Winter Wonderland in Paris
And honestly? Paris in December feels just as magical. As the days get shorter and the chill rolls in, the city bundles itself up in pure festive charm: twinkly lights looping across boulevards, mulled wine perfuming the air at bustling markets, and whimsical window displays turning department stores into mini fairytales.
For many U.S. students spending the holiday season in Paris for the very first time, this is your chance to see Christmas through a delightfully French lens: velvety chocolat chaud at a café terrace, dreamy rows of artisanal stalls glowing beneath fairy lights, and that jaw-dropping moment when the Galeries Lafayette tree comes into view.
Whether you’re here just for the semester or settling in for the whole year, the holiday season in Paris feels both timeless and wonderfully fresh. Consider this your official invitation to dive into the enchantment.
If you missed the big Christmas illumination ceremony-- no stress! Festive lights are sparkling all over Paris. Take a stroll through Vendôme, Rue Saint-Honoré, Rue de la Paix, or Rue Royale and compare their shimmering displays to the famous Champs-Élysées or the glowing trees near the Arc de Triomphe!
If you’re religious or simply curious about spirituality, you can experience a very special Christmas at Notre Dame, which is celebrating the Noël season again after the 2019 fire. Expect a joyful lineup of music, including collaborations with the Swedish Embassy, that fills the cathedral with heavenly harmonies. And don’t forget to peek in for Christmas Day Mass to witness centuries of faith, music, and devotion come to life.
If you’re already a Sunday market regular, get excited, because we’ve put together a festive list of Christmas markets across different arrondissements, each with its own cozy charm and unique treasures:
Tuileries:
The Jardin du Tuileries Christmas market in the 1st arrondissement is impossible to miss-- just look for the giant ferris wheel, bubbling vats of French onion soup, champagne bars, fairground rides, and, of course, steaming vin chaud.
And yes, Santa makes an appearance too! After browsing, you can wander to the Louvre or explore festive corners like Place Vendôme and Rue Saint-Honoré.
Open daily from 11 AM to 11:30 PM (closing at 7:30 PM on December 24 and 31).
Be sure to go before it closes on January 4, 2026!
Montmartre:
If you hop off the metro at Place des Abbesses, you’ll find yourself in a picture-perfect winter wonderland. The twinkling lights on Montmartre’s hills will make you feel like you’ve stumbled straight into The Grinch — minus the stealing-Christmas part.
This charming traditional market offers handmade scarves, jewelry, children’s toys, and delicious festive bites like escargot, fried mushrooms, and raclette (yum!). Kids can enjoy the merry-go-round, and on weekends, Santa himself pops by.
*Pro tip: Warm up with a glass from the cozy champagne bar.
Open daily from 11 AM to 8 PM until January 4.
La Défense:
Think the business district skips the holiday cheer? Think again! La Défense hosts one of Paris’s largest Christmas markets-- over 300 chalets filled with gifts, jewelry, leather goods, Alsatian specialties, paella, and more. It’s the perfect place to wander for an entire evening.
Monday–Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 8:30 PM
(Dec 24: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Dec 25: Closed)
This market closes December 28, perfect for a pre-flight holiday adventure!
La Tour Eiffel:
Just steps from Bir-Hakeim and Trocadéro, you’ll find one of the dreamiest Christmas markets in town, with 60 adorable chalets selling gifts, goodies, and handmade treats. If you’re hunting for the perfect present, this Eiffel Tower wonderland has you covered.
Be sure to stop by before January 4, 2026!
Notre-Dame:
Often crowned the “most charming Christmas market” in Paris, the warm and welcoming atmosphere around Notre-Dame absolutely earns the title. You can listen to music, join in carols, or just soak in the cozy vibes under its beautiful vaulted ceilings.
About 30 chalets offer clothing, accessories, and gourmet French treats.
The market is open from 10 AM to 8 PM daily, with its final day on Christmas itself -- a perfect finale to the season.
A good piece of advice is to arrive at these Christmas Markets with an empty stomach. After walking around, not only will your stockings be full of presents, but also your stomach. Two specialties you absolutely can’t leave without trying are vin chaud (hot mulled wine) and the iconic Parisian raclette sandwiches.
Vin chaud, or hot mulled wine, is a staple at Christmas Markets. Even if you don’t find yourself drawn to red wine, it’s worth giving it a try. The delicious red wine is sweetened with brown sugar and then spiced with citrus, cinnamon, and ginger. This drink feels like a warm hug in your hands against the December chills you may experience at these outdoor markets. But if you are not into an alcoholic beverage, the hot chocolate at these markets is just as good. You’ll see people strolling through the market with steaming cups, warming their hands in one hand and something just as delicious in their other.
You’ve probably seen them on social media, as the cheese that melts off into these sandwiches is a real showstopper. Yes, it’s the famous raclette sandwiches you’ll see at every Christmas market because one is not complete without one. Beneath a heating lamp, a delicious wheel of raclette cheese is melting to perfection. Once it reaches that oozing softness, the vendor gently scrapes a great amount of cheese over a crisp, warm baguette layered with ham. A three-ingredient meal that somehow makes Christmas complete, as they are usually only found during the colder months.
Like most iconic things in Paris, there are usually long, intimidating lines that may deter you from buying them. The vendors work quickly and efficiently, so don’t let the long line at first glance scare you off. The wait is rarely as long as it appears! The reward of a vin chaud or raclette sandwich is worth the wait.
However, the real reward is the gift of giving to others beyond your own circle. What’s a better way to celebrate the holiday spirit than by extending some holiday cheer to those who may not be as fortunate. Whether it’s donating to a local charity or buying a warm drink (or meal) for someone in need, it’s gestures as simple as these that are better than any wrapped present. The spirit of Christmas is rooted in giving in more ways than material items. This Christmas season, it’s important to remember that we’re all part of a larger community, and small acts of kindness can lighten up someone else’s world.
