Countdown to Christmas in Paris – Paris Christmas Markets
Countdown to Christmas in Paris – Paris Christmas Markets
Before you can say Jiminy Crickey, it will be Christmas. Ok may not so much, but you get the idea. The holiday season seems to inch its way up, creeping in earlier and earlier each year. My son is already making his list, and I’m reminding him that someone will be checking if he’s been naughty or nice. Stop rolling your eyes!
By the time the Summer sales come to an end and back to school is said and done, we will already be seeing Christmas trees and decorations in the stores. While France (as far as I know outside of Alsace), doesn’t have a store solely dedicated to the holiday season, and open year-round, things seem to speed along just the same. Some try to stay reasonable and not start until mid-November but now it is at a fevered pitch to get everything up and out as the countdown to Christmas begins.
Thinking back on Christmas past, I recall that it was around the age of 3 that my son asked for a specific item for Christmas – thank you TV commercials (I blame school – no, I’m kidding). I recall it was someting about a robot dog (what the!?) – he never got it. This year it is just it will likely be just about everything he sees in the toy store with the words Ninja Go being uttered more often than not. I had to look up what that was too, don’t worry. But I do want him to feel the joy of the season.
Christmas in Paris 2017 which kicked off with some controversy and a bit of a mayoral battle. There will be no Christmas market in the Champs Elysรฉes! Hold your gasp! It seems that the mayor decided to cancel the contract of the guy who had the monopoly on the most beautiful avenue in the world. This guy is also the one we can thank for the Grand Roue near the Tuileries Gardens. Paris wants better quality, the mayor’s office said. Thankfully, the lights still shone on the Champs Elysรฉe.
So what are your plans for the holiday season? Will you be spending Christmas in Paris? If you do, I highly recommend booking one or a fewย Cooking classes in Paris, dotted with a bit of shopping or maybe take in an Opera.ย If time permits and to really get to know the city well, try one of the guided tours offered by Sightseeker’s Delight. Of course, a trip to Paris wouldn’t be complete, without some fabulous dining experiences. But what should you try and where should you go? We could all use some good restaurant sugggestions.
If you are planning to be in Paris this holiday season, you’ll surely want to check out some of the lovely Paris Christmas Markets. They are not all created equal, I will admit, but Iโm sure youโll find your bonheur as they say in French (your happiness), and even if you donโt have some mulled wine and Iโm sure it will all go really well. Speaking of mulled wine, Iโve included a recipe for one at the end of this post so if you canโt come see us, you can bring a little bit of what weโll be enjoying this season into your homes.
Paris Christmas Markets
Champs-Elysรฉes Christmas Market
This once-famous Paris Christmas market is now a thing of the past.ย But do visit the avenue all the same to behold the lovely Christmas lights.
Tuileries Garden
100 stalls include French food (but, of course!), will be lined up in the beautiful Tuileries Garden. So while we say boo hoo to the fallen Champs Elysรฉe market, you are only a stone’s throw away via Place de la Concorde.
Where: Tuileries Garden (Jardin des Tuileries), Paris 1 (1st arrondissement
Metro: Concorde, Tuileries
from late November to early January
Christmas market La Dรฉfense
A huge market with over 300 chalets. You’re also close to the IMAX theatre and the La Dรฉfense shopping center.
Where: Parvis de la Dรฉfense, 92
Metro: Esplanade de la Dรฉfense
from late November till late December
Open daily from 11 am to 8 PM
Christmas village Montparnasse
A number of small gift chalets
Where: Below the Montparnasse Tower block, Paris 15
Metro: Montparnasse Bienvenรผe
early to late December
Christmas market St Germain des Prรฉs
Small market, specializing in luxury items.
Place Saint-Germain-des-Prรฉs Paris 6
Metro: Saint Sulpice. RER: Saint Michel – Notre Dame.
Mid-December till early January
Open daily from 10 am to 8 PM
Montmartre Christmas Markets.
Where: Place des Abbesses, Paris 18
Metro: Abbesses
Late November to end of December
Village de Noรซl du Champs de Mars – Eiffel on Ice
Skating at the foot of the Eiffel Tower anyone? For more than 15 days you can enjoy shopping and skating below the Eiffel Tower.
Where: Champs de Mars – Paris 16
Metro: Trocadรฉro/ Bir Hakeim Grab
Mid-December to the beginning of January 11 am – 11 pm.
Be sure to come back and let us know which ones were your favorite markets. And don’t forget to check out some of the pop up weekend markets throughout the city.
For more Christmas Market information for Paris, visit the Paris info website.
Bring that Paris Christmas Market feeling home with you with this delicious Vin Chaud (Mulled Wine) recipe
Here’s a Christmas gift idea for you! Why not purchase a Cooking Class gift voucher for your fav foodie?
