Top 10 Christmas markets in Paris

Paris changes its appearance during the Christmas holidays and the list of timeless plans is joined by the lighting of its streets, the decoration of its shop windows, the skating rinks and, of course, its great Christmas markets, from the Jardin des Tuileries to St Germain des Prés.

If you plan to travel to the French capital during these dates, no matter if you go with children, as a couple or even alone, you can not miss a visit to one of these markets. You will immerse yourself in the Christmas spirit, enjoying the atmosphere while sipping a revitalizing mulled wine.

Installed in the Tuileries, one of the most beautiful gardens, the location of this Christmas market makes it one of the must-sees for those visiting Paris at Christmas. Thousands of people flock to this market halfway between the Place de la Concorde and the Louvre Museum. It consists of more than 200 huts offering the best of French cuisine and decorative objects.

If you go to this market, especially after spending the day visiting the best museums in the French capital or other tourist attractions, you can not miss the Vin Chaut, the name given in France to the spicy mulled wine. Likewise, it is worth buying some chestnuts (marrons) or a Galette des Roi, the equivalent of the Roscón de Reyes.

Highlights those offering all kinds of crafts and high-end lighting items for you to imitate at home the lights of Christmas in Paris. At the beginning of the market, in the Place de la Concorde, a large Ferris wheel is installed every year from which you can have the best views of the city. Finally, you will also find a huge skating rink of about 500 m².

Practical information

• Opening dates: usually opens in mid-November and closes on January 5th.
• Opening hours: every day, between 11 am and 8 pm.

One of the great attractions of this Christmas market is its great location: in front of the river that bathes the Notre Dame Cathedral. Undoubtedly, an incomparable setting to stroll among the stalls that are installed when the Christmas season arrives and an ideal plan for when you finish the tour of Notre Dame.

The market is installed in a small park from which you can perfectly photograph the medieval towers of the Cathedral. As in the rest of the markets of this type, strollers come to taste some of the gastronomic specialties typical of winter in Paris, such as chestnuts and mulled wine.

The ambience and atmosphere of this market are two of the factors that make it a must. In its stalls, in addition to food, you can buy a wide variety of works of art, jewelry, tableware and ceramic objects made by artisans popular for the quality of their work. Children traveling to Paris also have their space, as drawing contests and storytelling are organized. Not forgetting, of course, the presence of Santa Claus himself.

Practical information

• Where: Place René Viviani, next to Notre Dame Cathedral.
• Opening dates: from mid-December until before Christmas Eve.
• Hours: Monday to Thursday, from 10 am to 8 pm. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays closed at 9 pm.

Near the famous Church of Saint Germain des Prés opens every year another Christmas market worth visiting. With almost 30 huts, its main attraction is the offer of luxury goods such as jewelry, leather bags or handicrafts. In addition, it is common for Parisians to come to buy candles and scented chocolates.

This market is the work of the big stores in the area, which offer their merchandise while organizing a large number of activities for all ages. Of course, you can not miss many of the seasonal gastronomic specialties that you would find in a gastronomic tour of Paris, so there you can also taste from a delicious chocolate to mulled wine.

But, without detracting from the market, undoubtedly the best is the neighborhood in which it is located. It is an area of modern atmosphere in which you can glimpse its past as a reference of the intellectual life of the French capital. Walking around not only means seeing some interesting monuments, but also discovering great art galleries, small bookstores and several Parisian-style cafes.

Practical information

• Where: on the Place Saint Germain des Prés, right on the esplanade of the church that gives its name to the square.
• Opening dates: from the beginning of December until approximately January 6th.
• Hours: every day from 10 am to 7 pm.

Along the Esplanade de la Défense is the largest Christmas market in Paris, with more than 400 huts. A real village that offers a wide variety of products perfect for gifts, especially leather goods and quality jewelry and you can get there easily with the Paris tourist bus.

It is one of those that opens its doors earlier, in mid-November, and its location makes it one of the most comfortable thanks to the absence of traffic and noise from traffic. In its huts you can try German shepherd food specialties, the region where the tradition of Christmas markets in France began. Other dishes you can taste are waffles, mulled wine and crepes worthy of the best creperies in Paris.

Strolling through this Christmas village is the best way to go back to childhood. A magical atmosphere envelops the whole place with its festive decorations and activities organized to enjoy with or without children.

Practical information

• Where: Paris La Défense - Parvis de la Défense.
• Opening dates: mid-November until just before New Year's Eve.
• Opening hours: from 11 am to 8 pm from Sunday to Thursday and from 11 am to 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

The 15th arrondissement of Paris sets up its own Christmas market. You can't miss it when you visit the Montparnasse tower in Paris. The best way to get there is by metro. Here is a small guide to the Paris metro to know how to use this transport if you have doubts.

This Christmas market brings together stalls set up by local artisans and traders to display their products. You will find everything from fashion items to food. It is one of the best if you are looking for a gift for your homecoming.

