It's no surprise the the City of Light has a fantastic Christmas scene!
Cobbled streets, wooden chalets, the smells of cheese fondue, churros, and grilled meet churning on a spit. The glow of lanterns and shouts of "Vin chaud! Chocolat! Châtaignes grillées!" bouncing between displays of carved figurines and macarons stacked like Christmas trees. Nope, this isn't a Hallmark Christmas movie. This is Christmas-time in Paris!
A visit to a Marche de Noel in the City of Light is a surefire way to get you in the holiday spirit, even amongst the gloom of rainy days and heavy clouds. The grumpiest grinch won't be able to help but savor a cup of hot mulled wine!
During a typical year, about 15-20 Paris Christmas Markets appear across the city! And that's not even counting the small neighborhood holiday markets. Overwhelmed? I get it, there's a lot to choose from! But don't worry --
Here is a list of my top Christmas Markets in Paris, chosen based on surrounding views, unique wares, and diversity of activities!
1. La Magie de Noël at Tuileries Garden
La Magie de Noel ("The Magic of Christmas") in Tuileries Garden is one of the largest Marché de Noël within Paris, stretching along the garden from Rue des Pyramides to Place de la Concord! This market is perfect for kids and adults, combining fun and thrills of a carnival with the traditional Christmas market. And of course, food!
Get ready for a a huge ferris wheel, more than a dozen other carnival rides such as bumper cars and "fun house," an ice skating rink, a Champagne bar, traditional onion soup and hot mulled wine, French-produced specialty food products, artisan crafts and gifts from around the world, glittering lights, and much more!
Location: Tuileries Garden (Jardin des Tuileries)
Open: Late November - early January
More to Do Nearby: Need to do more holiday shopping? Walk up Rue de Castiglione to Place Vendome, or turn left or right on Rue Saint-Honoré and explore the chic boutiques. Check out the brightly-lit stores in the underground shopping mall Carrousel du Louvre (enter near the Palais Royal/Musée du Louvre Metro station). Or walk across Place de la Concorde to explore all the stores lining both sides of Champs-Élysées under the sparkling of lighted trees, and the designer showrooms along nearby Avenue Montaigne.
2. Paris Notre-Dame Christmas Market at Square Viviani
A truly picturesque Paris Christmas Markets is the Marché de Noel Notre Dame, located across the Seine on the Left Bank's Quai Montebello. Despite the tragic fire at Notre Dame in 2018, the Marché de Noël continues!
With soaring medieval towers as a backdrop, this market offers the usual vin chaud (hot mulled wine) and roasted chestnuts. Occasional appearances by musicians add to the festivities. The vibe here is always elegant and relaxed. You can usually find an especially nice selection of clothes and accessories here, as well as fancy gourmet foods.
And you might catch an appearance from Santa - with a glass of vin chaud in hand!
Location: Square René-Viviani on Quai Montebello, at the edge of the Latin Quarter
Open: Mid-December until Christmas Eve or later
More to Do Nearby: Visit the lovely medieval church next door, Église Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre, which dates back to 1160! For books and café fare, stop by the famous Shakespeare & Company.
3. Montmartre Christmas Market at Place des Abbesses
Located in one of the most photo-worthy areas in Montmartre, the Place des Abbesses market is small (about 15-20 chalets in total) but charming, and features local artisans, designers, and creators!
This market is also a good place to sample traditional fare, such as escargot, small plates of sauted mushrooms, and raclette. You'll also find specialties to take back to your apartment, such as foie gras from Périgord, tapenades from Provence, and speciality cheeses. Alternately, you can also join the crowd at the Champagne bar!
This is a fun market to visit if you want to get a taste of the Christmas markets but avoid the crowds filling the larger markets. It's also a great excuse to explore the winding hills of Montmartre and make your way to the Sacre-Coeur, to enjoy the sweeping city vistas.
Location: Next to the Abbesses Butte Montmartre Métro station
Open: Late November - end of December
More to Do Nearby: Check out the "Wall of Love" next to the market while sipping a cup of hot mulled wine. Explore Montmartre. And of course visit the boutiques along Rue des Abbesses, a great market street in Paris.
4. Paris Christmas Market at Hôtel de Ville
This year, the spectacular Hôtel de Ville Christmas Market is decorated with a forest of evergreen trees and a gorgeous light show bathing the building's facade with falling snowflakes dancing across a brilliant blue background.
