10 things to see and do in Paris in December

Inevitably, to talk about the month of December is to talk about Christmas. In Paris, and in cities all over the world, this holiday marks the entire month. But it is certainly not a negative thing. Thanks to Christmas, the so-called city of light shines brighter than ever and looks more beautiful and spectacular than the rest of the year.

It also gives us the opportunity to enjoy events and activities unique to this month. Seeing the illumination, visiting the typical Christmas markets or ice skating in some of the most spectacular locations in Paris are just a few examples of what we can do. If you want to discover more, in this article I share with you the best things to do and see in Paris in December.

It is quite likely that snow will make an appearance in Paris in the month of December. Seeing the city in snow more than makes up for the cold weather. And to enjoy the snowy French capital, the best option is to do it from its most famous viewpoint. From the Eiffel Tower with its magnificent views.

The tower has three viewpoints, one on the second floor, another on the second and the last at the top at over 300 meters above sea level. From these you can see monuments such as the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe or Notre Dame.

• Price: the price of admission depends on whether we go up on foot or by elevator among other factors, if we opt for a guided tour or see it on our own, but from 39 € you can climb the Eiffel Tower.
• To learn more: I leave here all the information you need to know to buy your tickets for the Eiffel Tower.

In December there are always alternative plans to take shelter from the cold. One of the best options is to visit the Opera Garnier and attend one of its shows.

The spectacular building can be visited to learn the secrets of the opera and what is behind its stage. Doing so will amaze you with its beauty and make you want to attend a show. To do this, I recommend that you book a guided tour of the Opera Garnier well in advance.

More information about the Garnier Opera House

• Price: depends on the type of show and the location of the seat. For the guided tour, you can book it from 306 €.
• To know more: find out all the details of the guided tour of the Opera Garnier.

So much Christmas and so much cold can get tiring for some people. If you want to escape from both, what better way to do it than to see some of the best works of art in the world. Booking tickets for the Louvre Museum will allow us to spend a day away from the hustle and bustle of the Christmas streets and under cover, while we see some of the best works of art in the world. The 13 best works in the Louvre in ParisAmong many others.

We will not even have to go out to eat, as it has several restaurants in the Louvre. And if you have to do Christmas shopping, be sure to enter the Louvre stores, in addition to the official store of the museum itself. The latter is ideal for art gifts.

Please note that the museum is closed on December 25.

More information about the Louvre

• Price: from 25 € you can book your ticket to the Louvre Museum.
• To know more: Find out more about the Louvre Museum in Paris.

Who hasn't ever dreamed of living a Christmas like in the Disney movies? Well, in Paris you can do it if you visit Disneyland.

At Christmas, the most famous theme park in Europe is decked out with spectacular Christmas decorations and celebrates exclusive events and activities with its most iconic characters. An ideal plan for both children and adults. Of course, on this date there is a lot of demand so I recommend you to book your tickets for Disneyland in advance, whether you go one day or if you opt for several days for Disneyland Paris.

It is one of the most special Christmas experiences. In addition to meeting Mickey and company, in the park's stores we can find the best gifts for the children of the house. Disney has everything to make Christmas magical. If you do not want to worry about how to get there, do not hesitate to book tickets for Disneyland Paris with express bus service and avoid complications.

More information about Disneyland Paris

• Price: from 72 € you can book a day ticket for Disneyland Paris.
• To know more: Find out all the information about the best attractions of Disneyland Paris.

Paris is known as the city of light, as it was the first European capital to install electric lighting. Since then it has been gaining a reputation that does justice to the city, especially if you travel to Paris at Christmas. There is no doubt that it is one of the best cities in the world for lovers of Christmas and its lighting.

Some of its streets are the most beautiful in the world in this sense and millions of tourists travel to the French city just to admire its illumination. The Champs Elysées, the Avenue de Montaigne and the Montmartre district are the best places in Paris to see the city at its best.

Obviously, at night is when it looks best. My recommendation is to hire a Paris sightseeing bus that will take you on a tour of these and other streets famous for their illumination. You can't miss the lights in monuments like the Eiffel Tower or Notre Damme.

More information about Paris

• Price: from 35 € you can book your ticket for the tourist bus.
• To know more: check all the information about the best tourist buses in Paris.

Paris is also known for the beauty of its churches. A beauty that at Christmas is enhanced by the special lighting that some of them show. The most recommended at this time of the year are:

• The Basilica of the Sacré Coeur, which you can see if you book a tour of Montmartre. It crowns the hill and offers one of the best views of Paris is illuminated on Christmas nights in a unique and spectacular way.
• The Madeleine Church: near the Place de la Concorde is this neoclassical church that at Christmas time receives a large number of visitors thanks to its famous Christmas crib.
• Notre Dame: although it cannot be visited inside after the fire it suffered in 2019, the illumination of the facade of the cathedral and the market in its square make the most famous church in Paris one of the main Christmas attractions in the city. In fact, you can book a tour of the exterior of Notre Dame with entrance to the crypt.

