We LOVE Paris at Christmas. The city streets are lit up in strands of sparkling holiday lights, shop windows are gorgeously decorated and everyone is in a joyful mood. One of the best ways to soak up this fantastic holiday spirit is by visiting some of the Christmas markets (marché de noël in French) that pop up around the city. Generally taking place from late November to late December or early January, you’ll find a whole array of stands selling holiday gifts and seasonal treats to local, sustainably made products. From traditional to modern, here are the best Christmas markets in Paris, so if you’re visiting Paris at the end of the year, don’t miss them.
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(WA = Wheelchair Accessible)
What are the opening hours for Paris’s Christmas Markets?
Most Christmas markets are open from 11am-8pm (some stalls might remain open a little longer), but the Tuileries and Eiffel Tower markets stay open till around 11 pm.
Image Courtesy of Tuileries Christmas Market via Instagram
Tuileries Christmas Market
One of the biggest and best Christmas markets in Paris is the large holiday market and festival held within the Tuileries Gardens. You won’t have to worry about how to find the market – just look for the HUGE Ferris wheel. This market also has some amusement park rides AND a skating rink (with rental skates). So you could take a ride up on the wheel (stunning views up there!), try out some other rides, do some craft shopping, and then feast on some wintery French food like tartiflette (hot potato slices with gooey cheese and bacon). This one is really great for families – you could literally spend hours here.
Tuileries Christmas Market | 16 November 2024 – 1 January 2025 | 1st Arrondissement | WA
Image Courtesy of Montmartre Addict
Montmartre Christmas Market
If you’re visiting Montmartre, be sure to swing by Place des Abbesses which always has a nice market. Even though it’s on the smaller side, it always has great stands, and it’s open over the whole holiday season. If you don’t find the perfect gifts at the market, there are tons of amazing shops in this more local part of Montmartre. So you can do some browsing around here while you’re in the area, and of course, go up to see Sacré-Coeur which puts on a large Christmas nativity scene inside the church.
Montmartre Christmas Market | 25 November – 31 December 2024 | 18th Arrondissement
Image Courtesy of Notre Dame Christmas Market
Notre Dame Christmas Market
You might show up in front of Notre Dame and wonder where its holiday market is. Well, it actually takes place across the river from the cathedral, on the Left Bank in the little Square Viviani park. It has a dozen or so little chalets setting handcrafted goods, from jewelry to textiles. There’ll also be some stalls selling holiday delicacies, including mulled wine and roasted chestnuts, these will help warm you up for more exploring. Notre Dame will be reopening on December 8th, so you could fit in a visit to the cathedral before or after visiting the market.
Notre Dame Christmas Market | 29 November – 25 December 2024 | 5th Arrondissement | WA
Image Courtesy of Alsatian Christmas Market via Facebook
Alsatian Christmas Market at Gare de l’Est
For something a little different and VERY Christmas-y, check out this excellent thematic holiday market. The eastern region of Alsace is the best area for holiday markets in France (and it’s even nicknamed “Christmas Land”!). This market, held in front of the Gare de l’Est station, is a little offshoot of the kind you could find in Alsace. A lot easier than actually taking the train from this station out to Alsace, here you’ll find fabulous gift items and food from the region such as thick pretzels, Christmas cookies, and gingerbread.
Alsatian Christmas Market at Gare de l’Est | 29 November 2024 – 15 December 2025 | 10th Arrondissement
Christmas Market in St-Germain
One of the best Christmas markets in Paris is this one that has the super pretty backdrop of the St-Germain-des-Prés Church (which is the oldest in Paris). It has around 20 little chalets that sell all kinds of “Made in France” handicrafts plus a few food stalls. It’s in a great area for shopping, so after you visit the Christmas market, you can carry on with your shopping in the area.
Christmas Market St-Germain | 26 November 2024 – 1 January 2025 | 6th Arrondissement | WA
Image Courtesy of La Tour Eiffel
Eiffel on Ice & Christmas Market
If you want to combine sightseeing and Christmas shopping, and heck, why not throw in a little skating, then you can do it at the Eiffel Tower. For two weeks around the holidays, there’ll be a lively holiday festival taking place on the Champs de Mars, the large lawn next to the Eiffel Tower. It’ll feature dozens of gift and food stands as well as a skating rink. So you can take a few laps around the rink, grab a chocolat chaud (hot chocolate) and a snack, then sit back and enjoy the views of the twinkling tower!
Eiffel on Ice | 20 December 2024 – 5 January 2025 | 7th Arrondissement | WA
Image Courtesy of La REcyclerie
La REcyclerie Christmas Markets
We’re really fond of this cool hangout in a former light rail train station, but there are some extra reasons to come here around the holidays, namely its sustainable Christmas market. For three weekends leading up to Christmas, the area down by the old train tracks has festive stalls selling only eco-friendly products made by small companies or independent craftspeople. So doing your shopping here is easier on the environment than shopping in larger chain shops.
La REcyclerie Christmas Markets | Weekends in December | 18th Arrondissement
Image Courtesy of La Husard Ludique via Facebook
Le Hasard Ludique Christmas Markets
This is another cool hangout in a former light rail train station and it also holds alternative Christmas markets on the weekends before Christmas. Each weekend has a different theme including French and Latin American artisans, “made in the 18th arrondissement” featuring only local craftspeople, and an eco-village with only eco-friendly and sustainable items. Stick around for a while after you browse the market, as the venue is a great and very local place.
Le Hasard Ludique Christmas Markets | Weekends of November 30-1 December, December 7-8 and 14-15 | 18th Arrondissement | WA
If you liked our list of the best Christmas markets in Paris you might like our other great articles on cool things to do in Paris at this time of year. Read these articles next:
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