How to Plan Your Paris Christmas Market Visits

Paris's Christmas markets offer wonderful opportunities to enjoy the holiday season, but with so many different markets scattered across the city, deciding which ones to visit can be surprisingly difficult.  Plus, opening dates vary a bit each year, so even planning when to come can pose challenges.

Is mid-November too early?  Which markets are worth going out of your way to see?  Which markets are the liveliest?  Which are more laid back?  And where can you enjoy Champagne, a festive dinner, or a more traditional holiday experience?

In the Sunday edition of my free Paris Discoveries Newsletter, I answer readers' questions about planning their visits to Paris.  In this article, I've brought together my answers to questions about visiting Christmas markets, drawing on my experiences exploring them during many holiday seasons.

You'll find practical advice about choosing markets that match your interests, making the most of a short visit, getting around Paris during the holidays, and even deciding whether a day trip to Strasbourg's famous Christmas markets is worthwhile.

For a complete guide to individual markets, including current opening dates, locations, photos, and a map, see my Paris Christmas Markets article.

Here is what you'll find:

• Which Paris Christmas Markets Should We Visit, and What Else Should We See?
• Which Christmas Market Should We Visit on a Short Paris Trip?
• Which Paris Christmas Market Is Best for Dinner & Champagne?
• Should I Visit Paris Christmas Markets in November or Wait Until December?
• Are All of Paris's Christmas Markets Worth Visiting?
• Can You Visit Strasbourg and Colmar Christmas Markets in One Day from Paris?

Top photo:  Chalets at Tuileries Christmas Market, (c) Paris Discovery Guide

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Which Paris Christmas Markets Should We Visit, and What Else Should We See?

Mary Ann's Question:

Susan, my husband and I will be in Paris for five and 1/2 days in December especially to visit the Christmas markets. We've been to Paris several times but never for these markets. We are staying in the 1st and 5th arrondissements.

Will you share your recommendations for the best Christmas Markets and the best way to get around Paris at this time of the year.

Also, are there any other Christmas "hidden gems" you recommend?

Susan's Answer: 

Paris's Christmas markets truly are quite special and contribute to the holiday spirit that animates the city at this time of the year.

Several markets, in my opinion, stand out as especially worth visiting.  Because each one is unique, I can't predict which one you'll like the best - I can't even accurately predict which one I'll like the best in any given year. 

Fortunately, since you're here for 5+ days, you'll easily have time to visit them all if you want to - or just pick out a couple that sound the most appealing to you.

My Top Recommendations

You can find photos, locations, and current opening dates for all of the following markets in my complete Paris Christmas Markets guide.

1. Tuileries Christmas Market

Part market, part carnival, the Tuileries Christmas Market is the largest in Paris and also the most popular, especially with Parisian families who come in the evenings for dinner and entertainment. 

What you may love:  The sheer exuberance of the carnival area, delicious seasonal foods such as raclette and hot mulled wine, the large "artisans' market" area featuring gift items, including a number with the "Made in France" label, the Champagne bar.  Because of the market's huge popularity, it can be noisy at times due to the masses of visitors having fun, especially on weekend evenings.   

How to time your visit:  I highly recommend arriving about 15-20 minutes before sunset and getting in line for the Ferris wheel to enjoy spectacular skyline views at sunset.

2. Champs-Elysees Christmas Market

This market returns to Paris in 2026 for the first time in almost a decade.  Its chalets will feature artisan gift products and delicious French food specialties from a variety of regions. 

Look for it on the lower part of the avenue near Place de la Concorde.  If you're at the Tuileries Market (which extends all the way to Concorde), definitely cross the plaza and check it out!

3. Notre Dame Christmas Market at Square Viviani

The small Notre Dame Christmas Market is the polar opposite of Tuileries Market - calm, quiet, and tranquil, with views of Notre Dame directly across the river.   It's a favorite of Parisian families with young kids, and everyone else who wants a peaceful evening stroll.

What you may love:  Gift stalls feature artisan-made items (some made in France, others not). It's a lovely opportunity to enjoy a cup or two of the hot mulled wine (which is never actually very good at the markets, but that's not the point) as you walk around and soak up the vibe.  Hot chocolate, giant German-style pretzels, and other treats are also available, and Santa usually makes an appearance.