More information about Notre Dame

• Price: from 36 € you can book a guided tour of the Basilica of the Sacré Coeur or Notre Dame.
• To know more: Learn more about how to visit the Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Another tradition linked to Paris in December are the Parisian Christmas markets. In many of the emblematic places and squares of the city are installed since early November these markets where you can buy all kinds of items.

French gastronomic products, crafts, winter clothing and Christmas items of all kinds is what we can find in these markets. And where are the main markets located? Well, take out pencil and paper and take notes. Also, keep in mind that, to move comfortably between these markets, ideally you should book the Big Bus tourist bus in Paris.

• On the Champs Elysées (the most famous).
• In the Tuileries Gardens next to the Louvre.
• At the Hôtel de Ville Square (Paris City Hall).
• At the Notre Dame Cathedral.
• On the Champs de Mars (under the Eiffel Tower).

For further information, please contact us

• Price: free admission.
• To know more: here is a list of the best Christmas markets in Paris.

Parisians love ice skating when winter and Christmas are approaching. It is also a highly recommended activity for tourists. So much so that it has become almost a tradition and the city council installs ice rinks all over the city. Some of them in very special locations that you can visit in advance if you book a guided tour of Paris:

• The rink at the Grand Palais des Glaces, the largest in France and third largest indoor ice rink in the world.
• On the Champs de Mars, under the Eiffel Tower.
• And in the Eiffel Tower itself. An ice rink is installed on the second floor at a height of 57 meters.
• On the Champs Elysées.
• On the square of the Hôtel de Ville, the city's town hall.

More information about the Eiffel Tower

• Price: there are free ice rinks in Paris. Of course, you will always have to count on the rental price of skates.

One of the most deeply rooted Christmas traditions in Paris is to visit the famous Galeries Lafayette. Located next to the Opéra Garnier, this department store is famous for its glass dome and architecture.

Added to this is a spectacular Christmas decoration that invites visitors to buy their gifts for these dates. Although that is an extra because just visiting them is worth it. In its center is installed a huge interactive Christmas tree with lights and figures and its shop windows are all an ostentation of Christmas spirit. Do not miss these and other Parisian passages, with the tour of the galleries of Paris.

Read more about the Parisian galleries

• Price: free admission.

Speaking of shopping, what is the best area in Paris for it? Well, there are many options, but at Christmas time I choose the Champs Elysees. If you are looking to buy the best Christmas gifts, in this famous avenue of two kilometers long are concentrated many of the most recognized stores and brands in the world.

Throughout the year its shop windows and shops attract the attention of any visitor, but at Christmas this is multiplied thanks to the spectacular Christmas lighting of this avenue that begins at the Place de la Concorde and ends at the Arc de Triomphe. Shopping is not always a pleasure, but if you do it in what for many is the most beautiful street in the world, things change. And if you are a shopaholic, you have the option of booking a shopping trip to the La Vallée outlet in Paris.

Read more about it here

• Price: free admission.

In December the cold is the undisputed protagonist of Paris, however it is the second coldest month of the year after January. Temperatures range from 7 degrees Celsius maximum to 2 degrees Celsius minimum. The rains are also frequent and the average of December is between 15 and 22 rainy days.

But rain does not come alone and snow is also likely to make an appearance. Although it is not usual, it usually snows a couple of days a month. As you can see, if you go to Paris in December, you will have to wrap up warm.

There are countless things to do and see in Paris. However, in the month of December there are two opposing elements. The intense cold that the capital suffers and Christmas. The cold can make more than one to retract to visit Paris at that time, but the battle is won in most cases Christmas. Paris looks especially beautiful in December and is enough of a lure to attract millions of tourists.

That is why the tourist influx is very high. At the beginning of December, tourism is moderate, but as the Christmas season approaches, it increases significantly. Hotels and restaurants are booked well in advance for the last days of the month and are frequently sold out. This also increases the prices of the city.

But it is a price to pay for visiting one of the most beautiful cities in the world at a time when it looks at its best.

The cold will undoubtedly be the element that will condition our luggage to travel to Paris in December. Take a large suitcase because winter clothes take up a lot of space and also want to leave room in case you buy a Christmas gift. In your suitcase you must carry if or if:

• A heavy coat. Better if it is waterproof.
• Thick sweaters or knitwear.
• Waterproof clothes for rain and possible snow.
• Winter accessories such as gloves, hat or scarf.
• Comfortable and waterproof footwear. And if snow is forecast, boots with good grip.
• Thick socks are a must if you don't want to freeze your feet.
• Take a large suitcase for winter clothes and if you plan to do your Christmas shopping in Paris an extra one.