How to explore Paris like a local this Christmas
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Whether you’ve already experienced the glamorous French capital or it’s your first visit this festive season, there’s plenty to explore! From theme parks, shopping, and fine dining, to simply soaking up the unique atmosphere, there’s something for everyone.
To help you plan your trip to Paris this festive season, the travel experts at AttractionTickets.com delved into the TripAdvisor reviews as well as analysing use of the hashtag #SecretSpotsInParis to uncover the top five things to do in Paris at Christmas time:
- Visit the ‘Magic de Noel’ Christmas market in Tuileries Garden
- Take a trip to Galerie Lafayette to see the Christmas tree
- Explore Disneyland Paris
- Enjoy the Christmas Lights and festive atmosphere
- Visit iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower
Visit the ‘Magic de Noel’ Christmas market in the Tuileries Garden
Located halfway between the Place de la Concorde and the famous Louvre Museum, the Tuileries Garden Christmas Market is the biggest and liveliest Christmas market in the city. With more than 200 huts, it’s loved by Parisians and visitors from all over the country. The market opens on the 18th of November 2023 until the 7th of January 2024 and will be open every day between 11am and 8pm.
Stretching for half a mile, this pop-up seasonal destination is split into three major sections:
- Christmas-themed carnival packed with fairground attractions
- An “Artisan Village”, perfect for finding Christmas gifts
- Food and drink stalls
You can find a whole range of festive foods including Vin Chaud (hot mulled wine), roasted chestnuts, raclette (a melted cheese dish), freshly made waffles and crepes and other seasonal favourites.
At the entrance of the market, in the Place de la Concorde, a large Ferris wheel is set up each year where you can enjoy the best views of the city and, if you plan your trip right on time, you might even catch the Eiffel Tower’s nightly light show as it sparkles on the hour.
Other Christmas markets around the city include:
- Notre Dame Cathedral (8-26 December 2023) which sells French-made crafts and food
- Hotel de Ville Christmas Market (1 December 2023 – 1 January 2024) which has an illuminated light show, a carousel and market stalls
Take a trip to Galerie Lafayette to see the Christmas tree
The data revealed one of the best spots to soak up the festive vibes is to take a trip to the iconic department store chain, Galerie Lafayette, which is renowned for its great Christmas displays. Every year from mid-November a giant Christmas tree is put up in the Galeries Lafayette’s central court, against the gorgeous backdrop of art-nouveau architecture.
Each year the Christmas tree has a different theme and every 30 minutes, there is a dazzling light show display. For the perfect view of the light show, take a trip to the third floor and grab a coffee and cake from Coutume to enjoy the views.
Before you go, don’t forget to visit the very top floor where you’ll find Galeries Lafayette Rooftop Terrace which offers a stunning panoramic view of Paris. And the best thing, it’s free! Head here to see iconic sights such as the Paris Opera House, Eiffel Tower and Les Invalides.
Explore Disneyland Paris
For an extra dose of Christmas magic, take a short train ride (34 minutes) from the centre of Paris to Marne-la-Vallée – Chessy, for a day at Disneyland Paris.
With Disney Enchanted Christmas set to return from the 11th of November until the 7th of January, you can expect immersive Christmas shows, Mickey’s Dazzling Christmas Parade, winter wonderland, illuminations, decorations and festive-themed treats all around the park. Plus, you can still expect to find popular rides including:
- Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain
- Indiana Jones™ and the Temple of Peril
- Big Thunder Mountain
If you’re staying for a long weekend, consider a day ticket to Disneyland Paris, with ticket prices under £50. If you’re planning on staying in Paris a little longer and want to make the most out of the Disney experience, opt for an offsite hotel and ticket package from £68 per person per night.
Enjoy the Christmas Lights and Festive Atmosphere
For a budget-friendly way to enjoy Paris at Christmas, take a walk around the city to admire the Christmas lights. While most areas are decked out in twinkling lights and decorations, there are some ‘hotspots’ according to the data, with the most popular decorations:
- Champs-Élysées
The Avenue des Champs-Élysées runs between the Place de la Concorde in the East and the Place Charles de Gaulle in the West, where the Arc de Triomphe is located and is 1.9 kilometres long. At Christmas time, over one million bulbs are hung in the 400 trees that line the avenue and are illuminated between 5pm and 2am each night.
However, on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, the lights stay on all night. The display runs from late November 2023 to January 2024.
- Bercy Village
Take a trip to the shopping district Bercy Village to enjoy some of the city’s best Christmas lights. The easiest way to get to Bercy Village is to jump on line 14 to Cour Saint-Emilion, which is just a short walk away from the village.
This year, from the 16th of November to the 8th of January 2024, the shop windows will come alive with Christmas displays and the streets will be lit up by illuminations. While last year the sky was filled with balloons, this year’s theme of “delicious Christmas” means you can expect to see candy canes galore.
- Walk around Paris’ department stores
Some of Paris’ biggest department stores have the best window displays and decorations. The best spots to go to include Le Printemps (Boulevard Haussmann, nearest Metro: Chaussée d’Antin), Le Bon Marché (24 Rue de Sèvres, nearest Metro: Sèvres-Babylone) and BHV Marais (52 Rue de Rivoli, nearest Metro: Hôtel de Ville).
As well as the window displays, high-end boutiques of Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré and Avenue Montaigne also go all out for Christmas, draping lights and decorations over the stores.
Planning your trip to Paris? Visit AttractionTickets.com for tickets to the most popular attractions around the city: https://www.attractiontickets.com/en/paris-attraction-tickets
