If you’re coming to Paris in December, you’re in for a real treat. The last month of the year is actually one of the BEST times to visit the city. Yes, the temperatures are dropping and the days are getting shorter, but that’s exactly when Paris kicks its festive spirit into high gear.
You don’t have to wait until Christmas to get in on the fun. The holiday vibes start early and stick around all month, plus early December can be a great time to score better deals on hotels and flights. And even if you’re not exactly a Christmas person, you’ll also find some different types of activities on my list of top things to do in Paris in December.
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Soak up the festive spirit at Paris’s Christmas markets
Cute wooden chalets, steaming mugs of vin chaud (mulled wine), and the smell of roasted chestnuts… stopping by a marché de Noël, a Christmas market, is the quickest way to get into the holiday mood.
About a dozen or so are spread across the city, and I’ve included them all in our Festive Paris Guide. But if I had to pick my two favorites, I would say the charming market in front of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés Church and in Place des Abbesses in Montmartre. No matter which one you visit, you’ll find stalls selling handmade crafts, local treats, and gifts that won’t look like airport souvenirs.
My favorite time to go to Paris’s Christmas markets is in the early evening. This is when the lights come on, and the crowds are still manageable, so take your time wandering between stalls and nibble on a few festive season snacks.
Image Courtesy of Galeries Lafayette
See the best holiday lights and window displays around Paris
One of the best things to do in Paris in December is to take a festive wander and soak up all the twinkling lights, over-the-top decorations and fabulous Christmas window displays. I’ve included all the best spots in our Paris Festive Guide, but you can’t miss the gorgeous decorations in the Place Vendôme, and the lights along the Champs-Élysées are also pretty magical.
When it comes to window displays, the Galeries Lafayette is the place to go, especially because it always has an absolutely stunning, giant Christmas tree beneath its stained-glass dome. So be sure to pop inside to see it, then make your way up the store’s free rooftop viewing deck for some more eye candy – there are totally sensational views of the city.
Image Courtesy of La Villete
Take in an evening illumination show in a unique location
In addition to the city’s streets, certain parks in Paris put on their own light shows in winter. Every December at dusk, the historic Jardin des Plantes fills with a cool light show involving magical glowing creatures. The theme changes every year, and often puts wildlife preservation into the spotlight. It’s a fun activity for all ages.
Over in la Villette, a huge park in northeastern Paris, the Light Cycles event transforms the greenspace into an immersive world of color. For either event, I suggest dressing warmly and checking the dates and ticketing before you go – they are usually very popular with Parisians.
Image Courtesy of Get Your Guide
Take a Christmas lights tour by vintage car
Want to admire the city’s festive glow without freezing your toes off? Hop into a vintage Citroën 2CV and let a local driver take you past the city’s most spectacular illuminations.
This special holiday tour has been designed so that you can see the best holiday lights, including the Champs-Élysées, the Place Vendôme and the streets around the Opera District. It is a fun and unique way to experience Paris by night, perfect for couples, families, or anyone who wants to add some extra sparkle to their sightseeing.
Image Courtesy of Get Your Guide
Celebrate Chanukah in the Marais
The Marais is the heart of Jewish life in Paris, and during Chanukah the neighborhood is really buzzing. The atmosphere on rue des Rosiers is warm and lively, with bakeries, delis, and falafel counters doing brisk business. Over Chanukah, you’ll also find some special festive stalls along the lively street.
It’s the ideal time to dive deeper into the history of the district, which you can do by joining this guided tour of the Jewish Marais. It’s packed with info and interesting facts that’ll give you a much better understanding of Paris’s Jewish community and its connections to this wonderful neighborhood.
Image Courtesy of Sunset Sunside via Facebook
Groove to great music at a cozy jazz concert
Paris has loved jazz since the 1920s, and a winter evening in a small, stone-vaulted club or fireplace lounge is hard to beat. Squeeze into a table near the stage, order something warming, and let the musicians do the rest.
It is a fantastic way to cap off a day of sightseeing and offers a totally different experience of the city. If you’re looking for some suggestions on where to go, I’ve brought together all my favorite places in this article on the best jazz bars in Paris.
Image Courtesy of Plaq
Seek out Paris’s best hot chocolate
You’ve likely come across the famous hot chocolate place, Angelina’s, when researching for your Paris trip. I can admit that its chocolat chaud is good, but it’s overpriced, and the lines to get in are always super long, something you definitely don’t want to be waiting in when it’s so cold out.
If you want to skip the hype and lines, go to one of these alternatives instead:
- PLAQ: Chocolate purists won’t want to miss this amazing bean-to-bar chocolate shop in the Montorgueil area that serves insane hot chocolate in winter.
- Jean-Paul Hévin: This master chocolatier has take-away hot chocolate that’s rich, silky, and seriously indulgent.
- Ladurée: Known for its macarons, three of Paris’s Ladurée locations also have elegant tea salons where you can pair your chocolat chaud with incredible pastries.
- Bread & Roses: Go to this charming tea salon in the Saint-Germain district for a great hot chocolate and more relaxed, local vibes.
Image Courtesy of Get Your Guide
Enjoy the cozy ambiance at the Medieval Museum
When the cold gets too much, duck into the Musée de Cluny, the National Museum of the Middle Ages. Located in a medieval building in the Latin Quarter and a short walk from Notre Dame, it’s full of fireplaces and warm wood, with beautiful tapestries (including the famous Lady and the Unicorn) that make it feel like a storybook.
The museum is a really peaceful and atmospheric refuge from the winter chill and a great spot to take a break from outdoor sightseeing.
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