Being someone who has grown up watching English movies and reading English novels, the festival of Christmas and the festivities which come with it have always fascinated me. Most films and books inevitably feature some references, shots or descriptions of this most popular celebration around the world – the houses covered with decorations, shops and roads decked up in fairy-lights and streamers, ornate Christmas trees peeking through the windows of homes, delicately wrapped gifts being exchanged and jumble sale-like Christmas markets popping everywhere!
So, when I got the chance to explore and know more about Christmas shopping around the globe, I jumped at it! After an exhaustive research, I have come to realize that no other experience comes even close to the enthralling experience of celebrating Christmas in Paris!
While the favorite Champs Elysées market won't be appearing in 2017, there are still plenty of magical Christmas markets in Paris to catch up on that holiday cheer.
Christmas Markets in Paris
1. Marché de Noël à Montmartre – A Rustic Shopping Experience
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
One of the best-known Christmas markets in Paris, the Marché de Noël à Montmartre welcomes you with its rustic vibe which is created by the collection of 30 wooden chalets decorating the ground below the snowy Sacré-Coeur. Though it is a little off-the-beaten-path for tourists, this market is perfect for those looking to gain a pastoral shopping experience. Spiced wines, delicious crepes, a wide choice of traditional presents and unique local products are the things that you should be looking forward to when you visit this market.
Dates: End of November 2017 to 1st of January 2018
Hours: 10 am - 5 pm
Location: Paroisse Saint-Pierre de Montmartre, 75018 Paris
What’s Cool: The rustic vibe
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2. Marché de Noël de Paris Notre-Dame – A Cool Assortment of Arts and Crafts
A small collection of around 50 artisans selling all kinds of handmade gifts, the Marché de Noël de Paris Notre-Dame focusses on arts and crafts from France. If you are looking for creative things to buy in Paris, this market must be on your travel plan! Apart from the cool DIYs, this place also sells delicious holiday staples like foie gras, sausages, macaroons and chestnuts. A huge Christmas tree that is intricately decorated with delicate ornaments is kept right in the heart of the market, thus making this market picture-perfect and totally instagrammable! Set on the backdrop of a beautiful cathedral, this market is a charming one and strolling around these stalls is sure to get you into the celebratory temperament.
Dates: 15 December - 24 December 2017
Hours: Throughout the day
Location: 2 rue du Fouarre 75005
What’s Cool: Arts and Crafts
3. Marché de Noël sur le Parvis de la Défense – The Land of Christmas Trinkets and Mulled Wine
Housing over 350 stalls selling every imaginable quirky as well as traditional product, the Marché de Noël sur le Parvis de la Défense is spread over an area of 10,000 square meters. Selling all sorts of stuff from arts and crafts, local food to mulled wine, games, wreaths and decoration items – a visit to this market has to be on your list of things to do in Paris in December for a holistic shopping experience! This market is pretty famous among the locals as well - Parisians go here to buy their Christmas market trinkets. Another reason to visit this place is the ice skating rink which is perfect for kids as well as adults.
Dates: 23 November - 28 December 2017
Hours: 11 am to 8 pm
Location: Parvis de la Défense 92400 Paris La Défense
What’s Cool: The huge variety of decoration items and quirky souvenirs
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4. Marché de Noël de la Gare Saint-Lazare – The Best Place to Buy Authentic Local Goodies
Started with the aim to promote locally produced goods in France, the Marché de Noël de la Gare Saint-Lazare is the best place to shop for regional stuff in Paris. So, all the pop-up stalls in this market sell products which boast of a ‘Made in France’ tag. Offering a great selection of handmade gifts, this market is perfect to shop for Christmas presents.
