Top 10 Christmas markets in Paris

Paris changes its appearance during the Christmas holidays and the list of timeless plans includes street lighting, shop window decorations, skating rinks and, of course, its wonderful Christmas markets, from the one in the Jardin des Tuileries to the one in St Germain des Prés.

If you are planning a trip to the French capital during these dates, whether you are travelling with children, as a couple or even alone, a visit to one of these markets is not to be missed. You'll be immersed in the Christmas spirit, enjoying the atmosphere while sipping a revitalising mulled wine.

Set in the Tuileries, one of the most beautiful gardens, the location of this Christmas market makes it a must-see for anyone visiting Paris at Christmas. Thousands of people flock to this market halfway between the Place de la Concorde and the Louvre Museum. It is made up of more than 200 huts offering the best of French gastronomy and decorative objects.

If you go to this market, especially after spending the day visiting the best museums in the French capital or other tourist attractions, you must try the Vin Chaut, the name given in France to hot spiced wine. It's also worth buying some chestnuts (marrons) or a Galette des Roi, the equivalent of the Three Kings' Cake.

There are also many markets offering all kinds of handicrafts and high-end lighting items so that you can imitate the Christmas lights of Paris at home. At the beginning of the market, in the Place de la Concorde, every year a big Ferris wheel is installed from which you can get the best views of the city. Finally, you will also find a huge skating rink of about 500 m².

Practical information

• Opening dates: normally opens in mid-November and closes on 5 January.
• Opening hours: every day, between 11 am and 8 pm.

One of the great attractions of this Christmas market is its great location: in front of the river that bathes Notre Dame Cathedral. Without a doubt, an incomparable setting for strolling among the stalls that are set up during the Christmas season and an ideal plan for when you finish your tour of Notre Dame.

The market is set up in a small park from which you can perfectly photograph the medieval towers of the Cathedral. As in the rest of the markets of this type, strollers come to try some of the gastronomic specialities typical of winter in Paris, such as chestnuts and mulled wine.

The atmosphere and ambience of this market are two of the factors that make it a must. In addition to food, you can buy a wide variety of works of art, jewellery, crockery and ceramic objects made by craftsmen who are popular for the quality of their work. Children travelling to Paris also have their place, with drawing competitions and storytelling. Not forgetting, of course, the presence of Father Christmas himself.

Practical information

• Where: Place René Viviani, next to Notre Dame Cathedral.
• Opening dates: from mid-December until before Christmas Eve.
• Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 10am to 8pm. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays it closes at 9pm.

Near the famous Saint Germain des Prés church, another Christmas market worth visiting opens every year. With almost 30 huts, its main attraction is the luxury goods on offer, such as jewellery, leather bags and handicrafts. In addition, Parisians often come to buy candles and scented chocolates.

This market is the work of the big shops in the area, which offer their merchandise while organising a large number of activities for all ages. Of course, you can't miss many of the seasonal gastronomic specialities that you would find on a gastronomic tour of Paris, so you can also enjoy everything from delicious chocolate to mulled wine.

But, without detracting from the market, the best thing about it is undoubtedly the neighbourhood in which it is located. It is an area with a modern atmosphere in which you can glimpse its past as a reference point for intellectual life in the French capital. Walking around not only means seeing some interesting monuments, but also discovering great art galleries, small bookshops and several Parisian-style cafés.

Practical information

• Where: on Place Saint Germain des Prés, just off the esplanade of the church that gives its name to the square.
• Opening dates: from the beginning of December until around 6 January.
• Opening hours: every day, from 10 am to 7 pm.

Along the Esplanade de la Défense is the largest Christmas market in Paris, with more than 400 huts. An authentic village offering a wide variety of products perfect for gift-giving, especially leather goods and quality jewellery. You can get there easily with the Paris tourist bus.

