Explore the Paris Christmas Markets
And just like that, it’s the Christmas market season again. Find the perfect Christmas gifts for loved ones and enjoy plenty of street food, twinkling lights, and entertainment throughout the festive season at the best Christmas Markets in Paris.
These Paris Christmas Markets are all worth a visit if you ask us. Some of them aren’t open yet, but we can all get in the Christmas spirit now, can’t we?
Whether you want a riverside stroll or to be transported to a cozy Alsace Chrismas Market, Paris has you covered. Check out this quick guide to the best Christmas Markets Paris has to offer, with the Paris Christmas Market dates 2023 and our top tips. Whether you’re a couple, family, or solo traveler – the Paris Christmas Markets 2023 offer something for everyone!
Paris Christmas Market Dates 2023
When do the Christmas Markets start in Paris? Usually, the first Paris Christmas markets open around the third week of November and last well after New Year’s Eve in Paris.
The Paris Christmas Market dates 2023 are from the third week of November to the first week of January 2024. Go on reading for the specific dates for each of the best Christmas Markets in Paris 2023.
Visit the Best Christmas Markets in Paris 2023 with a Guided Tour
Get the most out of Paris at Christmas time, with its markets and seasonal cheer, from an insider’s perspective. Experience Christmas the Parisian way with one of these guided tours.
TOUR | DURATION | AREA | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
3 hrs | Central Paris | ||
2 hrs | Central Paris | ||
3 hrs | Saint Germain, Paris 6 |
Best Christmas Markets Paris 2023
We can’t think of anything more quintessentially wintery than a stroll through the Paris Christmas Markets. Here, we list the best Christmas Markets in Paris 2022 for festive food, Christmas decorations, or that last-minute gift.
For things to do before or after visiting these Paris Christmas Markets, read our quick guide to the Arrondissements of Paris.
1. Les Halles Chrismas Market, Paris 1
- Christmas Market Dates 2023:
November 2023 – December 2023 - Location: Forum des Halles – 101 Porte Berger, Paris 1
- How to get there: Metro station Les Halles, line 4; RER A, B, and D, station Les Halles
- Size: medium
Highlights: Admire the 20-meter Christmas tree, surrounded by a forest of lights. Here, you will find around 20 wooden chalets offering food, drinks, and handicrafts. Les Halles’ remarkable cupola is always impressive and perfect for rainy days in Paris!
2. Tuileries Christmas Market, Paris 1
The Tuileries Chrismas Market is one of our favorites. Located inside the Tuileries Garden, it replaces the Champs Elysées Christmas Market for a couple of years.
- Christmas Market Dates 2023: 18 November 2023 – 7 January 2024
- Location: Jardin des Tuileries – Place de la Concorde, Paris 1
- Size: big
- How to get there: Metro station Tuileries, line 1; Metro station Concorde, lines 1, 8 and 12
Highlights: From Place de la Concorde to the Louvre Museum, you will find 100 wooden chalets or so offering French products. There’s also a 20-meter Christmas tree, an ice skating rink, a Ferris wheel, and fun activities for children. This is the best Christmas Market Paris has to offer because of its location, size, food stalls, and offer for kids and adults.
3. Hôtel de Ville Christmas Market, Paris 4
- Christmas Market Dates 2023: 28 November 2023 – 31 December 2023
- Location: Parvis de l’Hôtel de Ville, Paris 4
- Size: medium
- How to get there: Metro station Hôtel de Ville, lines 7 and 11
Highlights: Fairytale decoration (the most beautiful in Paris, in our opinion) with a magical forest installed in front of the City Hall, local products and handicrafts, a lovely ancient carousel, and free performances for kids.
This year, the Christmas Market is adorned with the colors of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, in the run-up to the most famous sporting event in the world, scheduled in less than 300 days.
