We have a few days to venture away from London in December and see some Christmas in Paris. We have been to Paris multiple times but never in December. We hear we need to see Galeries Lafayette and their decor but also want to get into Notre Dame if possible. We usually stay at Ile St. Louis but wonder if the opera area might be better in December to see everything decorated for Christmas…….any help here? What else should be on our list that we must see in Paris in December? Are there Christmas markets set up in any particular area? Thank you!
Posted by
Panguitch, Utah
2979 posts
The most impressive outside Christmas display in Paris is probably at Place Vendôme. Simply wonderful, particularly if you are staying at the Ritz.
There are Christmas markets. All are operated by the same person, the largest example is at les Tuileries, with a second at la Défense, and various smaller spin-offs around the city. I find them underwhelming, markets mostly selling trinkets, there will be some interesting winter regional foods (tartiflette, fondu, raclette, and some oysters), but overall, not worth the trouble.
The closest winter markets of note will be in Strasbourg.
Posted by
Boston
307 posts
I'm going to throw out a whole 'nother idea. If you've been to Paris multiple times, why not go 2 1/2 hours further on the train and go to either Metz, Colmar or Strasbourg and visit a real Christmas market? The Christmas markets in Paris are a sad imitation of a real Christmas market.
The only impressive things in Paris at Christmas are the windows in the grand magazins and the food.
Posted by
Alsenborn, Germany
2104 posts
Last year the market at la Defense was the largest one I saw. The one at the Tuileries was fun at night, especially the Ferris wheel. There was a small handicraft market right across the bridge from Notre Dame that was nice. The lights from the Arc de Triomphe to the Trocodero were really nice, as were the window displays. I stayed in the 1st, a stones throw from the Louvre, and had a good time.
Posted by
Vacaville, Ca (Sometimes)
1510 posts
The Christmas Market in the Tuileries reminds me of a traveling carnival w/Christmas theming strapped on. Many food stalls though.
Posted by
Atlanta, Georgia
227 posts
I've spent a Christmas season in Paris. Basically the Tuileries/Champs-Élysées was one big Christmas "market" complete with recordings of Bing Crosby singing "White Christmas" and other English language carols and the Roue de Paris all lit up. It was bright and gaudy and festive if you like that kind of thing.
At Notre-Dame there was a big tree in front, but nothing else (it wasn't really decked out much at all.)
Posted by
Atlanta, Georgia
227 posts
I'm going to throw out a whole 'nother idea. If you've been to Paris
multiple times, why not go 2 1/2 hours further on the train and go to
either Metz, Colmar or Strasbourg and visit a real Christmas market?
The Christmas markets in Paris are a sad imitation of a real Christmas
market.
Funny how no one realizes that the largest Christmas Market in northern France is only 1-1/4 hours from Paris - in Amiens. I spent Christmas there a few years ago, it was fabulous.
Also visited Metz on that same trip - during the Christmas season - and it was very beautiful. But it's much further from Paris than Amiens.