How to Spend Christmas in Paris 2025: Lights, Markets & Things to Do

While Christmas markets aren’t unique to Paris, they are one of the best ways to get into the holiday spirit. Wooden chalets packed with Christmas decorations, food, mulled wine, and all kinds of trinkets pop up throughout the city. These markets are perfect places to pick up a special Christmas gift or simply enjoy the warm, festive atmosphere.

Here are some of the most popular markets you can expect in 2025:

Get into the holiday spirit by bundling up in your winter coat and going for a spin on the ice. During Christmas in Paris, you can often find pop-up ice rinks in some incredible locations.

Tuileries Garden: As part of the Christmas market, this rink offers a magical setting right in the heart of the city.

Grand Palais des Glaces: This is one of the most famous rinks, transforming the Grand Palais into a gigantic indoor ice skating venue. Book tickets in advance!

Other locations: Look out for smaller, festive rinks that may appear at the foot of the Eiffel Tower or in front of the Hôtel de Ville.

Since it’s going to be cold in Paris in the winter, you might as well stay warm by indulging yourself with a true, made-from-scratch hot chocolate using the finest French ingredients.
There are a few great places we recommend. First, is chocolatier Jean-Paul Hévin, and we like the location near the Louvre. Another spot we can’t miss is Crêperie Contemporaine 142, which is not far from the Eiffel Tower. The best thing about this restaurant is that you can get incredible crêpes with your hot chocolate.

One of the best ways to enjoy Christmas in Paris is simply by walking its streets. The famous Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Avenue Montaigne, and Rue Saint-Honoré all present beautiful holiday displays with thousands of twinkling lights.

The Champs-Élysées Christmas lights for 2025 are expected to be lit up from late November through early January, with the lights turning on every evening at dusk. Our personal favorite spot for lights is Place Vendôme, which transforms into a chic Christmas wonderland with dozens of Christmas trees sparkling with white and blue lights.

Christmas in Paris is the perfect time to work your way through some of the top French foods to try. Start with foie gras, usually served on toast and considered the star appetizer of the season. Oysters and smoked salmon follow closely behind in popularity. And to finish, there’s the indulgent Bûche de Noël, a chocolate sponge cake rolled into the shape of a log.

Paris’ streets light up for the holidays, and so do many of its stores, making this a perfect time to explore some of the best shopping in Paris. The Galeries Lafayette department store is the star of the season, with its iconic holiday window displays drawing crowds from early November to early January. While you’re there, step inside to admire the spectacular Christmas tree beneath the store’s famous glass dome.

Whether you’ve been to Paris before or not, a visit to the Eiffel Tower is a must-do at Christmas. The famous monument is beautifully lit up for the season and the view from the top is even more magical with the city lights twinkling below.

Pro Tip: Book your tickets in advance as it can get very crowded, especially during the holiday season. Consider booking a Seine River cruise that includes elevator access to the tower for a truly memorable experience.

When the temperature drops, swap your outdoor plans for a day inside the world’s largest art museum. The Louvre’s galleries cover everything from Greek sculptures to iconic French paintings, making it the perfect warm-up between holiday markets and light displays. When planning your visit to the Louvre, remember that it’s closed on Tuesdays, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

The Palace of Versailles is stunning year-round, but there’s something magical about wandering its grand halls and manicured gardens in the crisp winter air. Inside, you can warm up among gilded ceilings, glittering chandeliers, and the famous Hall of Mirrors, while outside, the fountains and pathways take on a serene, frosty beauty.