4. Notre Dame of Paris Christmas Market, Paris 5
While the Cathedral is under reconstruction work, the Notre Dame of Paris Christmas Market 2023 is not in front of Notre Dame but on the opposite side of the Seine River.
- Christmas Market Dates 2023: 8 December 2023 – 25 December 2023
- Location: Square René Viviani – Quai Montebello, Paris 5.
- Size: medium
- How to get there: Metro station Saint Michel – Notre Dame, line 4; RER B and C, station Saint Michel – Notre Dame
Highlights: Find regional products, handicrafts, performances for kids, the oldest tree in Paris (400 years!). And, of course, the view of Notre Dame from the other side of the river.
5. Saint Germain-des-Prés Christmas Market , Paris 6
- Christmas Market Dates 2023: 25 November 2023 – 1 January 2024
- Location: Saint-Germain-des-Prés district, Paris 6
- Size: small
- How to get there: Metro station Saint Germain-des-Prés, line 4.
Highlights: This Christmas Market has the honor of being the smallest Christmas Market in Paris! You will find regional products, handicrafts, performances for kids and adults, and even Santa hanging around!
TIP: Complete your Christmas experience with this Christmas Gourmet Tour of St-Germain-des-Prés
6. Eiffel Tower Christmas Market, Paris 7
- Christmas Market Dates 2023: TBD, second half of December 2023
- Location: Parc du Champ-de-Mars / At the foot of the Eiffel Tower. Quai Branly, Paris 7
- Size: big
- How to get there: RER C, stations Champs de Mars – Eiffel Tower or Pont de l’Alma
Highlights: There are many Christmas Markets in Paris, but the city is mainly known for the Eiffel Tower Christmas Market. You will love doing your Christmas shopping in Paris with the Eiffel Tower in the background! Here, you will find a skating rink, free performances, traditional French products, and gift ideas from the neighboring countries.
7. Alsace Christmas Market, Paris 10 Gare de l’Est
- Christmas Market Dates 2023: 1 December 2023 – 17 December 2023
- Location: Gare de l’Est – Place du 11 Novembre 1918, Paris 10
- Size: medium
- How to get there: Metro station Gare de l’Est, lines 4, 5 and 7
Highlights: Don’t you have time to visit Alsace during your holidays in Paris? Don’t worry! The Gare de l’Est Christmas Market is a Christmas Market 100% Alsatian! Find regional products from Alsace and enjoy free tastings.
8. Village de Noël Alésia-Léclerc, Paris 14
- Christmas Market Dates 2023: TBD
- Location: Avenue du Général-Leclerc, Paris 14
- Size: small
- How to get there: Metro station Mouton-Duvernet, line 4
Highlights: This small Christmas Market sells crafts and gastronomy from all the regions in the world (Scandinavia, Eastern Countries, North America, South America, Africa, and Asia).
9. Noël à L’Anglaise (English Christmas)
- Christmas Market Dates 2023: 25 November 2023
- Location: St George’s Anglican Church – 7 Rue Auguste Vacquerie, Paris 16
- Size: small
- How to get there: Metro station Kléber, line 6 or station George V, line 1
Highlights: A Christmas Market that is 100% English, with regional products from the UK: puddings, crackers, cakes, and more.
10. Féeries d’Auteuil Christmas Market, Paris 16
- Christmas Market Dates 2023: 4 – 12 December 2023
- Location: Les Apprentis d’Auteuil – 40 Rue Jean-de-la-Fontaine, Paris 16
- Size: small
- How to get there: Metro station Jasmin, line 9
Highlights: If you are looking for a family atmosphere (nursery, choirs, flea market), this is the best Christmas Market in Paris for you. There are also concerts, shows, and a brass band.
11. Swedish Christmas Market, Paris 17
- Christmas Market Dates 2023: 1 to 3 December 2023
- Location: Swedish Church – 9, Rue Médéric, Paris 17
- Size: small
- How to get there: Metro station Termes, line 2 or Malesherbes, line 3
Highlights: This is a great place in Paris (apart from IKEA) to discover more about Sweden and its Christmas traditions and products.
