Every winter, Paris dresses up in garlands and hundreds of wooden chalets spring up across the city. Whether you’re looking for original gifts, a mug of mulled wine to warm you up, or simply a stroll under the festive lights, here are our tips for planning your visits.
A Little History
Christmas markets are an age-old tradition, born in Germanic countries and in Alsace, where they have filled town squares for centuries. The custom then spread across Europe, and the French capital has made it one of its must-do events of December.
Time to Eat, Between the Chalets
A Christmas market is also a chance to indulge. Tartiflette, pretzels, warm waffles, roasted chestnuts, hot chocolate or mulled wine: you wander, you taste, and you often head home with a little jar of honey or a box of biscuits for loved ones.
The Big Christmas Markets in and around Paris
- La Défense: Parvis de La Défense (92), from November 12 to December 31. It’s the first to open, and one of the largest.
- Tuileries Garden (1st arr.): from November 14 to January 3, 2027. Funfair, Ferris wheel and chalets, facing the Louvre.
- Champs-Élysées (8th arr.): lower end of the avenue, Concorde side, from November 22 to January 4, 2027. It returns this year after an absence of almost ten years.
- Eiffel Tower (7th arr.): Quai Jacques-Chirac, from December 5 to January 3, 2027.
Smaller, More Intimate Markets
- Notre-Dame (5th arr.): Square René-Viviani, from November 26 to December 27. A small market facing the cathedral.
- Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th arr.): Boulevard Saint-Germain, from November 27 to January 6, 2027. Chalets lined up at the foot of the oldest church in Paris, and the one that stays open the longest.
- Alsatian market at Gare de l’Est (10th arr.): station forecourt, rue d’Alsace side, from December 2 to 18. A concentrated taste of Eastern France’s specialties.
Our Tips for Making the Most of Them
Weekends and December evenings are very busy. To stroll in peace, go on a weekday, during the day, or in the early evening. Several markets remain open after December 25, so you can extend the festive atmosphere into early January.
In Short
- First market to open? La Défense, on November 12.
- Market open the latest? Saint-Germain-des-Prés, until January 6, 2027.
- Where to find an Alsatian atmosphere? On the forecourt of Gare de l’Est, from December 2 to 18.
So, put on your scarf, hold your mug of mulled wine tight and set off to explore the chalets! And to keep the festive spirit going, step into Hôtel Moderniste: our team will be happy to recommend the markets that best suit your tastes, before welcoming you back to a warm and cozy setting after your strolls under the lights.
Photo ©Daniil Silantev