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We already know that Paris is beautiful. Even on grey days, the elegance and timeless beauty of Paris shine through. And then in November, Paris starts twinkling. Christmas lights in Paris are lit and the city takes on a warm hue and a festive buzz during the shortest days of the year.
Please Note: During the winter of 2022 to 2023 France is all about turning off the lights. Without Russian gas, France is aiming to cut its energy use by 10% during the winter. Christmas lights, festivals, and displays will still illuminate the city but with reduced hours and timelines.
Here is how to find and enjoy the best Christmas lights in Paris.
1. Christmas Lights In Paris The Champs-Elysées
This is an event. The evening when the Christmas lights in Paris lining the Champs-Elysées are first lit, the wide boulevard becomes car-free. At the inauguration of the lights on Sunday, November 20, 2022, Tahar Rahim, an actor, will be the celebrity to push the switch to “on,” illuminating the grand avenue.
There are 4 kilometres of lights with over 20 000 LED light bulbs. Four hundred trees, reminiscent of wine glasses, are lit in red. It is a spectacular sight!
These Christmas Lights in Paris:
Dates: November 20, 2022, to January 2, 2023
The Christmas Lights on the Champs-Elysées are lit up from 5 pm to 11:45 pm. In previous years, the lights twinkled until 2 am. This year the display is running for 6 weeks instead of 7 weeks.
Pro Travel Tip: On December 24 and 31 the Christmas lights on the Champs-Elysées are illuminated all night long.
Location: 8th arrondissement
Métro: Champs-Elysées-Clemenceau; Franklin D. Roosevelt; George V
Read More | A visit to Paris in January (at the beginning of the month) will allow you to catch the end of the Christmas lights. Paris is always a good idea, even in the winter.
2. Place Vendôme During The Christmas Season
One of five Royal squares in Paris, Place Vendôme exudes elegance. The soaring column in the middle with Napoleon Bonaparte I perched atop is surrounded by the classiest of Paris buildings.
Standing in Place Vendôme might be, for me, the highlight of Christmas lights in Paris. Potted fir trees, spaced just perfectly, line the square illuminated with white lights and taller pine trees sparkle with twinkling lights. Exclusive jewellery and high-end fashion stores line Place Vendôme and the Ritz Hotel stands quietly in its luxuriousness. Not right in the square, don’t miss the Christmas window display at Ladurée Paris (14 rue Castiglione).
The Christmas lights in Paris at Place Vendôme are sure to take your breath away.
Where To Find These Christmas Lights in Paris:
Dates: November 22, 2022, to January 2, 2023.
Location: 1st arrondissement
Métro: Opèra, Tuileries
Read More | While standing in Place Vendôme, why not stop by the Ritz Hotel and have a cocktail in the Hemingway Bar? The sumptuous hallways are elegantly lit with lights. While there, you may consider taking a cooking class at the Ritz. It is an amazing Paris experience.
3. Rue Saint-Honoré At Christmastime In Paris
The lights along rue Saint-Honoré are one of the highlights of the Christmas lights in Paris. Illuminated Christmas garlands and wreaths are strung across the street dotted with golden lanterns You may just find that you go more than once because it is simply enchanting. Stroll past the boutiques, which all have wonderful Christmas window displays but be sure to see these magnificent Paris Christmas lights:
- Dior Paris, 261 rue Saint-Honoré
- Chanel Paris, 19 rue Cambon at the corner of rue Saint-Honoré
- The Hot Air Balloon (Mongolfier Vendôme) at 1 Pl Maurice Barrès
- Hermès, Paris with its intricate window displays at 24 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré
- Cartier, 17 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré
The Christmas Lights Along rue Saint-Honoré:
Dates: From November 17, 2022
Location: rue Saint Honoré -1st arrondissment; rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré – 8th arrondissement
Métro: Concorde, Madeleine
Pro Travel Tip: rue Saint-Honoré becomes rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré at rue Royale. Hermès and Cartier are found at the intersection of rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré and rue Boissy d’Anglas.
4. Christmas Lights In Paris At Le Village Royal
At 25 rue Royale you’ll find an elegant and chic shopping village. At Christmas time, its twinkling teddy bear and sparkling lights bring out the Christmas spirit! Take a stroll through the passageway and enjoy these Christmas lights in Paris.
These Christmas Lights in Paris:
Dates: Coming soon!
Location: 8th arrondissement; The passageway runs between rue Royale and rue Boissy d’Anglas
Métro: Madeleine
5. Avenue Montaigne During The Christmas Season
Avenue Montaigne, the Champs-Elysées, and Avenue George V make up the prestigious Golden Triangle in the 8th arrondissement. Avenue Montaigne, known for its Haute Couture is a hotbed of boutiques including Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Armani. And Christian Dior? He set up his first atelier here which you can now visit in the remarkable Galerie Dior.
Stroll along Avenue Montaigne past the illuminated trees, fabulous Christmas window displays, and luxury hotels beautifully lit for the Christmas season in Paris. Did you know that the Hotel Plaza Athenée has a skating rink in the winter?
One of the best things about walking down Ave Montaigne is the appearance of the Eiffel Tower. A glimpse here, a glimpse there. She sparkles. The street twinkles. It makes for a magical Christmas scene. Make your way all the way to the Pont de l’Alma and watch the Eiffel Tower glittering over the Seine.
