Planning the vacations in Paris might be magical — however solely you probably have dependable data. Opening hours shift, occasions seem and disappear, and most on-line lists are incomplete or outdated. Every year I compile a complete, independently researched Paris Vacation Information for Secrets and techniques of Paris Group Members, up to date weekly by way of January 1st. To provide you an thought of what to anticipate, this can be a small pattern taken from 5 totally different sections of the total information, to point out the extent of element, accuracy, and context members depend on when planning their time within the metropolis.
Division Retailer Vacation Home windows & Occasions
It’s conventional to take a look at the elaborately adorned store home windows of the Grands Magasins (malls), which have little picket platforms so the children can get a greater look. Just like the Champs-Elysées, sidewalks are much less crowded after the retailers shut, so intention for visiting within the hour after closing time to keep away from the crowds (however not too late, the lights are turned off a number of hours later).
This teaser information consists of my favourite, Le Bon Marché, and one I feel you may skip, BHV Marais. The complete information additionally consists of Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, and Samaritaine. Click on photos to enlarge and see captions.
- Le Bon Marché (November seventh – December thirty first)
24 rue de Sèvres, seventh, metro Sèvres-Babylone
Open every day 10am-7:45pm (Sunday from 11am); till 6:30pm on the twenty fourth and thirty first. Closed on Christmas and New 12 months’s Day.
This 12 months’s vacation home windows on the stylish Rive Gauche division retailer have gone refreshingly old-school, with snow-covered picket chalets adorned with strings of lights, the place inside a merry band of stuffed rabbits are of their animated workshop making sweets and carrots, accompanied by festive music. Count on extra native households than worldwide vacationers. The picket chalet theme continues all through the shop, that includes the season’s vacation wares, together with Bon Marché-themed Christmas tree decorations on the “Superette de Noël” and a number of other manufacturers celebrating “Made in France” upcycled objects. The shop’s vacation catalog is illustrated like a classic newspaper with a number of nice present concepts (don’t neglect most of the gadgets of their retailer might be customized). And again by in style demand, Le Bon Marché shall be internet hosting Babel, “a dreamlike interpretation of the parable of the Babel tower that mixes up to date dance and circus” performances at nights after the shop is closed, by way of December thirty first; tickets €50-75 relying on seating. The vacation desserts and bûches de Noël shall be accessible at La Grande Epicerie subsequent door from November twenty seventh, together with different distinctive connoisseur presents (open 8:30am-9pm, Sunday 10am-8pm).
- BHV Marais (November 18 – January 4)
52 rue de Rivoli, 4th, metro Hôtel de Ville or Châtelet.
Open Mon-Sat 10am-8pm, Sundays 11am-7pm, till 6:30pm on the twenty fourth and thirty first. Closed Christmas and New 12 months’s Day.
This 12 months’s theme is “Rêverie de Noël”, dreaming of Christmas, in blue and silver. However since final month’s scandalous announcement of Shein taking up the sixth ground, Disney cancelled their vacation pop-up, and there was an exodus of many luxurious manufacturers (and others that haven’t been paid in months), which would be the cause they’re the final grand magasin to show their vacation decorations. Undecided what they’re going to placed on the empty cabinets the place Dior, Guerlain and different manufacturers was once. The “Artisan de Noël” Christmas decor part is stuffed with ornaments made in China. Possibly skip this one for now…
Skating Rinks
There are a number of skating rinks in and round Paris all through the season. They might be ice or artificial, indoors or open air, sufficiently big to achieve some velocity, or barely sufficiently big to do a twirl. Right here is my sincere value determinations of one of many eight rinks that appears to get essentially the most press:
- Le Grand Palais des Glaces, 8th arrondissement, Metro Champs-Élysées – Clemenceau (December 14th – January 7th). The self-proclaimed “greatest indoor ice rink on this planet” options 2700m² of ice skating underneath the large glass roof, and a particular space cordoned off for the youngest children. On the draw back, it’s fairly expensive (much more costly than final 12 months), and there’s zero vacation decorations or ambiance (simply a big disco ball and flashing lights). One other subject is the large strains to get in (even with tickets), and extra strains to get after which return your skates (for the night time slot, we waited about 40 minutes to get in and one other half-hour for the skates). The night DJ occasion is enjoyable for teenagers or adults who don’t thoughts skating in a crowd to bounce music (I’ve learn there’s no music in the course of the day, however haven’t examined it myself but). Three time slots to order on-line: 10am-1pm (€27 adults/€15 children), 2-7pm (€32 adults/€18 children), and 8pm-2am (€39 flat charge). Even mother and father simply accompanying their children and never skating want a ticket. Closes at 7pm on Dec 24th and 31st. There’s additionally a Cross Premium ticket for €89 for a devoted entrance and personal skate rental space (subsequently, zero strains). Word that the snack bar is barely accessible to these with out skates on, so you may go earlier than or after you skate, however you may’t take a break for a sizzling chocolate after which return to skating. The coat/bag examine is €2/merchandise (put on a small backpack and hold your coat on; it’s not heated!
