Paris at Christmas

The Best Christmas Sights and Things-to-do in Paris in December

There are few places that rival the glamorous shopping and sparkling lights of Paris, France, during the Christmas season. It is simply magical! Whether you are going to shop, see the historical sights, enjoy the Christmas markets, or all the above, this guide will provide you with inspiration and ideas to fill your holiday travel itinerary.

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Paris is a big city that offers an embarrassment of riches when it comes to things to see and do. For visitors, it can be challenging to whittle down the choices to fit in a limited stay. If you’ve never been to Paris, you are naturally going to want to see some of the best Parisian sights, in addition to the holiday razzle-dazzle.

Above photos: Christmas in Paris

Although I’ve visited Paris multiple times in the past, this Christmas visit was with a good friend and my sister, who had never been. So, I made an effort to craft an itinerary that would hit the must-see places for a first-time visitor, in addition to the best Christmas spots in Paris.

Suggested 2 – 3 day itinerary

Our time in Paris was about two-and-a-half days. I recommend more time, if you can, because there are so many wonderful things to fill your time. For us, Paris was the last stop on a Christmas Market itinerary that started in Germany and then took us to Alsace, France, and then last to Paris. Two or three days will feel like a whirlwind, but it is enough to catch some of the highlights the city has to offer.

Top things to see & do: Day 1

Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Saint-Germain-des-Prés is a neighborhood in the 6th arrondissement on the left bank of the Seine. It also happens to be my favorite because it is home to some of the best boutiques, cafes, and cobblestone streets in Paris — and let us not forget the gorgeous Jardin du Luxembourg.

Above photos: Saint-Germain-des-Prés

During the holidays, the Saint-Germain-des-Prés Christmas Market and Church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés are festive stops. The Christmas Market is characterized by little white wooden stalls that line Blvd Saint-Germain-des-Prés and Rue Bonaparte with the church on the corner. The church is an 11th-century reconstruction of an earlier monastery and a true hidden gem in Paris.

Church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés | 3 Pl. Saint-Germain des Prés, 75006 Paris, France | Website

Above photos: Church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés

When hunger strikes, Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore are iconic cafes where you can linger over traditional French fare while people watching. Because of their charming and storied reputations, these cafes are often busy. Reservations are helpful.

Above photos: Les Deux Magots (left) and Café de Flore (right)

Saint-Germain-des-Prés is a lovely place to aimlessly walk around. The streets are so quaint and full of enticing shops and cafes, many of which have beautiful window dressings and pop-ups kiosks. For a special treat, grab a hot chocolate from Ralph’s Coffee in front of Ralph Lauren on Blvd St.-Germaine.

Ralph’s Coffee | 173 Bd Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris, France | Website

Above photos: Ralph’s Coffee at Ralph Lauren

Le Bon Marché

Le Bon Marché | 24 Rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris, France | Website

The next top holiday spot is Le Bon Marché, a multi-floor department store located between the 6th & 7th arrondissements, an easy walk from Saint-Germain-des-Prés. It has incredible outdoor window displays and indoor decorations. We walked here specifically to catch the Christmas decor, but ended up doing a bit of shopping, too!

Above photos: Le Bon Marché

Jardin des Tuileries

On the opposite side of the Seine, the 1st arrondissement is another top area for Christmas visitors. To get there, we crossed over Pont Alexandre III to Place de la Concorde. It took us about 30 minutes to get there on foot, and we were able to see Hôtel des Invalides along the way. If that sounds like a bit of a hike, Uber can get you there in under 10 minutes.

Above photos: Pont Alexandre III

The Tuileries Garden is the location of the largest Christmas Market in Paris, Magie de Noël. There are over 100 chalet-style stalls and dozens of carnival rides for kids of all ages. At least 80% of the artisan vendors feature products made in France, so you are sure to find something unique to the local area. To top it all off, there is also an ice skating rink and multiple champagne bars!

We didn’t spend much time at the Christmas Market for a couple reasons. First, we were at the tail end of a week where we had already visited dozens of markets and were a bit shopped-out. And, two, it had started to rain:(

Above photos: The Marche Gourmand (left) and Le Grande Roue (right) at Magie de Noël

Not far away from Tuileries is a to-die-for cafe called Angelina. If you are ready to get off your feet for a bit, make reservations for tea. Otherwise, pop-in to the patisserie for hot chocolate to-go. It is the BEST hot chocolate you will ever have.