Chalets will be in place where you can buy snacks and artisan products with the Made in Paris label. Mulled wine, raclette, freshly cooked crepes drizzled with Nutella, the tantalizing smell of roasted chestnuts, and free family-oriented activities such as a carousel, a sledding "mountain," a climbing wall, and visits with Santa are hallmarks of this market.
The light show, numerous sparkling lights, and tranquil ambiance makes this Christmas market especially charming at night.
Location: Rue de Rivoli, across from BHV Marais
Open: Early December - early January
More to Do Nearby: Cross over Rue de Rivoli and shop at BHV Marais department store, or continue farther into the Marais neighborhood and explore the many fantastic boutiques.
5. Saint-Germain-des-Prés Christmas Market
The chalets of this Christmas Market line Boulevard St-Germain next to the famous St-Germain-des-Prés Church. This is one of the city's most popular mid-sized markets, and specializes in luxury items, such as fine leather pocketbooks, lovely jewelry, French gastronomy products, and handcrafted items. This is a good place to buy scented candles, leather-bound notebooks and bags made in France, and exquisite chocolates.
This year, the market also boasts Guadeloupean and Tibetan cuisine, freshly-prepared hot and cold beverages based on ginger, and a chalet offering brioche and French toast.
Location: Blvd Saint-Germain, next to Saint-Germain-des-Prés Church, 6th Arrondissement
Open: Early December until early January
More to Do Nearby: Walk a few blocks to the Cluny Christmas Market, where you'll find a half-dozen or so stalls offering regional French food.
6. La Défense Marché de Noël
The huge Christmas Market along the La Défense Esplanade normally boasts 350 chalets, making it the largest in the Paris region. This market dates back to 1995 and welcomes about 1.5 million visitors during the holiday season.
The market's spectacular setting in this glittering business district offers a vast selection of gifts ranging from trinkets to high-quality jewelry and leather goods, and steaming plates of delicious Alsatian fare, Savoyard tartiflette, raclette, and Spanish-style paella. And of course, plenty of hot mulled wine.
This market also offers lots of specialty items not seen in smaller markets - Santa costumes, stuffed animals, clementines and other seasonal fruits, candies from the South of France, freshly baked gingerbread, antique books, and pop-up stores. You'll also see special regional hams and sausages, foie gras, cheeses, and special brandies and other liquors.
This is one of the best Paris Christmas markets for dining!
Location: Esplanade de la Défense
Open: About 5 weeks from late November - late December
More to Do Nearby: Arrive early and check out the 60+ sculptures and monuments along the Esplanade. Walk up to the top of the huge arch, which assists in forming the Historical Axis of Paris, for a stunning view. In the evening, walk down the Esplanade toward Paris and enjoy the magical displays of Christmas lights.
7. Eiffel Tower Christmas Market on Champs de Mars
With Christmas trees, fake snow, and close-up views of the famous "Iron Lady," the Tour Eiffel Christmas Village gives a magical experience. This market specializes in delicious gourmet foods and local cuisine ready to be served on the spot.
Alsatian and Savoyard stands offer terrific regional specialties, and you can sip hot mulled wine as you shop. With about 35 chalets and quite a few food trucks, this is one of Paris' most photo-worthy Christmas markets due to its proximity to the Eiffel Tower.
Location: Near the Eiffel Tower on Quai Branly
Open: mid December until New Year's Day
More to Do Nearby: View the whole city from the top of the Eiffel Tower, of course!
8. Paris Christmas Market at Canopée des Halles
The Canopée des Halles Christmas Market has 20 or so chalets offering sausages, Belgium waffles, and other seasonal specialties, plus vin chaud just a few steps beyond the huge shopping mall.
Under the Canopée, an enormous sparkling Christmas tree welcomes you to get away from the cold by heading towards even more shopping and dining options among the stores inside the multi-storied complex.
Location: Forum des Halles
Open: Mid-November through late December
More to Do Nearby: Shop in Forum des Halles, visit Église Saint-Eustache, and explore the market street Run Montorgueil. You can also stop by Alain Ducasse's Champeaux restaurant in the Forum for a glass of wine, a snack, or a full meal!
IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!
What Holiday events, decorations, or festivities are you looking forward to in your hometown this year? I'll definitely be hitting up as many of these Marches de Noel as possible before I head back to the United States for the Holidays!
