6 Reasons to Spend Christmas in Paris

The City of Light has so much to offer: beautiful sites like the Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum, and delectable Parisian food such as baguettes and crepes. It’s a beautiful city to visit any time of the year. One important occasion to do so is Christmas. Spending Christmas in Paris will give the holiday a whole new meaning and will definitely give you a whole new experience.

Imagine having a traditional Parisian Christmas with dishes like foie gras, Bûche de Noël (Yule log), and roasted chestnuts. It’s always a treat to make new memories and experience a different culture in places far from home. With that, we’ve listed a few reasons for you to do something new this time and spend your Christmas in Paris.

A visit to the Moulin Rouge in Paris is a must, whether or not it’s Christmas. But if you’ll be spending Christmas in Paris, then you’ll get the amazing chance to catch their festive and dazzling Féerie show, with many artists, musicians, and choral singers. A mix of different dance styles will be performed, such as acrobatics and the French Cancan.

The dinner will be a four-course meal, featuring a special Christmas menu, including half a bottle of wine or champagne. As you dine, you will be serenaded by the Moulin Rouge orchestra. To ensure a smooth experience, we highly recommend you book your tickets in advance!

Every year, churches like Sainte-Chapelle, the Church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Notre Dame Cathedral, and even the Eiffel Tower host holiday concerts that play Christmas music that will surely leave you feeling nostalgic. Songs like Vivaldi's Four Seasons and Mozart's A Little Night Music are just two of the many performances that you’ll have the privilege of hearing live. To make your experience even better, churches in Paris offer stunning interiors and exteriors, with stained glass and high ceilings as the background to the live orchestra.

Disneyland in general is magical. It’s known to be majestic, the “happiest place on earth.” One can only imagine how much more magical it can be during Christmas. Once you step into Disneyland Paris, you’ll be greeted by holiday decorations that will easily transport you to the magic and beauty of Christmas.

Of course, some highlights include the giant Christmas tree, as well as the exciting lineup of Christmas parades and shows like “Mickey's Dazzling Christmas Parade” and “Let's Sing Christmas.”

And hey, make sure to stay until nighttime, because the Disneyland Paris Christmas special continues on with the much-anticipated fireworks display, projections around the castle, and the performance of the dancing fountains.

If you spend Christmas in Paris, expect a lot of ice skating to be involved! One of the many ways Parisians embrace the winter season is through the fun activity of ice skating. During Christmas, you’ll spot so many locations to do so, like the Grand Palais Ice Rink, Tuileries Garden Christmas Market Ice Skating Rink, La Défense Ice Skating Rink at the Grande Arche, Ice Skating Rink at Parc André Citroën, and more. If you don’t know how to skate, don’t worry — with the number of times you can try ice skating, you’ll definitely learn how to do it before you head home.

You can’t just spend Christmas in Paris without a visit to at least one Paris Christmas market! Going to one will definitely let you experience the culture of Paris through its locals, food, arts, and trinkets or items they’re selling. The market will be beaming with Christmas lights and decorations that you can marvel at or take photos of as you stroll around.

Some must-visit Christmas markets in Paris include La Magie de Noël at Tuileries Garden Christmas Market, Paris Notre-Dame Christmas Market at Square Viviani, Abbesses Christmas Market in Montmartre, Saint-Germain-des-Prés Christmas Market, and La Défense Marché de Noël. These Christmas markets offer snacks like roasted chestnuts, raclette (melted cheese served with potatoes), aligot (mashed potatoes with melted cheese), crepes, and French onion soup. For drinks, they have hot chocolate, hot mulled wine, and champagne.

Winter in Paris is considered an off-season compared to summer, so expect more affordable flights and hotels during the winter. Nothing beats being able to visit a city that’s on most travelers’ bucket lists without having to deal with the crowds. Plus, with fewer tourists around, you’ll enjoy a more relaxed Parisian experience.

There are so many things to do and reasons to spend Christmas in Paris. It’s a fun way to try something new this holiday season with your family and loved ones. Happy travels!

Yes, Christmas in Paris is worth experiencing as there are many activities you can only do at Christmas time, such as visiting Paris Christmas markets and seeing Disneyland Paris holiday-style. And hey, flights and hotels tend to be cheaper during this time compared to Paris’ summer months.

Yes, it’s cold in Paris at Christmas. The average daily temperature ranges from 4°C (39°F) to 8°C (46°F).

No, not everything is closed in Paris during Christmas. While many shops will expectedly be closed on December 25, some stores remain open, especially those popular among tourists or at tourist spots.