Strasbourg may be France’s Christmas capital and boast the country’s oldest Marché de Noël, but there’s no denying that Christmas in Paris is spectacular. The city shines brighter every year with thousands of lights illuminating its famous squares and emblematic places such as the Champs-Elysées, nicknamed the “most beautiful avenue in the world.” Christmas cheer seeps into each of the 20 districts, decorated with enormous garlands, ornament-covered fir forests, sculptural light displays, and wooden chalets dishing out vin chaud (mulled wine) and Christmas specialties like foie gras, best spread with a subtly sweet Pain d’épices (gingerbread).
Oyster stands are as much a fixture of the holidays in Paris as Christmas markets, which happen to be one of the best places to try them. Celebrate the season in true French style with a mobile banquet by dining and drinking at some of the city’s most iconic institutions, from the Left Bank cafes where famous writers and artists once gathered to the Palace Hotels clustered around Place de la Concorde and Place Vendôme. And when you’re ready to indulge in some of Paris’ famous retail therapy, visit one of the grand magazines (department stores), which are among the best in the world for their holiday window displays (including New York City) executed with the same style and precision as a couturier. The city may not be covered in snow, but the Christmas spirit is as strong here as on the slopes of the French Alps, and it even has the cuisine and chalets to prove it. If you’re planning to spend Christmas in Paris, you’ll find plenty of ways to celebrate, but these 10 are some of the best things to do and see during the holidays in the City of Light.
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Every review on this list has been written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has visited that activity. When choosing what to do, our editors consider landmarks and experiences that offer an insider’s view of a destination, taking into account authenticity, location, service and sustainability credentials. This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publication date. Additional reporting by Lindsey Tramuta.