Christmas Markets, aka Marchés de Noël are historically discovered within the French area of Alsace (essentially the most well-known is the Strasbourg Christmas Market), however Paris has fairly a number of Christmas markets of its personal, some small with just some picket chalets, others enormous affairs with rides and leisure. All of them are free, and promote a collection of vacation presents and decor, mulled wine and different connoisseur goodies. The newest pattern is seeing much more emphasis on distinctive themes akin to sustainability, high quality and artisanal merchandise made in France, and markets supporting charities. This isn’t an exhaustive listing (see the Paris Tourism Workplace for that), however it consists of most of the ones value crossing city to go to, in addition to particular vacation gross sales benefitting native charities. Most of those markets are often closed on Christmas Day and shut early on Christmas Eve.
I’ve included two of my favorites on this teaser. The complete information consists of 37 vacation markets listed by class: Conventional Christmas Markets, Christmas Markets for a Good Trigger, Artwork & Artisan Christmas Markets, Christmas Markets Celebrating Sustainability & Range. Click on photos to enlarge and see captions.
- Noël à La Villette (November 20–December 28)
Place de la Fontaine-aux-Lions, Parc de la Villette, nineteenth arrondissement, metro Porte de Pantin, open Mon-Tues 5-9pm, Wed-Solar 11am-10pm (Wed till 9pm, Solar till 8pm). Closes 4pm Dec twenty fourth. Free entry. Open air.
La Villette has launched one of the cute Christmas Markets this season, a brand new Swiss-inspired Christmas village set across the monumental Fontaine aux Lions. Greater than 100 artisan and meals chalets line the sq., together with seasonal points of interest together with a Ferris wheel and an actual ice rink (each €8-€11). Guests can browse handcrafted presents, take pleasure in winter specialties, and participate in particular occasions and actions programmed all through the season. There are many scenic locations for vacation pictures, and fireplaces to maintain heat. Whereas there are many picnic tables and lined tables for consuming, the one indoor seating is on the Chalet à Fondue (which might be reserved on-line to make sure you get a desk). The neighboring guinguette is a spot to cease for a glass of mulled wine earlier than or after dinner, with prolonged night hours and DJ leisure. Crowds are a lot smaller earlier than 5pm (when the pictures above had been taken).
- Marché de Noël Paris Notre Dame (November 28-December 25)
Sq. Vivani, 5th arrondissement, metro St-Michel or Cluny-Sorbonne. Open every day 10am-8pm.
Notre Dame Cathedral is the magnificent backdrop for this small however charming market simply throughout the river. There are two dozen artisan stands promoting crafts, décor, presents (all made in France), and some connoisseur meals to maintain you heat, together with artisan pretzels (or bretzels, in French), and sizzling soup bowls. Santa is there every day free of charge picture ops. Word that the small house and proximity to Notre Dame imply this market will get VERY crowded on weekend afternoons, so attempt to get there early on a weekday.
Vacation Cooking Courses in Paris
Should you’re considering of internet hosting your individual vacation meal in Paris study concerning the Conventional French Christmas Menu by Florence of Zest of France, or join one of many many cooking courses accessible in English this season.
That is a part of the “Eating in Paris in the course of the Holidays” part which incorporates 42 eating places open on Christmas and New 12 months’s Day, dinner cruises, make vacation eating reservations, and the place to go for an informal meal should you don’t have any reservations.
Christmas Illuminations Live performance on the Collège des Bernardins
One of many oldest monastic buildings in Paris and a key cultural associate of Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Collège des Bernardins hosts an annual Introduction Live performance on Wednesday, December tenth, carried out by the kids’s and youth choir of the fifth arrondissement conservatory. This system options conventional carols and works by Britten, Fauré, and John Rutter, with mulled wine and sizzling chocolate served within the nave afterward. From 5:30-6:30pm on the Collège des Bernardins (20 rue de Poissy, fifth arrondissement, metro Maubert–Mutualité or Cardinal Lemoine). Free entry, bundle up for the chilly!
That is from the “Midnight Mass & Non secular Celebrations in Paris” that features my favourite addresses for Christmas companies, 5 church buildings holding early morning candlelight lots for Introduction, and the place to seek out Hanukkah candle lighting ceremonies in Paris.
Entry the Full 2025 Paris Vacation Information
The listings above characterize solely a glimpse of what’s inside the total 35-page 2025 Paris Vacation Information, which incorporates the place to see the vacation lights, verified restaurant openings, dozens of Christmas markets, open-air mild trails within the metropolis’s gardens, seasonal actions like skating and ballroom dancing, vacation concert events and exhibits, New 12 months’s Eve celebrations, and sensible data on transport, security, important companies, and vacation opening hours. The entire information is up to date weekly by way of January 1 and is on the market completely to Secrets and techniques of Paris Group Members. To entry the total model, assist unbiased, ad-free journalism by becoming a member of the neighborhood for €60/12 months or €10/month (cancel anytime). Study extra…
