Dec 1st, 2015, 01:56 PM

Parisian Christmas Markets Serve Up 'Betises' Gifts and Hot Wine

By Madelaine Walker
( Vicky Milway, Creative Commons)
The Numerous Parisian Christmas Markets Keep 'Pere Noel' Hopping

That time of year is quickly approaching and you know exactly what I'm talking about; I'm talking about the Starbucks Holiday drinks, the joyful spirit that seems to be in everyone, the sudden panic of trying to figure out how you are going to pay for all the presents, and the Christmas markets; it truly is the most wonderful time of the year. It should come to no surprise that a city full of beautiful and incredible monuments and buildings should also be home to the oh so beautiful Christmas Markets. There isn't just one Christmas market, no, there are many Christmas markets.

1) Champs-Elysees

This location is set to open November 18 at 2 pm and will be open until January 3, 2016. The market will open daily at 1030 am and close until midnight except for Friday and Saturday nights when it will be open till 1 am. The Ferris Wheel, however, will open November 18, 2015 and will remain open until September 23 of 2016. The hours being 11 am until midnight except Friday and Saturday night when it will be open till 1 am.  If you want more information you can go to their Facebook page Christmas Markets Champs-Elysees. 

2) La Defense

This market is set to open November 19th until December 27th, the hours being from 11 am until 8:30 pm. It will not be open on the 25th of December. 

3) Place des Abbesses

This market takes place in the 18 arrondissment from the November 27th to January 3rd. The hours are from 10 am to 8 pm everyday.

4) Beaugrenelle Shopping Center 

This open to from November 27th to January 4th and is located near the Eiffel Tower.

For more information on Christmas Markets in the Paris region and just to double check because it would be awful to miss out, you can check out this website http://www.xmas-markets.org/paris-christmas-markets/ or this website http://en.convention.parisinfo.com/latest-news/christmas-markets !

Surprise, these are just the markets that open in November!! There are more that open in December! 

(Michael Coghlan, Creative Commons)

5) Place de la Nation

In the 12th arrondissment, these shops will open from December 1st to December 24th everyday from 10am to 8pm. 

6) Feeries d'Auteil

These shops will take place in the 16 arrondissment and open from December 5th to December 13th from 11am to 7 pm. These markets aren't open long so if you want to stop by there make sure you keep track of the days so you don't miss it! Here is some more info to make sure you are prepared, http://en.parisinfo.com/paris-show-exhibition/136717/christmas-market-feeries-d-auteuil

7) Montparnesse Station

This market will open around December 10th to December 31st. It takes place at the foot of the Montparnesse Tower in the 15 arrondissment. 

8) Notre-Dame

The shops around Notre-Dame will open December 12th until December 23rd from 10 am to 8 pm everyday except Friday and Saturday night when they will be open until 9 pm. 

9) Bir Hakeim

This is located near the Eiffel Tower, as well, and will open around December 16th and close the January 3rd.

10) Branly Promenade 

This market is also near the Eiffel Tower and will open December 17th until January 4th, hours from 10am to 7 pm.

There are not only these lovely markets with handcrafted gifts but there are few other places that will have Holiday festivities, check out this handy website for the down low on the Christmas flow http://www.timeout.com/paris/en/paris-christmas-markets

( Creative Commons, Jorge Lascar)

1)  There will be Champs de Mars on Ice that will begin the December 18th until January 3rd. 

2) In the Carrousel de Louvre there will be the Gourmet Christmas which will take place through December 11th until December 14th from 10am to 8pm everyday. 

3) Jours de Fetes from December 17th to the 3rd of January. There are all kinds of attractions for people of all ages, along with these delicious treats to keep the blood level high and the energy going. 

And of course don't forget about Christmas in Disney Village! Where you can celebrate the Christmas spirit with some of your favorite Disney character and maybe sing a duet of Mariah Carey's " All I Want for Christmas is You"

I wish you all good luck in your shopping excursions and Christmas activities...may your Christmases be merry and white and may the bill in January not be too painful!