Angelina | 226 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France | Website

Above photos: Angelina

The 1st arrondissement is also home to the Louvre. During a longer stay, this world-famous museum that houses the Mona Lisa and the Venus d’Milo is an absolute must-see. For our short Christmas visit we just grabbed a few photos as we passed through the courtyard.

Louvre Museum | 75001 Paris, France | Website

Above photos: The Louvre Museum

Jardin du Palais Royal

Palais Royal | 8 Rue de Montpensier, 75001 Paris, France | Website

The Jardin du Palais Royal is a well-known garden in Paris that is part of the former residence of Cardinal Richelieu that later transferred ownership to King Louis XIII. It is completely free to visit. Given its location tucked behind the Louvre, it was a bit surprising to find it rather quiet.

Above photo: Palais Royal

The best place to take some fun photos is at Les Deux Plateaux, a contemporary art installation by Daniel Buren featuring black and white painted columns perfectly spaced out on the inner courtyard.

Above photo: Les Deux Plateaux at Palais Royal

We walked through the Jardin du Palais Royal during some light drizzle and overcast skies, which evoked a special sort of romantic serenity. The roses were still hanging on to their final blooms and the perimeter was lined with festive evergreens. Had it not been raining, I’m sure we would have made use of the many benches and stayed a while. Still, it was a worth-while stop!

Above photos: Jardin du Palais Royal

National Library

National Library | 5 Rue Vivienne, 75002 Paris, France | Website

While the National Library is not really a Christmas hot spot, I had had it on my “must-see” list for a long time. Every time I was in Paris, I would run out of time to see this remarkable landmark. If you have time to stop in, it is a quick and easy visit. However, if you are interested in staying a while, this would be an ideal place to get out of the cold and finish a chapter or two.

Above photos: Bibliothèque Nationale de France – Richelieu

Rue Montorgueil

The pedestrianized Rue Montorgueil is a Christmastime must-see! Often touted as one of the best holiday streets, you will also find numerous restaurants and the famed Stohrer bakery. The best time of day to visit is after dark, of course, when the lights sparkle above the old cobblestone street.

Whether you make dinner plans at one of the restaurants that line Rue Montorgueil or simply enjoy the walk, you will not regret going out of your way to see it. I would recommend combining it with a stop at nearby Passage Vivienne, a beautiful covered arcade with a mosaic walkway.

Above photos: Rue Montorgueil

Moulin Rouge

Moulin Rouge | 82 Bd de Clichy, 75018 Paris, France | Website

The live performances of the season are often the most memorable moments of Christmas travel. So, of course, we sought out the most iconic of them all — the Moulin Rouge. During the last couple weeks of December, the Parisian cabaret puts on their magical Féerie Revue show and pulls out all the stops with a Christmas dinner and champagne. If your dates don’t align, you can still book tickets to an evening show and choose the “extras” you want. Although photography is not permitted during the performance, I can vouch it is truly entertaining.

Above photos: Moulin Rouge

Top things to see & do: Day 2

Sainte-Chapelle

Sainte-Chapelle | 10 Bd du Palais, 75001 Paris, France | Website

One of my favorite historic attractions in Paris is Sainte-Chapelle, an exquisite 13th century Gothic chapel within the medieval Palais de la Cité on Île de la Cité, the former residence of the Kings of France. The mesmerizing stained glass windows never cease to take my breath away.

I always recommend visiting Sainte-Chapelle first thing in the morning when the sun is streaming through the windows and the crowds are still thin. The exception to this rule is the opportunity to see a live Christmas musical performance. Candlelight concerts are scheduled throughout the holiday season and are usually less than $20 for an hour-long event. Be sure to check for tickets well in advance because they sell through quickly.

