Christmas in Paris is truly spectacular. Paris is always a picturesque city but at Christmas the city of lovers really comes into its own for visitors and residents alike. If you decide to spend Christmas in Paris, you will only have to walk a few steps to spot a Christmas tree. The city features several Christmas markets, with most starting some time between late November and early December. This is a wonderful time of year to visit the capital and take in the sites that the city has to offer.
About the Christmas Markets
Christmas markets make Paris come alive with festive cheer at this special time of year. From November to 24 December Paris streets are lined with colourful stalls, decorations and fir trees brightening up the city providing a wonderful winter spectacle. The markets spring up in a variety of places offering a great range of festive produce and presents.
This festive period in Paris exudes the spirit of the season with its twinkling lights along the Seine and the irresistible temptations of all the local products. Among other gems are craft items which often make ideal Christmas presents, as well as Christmas decorations and other trinkets.
Here are a few Christmas Markets in Paris to choose from:
La Defense - is in the city region and perhaps one of the most impressive markets. Here there is an ice rink which entices visitors to take to the ice or to simply watch, relax and take stock for a while.
Dates: 21 November - 30 December 2012
Times: 11h00 to 19h30 during the week and it starts at 9h00 on Saturday.
Metro: Grande Arche de la Defense
RER: La Dèfense
Disabled facilities: Yes
Les Halles - this is another famous traditional market in the city centre. It attracts many people from across France who come because they enjoy doing their Christmas shopping here in particular. There is a wonderful array of gifts from chocolates to more unusual art and craft items.
De la Cour de Rome - It is located in front of the Saint Lazare train station. Dates to be confimed, please check before travelling.
De Saint-Germains-des-Pres - 6 December 2012 - 2 January 2013
Dates: Dates to be confirmed
Time: 11h00 to 20h00
Disabled facilities: Yes
Montparnasse - 5 - 30 December 2012 - this market is situated near the shopping centre in Maine Montparnasse. Dates to be confimed, please check before travelling.
Place Saint-Sulpice - the market here has a merry-go-round inviting you to take a twirl on a colourful manèges de Noël of wooden horses.
Dates: Dates to be confirmed
Metro: Saint-Sulpice
RER: Saint Michel - Notre Dame
Disabled facilities: Yes
Noisy le Grand Christmas Market (Paris, Ile de France) - adults and children alike will enjoy this Christmas Market with horse drawn carriage rides as well as sparkling decorations, hand crafted wooden toys and traditional glassware.
Copyright: Christmas Market Pictures obtained from Maison de la France: photographers Jean-Francoise Tripelon and Fabian Charaffi
More about Paris
Known worldwide as the City of Light (la Ville Lumière), Paris has been a major tourist destination for centuries. The city is renowned for the beauty of its architecture, its urban perspectives and avenues, as well as the wealth of its museums.
Built on an arc of the River Seine, it is divided into two parts: the Right Bank to the north and the smaller Left Bank to the south.
One of the great pleasures of Paris is its streetlife. Not many cities can compete with the hundreds of cafes, bars and restaurants that line every street.
A grand and imposing backdrop to this streetlife is provided by the sites of the city such as the Arc de Triomphe, The Louvre, The Eiffel Tower and Hotel de Ville.
Paris boasts more than 80 museums and around 200 art galleries and contains fine architecture from every period in a long and rich history, together with every amenity known to science and every entertainment yet devised.
Accommodation in Paris
Accommodation in central Paris gets booked fast during the Christmas market period, so search for a hotel in Paris now. Alternatively you may want to try charming rural self catering accommodation near Paris, as during the winter months many holiday property owners allow short stays.
Transport quick facts about the markets:
Free Parking: No
Pay Parking: Yes
Coach Parking: Yes
Nearest Bus Route: various
Nearest Railway Station: Gare Saint-Lazare
Nearest Tram Stop:
Nearest Tube Station:
Nearest Airport: Charles de Gaulle or Roissy
Nearest Ferry Port: Calais is approx. 3 hours drive
Please refer to individual markets above for further transport information.
Getting to Paris
As a foot passenger from the UK to Paris:
By Train: from as little as £59 return, you can take Eurostar direct from St Pancras International in London to Gare du Nord in the heart of Paris in 2 hours 15 minutes. If you go from Ashford, you can arrive in under two hours. Trains run regularly departing London from 5.20am then approximately every half hour. Connections can also be picked up from Ashford or Ebbsfleet. Book Eurostar and TGV tickets.
By Plane: you can fly direct to Paris with many airlines, for example from either Gatwick, Heathrow or London City with Airfrance. Book cheap flights to France.
Taking your car from the UK to Paris:
By Tunnel: Take your car on Eurotunnel from Ashford near Folkestone, Kent direct to Calais in France. Journey time is about 35 minutes and the cost varies but is around £55 day trip return for a car and 5 passengers. The distance from Calais to Paris is approximately 290km and will take approximately 2hrs 45mins. Book Eurotunnel tickets.
By Boat: It is usually cheaper to take a car over to France by boat, because the journey takes longer. Operators such as Seafrance and P&O offer regular ferry trips across the channel, with prices ranging from around £30 for a return day trip. Book a ferry to France.
The drive from Calais to Paris is just over 3 hours.
