There's no place in the world like Paris but come Christmas time the famed City
of Lights takes its nickname pretty literally with the entire city decked
out and lights Christmas markets popping up all over and plenty of excuses to eat
your weight in chocolate here are some of the best things you need to do in
Paris at Christmastime stay till the end because we're saving the best for last
and I'll even be giving you a free checklist and map with all these spots
so the number one thing to do in Paris at Christmas is to frolic your way
through the city's Christmas market while most Christmas markets wait until
after Advent to make their grand appearance a few are usually open
earlier during my visit I had the chance to visit the Christmas market at the
Jardin des Tuileries and the Christmas market at La Défense
Ssandwiched between the Louvre Museum and Place de la Concorde, the Jardin des Tuileries
offers a centrally located Christmas wonderland with over 100 wooden chalets
selling everything from gluttonous munchies to handcrafted gifts for
thrill-seekers you'll find fairground rides and games on site as well as a
giant Ferris wheel overlooking the city and hey if you play your cards right you
might even make a few new friends
on the outskirts of Paris at the end of the metro line one you'll find La Défense
a sprawling business centre that showcases a ho ho whole new modern
side to Paris while there's not usually a reason to visit the spot as a tourist
Christmas is the perfect time to go because the district is home to Paris's
largest Christmas market with over 300 different stalls a variety of beautiful
light installations and of course plenty of caloric goodness
I even spotted a Canadian food stall so if you want to add some poutine to your
routine that's something you can do sure it's a little out of the way but if
you want a great Christmas market experience in Paris be sure to stop by
this one your second Christmas must do in Paris is to enjoy all the Christmas
magic at Galeries Lafayette, a luxurious department store with a show-stopping
Christmas tree that dazzles the masses every year and if that's not sparkly
enough as is there's even a light show every 30 minutes that you can enjoy as
well as a variety of Christmas Day course scattered around the stores
multiple floors and for the first time ever the Galeries Lafayette have also
unveiled a new rooftop skating rink this year which is 100% free including use of
the rink and rentals this of course means you can glamorously glide around
with Eiffel tower views for free if you lack coordination like me though you
might not break the bank but you will probably break your hips
next up don't forget to enjoy the different Christmas shops and displays
around the city Paris at Christmas is like the city of lights on glittery
steroids. storefronts are decked out restaurants are twinkling and countless
streets will be lined with dazzling lights including the iconic Champs Elysées.
A few spots you can't miss for lights
include the Village Royal, this year home to giant glittery bears and balloons
Place Vendôme, home to big towering Christmas trees surrounded by some of the most
luxurious brands in the world and of course the quintessentially Parisian
Rue Montorgueil a charming market street lined with
bakeries cheese shops and cafes you'll even find the oldest patisserie in Paris
lurking on the street in operation since the year 1730. The fourth must do during
Christmas in Paris is to stop by the incredible covered passages of the city
one of my favorite quirky gems in Paris these covered shopping arcades date back
to the early 19th century and a few dozen remain today offering an intimate
setting for all sorts of beautiful shops cafes and restaurants while already a
delightful step in time on any given day these passages become especially
wonderful at Christmas time when twinkly lights and Yuletide decor crank the
magic meter to over 9,000. Galeries Vivienne is probably the most famous of these
passageways and for good reason with ornate mosaic tiling and a bright glass
roof top this visage becomes only during Christmas time with all its
amazing lights my personal favorite for Christmas though is a little boutique
tucked away inside Passage Jouffroy, the Maison du Roy, a baroque shop showcasing all
kinds of wonders reminiscent of the 18th century. At Christmastime too, the displays
here are pretty tough to beat. Next up another incredible must do in Paris
during Christmas is of course to drink your weight in hot chocolate
I mean sure there's no bad time to be enjoying hot chocolate in Paris but
there's something very very special about the Christmas spirit engulfing the
city that seems to give you a free pass to not count calories and to indulge
indulge indulge. Angelina is a Parisian institution that many love for their
thick drinking chocolate and elegant tea room but if I can be honest my taste
buds far prefer the delicious hot chocolate at the Lindt Cafe. Is it the
most Parisian experience? Not exactly but trust me when I say I
would take a bullet for this hot chocolate if I could. Try one with
whipped cream and your life will be changed. And while hot chocolate does
truly course through my veins at Christmastime there's good news if
you're looking for something a little bit stronger. That brings me to number 6
which is to grab a drink at one of Paris's many Christmasy terraces and
bars. A little known Christmas secret of Paris is that many of the city's
fanciest hotels and terraces will be rolling out Christmas pop-ups where you
can booze up in a festive and enchanting atmosphere from an igloo bar on the
Eiffel Tower to cosy chalets at the Ritz and Park Hyatt. One of the best ways to
warm up after a long day of sightseeing is a scenic drink in a sparkly a festive
venue. My personal recommendation: Le Perchoir at the BHV Marais, a rooftop bar
on top of one of Paris's most famous department stores this is one of the top
hot spots in the city during the summer but it's also open in the wintertime
with beautiful lights and of course one of the top views in town
and perhaps the most dazzling light show that Paris has to offer