6 Best Places to See Holiday Lights in Paris

Where to see the best holiday lights in the City of Lights!

If you’re going to be in Paris this holiday season…boy are you lucky! Paris is called the City of Lights all year long…so you’d better believe that it’s really special during the month of December.

If you won’t be in Paris this year, maybe I can entice you into booking tickets for next! Just kidding…sort of. Read on for the best spots in the city to get your holiday light fix.

Bonus: All of the Holiday light displays in Paris are environmentally friendly. Go green!

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1. Printemps

printemps
Image: sortiraparis.com

The window displays at the department store Printemps in the 9th arrondissement near the Opéra Garnier are a sight to see every year. The windows are normally more geared for children, but people of all ages love strolling past to soak in all of that holiday goodness.

This year the theme is a story of two children named Jules and Violette – follow their adventures through magical lands while they try to find Santa Claus!

Where: Printemps Haussmann – 64 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009

When: November 8, 2018-January 6, 2019

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2. Galeries Lafayette

Video: Galeries Lafayette

Entering the Galeries Lafayette at any time of year is a sight to behold, and during the Christmas season they really bring out all the stops! Even if the shops are a bit outside of your price range (Galeries Lafayette is known worldwide for its luxury shopping!), I can’t recommend enough checking out the massive Christmas tree they set up every year!

This year the tree is dedicated to the kids!

The Galeries also have Holiday window displays, and are located right next door to Printemps. This year is truly for the kids, as the store let them take control of what would be featured in the windows through an open contest for children aged 5-11. The winners were able to have their drawings reproduced into actual stuffed animals and puppets that are displayed in the windows! Toooo cute!

Where: Galeries Lafayette – 40 boulevard Haussmann, 75009

When: October 27, 2018-January 6, 2019

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3. Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré

faubourg
Image: sortiraparis.com

The Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré may not be a department store, but this street is also renowned for its chic boutiques. If shopping is your thing, head there as the sun goes down and feast your eyes upon the sparking lights that illuminate the trees surrounding the street!

The lights begin at the Madeleine church, and go on until the Place de la Concorde.

Where: Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008

When: November 15, 2018-January 5, 2019

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4. Rue de Bretagne

enfants rouge
Image: Time Out Paris

This is my personal favorite! The Rue de Bretagne in the 3rd arrondissement is a bit off the beaten path for most tourists, and their holiday lights do not disappoint. Wander the street after sunset and prepared to be dazzled by the cuteness of this area of Paris!

I recommend taking a stop at one of my favorite bookstores, Comme un Roman, and then heading to sip on some vin chaud (mulled wine) at one of the many streetside cafes! Brave the cold by sitting under an outdoor heater, and soak in all of that winter magic.

Bonus: An entrance to the infamous outdoor market, Marché des Enfants Rouge is located on this street!

Where: rue de Bretagne 75003

When: November 2018-January 2019

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5. Bercy Village

Video: Bercy Village

If you haven’t made it out to the Bercy Village in the 12th arrondissement yet, the holiday season is the perfect time! A quaint area of the city filled with restaurants, cafes, and shops filling former wine warehouses, Bercy is an excellent place to pass your evening.

The theme for this year’s holiday season at Bercy is “A Forest and its Secrets”. Follow the lights along the main street until you reach a magical Christmas tree and castle!

Where: Bercy Village – 28 Rue François Truffaut, 75012

When: November 15, 2018-January 1, 2019

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6. BHV Marais

BHV
Image: parisetudiant.com

If you know us here at Sight Seeker’s Delight, you know that Le Marais is one of our favorite neighborhoods! Not only is it the home of one of our favorite walking tours, the Jewish History of Le Marais, it is seriously just so cute and happens to be one of the oldest sections of Paris.

The department store BHV isn’t intimidated by its the larger Printemps and Galeries Lafayette, and they also have amazing holiday window displays each year. This years theme is Mary Poppins (!!) in honor of the new movie. Enter the store and feel like you’ve been transported to England – think of it like two vacations in one!

Where: BHV Marais – 14 rue du Temple, 75001

When: November 14, – December 31, 2018

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There you have it, folks, my top 6 places in Paris to check out the best holiday lights. Now, get strolling! And, as usual, let us know in the comments below if I missed anything! Happy Holidays!

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