Paris is a beautiful city any time of year, but at Christmas time it can be magical. A trip to Paris can be a romantic holiday for couples or a fun family vacation. Here are some of the things you can see and do during Christmas in Paris.
Light Displays
At Christmas time, visit the Champs-Elysées. From the Place de l’Etoile to the Arc de Triomphe, lights are strung along with trees for a distance of two kilometers. The lights usually begin around the end of November and end in early January.
The department stores in Paris also have wonderful light displays. Check out the district near the Opera Garnier and gaze at the beautifully lit display windows.
During the Christmas season, the lights of the City of Light shine brighter than ever before. A double-decker bus is a great way to experience this magical holiday atmosphere. In addition to the Opéra, you’ll also hear information about the Place Vendôme, Champs Elysées, and the Eiffel Tower as you drive by them on your audio tour.
Notre Dame Cathedral
This historic cathedral also has a gorgeous light display each year. An enormous tree is decorated and lit up for the public to view. In addition, Notre Dame has a beautiful, peaceful Christmas Eve service that is worth attending.
(As of November 2021, works on the restoration of Notre Dame after a terrible fire that almost fully destroyed it in 2019 are still ongoing. We are not sure about lights and Christmas Eve service as of now.)
More about Notre Dame.
Ice Skating
Winter sports are becoming popular in Paris. On the floor of the Eiffel Tower, there is an open-air skating rink that is open only during that time of year. There are various rinks throughout Paris during the holidays as well. (The Eiffel Tower rink does tend to be crowded, despite Christmas being the “off” season for tourists.) There are even areas where children can go sledding.
Disneyland
The Parisian Disneyland is fully decked out for Christmas celebrations. Fun and festive events are scheduled throughout the Christmas season, from late November to early January. There are parades and Christmas markets at Disneyland, Paris, too.
Christmas Markets
These quaint villages are not just in Disneyland, Paris. These markets have become a holiday tradition from the Northern Alsace region. They consist of wooden booths arranged like a miniature village. Delicious treats are served from these booths, such as gingerbread and spiced wine. You can also buy gifts and decorations at these markets.
Museums
Paris is known for its beautiful museums, particularly art museums. Christmas is an “off” season for travel, so there are few crowds to contend with. This makes it an excellent time to visit the Louvre and other beautiful museums.
Here is more info about top museums in Paris to visit.
Dining
Although crowds of tourists are lower during winter, expect restaurants to be fully booked or closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Make reservations well ahead, or consider celebrating your Christmas Dinner on a day that is not the 24th or 25th of December.
Few places capture the nostalgia and peace of Christmas like Paris. It combines the slow pace of a small town with the glitz and beauty of a big city holiday.
Here is more info about top restaurants in Paris.
Top attractions in Paris
Here are some top attractions in Paris you could visit and enjoy. There are, of course, dozens of attractions and landmarks in Paris worth visiting and learning about the history of this amazing city.
Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe is one of the most famous monuments in Paris, France, located in the Place Charles de Gaulle, on the western end of the Champs-Élysées,
Louvre Museum
The Louvre, or the Louvre Museum, is the biggest art museum in the world, located in Paris, France, and is also a historic monument. A city’s main landmark, it is...
Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is a walled iron tower 324 meters high (with antennas) situated in Paris, at the northeastern end of the Champ-de-Mars Park, on the banks...
Palace of Versailles
From 1682, under Louis XIV, until the beginning of the French Revolution in 1789, under Louis XVI, the Palace of Versailles was France’s principal royal residence. It is located in...
Notre Dame Cathedral
Notre-Dame de Paris (‘Our Lady of Paris’) or Notre Dame Cathedral, is a medieval Catholic cathedral, located on the Île de la Cité, in the 4th arrondissement of Paris.
Champs-Élysées
Wide, centrally located avenue in Paris, almost 2 kilometers long, Champs-Élysées is stretched between Arc de Triomphe and Place de la Concorde.
Paris and France travel guides
Here are handy travel guides about Paris and France so you can learn a thing or two about these destinations. For a comprehensive list of our travel guides, please visit our travel guides page.
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Top hotels in Paris
Paris has dozens of hotels of various star ratings, together with other lodging solutions, such as guest houses, hostels, and Airbnb. Bellow are some top hotel recommendations from our website. For a general hotel search, check the form at the bottom of this page or our hotel booking page.
Hotel Regina Louvre
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Hotel Napoleon Paris
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Relais Christine
Set in a 17th-century mansion in the core of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Relais Christine is a boutique hotel just 700 meters from the Cathedral of Notre-Dame. It...
Madeleine Plaza
Located in a Haussmannian building opposite the Madeleine Church in Paris, Hotel Madeleine Plaza is among the 8th district's luxury boutique hotels. It has a...
Hotel Dupond-Smith
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Hôtel D’Aubusson
Hôtel D'Aubusson is a private mansion dating back to the 17th century is located in the Latin Quarter, 350 meters from Odéon Metro Station. A...
Cheap flights and hotels discounts for Paris
The peak season for flights to Paris is March, October and December. The low season for purchasing tickets is May, June and July.
Paris is served by these airports: Beauvais-Tille Airport, Charles de Gaulle Airport, Chalons Vatry Airport and Paris Orly Airport. Direct flights to Paris are offered by 118 airlines.
Most flights are with Air France. Direct flights from Paris, United States are airlines: American Airlines, United Airlines, Lufthansa, Air Canada, Aeromexico and Norwegian Air Shuttlefrom New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago, Miami and Dallas.
Paris and France attractions and landmarks
Here are some of the most popular attractions and landmarks in Paris and in France.
Last Updated on November 6, 2021 by Tours Editor @ gotravelyourself.com
Author
Last Updated on November 6, 2021 by Tours Editor @ gotravelyourself.com
My family had a great time in Paris. We had a wonderful time there and enjoyed the culture of the region. The nightlife was fantastic, and the city’s elegance is indescribable. We are in love with the place and explore so many places like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Louvre Museum, Cruise on the Seine, etc. After reading your blog I would like to revisit there.