Top 8 Christmas Markets in Paris

Paris changes its appearance during the Christmas holidays, and the list of timeless activities is joined by the lighting of its streets, the decoration of its shop windows, the ice rinks and, of course, its wonderful Christmas markets, from the Tuileries Garden to St Germain des Prés.

If you are planning to travel to the French capital during this period, whether you are travelling with children, as a couple or even alone, you cannot miss a visit to one of these markets. You will immerse yourself in the Christmas spirit, enjoying the atmosphere while sipping a revitalising mulled wine.

Set in the Tuileries, one of the most beautiful gardens, the location of this Christmas market makes it one of the must-see attractions for those visiting Paris at Christmas. Thousands of people flock to this market halfway between the Place de la Concorde and the Louvre Museum. It consists of more than 200 cabins offering the best of French cuisine and decorative items.

If you visit this market, especially after spending the day visiting the best museums in the French capital or other tourist attractions, you must try Vin Chaut, the French name for mulled wine. It is also worth buying some chestnuts (marrons) or a Galette des Roi, the equivalent of a Roscón de Reyes.

Highlights include those offering all kinds of crafts and high-end lighting items so you can recreate the Christmas lights of Paris at home. At the beginning of the market, in the Place de la Concorde, a large Ferris wheel is installed every year, offering the best views of the city. Finally, you will also find a huge skating rink of around 500 m².

Practical information

• Opening dates: it usually opens in mid-November and closes on 5 January.
• Opening hours: every day from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

One of the great attractions of this Christmas market is its wonderful location: opposite the river that flows past Notre Dame Cathedral. It is undoubtedly an incomparable setting for strolling among the stalls that are set up when the Christmas season arrives and an ideal plan for when you finish your tour of Notre Dame.

The market is set up in a small park from which you can take perfect photos of the cathedral's medieval towers. As with other markets of this type, visitors come to sample some of the gastronomic specialities typical of winter in Paris, such as chestnuts and mulled wine.

The atmosphere and ambience of this market are two of the factors that make it a must-see. In addition to food, the stalls sell a wide variety of works of art, jewellery, tableware and ceramics made by artisans renowned for the quality of their work. Children travelling to Paris also have their own space, with drawing competitions and storytelling. Not to mention, of course, the presence of Father Christmas himself.

Practical information

• Location: Place René Viviani, next to Notre Dame Cathedral.
• Opening dates: from mid-December until Christmas Eve.
• Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, closes at 9 p.m.

Near the famous Saint Germain des Prés Church, another Christmas market worth visiting opens every year. With almost 30 stalls, its main attraction is the range of luxury products on offer, such as jewellery, leather bags and handicrafts. Parisians also often come here to buy scented candles and chocolates.

This market is the brainchild of the large shops in the area, which offer their merchandise while organising a large number of activities for all ages. Of course, many of the seasonal gastronomic specialities that you would find on a gastronomic tour of Paris are a must, so you can also sample everything from delicious chocolate to mulled wine.

But, without detracting from the market, the best thing about it is undoubtedly the neighbourhood in which it is located. It is a modern area where you can glimpse its past as a reference point for intellectual life in the French capital. Strolling around means not only seeing some interesting monuments, but also discovering wonderful art galleries, small bookshops and several Parisian-style cafés.

Practical information

• Location: in Saint Germain des Prés square, right on the esplanade of the church that gives the square its name.
• Opening dates: from the beginning of December until approximately 6 January.
• Opening hours: every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The largest Christmas market in Paris, with more than 400 stalls, is set up along the Esplanade de la Défense. It's a veritable village offering a wide variety of products that are perfect for gifts, especially leather goods and quality jewellery, and you can easily get there by Paris tourist bus.

It is one of the first to open its doors, in mid-November, and its location makes it one of the most convenient thanks to the absence of traffic and noise. In its huts you can try specialities from Alsace, the region where the tradition of Christmas markets began in France. Other dishes you can try include waffles, mulled wine and crepes worthy of the best creperies in Paris.

Strolling through this Christmas village is the best way to take a trip down memory lane to your childhood. A magical atmosphere envelops the whole place with its festive decorations and activities organised for children and adults alike.

Practical information

• Location: Paris La Défense - Parvis de la Défense.
• Opening dates: from mid-November until just before New Year's Eve.
• Opening hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday to Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Although it is not a very large Christmas market, the one located in Place d'Abbesses is considered one of the most charming in Paris. To begin with, its location is extraordinary, in the heart of the Montmartre district, one of the most bohemian in all of Paris.

Whether you book the Montmartre tour or not, be sure to visit. Every Christmas, the market is filled with tourists and locals who immerse themselves in its intoxicating atmosphere. Its stalls offer a huge variety of food and drink, clothing and crafts. There is also a beautiful carousel that delights children.

With a glass of mulled wine in hand, it is worth climbing to the top of the hill that forms the neighbourhood and visiting the Sacré-Cœur to enjoy the views of the city.

Practical information

• Location: Abbesses Square, in the heart of the Montmartre neighbourhood.
• Opening dates: from the beginning of December until Christmas Eve
• Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the week

The Champ de Mars is home to one of the Christmas markets with the best views of the city, an ideal plan to coincide with your visit to the Eiffel Tower. With around 100 stalls, it offers a wide range of traditional foods that you can sit down and enjoy with views of the Eiffel Tower, the most famous monument in the French capital.

Among the most popular dishes are foie gras, salmon and poultry, all accompanied by a glass of champagne. And if you have a sweet tooth, don't miss the bûche de Noël, a roll cake with cream and ice cream. You'll also find small cakes, marzipan and chocolate.

In addition to food, this market is notable for its Christmas decorations and crafts. If you're looking for a gift, you'll also find lots of toys that will delight the little ones in the family. Like other markets, it includes a wonderful ice rink. If you're feeling brave, you can take a few spins around it while admiring the Eiffel Tower in the background.

Practical information

• Location: Champ de Mars, between the Eiffel Tower and the Military School.
• Opening dates: from the end of November until after 6 January.

The tradition of setting up Christmas markets in Paris (and other French regions) comes from Alsace, in the north of the country. This area, with its turbulent history, was part of Germany on several occasions, which is why it has some cultural differences that are reflected in its markets.

Every year in Paris, a Christmas market is set up in the image and likeness of the Alsatian markets. There you can find typical products from that region, such as sauerkraut, kougelhopf (a kind of sweet brioche shaped like a volcano), jams, gingerbread and various types of cheese.

If you go with children on 6 December, St. Nicholas Day, they will receive a free gingerbread and cinnamon cake in the shape of the saint as a gift.

Practical information

• Location: Gare de l'Est train station, Place du 11 Novembre 1918.
• Opening dates: from the beginning of December until approximately the 20th of that month.
• Openinghours: Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

This is another market to include on your Christmas list of things to see and do in Paris. Although it is not one of the largest in Paris, the intention behind Les Féeries d'Auteuil makes it well worth a visit.

This market is organised by the Auteuil Foundation to raise funds for its organisation, which helps children and young people in need. To this end, they sell items such as furniture, candles, ceramics, hats and jewellery, all at very affordable prices.

In total, the market consists of around 27 huts. All of them are decorated with great detail and create a beautifully lit setting full of Christmas decorations. During the few days that the market lasts, around 9, there are various shows of all kinds, such as concerts and exhibitions.

Practical information

• Location: in the gardens on Rue Jean de la Fontaine, in the 16th arrondissement of Paris.
• Opening dates: it is usually held in the second week of December.
• Opening hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day.