With between 20 and 30 booths, the most striking are the animations that take place. Many, such as the "delivery of chocolates" or a ride on Santa's sleigh are designed for the little ones, but others, such as caroling, are for the whole family. Finally, as a reminder of the true spirit of Christmas, one of the booths is run by various charities selling sweets.

Practical information

• Where: on Rue Péclet, in the 15th arrondissement of Paris.
• Opening dates: from mid-December until the day before Christmas.
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday, between 11 am and 7 pm.

Although it is a Christmas market not too big, the one located in the Place des Abbesses is considered one of the most charming in Paris. For starters, its location is extraordinary, in the heart of Montmartre, one of the most bohemian neighborhoods in Paris.

Whether you book the tour of Montmartre or not, be sure to go. The market is filled every Christmas with tourists and locals who are immersed in its intoxicating atmosphere. Its stalls offer a huge variety of food and drink, clothing and handicrafts. There is also a beautiful carousel that amazes children.

With a glass of mulled wine in hand, it is worth climbing to the top of the hill that forms the neighborhood and visit the Sacré Coeur to enjoy the views of the city.

Practical information

• Where: on Place Abbesses, in the heart of the Montmartre district.
• Opening dates: from the beginning of December until Christmas Eve.
• Opening hours: from 10 am to 5 pm every day of the week.

In the Champ de Mars is one of the Christmas markets with the best views of the city, an ideal plan to make it coincide with your visit to the Eiffel Tower. With about 100 stalls, it has a wide range of traditional food that you can sit and enjoy overlooking the Eiffel Tower, the most famous monument of the French capital.

Among the most successful dishes are foie gras, salmon and some poultry, all accompanied by a glass of champagne. And if you have a sweet tooth, you should not miss the bûche de Noël, a roll with cream and ice cream. You will also find small cakes, marzipan and chocolate.

In addition to food, this market stands out for its offer in Christmas decorations and crafts. If you are looking for a gift, here you will also find many toys that will delight the youngest members of the family. Like other markets, it includes a great skating rink. If you dare, you can do a few laps around it while looking at the Eiffel Tower in the background.

Practical information

• Where: on the Champ de Mars, between the Eiffel Tower and the Ecole Militaire.
• Opening dates: from the end of November until after January 6.

The central district of Les Halles has had its own Christmas market for quite a few years now. The best thing is that it has managed to create a totally magical atmosphere, so it is considered one of the best in Paris to visit with the family.

Part of its attraction is the place where it is installed, with the huts arranged around an ice rink (La Canopée) and with a 20-meter high fir tree fully decorated and illuminated. Possibly, you have seen the place if you have taken one of the Paris tourist buses from the capital. The market has about 30 Christmas stalls made of wood.

At the stalls you will be able to buy all kinds of Christmas accessories, as well as food, crafts and fashion. If you are looking for ideas to decorate your home for Christmas, this is where you will find the most variety and quality. In addition, you can have some of the typical hot drinks, such as spiced wine, chocolate or tea. If you accompany it with tartiflettes or waffles, the sensation will be really wonderful.

Practical information

• Where: located in the Quartier des Halles, just under the dome of the Les Halles shopping center.
• Opening dates: between the second week of November and the last days of the year.
• Hours: Every day from 10 am to 9 pm.

The tradition of installing Christmas markets in Paris (and in other French regions) comes from Alsace, in the north of the country. This area, in its turbulent history, was part of Germany on several occasions, so it has some cultural differences that are reflected in their markets.

Every year in Paris a Christmas market is installed in the image and likeness of the German shepherds. There you will be able to find the typical products of that region, such as sauerkraut, kougelhopf (a kind of sweet brioche in the shape of a volcano), jams, gingerbread and various types of cheeses.

If you go with children on December 6, the day of St. Nicholas, they will receive as a gift a free gingerbread and cinnamon in the shape of the saint.

Practical information

• Where: at the Gare de l'Est train station, Place 11 November 1918.
• Opening dates: from the beginning of December until approximately the 20th of that month.
• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 8 pm, Sundays from 10 am to 7 pm.

It is another of the markets to include in the Christmas list of things to see and do in Paris. Although it is not one of the largest in Paris, the intention with which the Les Féeries d'Auteuil is installed every year makes it worth a visit.

This market is organized by the Auteuil Foundation in order to raise funds for their organization in charge of helping children and young people in difficulty. To do so, they put on sale items such as furniture, candles, ceramics, hats or jewelry, all at a very affordable price.

In total, the market is made up of some 27 huts. All of them are decorated with great detail and manage to create a beautifully illuminated and full of Christmas details. During the few days that the market lasts, about 9, there are several shows of all kinds, such as concerts or exhibitions.

Practical information

• Where: in the gardens of rue Jean de la Fontaine, in the 16th arrondissement of Paris.
• Opening dates: usually held in the second week of December.
• Hours: 11 am to 7 pm daily.