Best Christmas Markets in Paris for Holiday Cheer

Christmas markets in Paris are a wonderful way to enjoy festive fun and seasonal cheer in the French capital. As the holiday season approaches, the famous City of Light is transformed with dozens of bustling street markets across the city, and the best ones take place beneath the spectacular backdrops of Paris’s most famous landmarks.

You can browse for holiday gifts in the shadow of the Champs Élysées or Notre Dame Cathedral, shop for handmade decorations beneath the Eiffel Tower, or maybe enjoy a cup of hot chocolate or vin chaud while ice skating near the Louvre. Read our guide to plan your next festive shopping trip.

1. La Défense Christmas Market

Paris’s most popular Christmas market

Good for: Shoppers, Families, Couples

Every year, La Défense Charismas Market transforms the heart of Paris’s bustling business district into a rustic, festive, and some might even say spellbinding winter wonderland. It attracts more than 1.7 million visitors with its sparkling Christmas lights, traditional attractions, and abundant holiday cheer.

Overlooked by the imposing skyscrapers of La Défense, the Christmas market features 350+ beautifully appointed and illuminated chalet stalls offering plenty of traditional gifts and souvenirs, arts and crafts, and decorations for the holiday. There’s also a pretty ice rink. Wander round and you’ll find yourself enveloped by the entrancing smells of cinnamon and hot chocolate, bubbling raclette and fondue, and other French seasonal favorites and delicacies.

Location: Parv. de la Défense, 92800 Puteaux, France

Open: Mid-November–late December: Monday–Thursday from 11am to 8pm (closed Friday–Sunday and late December–mid-November)

Phone: +33 (0)2 40 84 32 32

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2. Tuileries Garden Christmas Market

The magic of Christmas in a magical location

Good for: Families, Shoppers, Photo

Enjoying an exceptional location in historic gardens set against an elegant backdrop of Parisian landmarks, the Tuileries Garden Christmas Market is one of the city’s most enchanting holiday destinations.

Nestled between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, and a stone’s throw from the Champs-Élysées, the popular market hosts 100 charmingly decorated chalets offering a huge range of handcrafted gifts, traditional holiday decorations, and gourmet food. There are also fairground rides, an ice rink, and a Ferris wheel offering views of the River Seine and nearby landmarks for a truly unforgettable festive experience. Take in the Christmas magic from high above the city and don’t forget to fill your suitcase with unique presents for family and friends.

Open: November–January: daily from 11 am to 11.45 pm (closed February–October)

Phone: +33 (0)1 40 20 53 17

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3. Hôtel de Ville Christmas Market

A festive lightshow while you shop

Good for: Photo, Shoppers

One of the most spectacular and awe-inspiring sights in Paris during the festive season is the light show, which takes place as part of the Hôtel de Ville Christmas Market. Already one of the city’s most beautiful buildings, its architectural majesty is enhanced every evening during Christmas. Bathed in blue light and snowflakes, it creates a stunning and breathtakingly magical backdrop for market visitors.

It might be small in size, but the Hôtel de Ville Christmas Market brings a huge amount of family fun with plenty of activities, including snow tubing and an enchanted forest. The market also specializes in locally made artisanal items from its craft stalls, so be sure to browse for one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts.

Location: Parvis de l’hôtel de ville, 75004 Paris, France

Open: December–January: Daily from 11 am to 9 pm (Closed rest of the year)

Phone: +33 (0)1 42 76 40 40

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4. Saint-Germain-des-Prés Christmas Market

A great market for classy gifts

Good for: Food, Shoppers

If you’re on the lookout for a luxury and distinctive gift for a special someone, then the Saint-Germain-des-Prés Christmas Market is the place to go. Located in one of Paris’s most sophisticated neighborhoods on Boulevard St-Germain next to the famous St-Germain-des-Prés Church, this bohemian market specializes in luxury hand-crafted gifts. Bags, pocketbooks, jewelry, gourmet chocolates, scented candles, and ceramics can be found by discerning shoppers looking for something unique and distinctive.

With around 30 wooden chalets set amongst quaint, festively lit cobblestone streets, the market has a rustic yet quietly elegant village feel. Don’t miss sampling seasonal delicacies like mulled wine, macarons, candied chestnuts, truffles, and smoked salmon.

Location: 3 Pl. Saint-Germain des Prés, 75006 Paris, France

Open: November–January: daily from 10 am to 9 pm (closed February–October)

Phone: +33 (0)1 55 42 81 10

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5. Notre-Dame Christmas Market

A bustling market close to the restored cathedral

Good for: Shoppers, Photo

Paris is filled with stunning buildings that serve as a beautiful backdrop for a Christmas market, and the famous towers, spire, and facade of Notre Dame Cathedral make it one of the best.

