Paris at Christmas: 16 Places to See on a 38.9 km Route
Explore Paris at Christmas through 16 festive landmarks spanning 38.9 km, from the iconic Galeries Lafayette Christmas Tree and Hôtel de Ville market to charming passages like Passage des Panoramas and seasonal markets in the Latin Quarter, Abbesses, and La Villette. Visit the ice skating rink in the 15th Arrondissement and luxury shopping areas around Place Vendôme and La Défense.
- Distance
- 38.9 km
- Duration
- 7 h 46 min
- Mode
- route
- Start
- Welcome to Paris at Christmas
- End
- La Défense Christmas Market
- Stops
- 16
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Welcome to Paris at Christmas
- Latin Quarter & District Exploration
- 15th Arrondissement Ice Skating Rink — Ice skating rink in the 15th arrondissement
- Passage des Panoramas Historic Passage
- Place Vendôme Lights & Luxury Shops — Octagonal plaza surrounded by opulent jewelry boutiques and haute couture houses, centered by a triumphal column and glittering with holiday decorations.
- La Villette Christmas Market — Annual Christmas market in Parc de la Villette
- Christmas Market of Abbesses — Christmas market in the 18th arrondissement
- Saint-Germain-des-Prés Christmas Market — Christmas market and holiday lights on rue de Buci in Saint-Germain
- Le Bon Marché Christmas Village — Historic department store decorated as a Christmas village
- Notre-Dame Christmas Market — Christmas market near Notre-Dame Cathedral
- Au Vieux Paris d'Arcole Historic Café — One of the most historic cafés in Paris
- Hôtel de Ville Christmas Market — Town hall with artisan market and illuminations
- Passage des Panoramas — Historic covered passage dating to 1799, one of the oldest in Paris
- Galeries Lafayette Christmas Tree — Grand department store famous for its Christmas tree display
- Printemps Flagship Store — Historic department store adjacent to Galeries Lafayette
- La Défense Christmas Market — Christmas market at Paris's business district
Useful for your trip
- Timing
- Visit Hôtel de Ville around sunset to see the building's architecture during the day and illuminations after dark.
- Tip
- Explore covered passages (Galerie Vivienne, Passage des Panoramas) on rainy days—they date from the 19th century and are precursors to modern shopping malls.
- Timing
- Watch the light show at Galeries Lafayette Christmas tree—it runs every half hour during opening hours.
- Food
- Head to Sav Des Savoa in the 5th Arrondissement for traditional French raclette and fondue dishes with hearty portions.
- Save money
- Pay €5 entry fee to La Villette Christmas Market (19th Arrondissement)—it's redeemable as a voucher for a hot drink.
- Tip
- Visit Passage des Panoramas, dating back to 1799, known for stamp collecting—one of the oldest covered passages in Paris.
- Transport
- Vaux-le-Vicomte château is not easily accessible by public transport—bring a car or plan a longer journey to reach it.
- Timing
- Visit Vaux-le-Vicomte just before dark to see the château during daytime and enjoy evening illuminations.
- Tip
- Visit Square René Viviani in the Latin Quarter to see the oldest tree in Paris, allegedly planted in 1600.
- Timing
- Visit Rue de Buci in the evening to enjoy the best Christmas lights in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
- Tip
- La Défense Christmas Market (30th edition in 2025) has over 300 chalets including regional stands, a foodie section, and artisan crafts.
- Tip
- Le Bon Marché (one of Europe's oldest department stores, dating to 1838) has a Christmas shop on the top floor with decorations.
Video on this route
Christmas in Paris: Pure Nostalgia