As they say, Christmas is one of the most wonderful times of the year, and it’s made even more memorable when you spend it in Paris. If you’re going to be in the City of Light this December and want some festive cheer, then check out our top 10 Parisian Christmas markets, guaranteed to provide a festive experience.
Les Marchés de Noël des Champs-Élysées
Opening dates: 29th November – 15th December
Perched on the storied Champs-Elysées, the Christmas market is a twinkly centrepiece of the holiday season in Paris. There are more than 160 wooden chalets to browse, where you can find gifts ranging from artisan crafts and festive decorations to French food, like roasted chestnuts and mulled wine.
It is a magical setting, sandwiched between the market’s brilliant lights and the world-famous Arc de Triomphe. Ice skating and carnival rides also join the holiday party, drawing residents and tourists alike eager to experience Christmas cheer in one of the most festive places in Paris.
La Magie de Noël at Tuileries Garden
Opening dates: 16th November – 1st January
Hidden at the back of the garden Tuileries, La Magie de Noël is one of the most thrilling seasonal markets. With wooden stalls offering gifts, decorations and seasonal snacks, it’s an excellent place to shop as your leisure. There’s also a market fairground with rides for kids and an thrilling ice skating rink.
Once you’ve strolled around the market, meander through the garden, which has stunning views over the Louvre. It’s light, festive, fun, and family-friendly and offers some extra holiday joy for adults and kids, making for a wonderful festive night out in the heart of Paris.
Marché de Noël de Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Opening dates: 26th November – 1st January
The Germain-des-Prés district in Paris is decadently chic and gloriously gigantic. The market’s wooden chalets brim with artisanal wares, gourmet goods and hand-crafted decorations that make it a dream destination for those on the hunt for unique gifts.
It’s less crowded than some of the larger markets, so you can walk more peacefully and relax. Stop for a coffee at one of the nearby cafés and revel in the holiday magic, or stroll along the surrounding streets where Parisian seasonal trappings make the place feel like a Christmas postcard.
Marché de Noël de Montmartre
Opening dates: 25th November – 1st January
One of this capital’s most loved neighbourhoods is infused with authentic charm at the Marché de Noël de Montmartre. The wooden stalls of the market are filled with handmade gifts, local delicacies, and traditional French culinary goodies, including cheeses and charcuterie.
The magical feel of the market is enhanced by Montmartre’s narrow streets, which are draped in a glorious array of festive lights. Don’t miss a stop at the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, atop the hill above the market, for city views. It’s a good mix of holiday-themed shopping, French ambience and spectacular scenery, all wrapped warmly in a festive bow.
Marché de Noël de la Défense
Opening times: 14th November – 29th December
La Défense, Paris’s modern business district, holds one of the largest Christmas markets in the city. Home to over 350 stalls, it’s an enormous market that brings together a whole range of holiday gifts. It has everything you would need at a Parisian Christmas market, from bespoke artisanal wonders to world-class food stalls.
The market’s twinkling lights and festive atmosphere offer a pleasant contrast to La Défense’s sleek, modernist buildings. For souvenirs or holiday treats — or simply to browse one of the largest holiday venues — this is one of the places to be in Paris this winter.
Le Village de Noël at Gare de l’Est
Opening dates: 29th December – 15th December
Le Village de Noël at Gare de l’Est is in one of Paris’s busiest train stations, offering a festive variation on a traditional holiday market. As you stroll along to find Christmas trees and deep-fried doughnuts drizzled in sugar, you’ll notice the market is directly influenced by Eastern France’s customs of celebration.
Sip a steaming hot vin chaud or devour local pastries all while browsing artisan wares. The market’s location within the station means it offers a specific kind of convenience to offer travellers before they continue their journey or head into the rest of Paris.
Marché de Noël du Jardin des Plantes
Opening dates: 16th November – 1st January
The Marché de Noël at Jardin des Plantes has a magical combination of nature and festive cheer in one of Paris’s best-loved gardens. This market is unique and beloved for its greenery, featuring sustainable gifts, organic food, and handmade crafts.
Roam through the garden as it glows, often transformed into a winter wonderland with light displays or special seasonal exhibits. It’s a perfect place for families or for anybody who wants to mix holiday shopping with a calm walk through breathtaking surroundings, a peaceful and unusual alternative to the busier city centre markets.
Marché de Noël de Bercy Village
Opening dates: 21st November – 6th January
Housed within the trendy Bercy Village complex, this Christmas market provides a family-friendly, welcoming ambience. The market is home to various wooden chalets selling seasonal gifts, foodstuffs and crafts.
The lights sparkle around shops, cafes and restaurants, flooding the area with a festive energy. An extra treat for families is the Village du Père Noël, where children can meet Santa Claus. Whether you are looking for unusual gifts or just indulging in Christmas whimsy, Bercy Village is a friendly place to soak up some of Paris’s Christmas cheer.
Marché Noël at Hôtel de Ville
Opening dates: 28th November – 21st December
In front of the grand Hôtel de Ville (the City Hall), this market offers a stunning atmosphere for holiday shopping. The market is smaller and more intimate than most, so there’s less of a “push and shove” shopping experience and more of a “stroll through the stands” kind of vibe, with high-quality artisanal products and delectable French holiday delicacies.
It is the perfect backdrop for a magical holiday Parisian atmosphere, with City Hall as the backdrop and countless festive lights and decorations. It’s the ideal stop for those looking for a calmer Christmas market experience in the centre of Paris.
Marché de Noël de Notre-Dame
Opening dates: 29th November – 25th December
Nestled next to the renowned Notre Dame Cathedral, this Christmas market offers a picture-perfect position as a locale for experiencing Parisian holiday magic. Stalls at the market are stocked with artisanal goods, seasonal French treats and one-of-a-kind gifts, from handmade toys to traditional decorations.
Being near the cathedral, you get to enjoy the beauty of one of Paris’s most famed monuments while getting in the festive spirit. After shopping at the market, stroll along the Seine or head over to the nearby Île de la Cité for a complete Parisian holiday atmosphere that seems both ancient and wondrous.
Choose Veeve for your Paris Christmas market visit
If you’re looking for the perfect place to stay to enjoy everything these Parisian Christmas markets have to offer, check out our luxury apartments at Veeve. With a selection of properties situated within reach of the best sites in Paris, you’ll be ideally positioned to experience the festive magic of the season.
Whether you desire a quaint apartment in Montmartre or a modern sleek space two steps from the heart of the city, with Veeve you’ll set up a spacious, intimate home base for your holiday adventures. Turn your Paris Christmas market visit into a memorable one with Veeve.