Planning Christmas in Paris is a golden opportunity to fully experience the French tradizine.
Spending Christmas in Paris is a dream for so many people, because at this magical time of year there is no shortage of special events, markets, striking street lighting, walks along the boulevards and the Seine, numerous other attractions. It is the time of year when the most romantic city in the world shines brighter than ever.
If Christmas is already a magical time in itself, spending it in Paris can only be one-of-a-kind excitement: markets, elegant lighting, entertainment of all kinds for young and old, and numerous places to visit, made even more beautiful and evocative by the event. The Parisian Christmas spirit can be felt intensely in every corner of the city, and deciding which 5 things to do in the French tradition is not at all easy, but we will try.
So let’s find out together what they are by making a short list ofmust-have ideas when deciding to spend Christmas in Paris.
1. Disneyland Paris: fun for young and old alike
The spellbinding tourist attraction represented by Disneyland will never be as beautiful as it is during the Christmas season.This is one of the world’s largest and most well-organized amusement parks, which is enjoyed by both young and old every year. There will be dedicated parades throughout the day, parading through the park’s narrow streets and displaying various Christmas allegories.
Regardless of age, Christmas is the perfect time to visit Disneyland Paris, because it offers spectacle, magic, illusion, and the one-of-a-kind opportunity to have such an experience during this season. The park’s streets are populated by the bewitching Disney characters and enlivened by events and attractions embellished with Christmas balls, colorful ribbons and garlands.
At Christmas Disneyland is decorated with the mammoth Christmas tree adorned with colorful bright lights that will leave everyone speechless.
Christmas at Disneyland Paris begins in November and lasts until after Epiphany.
2. Christmas cruise on the Seine
While the Seine is in itself one of the most romantic and well-known places in the entire city, taking a cruise during the Christmas season or New Year’s Eve has some magic and gives an experience that is hard to forget.
La cruise on the Seine can clearly be done throughout the year, even in the summer, at night and tasty dinners, but at this time cruise ships hold delicious parties on board, especially the New Year’s Eve To say goodbye to the old year and welcome the incoming one. During these occasions a typical Parisian New Year’s Eve dinner is served, a cotillion and dance are included, and the latter lasts well into the night. One only has to close one’s eyes to imagine the glitter of the Louvre, the mammoth Notre Dame Cathedral and the luminous Eiffel Tower, all decorated in the Parisian Christmas manner.
3. Christmas show at the Moulin Rouge
As everyone knows, Parisian streets are wonderful in their own right, but they are not the city’s only strength, for Paris is best known for many ancient venues that offer truly special events and activities. One of the best-known shows ever takes place at the Moulin Rouge, where people from all corners of the world come to watch cabaret.
Purchasing a ticket to the Moulin Rouge during the Christmas season comes with the opportunity to attend a show that will never be more captivating than at other times. Again, the organization will include in the ticket cost a dinner worthy of the best city restaurants.
There is a point to be made, because that tickets to attend one of the Moulin Rouge shows, especially at Christmas, go fast, so it is necessary to reserve them well in advance. In case you are not able to go to see this show, always in that period you can find an alternative by going to see another popular show: we are talking about the Lido Paris Merveilles: you can opt for the regular ticket or the special one, including dinner.
4. Out admiring Christmas window displays
Christmas in Paris is experienced by Parisians themselves with extreme intensity, just look at how carefully and attentively they tend to decorate store windows as well as private homes. Especially in recent years, Christmas window decorations in shopping malls and stores have been so well cared for that they have themselves become real attractions for tourists and locals alike.
At this time of year, one has the opportunity to stroll the Parisian streets feeling like a child again because one is enraptured by the colors, illuminations and magical decorations found in every corner of the city.
Not to be missed are Galeries Lafayette, the largest luxury department store in Paris, which displays both a marvelous Christmas tree on one side and the most scenic window displays in Paris on the other: the decorations include movement and music, giving the viewer a hypnotic feeling.
Some Paris boutiques boast windows equipped with chimerical devices that can tell stories and fairy tales for all kinds of audiences: those at Printemps Haussmann, Le Bon Marché and BHV are not to be missed. Especially the latter allow children to have their picture taken next to Santa Claus.
Also impossible to miss are the Christmas lights found throughout the city, particularly those on the Champs Elysées, Place Vendôme, the romantic Montmartre district, and Bercy Village.
5. I marchés de Noël de Paris: the Christmas markets of Paris.
In keeping with French tradition, you cannot miss the Marchés de Nöel, or Christmas Markets, a must-see attraction when visiting the city of Paris during the Christmas season.
Walking through the markets, one is transported into a magical world as one breathes in so many smells and admires bewitching colors.
The tradition of Marchés de Nöel in Paris comes from Alsace: these are small huts where you can also taste productssuch as marron glacé, crepes, waffles, and mulled wine.
Markets are definitely the best place to buy Christmas gifts, decorations, presents and more.
Among the most beautiful Parisian Christmas markets are those on the Champs Elysées, at Notre Dame, at the Tuileries Gardens, or on the Champs de Mars, as well as smaller ones located in additional Parisian neighborhoods. One that should definitely be seen is the one in the Montmartre district, composed of products from all over the country and wonderful craft stalls.
