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Paris Christmas markets add to the festive spirit in the City of Light. Already twinkling with magnificent light displays and delightful store windows, Paris Christmas markets add little chalets bursting with artisanal goods, the scent of roasting chestnuts and cheesy raclette, and the pleasure of browsing and choosing a gift for a loved one.
Read More | Where To See The Best Christmas Lights in Paris
Here are 6 Paris Christmas Markets to enhance the spirit of the season.
Pro Travel Tip: Be sure to have cash on hand for the Christmas market stalls in Paris. Some take debit and credit but all take cash!
1. Tuileries Garden Christmas Market In Paris
Of all the Paris Christmas markets, the Tuileries Garden Christmas Market or “La Magie de Noël” is the largest and noisiest! This Christmas Market is a mix of artisanal goods, a funfair with rides and games, and a fabulous choice of food to savour.
Follow the scents of roasting chestnuts (“marrons chauds”) amid Santa and his reindeer alongside crêpes, waffles (“gauffres”), and raclette. Regional dishes abound at this Paris Christmas Market. Have you ever tried “aligot” from the Aveyron region of France? Aligot is a traditional French dish made from mashed potatoes, cheese, cream, and garlic. Mmmm..
Hot mulled wine (vin chaud) is a must during a Paris Christmas market visit but don’t miss out on the beer and champagne bars. At the Tuileries Garden Christmas Market, Pommery Champagne has its very own Champagne Igloo. Step inside for a sip of bubbly!
One hundred white chalets line the Tuileries Garden Christmas Market each selling unique and artisanal goods. It’s the perfect place to Christmas shop!
Amidst all the action is a small skating rink that attracts young and old alike! Rent a pair of skates and go for a spin in the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris.
Once you’ve had a ride on the Ferris wheel (timed perfectly for the top of the hour with the glittering Eiffel Tower) wander through the funfair and try your hand at one or two of the games.
The Tuileries Garden Christmas Market is truly the Magic of Christmas. Come to this Paris Christmas market to get in the spirit of the season.
Pro Travel Tip: This Christmas market in Paris is very popular and crowded. Watch out for pickpockets and other typical Paris scams.
Paris Christmas Markets Hours:
The Tuileries Garden Christmas Market:
Monday to Thursday 11 – 11; Fridays and Saturdays 11- 12:45; Sundays 11 – 11:45
Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve 11 – 9
Métro: Concorde; Tuileries
2. Paris Christmas Markets: Saint Germain des Prés
The Saint-Germain des Prés Christmas Market has been going strong for over twenty years. Under the shadow of the ancient Saint-Germain des Prés church, a little village of about thirty wooden Christmas chalets appears every year during the Christmas season.
Looking for a wide choice of artisanal goods such as scarves, leather goods, and blankets, this Paris Christmas market is great fun to browse. There are plenty of gourmet goods on offer as well, perfect for the gourmand on your Christmas list.
Come hungry to this Christmas market in Paris! Crêpes, raclette and tartiflette will all have your taste buds watering! Tartiflette which hails from the Savoy (Savoie) region in the French Alps is a potato dish with bacon, onion and reblochon cheese. Need I say more?!
Read More | The Best Things to do In Saint-Germain des Prés
Paris Christmas Markets Practicalities:
Saint-Germain des Prés Christmas Market:
From: November 26, 2022, to January 1, 2023
Hours: 11 to 8 pm
Métro: Saint-Germain des Prés; Mabillon
3. The Notre Dame Christmas Market In Paris
Ever since the devastating fire of April 2019, the Notre Dame de Paris Christmas Market has taken place in Square René-Viviani. This delightful square, not too far from Notre Dame Cathedral, has the oldest tree in Paris and is just beside the famous bookstore, Shakespeare and Company in the Latin Quarter of Paris.
This small Paris Christmas market is just a treasure. Each chalet offers a varied and interesting array of artisanal and gourmet goods. Look for hand-made glass items and hand-painted Christmas ornaments. In 2021, I met two delightful young men from Biarritz in the Basque County region of France. After a friendly chat, I purchased their delicious regional ham (Bayonne Ham).
Stroll around the stalls with a glass of warm mulled wine and know that of all the Paris Christmas markets you are visiting, this is the most charming.
Read More | The Best Things to do in the Latin Quarter of Paris
Paris Christmas Markets Practicalities:
The Notre Dame Christmas Market:
From: December 9 to December 26, 2022
Métro: Saint-Michel Notre-Dame
4. Paris Christmas Markets: Abbesses
If you are heading to Montmarte, get off the métro at Abbesses and find yourself in the midst of a delightful and tiny Paris Christmas market. The scent of mulled wine, raclette, and tartiflette will entice even those who aren’t hungry. The chalets encircling the carousel are replete with items that are “Made in France.”
This Paris Christmas Market has a lovely, village atmosphere. It’s perfect.
Read More | The Best Things to do in Montmartre
Paris Christmas Markets Practicalities:
Abbesses Christmas Market:
From: November 26, 2022, to January 1, 2023
Hours: 10 am to 8 pm
Métro: Abbesses
5. The Hotel de Ville Christmas Market In Paris
I just love this Christmas market in Paris. Perhaps it is the antique carousel that plays Christmas tunes as children do the rounds or the perfect array of Christmas chalets selling mulled wine and handmade goods. Perhaps it is the glorious Hôtel de Ville façade bejewelled with blue lights dotted with snowflakes tumbling to the ground. It’s magical and oh, so elegant. Wander through this Paris Christmas Market and delight in the ambience of Christmas in Paris.
Read More | The Best Things to do in le Marais
Paris Christmas Markets Practicalities:
L’Hôtel de Ville Christmas Market:
From: early December 2022, to early January 2023
Hours: Sunday to Thursday 11 am – 10 pm; Friday and Saturday 11 am -11 pm
Métro: Hôtel de Ville
6. The Alsation Paris Christmas Market
Held just out front of the Gare de l’Est, the Alsation Christmas Market brings a little taste of the Alsace region directly to Paris. When I think of Alsace, I think of Strasbourg and Colmar, the delicious taste of kougloff, one of my favourite pâtisseries, and bredalas the Alsation Christmas cookies. This is the 40th year that the Alsation market will be set up in Paris. Browse the stalls and walk away with that special gift for the gourmand on your Christmas list.
Paris Christmas Markets Practicalities:
The Alsation Christmas Market In Paris:
From: Wednesday, November 30, 2022, to Friday, December 16, 2022
Métro: Gare de l’Est
I hope you enjoy perusing the Paris Christmas markets as much as I do! You’re sure to eat well and walk away with a few Christmas gifts.
Until next time,
More Paris Travel Info…
Other Wintery Seasonal Articles:
- Where To See The Best Christmas Lights in Paris
- French Christmas Traditions to Enjoy
- Paris in the Snow
- Paris in the Winter
- Galette des Rois – the special cake only found in January
- 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