4. Hotel de Ville Christmas Market

The Hotel de Ville Christmas Market sets up on the plaza in front of Hotel de Ville (Paris's City Hall, across from the BHV department store in the Marais neighborhood) and with a newly planted grove of trees as a backdrop. 

What you may love:  This has always been one of the city's most beautiful, most tranquil, and least-commercial Christmas markets, and an immersive light show across the façade of the building makes it feel like a magical oasis in this bustling part of the city.

5. La Defénse Christmas Market

La Defense Christmas Market - This huge, sprawling market takes place on the Parvis de La Défense, a very large plaza in Paris's modern business district just west of the city.  La Défense is located just outside of Paris, about 8-10 minutes by metro (Line 1) from the Charles de Gaulle/Etoile metro station near the Arc de Triomphe.

What you may love:  The food!  It's usually very good with an emphasis on regional specialties (don't miss the tartiflette, a creamy-cheesy potato dish), plus a seemingly endless number of kiosks with gift items.  The market is kind of dead during the day but gets quite crowded as soon as the workday ends, so go around 4:30pm or later to enjoy the sparkling lights, special foods, and of course the excellent shopping.

Neighborhood Christmas Markets

These markets are on a much smaller scale but often charming and fun. My favorites from previous years (you can find them all in the Paris Christmas Markets article) are the ones at Place des Abbesses on Montmartre, Cluny (with Saint-Michel a close "second") in the Latin Quarter, Saint-Germain (although its location along a busy sidewalk is not the best), and Les Halles next to Rue Montorgueil. For these smaller markets, a daytime visit is fine, although they're also fun at night.

Best Time of Day to Visit Paris's Christmas Markets:  I find all of these Christmas markets to be more magical once the city begins to get dark and their many lights begin to sparkle. 

Best Ways to Get Around Paris to See the Christmas Markets

For distances of half a mile or less, I walk as it's almost always faster than any other option.

For longer distances, I sometimes take the metro or bus (the free RATP app works well for finding the quickest route using the metro and/or bus from one point to another around the city), but often I just walk and enjoy the holiday displays in store windows and at night, the lights and decorations. 

More Christmas "Hidden Gems" in Paris

For other things to do in Paris during this wonderful holiday season, check out locations for seeing Paris's Christmas lights - especially Tip #5, as the walk down Rue Saint-Honoré and Rue Royale is especially lovely and Le Village Royal is literally a hidden gem in a 19th century passage. The passage's cafe, Le Village, is also a good place for a snack, drink, or casual meal - even in the winter, I always sit outside (except for during pouring rain) in order to have an unobstructed view in this excellent people-watching spot.

Have a wonderful time! I hope you'll love being in Paris in December as much as I always do!

Which Christmas Market Should We Visit on a Short Paris Trip?

Kathy's Question:

I will be coming to Paris with two friends from December 8-12.

We are coming for the Christmas Markets. Where is the best market to visit? 

We will only have 3 days so it's a quick trip, but want to be informed.

Susan's Answer: 

Hi Kathy, That sounds like a fun visit!

If I had to choose only one Paris Christmas Market as the "best," I would truly struggle because it really depends on the type of experience you want to have.  In my answer to Mary Ann's question above, I provide brief descriptions of five distinctive markets plus a general description of neighborhood markets, and you can find a lot more details and photos in my more comprehensive article on Paris Christmas Markets.

Based on my own personal preferences, my choice might be the Tuileries Christmas Market.  It's a combination Christmas-themed carnival, an artisan "village," countless places to get freshly-prepared food, hot chocolate, hot mulled wine, and at least 3 Champagne bars.  If you're in the mood for fun, this market is hard to beat!

And as a bonus, the Champs-Elysées Market returns this year on the other side of Place de la Concorde, which is where the Tuileries Market ends, so you could walk over and check it out as well.  From what I've been hearing, it may have some really excellent food selections.  Plus the Christmas lights decorating the trees along the avenue are always stunning.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, both the Hotel de Ville and Notre Dame Christmas Markets deliver much smaller-scale, more tranquil experiences with lovely surroundings.  Hotel de Ville's "enchanted forest" theme and the falling "snowflakes" created by the light show make you forget that you're in the middle of the city.  At the Notre Dame Market, the silhouettes of the Cathedral's soaring towers against the night sky always make me feel how Iucky and privileged I am to be there, in Paris, in that moment.

