40 things to do in Paris at Christmas – a Complete Paris Christmas guide

We have visited Paris at Christmas twice in recent years and have learned all of the best things to do there, from Christmas Markets to River Cruises and everything in between.

This Paris Christmas Guide will provide you with some of the best things to in Paris at Christmas. This list of 40 things to do at Christmas in Paris includes Christmas Markets, Ice Rinks, Festive Events at Christmas Lights switch on dates around the city.

We have also included our recommendations for the best hotels in Paris for every budget for anyone visiting from afar this Christmas.

Where to stay in Paris a Christmas

Knowing where to choose a hotel in Paris at Christmas time can be tricky. Naturally prices will go up at this time of the year but you still want to make sure you’re at the heart of the action.

On our last visit we stayed at Novotel Paris Porte Versailles. This hotel is a little bit outside of the city centre but it is a great option if you are flying into Orly airport. The other great thing about this hotel is that there is a metro station right outside the front door so you can easily reach the city centre quite quickly.

The obvious disadvantage is that none of the major attractions are within walking distance so if you are only in Paris for 1 or 2 days, we would recommend booking a hotel in Paris city centre.

How many days do you need in Paris at Christmas

We would recommend spending at least 2 days in Paris at Christmas time to be able to get around the major attractions without rushing too much.

We would recommend focusing one of your days on seeing the Christmas lights displays throughout the city and getting to the best photo spots and Christmas themed bars. On the second day, go on a Christmas Market Tour and test out your ice skating skills (I hope for your sake they are better than mine).

If you plan to visit Disneyland Paris as part of your trip we would advise adding an additional day to allow sufficient time to enjoy the best of both. There are already so many things to see and do in Paris so allow enough time to get between the locations as they are relatively spread out in parts.

We have put together a map below to help you plan out your time to maxmize your stay in Paris.

Map of Paris

Christmas Markets In Paris

Every Christmas Market in Paris has something unique to offer, from amusements and entertainment to ornaments and festive food. The most renowned Christmas Market in Paris is probably the one held at Tulieries – ‘La Magie de Noel’– which will be running from November 15th to January 4th this year.

This market is the biggest Paris has to offer and filled with great entertainment for all ages, including a large Ferris Wheel, ice skating rinks, a huge array of Swiss styled chalet stalls. Entry is free to this market so if you only have time to visit one Christmas Market in Paris, this is the one to choose.

Christmas Lights Displays in Paris

When you think of Christmas lights in Paris, you will automatically be drawn to the iconic street of the Champs Élysées. Each year, the street and trees are lined with over a million twinkling lights to kickstart the Christmas season.

Other than that you will find lots of great installations throughout the city. For indoor options, we would recommend visiting the shopping centres of Galeries Lafayette Hausmann and Printemps.

You will also find some stunning displays at Rue Saint Honore and Rue Royal, as well as the cobblestone village of Bercy.

Christmas Shopping in Paris

If there is one lace we would highly recommend visiting for shopping in Paris at Christmas it would be the Galeries Lafayette Hausmann. This shopping centre has one of the best Christmas displays in all of Paris and it is a must visit in Paris at Christmas, particularly if the weather is bad outside.

The display in the centre changes each year with a new theme and the centrepiece is a huge Christmas tree in the middle of the shopping centre. There is an observation deck n the upper levels of the centre and this is the best place to get photos with the display without being overcrowded.

The other great thing about Galeries Lafayette Hausmann is that it also has one of the best views of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. If you make your way to the roof of the shopping centre you will be able to enjoy panoramic views of the city, as well as a clear view of the iconic tower as well.

Ice skating in Paris at Christmas

Another great activity for Christmas in Paris is to go ice skating and there are lots of great options. Few activities can create a sense of Christmas nostalgia than to go ice skating surrounded by the Christmas lights of the city.

While I am absolutely awful at ice skating, any time we visit a city over Christmas, we are always tempted to put on the skates before enjoying a hot chocolate alongside the rink. There are a number of great ice rink options over the Christmas period in Paris, including at the Tuileries market, where we can enjoy the best of both.

Best places to see the Eiffel Tower at Christmas

Naturally, no trip to Paris a Christmas would be complete without taking a walking tour of the best Eiffel Tower photo spots.

In our recent trips to Paris, we have visited possibly every Eiffel Tower viewpoint and there is something particularly magical about seeing it lit up under a Christmas sky. We prefer to see the Eiffel Tower at night and one important thing to note is the light up times.

If you are visiting Paris for the first time, it is important to know that the Eiffel Tower lights up for 5 minutes on the hour each hour after dusk.

In our opinion, the best place to view the Eiffel Tower is l’Howea but this is naturally quite subjective. There are also lots of nice bars and restaurants in that area so you can enjoy dinner with a great view.

Disneyland Paris at Christmas

If you are visiting Paris at Christmas with kids, there will be few better things you can do to entertain them than to visit Disneyland Paris.

Disneyland Paris puts on a spectacular display at Christmas – with Christmas themed parades, decorations and Christmas shows throughout the festive period from November to January.

Christmas River Cruise In Paris

If there was only one other thing we would highly recommend doing in Paris at Christmas, it would be to take a river cruise along the Seine under the lights of the Eiffel tower.

This is a real bucket-list activity and would be perfect for anyone visiting Paris at Christmas for a special occasion like a honeymoon or anniversary. This River Seine cruise includes a 5 course Christmas dinner on board, as well as champagne ad locally sourced French wines.

You will cruise along the Seine passing all of Paris’ most renowned landmarks including Notre Dame,