Paris is not just a city of love, lights, and wines; but also a city with the best markets for Christmas shopping.
Visiting the Christmas markets in Paris is one of the go-to ways to enhance the holiday spirits, as the Parisians do not hold back when it comes to experiencing the magical Christmassy ambience.
Every nook and corner of the French capital city is lightened with pretty Christmas markets, Christmas trees, sparkling lights, and bright decorations.
This post will give you all an insight into the best Christmas markets in Paris to explore if you are planning to visit the city during the Christmas season.
1. The Top Christmas Markets in Paris to Explore
The Christmas markets usually open between the month of mid-November to the first week of January.
There are almost 15 to 20 Christmas markets that Paris holds every year. The beautiful markets feature arts and crafts, Christmas decorations, local products, various cheeses, roasted chestnuts, candies, hot mulled wines, and delicious foods and chocolates.
Now, let’s jump into the list of the best Christmas markets in Paris to visit and have a gala time during the holiday season.
1.1. Christmas Market of Jardin de Tuileries
One of my personal favourites and one of the biggest Christmas markets in Paris is the “La Magie de Noel” held in the Tuileries garden, next to the Louvre.
The Tuileries Garden is one of the most beautiful gardens in Paris and this garden lightens up during the festive month.
La Magie de Noel receives more than 13 million people every season, and the village is half Christmas carnival and half Christmas market.
Also, this beautiful market houses more than 200 huts showcasing French delicacies and handicrafts.
It’s all about good food, entertainment, and fun; the amusing rides, the giant Ferris wheel, the ice skating rink, the traditional French onion soup, the delectable foods, hot cider, and the hot spiced wines(vin chaud) are just a few of the showstoppers in this market; undoubtedly one of the best Christmas markets in Paris to explore this holiday season.
1.2. Notre Dame Christmas Market
When it comes to one of the prettiest Christmas markets in Paris, “Marche de Noel Notre Dame” tops the list. The market is located across the Seine River in Square Viviani.
The Marche is set in a small park with dozens of creators, musicians, and artists showcasing their beautiful works.
Besides this, the Christmas market is a food lovers’ paradise manifesting delicious macarons, pretzels, roasted chestnuts, hot mulled wine, fancy gourmet foods, cheese, French sausages, and foie gras.
The Christmas village also has a vast collection of arts, handicrafts, clothing, handcrafted jewellery, pottery, and crockery objects. The vibe of this market is relaxed yet fun and exciting to explore.
In addition, the market organizes storytelling and drawing competitions for children, and the best part is that Mr Santa often makes periodic appearances here.
1.3. Montmartre Marche de Noel
The Marche is held just next to the Place de Abbesses and falls under the list of the best Christmas markets in Paris. Although this is not a very big Christmas village, the vibe and the atmosphere are considered to be one of the best in the city.
The intoxicating ambience is one of a kind with a massive variation of drinks and dishes to try and taste from the 20 -25 chalets at the Marche.
The market also features a carousel for the kids and chalets exhibiting beautiful crafts, jewellery, hand-knitted scarves, and clothes.
According to locals, this Christmas market is ideal for trying traditional escargot, sauteed mushrooms, Provence tapenades, honey, and cheeses. Also, if you are a fan of foie gras, you are at the proper Christmas village to try some.
Moreover, before returning, enjoy a glass of hot red wine and enjoy the views of the Sacre Coeur; indeed, the best way you can end a cold Christmas night in Paris.
1.4. La Defense Christmas Village
La Defense hosts one of the very popular Christmas markets in Paris, with more than 300 huts, and receives more than 1.5 million visitors every holiday season.
The village is set just next to the Esplanade and attracts many working Parisians while they return home from the business district.
The Christmas decorations look magical, and the high buildings surrounding the market illuminate brightly.
Compared to other Christmas markets in Paris, the La Defense Marche is inaugurated earliest and makes it one of the most convenient Christmas villages to visit because of sans traffic.