Above photos: Sainte-Chapelle

Palais Garnier

Palais Garnier | Pl. de l’Opéra, 75009 Paris, France | Website

Another tourist favorite is the Paris Opera House, also known as Palais Garnier, located in the 9th arrondissement. Ever seen Phantom of the Opera? It was born here. Besides the famed novel and broadway show, this opulent 19th-century opera house is known for its magnificent interiors. It is truly one of the great treasures of Paris that you must, must see! Expect a queue when you come here, even if you purchase tickets in advance. The line moves quickly and the self-guided tours allow you to freely roam at your own pace.

Of course, if you are a patron of opera or ballet, you may want to consider consulting the program calendar for performance dates. The only thing better than visiting Palais Garnier is coming here to watch a stage performance.

Above photos: Palais Garnier

Galeries Lafayette

Galeries Lafayette | 40 Bd Haussmann, 75009 Paris, France | Website

What is a Christmas trip to Paris without proper Christmas shopping at the iconic Galeries Lafayette Haussmann? Every year a new artist and theme is selected for the floor-to-ceiling decorations. And, by “ceiling” what I really mean is a stunning art nouveau glass dome. The photos below are from 2023.

Above photos: Galeries Lafayette

If you aren’t afraid of heights, you can also schedule a time to walk out on The Glasswalk for a birds-eye view of the center of the store and a closer look at the Christmas tree. Reservations can be made directly on the Galaries Lafayette website at the start of the holiday season.

Above photos: Galeries Lafayette

We gave ourselves an hour or two to shop after seeing all the decorations, and honestly, I felt rushed. I could have spent so much more time here. It is a huge department store with many Parisian brands that aren’t available elsewhere. Also, there are multiple cafes where you can take a break from all that hard shopping and prep for the next level.

Before leaving the 9th arrondissement, we stopped for lunch at the wonderful Cafe de la Paix located directly across from Palais Garnier. If you plan to do the same, be sure to make reservations in advance. This opulent 17th century cafe has served famous writers, artists, and political figures such as Guy de Maupassant, Victor Hugo, Ernest Hemingway, and Emile Zola.

Cafe de la Paix | 5 Pl. de l’Opéra, 75009 Paris, France | Website

Above photos: Lunch at Cafe de la Paix after shopping at Laleries Lafayette

Place Vendôme

Just a 5 – 10 minute walk from Cafe de la Paix is Place Vendôme, a large open square in the 1st arrondissement famous for its 44-meter high bronze monument honoring the soldiers of Austerlitz.

The palatial square is surrounded by glamorous couture jewelers housed in 18th century buildings and the world-famous Ritz Hotel. During the Christmas season, the facades are illuminated with white and blue twinkling lights, while the perimeter and center of the square are lined with perfectly shaped Christmas trees, pop-up hot chocolate stands, a Christmas carousel, and the very best window shopping.

Above photos: Place Vendôme

Place Vendôme gives all the quintessential Parisian feels and is the ideal place to capture some magical photos. The adjoining streets offer a continuation of the sparkle and luxe shopping. The facade of the Louis Vuitton Maison Vendôme on the corner of Place Vendôme and Rue Saint-Honoré is spectacular!

Above photos: Louis Vuitton Maison Vendôme during the day and evening

Rue Saint-Honoré, Place Maurice-Barrès, & Le Village Royal

As you leave Place Vendôme, turn right on Rue Saint-Honoré for more glamorous shopping, over-the-top window displays, and building facades — all decorated in holiday style. We were drawn into a few of the iconic boutiques, but mostly enjoyed the walk and seeing all the Christmas decor.

Rue Saint-Honoré intersects with Rue Cambon where you will find incredible displays on the outside of the Dior and Chanel buildings. Located on the far corner, Place Maurice-Barrès always has a fun photo spot set up against the backdrop of Église Notre-Dame de l’Assomption, an 18th century church with an impressive colonnaded portico.

Above photos: Rue Saint-Honoré

As you continue down Rue Saint-Honoré, be on the look out for Rue Boissy d’Anglas and turn right. Just a half a block away is the entrance to Le Village Royal – Cité Berryer, an exclusive little open-air shopping mall that always has incredible Instagram-worthy Christmas decorations. Definitely worth the stop!

