Christmas Market
The Saint-Michel Christmas Market is a charming holiday market held in Place Saint-Michel, in Paris’s historic Latin Quarter. This intimate market features around 20 wooden chalets offering a variety of high-quality, responsibly made products from France, including artisanal crafts, jewelry, and festive decorations. The market is filled with the joy and excitement of the holiday season, and visitors can enjoy traditional French delicacies such as mulled wine, pretzels, and freshly made crêpes in this festive atmosphere. The market’s location near the iconic Saint-Michel Fountain adds to its picturesque setting, making it a must-visit during the holidays.
As the evening settles and the Eiffel Tower glimmers in the distance, there’s a special kind of magic that lingers in the Parisian air during Christmastime. The warmth of the markets, with their glowing lights and cheerful bustle, leaves your heart feeling fuller and your spirit lifted. Whether you’re savouring one last sip of vin chaud or tucking a beautifully wrapped treasure into your bag, these moments are what make Paris at Christmas unforgettable. So, bundle up, let yourself wander, and let the city’s festive charm work its wonder. Joyeux Noël, and may your Parisian holiday be as sparkling as the markets themselves!
Happy Travels, Adventurers
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