Both markets offer a small number of carefully-selected vendors, and fairly basic food and beverage offerings. 

I truly hope that you have time to visit all of them, plus maybe a couple of the neighborhood Christmas Markets as well.  Wishing you and your friends a fantastic time!!!

Which Paris Christmas Market Is Best for Dinner & Champagne?

Ysanne's Question:

I am visiting Paris with my husband and 20-year-old daughter in December to celebrate my birthday.  We're staying in a hotel in Montmartre.

We are thinking about finding a Champagne bar at a Christmas market and having a relaxed dinner at the market on my actual birthday.  

Do you have any recommendations for a good Christmas Market to choose please?

Susan's Answer: 

I highly recommend the Tuileries Christmas Market for its Champagne bars.  I've counted at least three here, but the one that's especially fun if you're looking for something unique is the igloo-shaped one sponsored by the Pommery Champagne House.  They call it Bar à Bulles - "Bubbly Bar."

Also, the Tuileries Marché de Noel always has a large and excellent food and beverage area, and the organizer has been quoted in the French press as saying they plan to offer even more special regional dishes this year.  The food is generally quite good and not too expensive - one reason why the market is so popular with Parisians. 

Should I Visit Paris Christmas Markets in November or Wait Until December?

Sali's Question:

I would love to go to Paris to see the Christmas Markets, especially the big one in Tuileries Garden. I can go on November 14th and 15th or December 5th and 6th.

Will the Tuileries Christmas Market and all the other Christmas lights and decor be sparkling on my dates in November or should I just wait until December?  I prefer to go as soon as possible.

Susan's Answer:

Hi Sali, The opening dates for Paris's Christmas Markets are just now being announced.  The Tuileries Garden Christmas Market is scheduled to open on November 14 on this year - but opening dates for Christmas Markets are always a goal rather than a certainty until the moment when they actually do open.

Here's why:  usually the last "detail" that's taken care of right before each market opens is a final electrical inspection.

This is an incredibly important public safety measure because faulty wiring could start a fire; because of how the markets are constructed (wooden chalets), a fire could spread quickly with disastrous results.  On rare occasions, a market's wiring doesn't pass, and additional work has to be done.  This happened a few years ago at the city's biggest markets, La Defense, and the opening date had to be delayed for a week until the critical work could be redone and reinspected.

So for that reason, I always recommend to everyone to not count on a specific Christmas Market being open on or even within a few days of the announced date. Since you're planning to come specifically to see the market at Tuileries, your December dates will be much safer.

Also, even if the Tuileries Market opens on schedule, a number of other markets and holiday light displays won't be ready by mid-November.

You can check the Paris in November or Paris Christmas Markets articles on the website to find the exact opening dates or other markets.  Opening date announcements usually start around or slightly before the middle of October, and continue to be revealed over the next week or two. 

For other information about holiday lights and other events, check the Christmas in Paris article.

I hope you have a totally wonderful visit. This is truly a magical time of the year to be in Paris.

Are All of Paris's Christmas Markets Worth Visiting?

Sharon's Question:

My boyfriend & I will be traveling to Paris the first week of December.

Are all of Paris's Christmas markets worth visiting?

Susan's Recommendations:

Yes, in the sense that if you happen to be near one and want to stop by, they all have something of interest.

But if you're choosing which Paris Christmas markets to visit as a special experience, I'd focus on those that are the most unique in some way:

• Tuileries - Very fun carnival-like atmosphere, good food, lots of gift items
• La Defense - The biggest in the Paris region, with lots of specialty vendors you won't see elsewhere and great food - 9 minutes by metro from the Charles de Gaulle/Etoile station on Champs Elysees, plus stunning modern architecture as the backdrop because this is Paris's business district
• Notre Dame at Square Viviani - A tranquil vibe plus the famous Cathedral in the background
• Abbesses - Charming, plus it's a good excuse for visiting Montmartre and seeing Sacre Coeur Basilica
• Hotel de Ville - Beautiful and charming
• Saint-Germain - High-quality gift items

Can You Visit Strasbourg and Colmar Christmas Markets in One Day from Paris?