Rue Saint-Honore transitions into Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. But, at this point, I would recommend following Rue Boissy d’Anglas back to Place de la Concorde and either walking up Avenue des Champs-Élysées or grabbing the Metro back to your hotel to drop off all of your shopping bags! We did the latter, and put our feet up for a few minutes!

Above photos: Waiting for the Metro with our arms full of shopping bags (left); Avenue des Champs-Élysées (right)

Christmas Lights Sight Seeing Bus Tour

It is easy to cover a lot of ground in Paris, but a lot of that ground you will probably end up seeing in daylight. Naturally, everyone wants to see the holiday decorations lit up after dark. The best way to get around and see the lights is on an open-air bus ride or a private tour. We did the bus and it was awesome!

Above photos: Paris Christmas Illuminations

Dress warmly if you want to sit on the open-air level of the bus and have clear views of the attractions — and who doesn’t? After a long day of walking, it was so great to just sit back and enjoy the ride down all the famous avenues. Highly recommend this to everyone, even if you have plans to see some of the same sights later. The following link is the exact tour we booked:

Eiffel Tower

Usually the very first thing I recommend doing in Paris is going see the Eiffel Tower. Its at the top of everyone’s list and it is so amazing. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get tickets for our first night in Paris. So, we did it the second night. Regardless of timing, it was without a doubt one of the highlights of our visit.

A common question is whether to visit the Eiffel Tower during the day or at night. I’ve done both and both are great! You can’t go wrong (unless it is raining, and that just comes down to luck). Whatever time you decide to go, be sure to purchase your tickets online in advance. Otherwise, there is a chance tickets will sell out before you get there.

Above photos: Views from the Eiffel Tower

Ticket options include going to the second level or to the top. By all means, go to the top! It may be a bit cold and windy during December, but the views are 1000% worth enduring the elements. It didn’t take us long to soak up our fill of the City of Light and head back down, with a brief stop at the second level.

Above photos: Eiffel Tower

Top things to see & do: Day 3

l’Île Saint-Louis & The Marais

For our final morning in Paris, we planned a leisurely walk around l’Île Saint-Louis and The Marais. Both of these areas are full of hidden gems. If you are a breakfast person, Cafe St. Regis is as charming as breakfast cafes come. Otherwise, grab your croissant and coffee to-go from Paul or the popular Noir Coffee Shop on Rue Saint-Louis en l’Île before you set out to explore the peaceful, residential streets of this little island.

Above photos: Last morning in Paris

The Marais is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Paris. It is full of trendy, fashionable boutiques, quaint cafes, and historic spots. The Marais is also the most famous Jewish quarter in Paris. Keep an eye out for Place des Vosges, one of the prettiest squares in the city. And, if time permits, I also highly recommend booking a food tour. The Marais is chock full of cheese shops, boulangeries, charcuteries, wine shops & more.  During a previous visit, we booked a pastry tour with La Cuisine Paris and had a blast sampling some of the best French pastries, chocolates and candies!

Read about my previous visit to Paris in February for more winter itinerary ideas here.

While in The Marais, don’t miss the Hôtel de Ville, a.k.a. City Hall. Each year a Christmas village is set up in the area in front of the Hôtel de Ville that includes a small Christmas market, carousel, and other family-friendly activities. The ideal time to come is after dark when animations are projected onto the building facade and the village is completely lit up. But, it is also very charming during the day, if that’s how your timing works out!

Where to stay

When it comes to booking accommodations for a Christmas trip to Paris, go as big as you can for your budget. Christmastime is a wonderful time to splurge on a luxe property that decorated to the hilt. The most highly coveted rooms are at The Crillion, The Ritz, Four Seasons George V, and Shangri-la.

Location matters, too. I always recommend staying within reasonable proximity to a Metro station, if you will be using public transportation. For my last several visits, I have enjoyed staying at a smaller boutique hotel located in the Latin Quarter, near Saint-Germain-des-Prés called Hotel Henri IV Rive Gauche. It’s cozy, quaint, and easy to get to-and-from.

Guided tours

Below are a few Christmas guided tours that I recommend. There is nothing better than a local showing you around and helping you discover the history and hidden gems throughout Paris.

Thank you for reading my post! Please feel free to add friendly comments or questions below!