Paris Christmas Markets
You don’t really need a purpose to visit Paris but the Christmas markets are definitely one good reason to visit during the festive period. The twinkling lights along the Seine, the elaborately decorated department stores in the Champs-Elysées and shopping areas and the great decorations as well as the iconic sights make Paris a spectacular sight to see during this time of year.
This is a big city and there are several Christmas markets offering gastronomic specialities traditional arts and handicrafts. The main Christmas markets are:
Christmas Market on the Avenue des Champs-Elysées
Open: From November 21st , 2012 to January 6th 2013
Location: Avenue des Champs-Elysées to the Place de la Concorde, Paris
Metro: Charles de Gaulle – Étoile
This is the largest Christmas market within Paris’s city limits. The 160 chalet market lines the Champs-Elysées between the Rond-point and Place de la Concorde.
Christmas Market at La Défense
Open: From November 21st to December 29th,
Location: Parvis de la Défense (near the Grand Arche), Paris
Metro/RER: La Défense
With more than 300 stalls in a village of some 10,000m² , this is the largest and most festive Christmas market in the Paris region – set among the high rise buildings of this major business area – it’s got more of an authentic and eccentric feel to it than most other Christmas markets! You’ll find traditional arts and crafts lots of gorgeous festive decorations and plenty of tempting things to eat and drink.
Christmas Market and Ice Rink at Trocadero
Open: Daily from December 13th 2012 to January 6th 2013
Location: Place de la Trocadero, across from the Eiffel Tower, Paris
Metro: Trocadero
Quite a big market with over 120 stands peddling Christmas goods, an ice-skating rink and “snow villages” with a gian igloo and snowman etc. Ideal for families – young children will love it. The European Christmas Village ‘Trocadéro on Ice’ will be held at Trocadéro, opposite the Eiffel Tower, taking on the look and feel of a ski resort right in the middle of Paris!
Village open daily from 11am to 8pm.
Christmas Market at Disney Village
Open: November 7th, 2012 to January 8th, 2013. Open during normal park hours.
Location: Disneyland Resort Paris
Every year the traditional wooden chalets pop up at Disneyland Paris, so if you’re planning an outing to Disney World Paris around Christmas, make a point of stopping by the christmas market in the Disney Village to take a stroll and enjoy the characters, lights and buzz. As you’d expect – Christmas at Disneyland Paris is no ordinary affair. It kicks off in early November and lasts for 2 months. The whole place has a magical festive air and it won’t be just the children who get over excited by the attractions! It “snows” every day on Main Street USA where there’s an huge 80 ft Christmas tree! Santa lives at Disneyland Paris during this time and kids can drop their wish list letters off at his post office. Every night there is a tree lighting ceremony and the whole place sparkles (click on the Disney box on the right to see more details and to book).
More Christmas markets in Paris – the smaller ones!
Montparnasse Christmas Market
Open: December 5th, 2012 to December 30th, 2012. This market specializes in regional French delicacies and you can enjoy a snack in a festive atmosphere!
Location: Below the Montparnasse Tower Block
Metro: Montparnasse Bienvenüe
Christmas Market and Santa’s Village Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Open: December 6th, 2012 to January 2nd, 2013 .
Location: Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Notre-Dame / Quartier Latin
Metro: Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Around 30 chalets in a pretty location selling regional foods and seasonal goodies.
There are several more smaller markets. For opening times and details on all Paris Christmas market
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