It is one of the markets that opens its doors earlier, in mid-November, and its location makes it one of the most convenient thanks to the absence of traffic and traffic noise. In its huts you can try Alsatian food specialities, the region where the tradition of Christmas markets began in France. Other dishes to try include waffles, mulled wine and crepes worthy of the best creperies in Paris.

Strolling through this Christmas village is the best way to take you back to your childhood. A magical atmosphere envelops the whole place with its festive decorations and the activities organised for you to enjoy with or without children.

Practical information

• Where: Paris La Défense - Parvis de la Défense.
• Opening dates: mid-November until just before New Year's Eve.
• Opening hours: from 11 am to 8 pm from Sunday to Thursday, and from 11 am to 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Although it is not a very large Christmas market, the one located in Place d'Abbesses is considered one of the most charming in Paris. For starters, its location is extraordinary, right in the heart of Montmartre, one of the most bohemian neighbourhoods in Paris.

Whether you book the Montmartre tour or not, don't miss it. Every Christmas, the market fills up with tourists and locals alike who immerse themselves in its intoxicating atmosphere. The stalls offer a huge variety of food and drink, clothes and crafts. There is also a beautiful carousel that will delight the children.

With a glass of mulled wine in hand, it's worth climbing to the top of the hill that forms the neighbourhood and visiting the Sacré Coeur to enjoy the views of the city.

Practical information

• Where: Place Abbesses, in the heart of the Montmartre district.
• Opening dates: from the beginning of December until Christmas Eve.
• Opening hours: from 10am to 5pm every day of the week.

The Champ de Mars is home to one of the city's best-viewed Christmas markets, an ideal plan to coincide with your visit to the Eiffel Tower. With around 100 stalls, it has a wide range of traditional food that you can sit and enjoy with a view of the Eiffel Tower, the French capital's most famous monument.

Among the most popular dishes are foie gras, salmon and poultry, all accompanied by a glass of champagne. And if you have a sweet tooth, don't miss the bûche de Noël, a roll with cream and ice cream. You'll also find small cakes, marzipan and chocolate.

As well as food, this market stands out for its Christmas decorations and handicrafts. If you are looking for a gift, here you will also find many toys that the youngest members of the family will love. Like other markets, it includes a great skating rink. If you dare, you can do a few laps around it with the Eiffel Tower in the background.

Practical information

• Where: on the Champ de Mars, between the Eiffel Tower and the Ecole Militaire.
• Opening dates: from the end of November until after 6 January.

The tradition of setting up Christmas markets in Paris (and other French regions) comes from Alsace, in the north of the country. This area, in its turbulent history, was part of Germany on several occasions, so it has some cultural differences that are reflected in its markets.

Every year in Paris, a Christmas market is set up in the image of the Alsatians. Here you can find typical products from the region, such as sauerkraut, kougelhopf ( a kind of sweet brioche in the shape of a volcano), jams, gingerbread and various types of cheese.

If you go with children on 6 December, St. Nicholas' Day, they will receive a free gift of gingerbread and cinnamon in the shape of the saint.

Practical information

• Where to find it: at the Gare de l'Est train station, Place 11 November 1918.
• Opening dates: from the beginning of December until about the 20th of December.
• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 8 pm, Sundays from 10 am to 7 pm.

This is another market to include in the Christmas list of things to see and do in Paris. Although it is not one of the biggest in Paris, the intention with which Les Féeries d'Auteuil is set up every year makes it worth a visit.

This market is organised by the Auteuil Foundation to raise funds for its organisation, which helps children and young people in difficulty. To do so, they sell items such as furniture, candles, ceramics, hats and jewellery, all at a very affordable price.

In total, the market is made up of some 27 huts. All of them are decorated in great detail, creating a beautifully illuminated ensemble full of Christmas decorations. During the few days that the market lasts, about 9 days, there are several shows of all kinds, such as concerts and exhibitions.

Practical information

• Where: in the gardens of rue Jean de la Fontaine, in the 16th arrondissement of Paris.
• Opening dates: usually held in the second week of December.
• Opening hours: from 11 am to 7 pm every day.