Paris is known as the City of Lights — and no time is that nickname more alive than during the sparkling holiday season when the Christmas markets in Paris are in full swing.
While the time from early December to just after New Years is busy, it’s generally calmer than the crush of peak tourist season. Plus, the cooler temperatures, crisp air, and shimmering winter sun are a wonderful relief after the steamy heat of summer. It can be a perfect time to see Paris in all its wintry glory!
Known to Parisians as Marchés de Noël, there are so many Christmas markets in Paris to choose from. Depending on what you want to experience, you can pick and choose the ones that are right for you. As someone who has extensively sampled the markets, I can make recommendations based on your travel needs and include visits in your custom-designed itinerary.
Let’s explore some of the best Christmas markets in Paris so you can start dreaming of the ones you want to see!
La Magie de Noël, Tuileries Garden Christmas Market
By far the most popular Christmas market in the City of Lights, visited by over 13 million people each year, the Tuileries Garden market is aptly named La Magie de Noël — the magic of Christmas.
This market, right next to the Louvre, sprawls for almost half a mile along the north side of the garden. It is the most boisterous of the markets. It’s a wonderful place to share with kids, who will love the festive Christmas carnival with rides, shows, artisan crafts from around the world, and plenty of delicious food and drink.
What makes this market special: so many things! But don’t miss the chance to take in the stunning view of Paris all lit up from on top of the huge ferris wheel that marks the Tuileries Garden market. For an extra treat, you can plan your ride to coincide with the lighting of the Eiffel Tower.
Cassie’s Tip: Markets used to open in mid-December, but now they’re often open for as long as 7 weeks, from late November to early January. So there’s plenty of flexibility for your travel times! Make sure to check hours for each market, as times may vary.
La Défense Christmas Market
With more than 350 stalls, this is one of the largest Christmas markets in Paris, brimming with shops of all kinds.
And it’s fitting: La Defense is the center of commerce in Paris and the biggest business district in Europe, filled with modern glass buildings, arty concrete plazas, and a feel of the future. The Christmas market transforms the space — it’s well-designed and warmly-lit, softening the angles of the surrounding space with lovely stalls and a huge variety of crafts, jewelry, art, food, and imported goods from around the world.
What makes this market special: the ice rink under the massive Grand Arch is a favorite Parisian winter spot. Plus, kids will love the variety of adorable farm animals in the festive chalets nearby.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés Christmas Market
In this district known for hosting the artistic, philosophic, and literary luminaries of the 19th and early 20th centuries, this Christmas market lives up to the creative reputation of its neighborhood.
Saint-Germain-des-Pres is the market you’ll want to visit if you’re a fan of high fashion, fresh design, and haute cuisine. It’s the luxury-store version of the Christmas markets in Paris: smaller, with about 20-30 stalls, but very intentionally curated.
What makes this market special: If you are a chocolate lover, you’ll love the selection of artisan chocolates (and fine champagnes).
Marché de Noël, Notre Dame Christmas Market
The Notre Dame Christmas Market is a must-see for any traveler visiting Paris during the holiday season. The market is located across the Seine from the famous cathedral in Square Viviani on the Left Bank. Nestled in the elegant shadow of the cathedral’s soaring medieval towers, the energy is relaxed, cheerful, and elegant.
Here you can get high-quality, French-made artisan goods: beautiful clothing and accessories, gourmet foods, and (my favorite) Eiffel Tower-embossed souvenir gift mugs.
What makes this market special: To get a taste of Medieval markets of yore, definitely try the roasted chestnuts and the vin chaud — traditional hot mulled wine. And, if you’re lucky, you might catch an impromptu musical show!
Village de Noël du Champ-de-Mars, Eiffel Tower Christmas Market
What could be better than a Christmas market cozied up next to the breathtaking Eiffel Tower? Not much!
This market is called the Eiffel Christmas Village, and once you step into it, you’ll see why. The stalls are elegant wooden chalets, there’s tasty regional food at Alsatian and Savoyard stands, and you can enjoy a turn on the ice rink that looks like it’s been dropped out of a fairy tale.
What makes this market special: Did I mention it’s next to the Eiffel Tower?
Four More Christmas Markets in Paris: Honorable mentions on my growing list!
As you can imagine, it’s tough to pick favorites when it comes to Christmas markets in Paris. I mean, come on.
So here are four more I love:
- Hôtel de Ville Christmas Market — small but beautiful setting in front of the historic Hotel de Ville, with Swiss-style chalets selling French goods and plenty of hot mulled wine.
- Canopée des Halles Christmas Market — enjoy the festive decorations and the huge Christmas tree that kids can get pics taken with Santa in front of.
- Place des Abbesses Christmas Market in Montmartre — located in the charming Montmartre neighborhood with its I Love You wall, this is one of the tiniest markets but perfect if you’re looking for something quieter and simpler.
- Le Marché de Noël en Alsace à Paris at Gare de l’Est — Get a peek at what Christmas markets looked like from the place where they’re said to have originated: the Alsace region in eastern France near the German border. Gare de l’Est is an Alsatian market, a foodie paradise with stands selling out-of-this-world German-influenced foods like sauerkraut, sausages, foie gras, jams, cheese, pastries and cookies, and Alsatian wines.
Enjoy your own Paris Christmas Market wonderland!
There’s so much to take in if you visit Paris during the holiday season. Paris is a city that knows how to celebrate, and there are dozens of Christmas events going on: concerts, operas, ballets, and dance performances.
But nothing will get you in the Christmas spirit like strolling through the markets, lights twinkling, music playing, vin chaud in hand. With a custom-designed itinerary, I can help you find the markets that everyone will love. It will be a holiday vacation you’ll never forget!
Itinerary Designer
WHO AM I?
I’m Cassie Tetro, an Itinerary Designer and Certified Travel Expert for Paris, London, and Rome — my three favorite cities!
I help independent travelers like you save time and eliminate confusion with customized point-to-point itineraries crafted to your interests, preferences, travel pace, and style.
I take care of every aspect of your trip before you walk out your front door — tickets, reservations, tours, maps, transportation — so you can relax, soak in the magic, and enjoy a frustration-free vacation with a travel plan that’s as unique as you are.
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