The Marche exhibits gift items, Moroccan leather products, high-end jewellery, paintings, coats, and antique books at an affordable rate. Additionally, the market is home to authentic Alsatian and Spanish cuisine.
You have to try out the waffles and crepes, the visitor’s favourite being the Nutella crepe topped with strawberries and fresh cream.
The Christmas market also boasts a variety of herbal teas, local cheeses, sausages and hams, brandies, cider, candies, stuffed toys, fresh gingerbread, Santa costumes, and seasonal fruits like Clementines.
The village has multiple Santas, always ready to take photos, making it a fun place for kids. Also, rotational DJs always entertain the visitors while they sip a glass of delicious eggnog and enjoy the beautiful Christmas evening.
1.5. Eiffel Tower Village de Noel
One of Paris’s most loved Christmas markets is at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and offers the best city views.
Also known as “Champs de Mars Village de Noel“, this market boasts more than 100 stalls, especially food trucks, and exhibits an array of traditional French cuisines, including salmon, chicken, and foie grass accompanied by a flute of champagne.
Try out the Yule log, a traditional French Christmas cake if you are a sweet lover. In addition, you can also taste marzipans, chocolates, small pastries, macarons, and ice creams.
The market features exceptional Christmas decorations with fake snow and Christmas trees, a giant skating rink for entertainment, and various huts displaying gift items and toys.
Spend a fantastic evening at the Eiffel Tower Christmas market, try out some delectable cuisines, and admire the picturesque views of the iconic “Iron Lady.”
1.6. Saint Germain des Prés Christmas Market
This Christmas village is located near the famous church of Saint Germain des Prés and houses almost 40 to 50 chalets. This village is one of Paris’s trendy Christmas markets for exhibiting luxury items.
Selling high-end luxury products, including leather bags, leather boots, jewellery, glass ornaments, soaps, pocketbooks, and handicrafts, the Parisians adore this market.
This Christmas village is also home to gastronomic specialties that include truffles, caviar, candied chestnuts, smoked salmon, artisanal macarons, fruit jams, mulled wines, and lip-smacking liquor-filled chocolates.
The neighbourhood surrounding this Marche has a modern ambience with ample shops, bookshops, cafes, and art galleries.
1.7. Marche de Noel at Hotel de Ville
The Hotel de Ville Christmas market falls under one of Paris’s most beautiful Christmas markets because of the breathtaking light show that the market hosts across a pretty blue background with false snowflakes falling.
Although the event is small, it’s one of the most magical things to witness and experience. Paris hosts the Christmas village and showcases multiple Christmas trees and pretty carousels.
It houses a handful of Christmas stalls executing Paris-made products. The Marche has a forest surrounded by lush green trees decorated with sparkling lights and Christmas ornaments.
Some fun activities for kids to experience at this Christmas village include Santa visits, tubing, and vertical wall climbing.
Regarding food, the Marche houses soft crepes, hot mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, onion soup, and raclette.
The serene atmosphere of the market, the enchanting light show, and the lingering nutty smell of the warm roasted chestnuts make this Christmas village an ideal place for a great Christmas evening.
2. Some Other Good Christmas Markets in Paris
This is not the end; the capital city of Paris has a range of more wonderful Christmas marches for creating the perfect Christmas ambience during the holiday season.
Some of the other good Christmas markets in Paris include:
- Alsatian Marche de Noel
- Bastille Christmas Marche
- Canopee de Halles Christmas Marche
- Marche de Noel at Gare Saint Lazare
- Noel de Marche Le Feeries de Auteuil
- Trocadero Christmas Market
3. Takeaway
If you are a first-time visitor, I hope you have some ideas to visit and explore the best Christmas markets in Paris and have a festal Christmas holiday.
The city celebrates the holiday season with great zeal and love and welcomes tourists and immigrants with open hands to join the celebration. What is not to love about the city of Paris is that it has everything to keep you entertained; c’est magnifique!
Last Updated on December 2, 2023 by Ms.Hazarika
