Paris in December

Paris is not really known for its Christmas markets, but there is a decent one on Blvd St Germain at the intersection with the church and Les Deux Magots. A large market is staged on the plaza at La Defense, but I did not really enjoy that one very much, YMMV. The atrium of the main Galeries Lafayette dept store near l'Opera is always beautifully decorated and worth a look, something we love to do in December, our favorite time to visit Paris.

Thank you for your response! Please let me know if there is anything else you’d recommend in December. This is our first visit, just passing through this trip. Our plan is return again when we can spend more time but really just hoping to enjoy anything special the Christmas season has to offer.

We were very UNDERwhelmed with the Xmas Market there. You really have to go to Germany to see the best Markets - Austria and France have some decent ones too - but they were started in Germany and to this day, they still have the best ones. You will find gorgeous decorations and delish food, but for the amazing handcrafted market items, go to Germany. Enjoy Paris for what it offers, but don't expect the markets to 'awe' you like the ones in Germany, Vienna, Salzburg, etc. December in Europe is beautiful.

Christmas lights along the Des Champs-Elysees are well done. Attend a Christmas Eve midnight mass. Ages ago enjoyed the midnight mass I attended at Eglise Saint Eustache. Gorgeous Catholic church. Check out the Christmas Tree and Christmas window displays at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann. It’s a glass domed shopping center.

Check Timeout magazine online 2 months before you depart. Always has intel about events, galleries, restaurants, etc.

Thank you! This is the type of info I’m looking for. Sounds like we won’t have any problem filling the day. Germany may have to wait this trip, but will certainly consider it in the future.

There is a Christmas market and ice skating rink in the Champs de Mar park beside the Eiffel Tower the last time we were there and it was dreadful. Just tourist knickknacks and poor food choices. I loved the lights in the trees along the Champs Elysees and we also rode the Ferris wheel and got to see the sparkling ET from that vantage. It was lightly snowing as we boarded-magical.

Too bad you can't visit the Strasbourg markets. They are undeniably, unarguably magical and beautiful!

Hmmm. Now you have me thinking about the second leg of our trip. We were moving on to Prague, but maybe we should forgo for a couple of days in Strasbourg?

Thank you AmandaR! I know exactly what you mean and appreciate the feedback.

Prague does have great Xmas Markets, but so does Strasbourg - plus the cathedral there is amazing. That would be a tough call as they are both worthwhile.

As for Strasbourg, from what one of our France based posters has written, there is no official word that it is happening this year, so don't alter trip plans. Of course who knows if any Christmas markets will take place?

In recent years there has been a Christmas Carnival in the Jardin des Tuileries along Rue de Rivoli. Besides rides and knick knacks, there is a variety of food items.

if you look on the youtubes, there are walking around videos from last Xmas season. The city looks pretty darn festive. Not quite like London, but very nice.

I’ve been to Paris the week between Christmas and New Year’s. The lights are wonderful. The markets that I recall—as others have noted—were small “street fair” sort of booths in various neighborhoods typically near a Metro stop. Think the almonds/nuts booth, the scarf booth, the junk you don’t want booth, etc. Not high quality crafted goods. Again, just my experience. I could have missed something. We went to an evening concert at Saint-Eustache. Majestic atmosphere.