During winter, Paris becomes a fairy tale city with illuminated streets and a magical atmosphere that transforms the city into a spectacle meant to enchant your every step. The main boulevards are adorned with bright lights, and the buildings along them stand out with countless festive decorations. Restaurants, cafés, bakeries, hotels, all are dressed up for the holidays.
During the winter holiday season, the city successfully adapts to the Christmas theme, making it a real delight for tourists, who forget about the cold outside. Because, yes, it’s very cold in Paris during winter. But the magic of Christmas markets is worth any sacrifice. Especially in Paris.
Christmas markets in Paris are the main reason why tourists choose to visit Paris in winter. And rightfully so. Everything creates a fairy tale setting, both for adults and children. From my point of view, winter is not the best season if you want to stroll around the city and enjoy its romanticism. For such an experience, I recommend going in the spring months. Winter is too cold to walk around the city, and I think this season is strictly about the Christmas market and holiday decorations.
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What is the weather like in Paris in winter?
Paris is a beautiful and picturesque city, but the winter season brings along cold weather. It’s important to prepare for the cold by wearing warm and thick clothes, including jackets, hats, and gloves. I remember forgetting my gloves once and regretting it as my hands were freezing while I was trying to take photos. The temperature can be quite low, ranging from 8 to 0 degrees Celsius, and at night, it could even go below zero degrees.
In December, the city may also experience some rainfall, but it’s not something to worry about. The good news is that there are many cozy cafes and pastry shops in Paris where you can warm up with a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy a relaxing break from the cold weather.
Where to find the most beautiful Christmas decorations in Paris
Paris is known for its beautiful Christmas decorations, and it’s worth exploring the city to see them all. I did some research and visited some of the most stunning locations in the city.
Galeries Lafayette
One of my favorite spots was Galeries Lafayette, a popular shopping destination in Paris. Even during normal times of the year, it’s an impressive sight, but during Christmas, it’s transformed into a magical wonderland. The centerpiece is the Christmas tree in the center of the building, which is a sight to behold. Tourists from all over the world come to see and photograph it from all angles. What’s even more exciting is that the tree has a different theme every year, making it a unique and unforgettable experience for visitors. I highly recommend adding Galeries Lafayette to your list of places to visit during Christmas in Paris. It’s a beautiful and vibrant city, and the Christmas decorations make it even more special.
Rue Saint Honoré:
Walking down Rue Saint Honoré in Paris during the winter holidays is a magical experience. The famous Dior and Chanel stores are adorned with the most beautiful Christmas decorations, making them an iconic and unmissable attraction. Other brand stores on the street are also decorated with festive clothing, and well-chosen street decorations add to the holiday ambiance. The two flagship stores, Dior and Chanel, are located next to each other, making them easy to find and explore.
Le Village Royale
Le Village Royale is a small, but charming shopping complex situated in the heart of Paris. It is a paradise for shopping enthusiasts, with luxury stores and boutiques displaying their finest products. During the winter holidays, each store is decorated for the season, and the entrance to the complex is adorned with a decoration that stops all passers-by to admire it and take photos.
Dior, Rue Royale
Located next to the Royal Village, on Rue Royale, the Dior store is decorated in a fairytale setting, similar to the Dior store on Rue Saint Honoré. The decorations here are just as beautiful, but slightly smaller in size, adding a touch of wonder to the street.
Champs Elysees
The famous Champs-Élysées boulevard in Paris is a must-visit destination during the winter holidays. The street is a sight to behold, with a sea of lights creating a mesmerizing and magical atmosphere. The nearby shops and cafes also add to the festive ambiance, as every window display is adorned with at least one Christmas decoration.
Christmas Markets in Paris
Paris is surrounded by magic, fairy-tale decorations, and Christmas markets that create a picture-perfect Christmas vacation. Although the Christmas markets in Paris are not as impressive as some of the other markets in Europe, they are still worth visiting. The markets, known as ‘Marchés de Noël,’ are mainly organized at the end of November, and some extend until December.
Tuileries Gardens Christmas Market ‘Magie de Noël’
The Christmas market near the Louvre museum is a small but beautiful Christmas market. It is known as one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Paris, with stunning Christmas stalls, and other attractions specific to amusement parks, which are a real delight for children.
La Défense
The largest Christmas market in Paris is located right at La Défense metro station. It is a bit bigger than the one at the Tuileries Gardens, yet it focuses more on culinary delights, as most of the stalls here sell something to eat or drink. The market is open from November 16 to December 27.
Notre Dame Christmas Market
Located near the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Christmas market here is quite small but preferred by most tourists who arrive in Paris for Christmas. It is open from December 8 to 26, and the festive decorations and charming stalls are worth a visit.
Hôtel de Ville Christmas Market
The Hôtel de Ville Christmas market is the smallest of them all, but it is still worth a visit. The market is organized in front of the Hôtel de Ville, and the main attraction here is the Christmas decorations and the ice rink. You will also find a few stalls where you can enjoy some food or a seasonal drink.
4. What you can do in Paris at Christmas
Here are some of the most interesting things you can do in Paris during the festive season:
1. Immerse yourself in the magical atmosphere of Christmas markets, where you can sip on hot chocolate, taste the famous French cheese, “raclette”, and enjoy a glass of vin chaud while exploring the city.
2. Take a walk around the city and explore the beautiful Christmas lights on foot or book an Illuminations Tour to witness the Parisian atmosphere around Christmas. There are numerous tour operators that offer special tours during this period.
3. Enjoy a skating session in a festive setting on the huge ice rink set up in front of the town hall (Hotel de Ville).
4. Attend Christmas concerts in various locations such as churches, concert halls, or theaters to enjoy the festive spirit of the season.
5. Admire the beautiful window displays that adorn the city, including the famous Christmas windows of the luxury shops on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées and in the Palais Garnier area.
6. Make sure to reserve a day for Disneyland Paris, where you can visit the most popular amusement park in Europe that is decorated with festive themes and thematic shows.
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Enjoy your trips!🥰