Sharon's Question:

We will be visiting Paris in December, and plan to visit the Strasbourg Christmas Market. We're planning on taking the TGV and returning to Paris the same day. 

Is there a day of the week that would be preferable for going there?  I know it's very popular, so perhaps avoid the weekend?

Do you think we would have time to see Colmar as well, or is that biting off too much?

Susan's Answer: 

That sounds like a wonderful day.  But yes, I'd definitely avoid the weekend due to the crowds, and perhaps Friday as well.  Mondays and Tuesdays are generally among the quietest days, so either could be a good choice.  Wednesdays and Thursdays should also be less crowded than the weekend.

The Strasbourg Christmas Markets open at 11:30am and close at 9pm on most days.  Dates vary a bit each year, but typically span a 4-week period, with the last day falling on Christmas Eve when the market closes at 6pm.  On the opening day, the markets open at 2pm.

As for visiting Colmar on the same day as Strasbourg, on one level I want to say, "Of course you can - go for it!" because Colmar is wonderful too, although much smaller. 

But I also strongly believe that quality wins over quantity in most situations - and that includes enjoying your visit to the Strasbourg Christmas Markets without having to potentially leave before you want to in order to catch the train to Colmar.

And when I add up the time you'll spend just getting to Strasbourg from Paris, the numbers are discouraging. The train journey takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours each way.  You should also add time to get to/from the station, allow a little extra time in case getting there takes longer than planned for whatever reason, arrive a little early to find the right track, leave the station and walk to the Christmas markets or, in Paris, get back to your hotel, etc.  So that means your total transit time each way will be at least 2.5 hours, but possibly longer.  For total travel time, that's a minimum of 5 hours.  Worst case, perhaps 6 hours.

Although you could cut your visit short at Strasbourg to squeeze in a short visit at Colmar, my recommendation is:  don't do it.  The Strasbourg Christmas Markets are best when savored as part of a leisurely, relaxed day.  Save Colmar for another time.

Once you're at the Strasbourg Christmas Markets, you may be surprised by the scale.  Although officially there are only eight "markets," each market area may cover several blocks and has numerous individual wooden chalets, adding up to a total of over 300 kiosks.  Even if you linger at only 50 of the kiosks for 10 minutes each, that will use a total of more than 8 hours. 

In addition, each of the market areas offers something special to lure you to stay longer.  At the Place de la Cathedrale, for example, the lights along the medieval lanes and illuminating the Strasbourg Cathedral's many Gothic arches are magical - you really need to see this at night, and you do not want to have to rush away early in the evening to catch the train to Colmar!  

Plus, you should definitely go inside the Cathedral, famous for its beautiful Gothic architecture with soaring vaults, spectacular stained glass, and a magnificent rose window.  The best example in Paris of this style is Sainte-Chapelle, characterized by its stunning stained glass "walls" and ornamentation, but Strasbourg's Cathedral is bigger and arguably better - and you should see it during the day for the full effect.  If you want to enjoy the illuminations (lights) as well, that means two visits to this market area.

Each of the other markets also offers compelling reasons to visit: the medieval vibes and gorgeous light displays at Place du Chateau, the gourmet treats and local Alsatian specialties at Le Quai des Délices, the gigantic Christmas tree at Place Kléber, old-timey wooden toys at the Christkindelsmärik dating back to 1570 at the historic Place Broglie, and of course the delicious holiday foods and hot mulled wine everywhere to sample and enjoy.

The Strasbourg Markets offer so much beauty to soak up that you'll easily fill one full day and wish you had even more time. 

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More Questions & Answers about the Christmas & New Year Holidays in Paris

Have more questions about spending Christmas or New Year in Paris? You may also find these related reader Q&As helpful:

• How to Enjoy Christmas & New Year in Paris
• Where Are the Best Places for Holiday Dining?

Paris Discoveries Q&A Archive - See Q&As on all topics

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