12. Abbesses Christmas Market, Paris 18
- Christmas Market Dates 2023: 25 November 2023 to 31 December 2023
- Location: Place des Abbesses, Paris 18
- Size: small
- How to get there: Metro station Abbesses, line 12
Highlights: this picturesque Christmas village is set up very close to the Sacré Cœur Basilica, on the iconic Place des Abbesses, in Montmartre.
French artisans and local producers will showcase all their know-how: embroidered pashmina, Christmas decorations, lamps, and other French artisanal products perfect for Christmas gifts.
Visitors can also taste specialties from different regions of France: honey from Paris, foie gras from Périgord, bretzels from Alsace, raclettes and tartiflette, tapenades from Provence, cheeses from the Pyrénées, and of course, mulled wine with spices!
13. Les Eco-Villages de Noël, Paris 18
- Christmas Market Dates 2023: TBD November – December 2023
- Location: La REcyclerie – 83 Boulevard Ornano, Paris 18
- Size: small
- How to get there: Metro station Porte de Clignancourt, line 4
Highlights: Located in a former station of La Petite Ceinture rehabilitated into a living space, the REcyclerie aims to raise public awareness of eco-responsible values in a fun and positive way. During Christmas, the REcyclerie proposes different Christmas Markets based on various themes. We’re looking forward to reading the Christmas program for this year 2023!
Paris Christmas Markets 2023 – Our Best Tips
1. There are multiple Paris Christmas Markets, but most of them are very similar
Apart from a few exceptions, all the Christmas Markets in Paris 2023 offer similar foods, drinks, and decorations. So, in the end, the experience will be largely similar. Unless you want to do a “market crawl,” we suggest ticking off the best Paris Christmas Markets (Tuileries, Hôtel de Ville, and Trocadéro Christmas Markets) and the Christmas Market near your hotel.
2. Weather in Paris in December
Paris in December is usually cold! Expect daily highs of 8°C and nighttime temperatures near freezing. Snow occasionally covers the rooftops of Paris, but it does not last long. For your Christmas market wanderings, we recommend a good jacket, warm shoes, gloves, hat, and scarf.
- Check out our Paris Packing List for December
- Paris Winter Style Guide for Men
- Paris Winter Style Guide for Women
Beware that sunset time in Paris in December is very early, so plan carefully your time in Paris to get the most out of the city!
3. Food & Drinks
Most of the Christmas Markets come with stalls offering comfort food or typical Christmas food for a few euros, so they are well worth a stop during your Parisian wanderings. The most common food staples in the Parisian Christmas Markets are crêpes, cheese, sausages, and savory tarts. There are also sweet treats like chocolate, candies, gingerbread, or cotton candy (barbe à papa in French).
Vin chaud is in France the equivalent of the glühwein in the German Christmas Markets. Along with beer, vin-chaud is the most popular beverage at any Christmas Market in Paris, and it is a spiced mulled wine served hot.
4. Beware of Pickpockets
Christmas Markets are one of the most popular Christmas events in Paris. Most of them are touristy and attire the crowds and the pickpockets. Paris is a safe city to visit, but for peace of mind, we recommend using an anti-theft shoulder bag or an anti-theft backpack so you can wander around the markets and do your Christmas shopping without watching your belongings every 5 seconds.
5. Go to Alsace for Fairytale Christmas Markets in France
Come to the Paris Christmas Markets 2023 to enjoy Christmas shopping and food, and you will have fun. Expect fairytale Christmas Markets under the snow surrounded by traditional architecture, and you will be disappointed.
For the best Christmas Markets in France, take the TGV train at Gare de l’Est and visit the Alsace Christmas Markets. Strasbourg and Colmar host the most popular Christmas Markets in Alsace, but there are many more. December is high season in Alsace, so book accommodation and train tickets well in advance!
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