Dates: Mid-November to 25 December 2017
Hours: Not Specified
Location: 13 rue d'Amsterdam 75008
What’s Cool: Only locally produced authentic French products are sold here
5. Marché de Noël alsacien à la gare de l'Est – Alsace’s Shopping Jewel
Gingerbreads, pretzels, chocolates, Alsatian pasta, charcuterie, wine, chou croute and of course, sausages – this market bequeaths you with the best of the Alsace region, all at one place! With numerous activities like free tastings, Christmas theatre, and storytelling, the Marché de Noël alsacien à la gare de l'Est is much more than just a shopping destination. Also, the lights and the decoration at this holiday bazaar are sure to lift your spirits and add to your festive mood!
Dates: From early to mid-December 2017
Hours: 9 am to 8 pm
Location: Gare de l'Est, Place du 11 novembre 1918, 75010
What’s Cool: A wide plethora of entertaining activities
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6. Marché de Noël, Féeries d’Auteuil – A Family-Friendly Christmas Market
A nursery, choir and a flea market – the Marché de Noël, Féeries d’Auteuil is replete with all the characteristic elements of a traditional family-friendly Christmas market in Paris. This is one Christmas market in Paris where you are sure to find the perfect holiday gifts you’ve been looking for! A market illuminated with hundreds of lights, consisting of vendors selling their produce in snow-covered chalets, this place is indeed magical. Offering a mix of both, traditional as well as modern gastronomic delights, this marketplace is a complete entertainment destination!
Dates: 3 to 11 December 2017
Hours: 11 am to 7 pm
Location: Fondation d'Auteuil - 75016 Paris 16
What’s Cool: The countless twinkling lights and the ideal Christmassy atmosphere
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Christmas Markets Near Paris
Apart from Paris, the Christmas markets in the cities near Paris are also worth a mention. Home to few of the best Christmas markets in Europe, the cities and towns of Strasbourg, Besançon, Montbéliard, Metz, Arras and Colmar too are a must-visit during the holiday season.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Strasbourg Christmas Market - A Traditional Alsatian Market
Rewarded twice "European Best Christmas Market," the Strasbourg Christmas Market is attractive in its own way. Bedazzling you with over 300 stalls, spread out over 12 locations in the city center, this market is a humungous one! A traditional Alsatian market, the Strasbourg Christmas Market will wow you with its authenticity and warmth.
Dates: 25 November to 31 December 2017
Hours: 10 am to 8 pm
Location: Place de la Cathédrale, 67000 Strasbourg, France
What’s Cool: Hundreds of stalls offering traditional Christmas wares, craft products, and gifts of all shapes and sizes.
5 Christmas Markets of Colmar – A Collection of Mini-Christmas Villages!
Six weeks of pure fun and enjoyment await visitors at the Christmas Markets of Colmar! Each market is no less than a mini-village – complete with enthusiastic craftsmen, a wide range of activities, exhibition of traditional toys, wine-tastings, shows and concerts!
Dates: 24 November to 31 December 2017
Hours: 10 am to 7 pm
Location: Colmar
What’s Cool: The historic setting created by the Christmas illuminations
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Haguenau Christmas Market – An Entrancing Rendezvous
Be ready to get enchanted by the diversity of decorations, the stallholders’ small wooden chalets selling one-of-its-kind products and the magical, cheery atmosphere at the Haguenau Christmas Market! The 30th edition of this market is bigger and better than ever, thanks to the multitude of products and items sold here. This market is undoubtedly one of the best Christmas markets in France!
Dates: 24 November 2017 to 6 January 2018
Hours: 10 am to 7 pm
Location: Place Joseph Thierry and Cours de la Décapole (pedestrian area), 67500 Haguenau
What’s Cool: Delicious food, friendly atmosphere and a huge variety of local crafts
Wondering about where to stay in Paris during Christmas? If yes, then check here-
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When it comes to shopping, more is always less! No matter how full your shopping bags are and how light your pocket is, there is always a scope for buying some more holiday paraphernalia! And what better place to shop at than the captivating Christmas markets in Paris? Add these incredible holiday markets to your Paris travel itinerary for the perfect Christmas celebration!
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