8 Best Parisian Christmas Markets to Visit This Winter

The Notre-Dame de Paris Christmas Market is ideal for those with a passion for handmade items created by local artisans. Staples include French foods, fashion, plus handmade jewelry and crafts. You won’t want to miss the variety of free entertainment around the market like singers, dancers and even puppet shows for the little ones. Santa Claus himself makes frequent appearances throughout the venue to delight children and adults alike.

Though Notre Dame suffered a devastating fire in 2018, this Marché de Noël continues from across the River Seine in Square René-Viviani. The park is one of the most beautiful spots in Paris at any time of year, but holds a special charm when hosting the Christmas Market. What sets this annual holiday market apart from many of its Parisian counterparts is the focus on locally crafted goods and the celebration of local artisans. Here, you’ll be able to find the most unique gifts for everyone on your list — or even something to take home for yourself, while not missing out on the traditional vin chaud (hot mulled wine) synonymous with Parisian Christmas markets.

Click here for more information: Marché de Noël Notre Dame

Meaning “The Magic of Christmas,” La Magie de Noël takes place in Tuileries Garden, which is located near the Louvre and is one of the largest Christmas markets in Paris. This remarkable event boasts upwards of over 13 million visitors each year. Previously known as the Champs-Élysées Christmas Market, the market stretches from Rue des Pyramides to Place de la Concord and also offers exciting holiday-themed attractions — such as a ferris wheel, skating rink and more.

An iconic Christmas Market, La Magie de Noël hosts more than one hundred individual chalets to explore for food, shopping, holiday activities and more. If you have time to visit only one Marché de Noël this holiday season, make it this one. At La Magie de Noël you can experience the best of Parisian Christmas market traditions all in one place.

Click here for more information: La Magie de Noël at Tuileries Garden

If dazzling displays of light are the way to warm your holiday heart, look no further than the Bercy Village Christmas Market. Each year, this Marché de Noël features illuminated displays from prominent artists or designers that never fail to impress. For 2021, the featured artist is Patricia Cunha, whose Umbrella Sky projects have traveled around the world. The display in Bercy Village Christmas Market features 1,200 lighted umbrellas suspended above a pathway through the market, ending at a magnificent Christmas tree featuring even more umbrellas.

The light displays are not the only feature of the Bercy Village Christmas Market that draw a crowd. Because of its location in a year ‘round shopping and entertainment spot, this market is ideal for those with last-minute shopping to do. The commercial district’s permanent shops are complemented with seasonal popup stalls, weekend musical entertainment and opportunities to chat with Père Noël. After completing your shopping list, reward yourself with a visit to the popular Cité-Cine movie theater — a local favorite.

Click here for more information: Bercy Village

Yes, it’s still on this year! If you want to experience one of the most magical holiday experiences in our city, the Paris Christmas Market at Canopée des Halles features an enormous 20-meter Christmas tree surrounded by a forest of twinkling lights. With more than 20 wooden chalets, you can choose from one of the widest varieties of Parisian foods, drinks and handmade trinkets and products.

Be sure to explore the Forum des Halles in its entirety! It features a below-ground shopping complex with some quintessential Parisian fashion options available. There are beautiful sites also located nearby that are definitely worth setting your sights on in the wintertime — like the Église Saint-Eustache and Run Montorgueil, which offers a whole street of elegant boutique shops to check out.

Click here for more information: Forum des Halles

Considered a “mini” Christmas market, the Hôtel de Ville Marché de Noël features only a dozen stalls, give or take, primarily centered on handcrafted goods fabriqué à Paris. This market won’t be a good fit for visitors hoping to sample a broad range of French holiday foods, but market goers can still experience traditional fare including vin chaud, raclette, roasted chestnuts and crêpes. As for activities, kids can enjoy free carousel rides, a man-made mountain for sledding and a unique climbing wall that you won’t find at other seasonal markets.

Dear to our hearts here at Laflore, the organizers of the Hôtel de Ville Christmas Market take a sustainable approach to their festival preparations. The forest of trees that decorate the market are sourced from sustainable farms, and many are presented in pots to be used for years to come. Even those that are at the end of their lifecycle are not ignored. After their holiday exhibition they will be used as mulch in the city’s green places, helping to sustainably nurture the flora of Paris.

Click here for more information: Official Paris Site

A festival for French foodies, the Eiffel Tower Christmas Village is home to dozens of stalls celebrating regional produce and foodstuffs from all over France. It is the perfect opportunity to indulge in a huge variety of local cuisines, sure to satisfy even the most discerning taste buds.

Located at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, the setting of this market is hard to beat. When night falls, visitors to this market will hardly wonder why Paris is called the City of Light. An array of Christmas trees are illuminated across the market and visitors can get an up close view of the Eiffel Tower’s seasonal light display while enjoying their gastronomic delights.

Click here for more information: La Tour Eiffel

With a mission of raising awareness of eco-friendly values during the holidays, la REcyclerie hosts three eco-conscious Parisian Christmas markets throughout the winter season for the sustainable shopper. One that we love is Greenwitch: Le Village de Noël Écoféministe — an ethical Christmas village of 25 environmentally friendly brands, numerous holiday workshops on incorporating the zero-waste lifestyle and festive musical entertainment.

Click here for more information: La REcyclerie

The largest Christmas market in Paris is surprisingly not exactly in Paris proper. Located at the end of Metro Line 1 and nestled among the main Parisian financial quarter’s most prominent skyscrapers, La Défense offers more than 150 chalets featuring a variety of vendors and exhibitors bursting with holiday goodies to enjoy at the market or take home. Shoppers will also be delighted to find a huge variety of gifting options including classic tourist fare, traditional nativities, jewelry, clothing & accessories, candy or even a collection of antique Parisian books.

Unique to our list, La Défense features Christmas foods, drinks and gifts from around the world. Visitors will have the opportunity to sample delicious French cheeses, Spanish paella, charcuterie, foie gras and more, or buy regional produce to create their own fanciful feasts at home. Fans of vin chaud will be delighted to try variations on the traditional Christmas drink including Cuban mulled wine and white vin chaud. Any version of this hot treat is a welcome apéritif after an evening of ice skating atop the Grande Arche.

For those who are only in Paris in spirit (or just not quite ready for crowded events during the COVID-19 pandemic), there is some good news! The Paris Tourist Office is hosting its Virtual Christmas Market online. Visitors can plan for their trip to Paris and explore gift ideas from six chalets — all 100% French. From gastronomy, knicknacks and fashion to treasure hunts and escape games, this is a great way to experience the Parisian tradition of shopping at our festive holiday markets from home!

Click here for more information: The Virtual Christmas Market