This intimate Christmas market, held just a short walk away from the magnificently restored cathedral in Square René Viviani, is celebrated locally as one of Paris’s most charming and authentic festive destinations. The medieval atmosphere of Île de la Cité provides a traditional Parisian Christmas atmosphere, where you can feel connected to centuries of holiday traditions. Browse its wooden stalls offer high-quality arts and crafts made in France by local artisans, including leatherworks, ceramics, jewelry, textiles, wooden toys, religious artifacts, and seasonal decorations.

Location: 2 Rue du Fouarre, 75005 Paris, France

Open: November–December: Monday–Friday from 10 am to 8 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 9 pm (closed January–October)

Phone: +33 (0)6 24 68 56 25

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6. Alsatian Christmas Market at Gare de l’Est

All aboard for regional delicacies galore

Good for: Food, Shoppers

For serious foodies, there’s one prime destination for delicious holiday fare: the Alsatian Christmas Market. Held in a giant tent at the Gare de l’Est train station in the city’s 10th Arrondissement, the market is a mouthwatering extravaganza that showcases the best in traditional Alsatian food with a host of gourmet local favorites on the menu.

Located in the north-east of France, Alsace borders Switzerland and Germany, and its traditional cuisine is heavily influenced by all 3 countries. Popular favorites and regional specialties, which also make thoughtful gifts or additions to your own holiday table, include artisan cheeses, foie gras, jams, kougelhopf, tortes, and gingerbreads. Try them all at the free daily tastings.

Location: Rue du 8 Mai 1945, 75010 Paris, France

Open: November and December: Monday–Saturday from 9 to 7.30 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 7 pm (Closed rest of year)

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7. Fééries d’Auteuil Market

A market that raises funds for charity

Good for: Families, Shoppers

Embracing the charitable spirit of Christmas, Fééries d’Auteuil Market, held in the historic grounds of the Apprentis d’Auteuil in the 16th arrondissement, raises money to support disadvantaged Parisian children. Through its programs in care, education, training, and integration, the charity helps an estimated 40,000 young people and 9,000 vulnerable families each year.

As well as traditional stalls offering holiday gifts and seasonal food, this quaint market boasts a flea market named Auteuil Bonnes Affaires, where shoppers can find great deals and bargains amongst a wide range of new and secondhand items. Bundle up, get a cup of hot chocolate, and enjoy the market’s wide range of entertainment for the whole family, including magicians, puppet shows, and live music.

Location: 40 Rue Jean de la Fontaine, 75016 Paris, France

Open: December: Wednesday from 7 am to 2.30 pm and Saturday from 7 am to 3 pm (closed Sunday–Tuesday, Thursday–Friday in December, and January–November)

Phone: +33 (0)1 40 50 57 57

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8. Montmartre Abbesses Christmas Market

A market as hip and cool as its famed location

Good for: Shoppers, Photo

Home to around 15–20 stalls, the annual Montmartre Abbesses Christmas Market brings a distinctly bohemian charm and friendly neighborhood vibe, making it a must-visit event.

Located right next to the Place des Abbesses Metro station in one of the most photogenic areas in artsy Montmartre, this pleasant boutique market is filled with creative and distinctive wares from local artisans, designers, and creators. You’ll get the chance to snap up items you won’t find anywhere else. Traditional festive food and drinks are also on offer, and don’t forget to take a selfie with the statuesque and impressive Christmas tree.

Open: November–January: daily from 10 am to 8 pm (closed February–October)

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9. Christmas Village at the Trocadéro

Ice skating and shopping in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower

Good for: Photo, Shoppers, Families

Enjoy unparalleled views of the Eiffel Tower as you browse 100 stalls at Christmas Village at Trocadéro, one of Paris’s largest and most popular Christmas markets.

Every year, the area in the Jardins du Trocadéro transforms into a festive wonderland with a charming ice rink. Its elevated location provides a gorgeous backdrop for a romantic holiday shopping experience with one of the world’s most iconic structures illuminated and twinkling in the background. In the dozens of wooden chalet-style stalls, you’ll find everything from handcrafted ornaments to gourmet treats. It’s an excellent opportunity to buy gifts and mementoes for all the family, just don’t forget a little something for yourself.

Open: December–January: daily from 11 am to 9 pm (closed February–November)

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10. Eiffel Tower Christmas Market at Quai Branly

A bustling market on the banks of the Seine

Good for: Shoppers, Photo

Each year, Eiffel Tower Christmas Market at Quai Branly at the foot of the Eiffel Tower turns this bustling area into one of the most beloved and enchanting festive markets in Paris.

Here you’ll find designer chalets offering locally crafted goods and food trucks serving delicious festive fare. Its riverside location adds a romantic touch to holiday shopping, making it a lovely date night activity. This intimate market combines the holiday cheer with quintessential Parisian elegance, creating an unforgettable shopping experience in the shadow of the world’s most famous tower. Be sure to have your camera ready for some charming holiday photos.

Location: Quai Jacques Chirac, 75007 Paris, France

Open: December–January: Sunday–Thursday from 11 to 8 pm, Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 9 pm (closed February–November)

Phone: +33 (0)1 56 61 70 00

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