These Christmas Lights in Paris:
Dates: November 19, 2022, to January 2, 2023.
Location: from the Champs-Elysées to Place de l’Alma; 8th arrondissement
Métro: Franklin D. Roosevelt; Alma-Marceau
6. Le Jardin des Plantes At Christmastime In Paris
The Jardin des Plantes has the most unique Christmas lights in Paris. This enormous botanical garden in the 5th arrondissement of Paris presents an evening lights festival with enormous lit statues of animals. In 2022, the theme is The World of Minuscule In Large! All along the alleys of the Jardin des Plantes, enormous versions of tiny beasts and insects that live in the woods and plains of France will be popping out from behind the trees.
It’s truly a magical and very educational experience to wander through these lights at Christmas time in Paris.
These Christmas Lights in Paris:
Dates: Open every evening from November 14, 2022, to January 15, 2023.
Cost: 15€ to 17€
Location: 5th arrondissement
Métro: Gare d’Austerlitz, Jussieu, Place Monge, Censier-Daubenton
7. Christmas Lights In Paris At The Village de Bercy
In the 19th century, the current Village of Bercy was a wine warehouse district. For over one hundred years, the world’s biggest wine market was held here. Fast forward to 2001 and the Village of Bercy is an open-air, pedestrian-only shopping mall. The 42 storehouses, which are listed as Historical Monuments, are filled with boutiques and bistros. A definite place to visit when seeing the Christmas lights of Paris, Bercy Village in 2022 has a display with a hot air balloon, plenty of illuminated clouds, and sparkling Christmas trees. There is even a designated spot to take selfies amidst the lights.
Go for a stroll in the Village of Bercy to get in the Christmas spirit in Paris.
These Christmas Lights in Paris:
Dates: November 17, 2022, to January 4, 2023
Location: 12th arrondissement
Métro: Cour Saint-Emilion
Read More | The Village de Bercy is in the 12th arrondissement of Paris.
Pro Travel Tip: Don’t miss the Christmas Festival at the Musée des Art Forains.
8. The Tuileries Gardens During The Christmas Season
The largest Christmas market in Paris is held at the Tuileries Gardens (more information coming soon). One of the loveliest things to do if you are in the vicinity of the Louvre and the Tuileries Gardens is to take a spin on the giant Ferris wheel. Time your ride for the top of the hour when the Eiffel Tower glitters and enjoy spectacular views over Paris. If Ferris wheels aren’t your thing, seeing the giant wheel lit up will bring Christmas smiles also!
9. Parc de Saint-Cloud At Christmastime
If you want to go just a little further afield, the Parc de Saint-Cloud is presenting its Lumiéres en Seine. This light show, only in its second year, promises to be a magical 2 km walk through the forest and gardens with trees and sculptures, laser projections (did someone mention Dancing Swans and Fields of Fairies?) and music.
Please note: I haven’t yet been to this Christmas display just outside of Paris but remember hearing great reviews from its opening year in 2021.
Dates: November 18, 2022, to January 8, 2023
Cost: A single adult entry ticket ranges from 20€ to 22€.
Location: Domaine national de Saint-Cloud
Métro: Boulogne-Pont de St.-Cloud, exit avenue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny and cross the Bridge of St-Cloud
10. Christmas Lights In Paris At Galeries Lafayette
Just step into the centre of the marvellous department store, Galeries Lafayette, at Christmastime in Paris and be amazed. Already the Art Deco dome is a stunner but with the enormous Christmas tree that soars skyward, getting into the Christmas spirit is a given! Look at it from the ground floor and then find the vantage points from the various floors. Don’t miss the Glasswalk, the 9-metre-long walkway that is suspended 16 metres high in the air! Go early to get a place in line.
11. Neighbourhood Streets At Christmastime In Paris
Christmas lights in Paris glow at every turn. Your favourite lights may be the ones on the street where you are staying. When I lived on rue du Bac during one of the confinements with a curfew, I would lean out my window at night and marvel at the Christmas lights strung across the narrow street. They brought much comfort and joy.
Keep your eyes open for illuminated streets and squares to soak up the Christmas spirit in Paris:
- Blvd Saint Germain: Don’t miss the lights and adorable Food Truck selling hot chocolate in front of the Ralph Lauren Store. Right by the church is a little Christmas market and plenty of lights!
- rue des Canettes close to Saint-Sulpice in Saint-Germain des Prés had a unique display in 2021.
- Paris’s best market streets such as rue Montorgueil, rue Cler, rue Mouffetard, and rue des Martyrs are all lit up beautifully at Christmastime.
- Place Dauphine glows in pure elegance
I hope you enjoy the Christmas lights in Paris as much as I do.
Until next time,
More Paris Travel Info…
Other Wintery Seasonal Articles:
- French Christmas Traditions to Enjoy
- Paris in the Snow
- Paris in the Winter
- Galette des Rois
- How to Make the Perfect Cheese Board for the Holidays
Looking Ahead To Other Paris Seasons:
- Paris in the Spring: How to Enjoy the Best Season
- Where To Find the Best Spring Flowers
- Paris in the Summer
- Paris in the Fall
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