The best in Paris Christmas markets for 2019!
If you’re going to be in Paris this holiday season, lucky you! The city really comes alive with sparkling lights, decorated trees, entire streets covered in Christmas lights, and of course…Christmas markets!
This tradition in France may have originated in the eastern city of Stragsbourg. Ever since the 16th century, visitors and locals alike have gathered to celebrate the Christmas season at Christkindelsmärik, which in the dialect of the region (Alsatian, as Strasbourg is in the Alsace region of France) translates into English as Market of the Christ Child.
Strasbourg has been hosting a Christmas market since 1570, which makes it one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe. The event welcomes a whopping 2 million visitors each year. If you’re interested in joining, the market takes place every year from November 28-December 31.
I digress. Strasbourg isn’t the only place in France to go to get into the holiday spirit! Keep reading for my favorite Christmas markets in Paris!
La Magie de Noël in the Tuileries Garden
The most major Christmas market in Paris used to take place on the famous avenue, Le Champs Élysées. The market didn’t happen last year at the mayor of Paris’ orders, but this year the city decided to move it into the Tuileries Garden, just in front of the Louvre museum!
Here you’ll find nearly 100 chalets, or small wooden buildings filled with food products, wine, and other gifts that are all “Made in France.” Plus, there is plenty of fresh and hot food for you to enjoy on the spot. Don’t forget to scout out the vin chaud (spiced hot wine) too! There are also carnival rides for children and a small ice skating rink! Talk about the perfect day for the whole family!
Date: November 15, 2019 to January 5, 2020
Address: Jardin des Tuileries, Place de la Concorde, 75001 Paris
Opening hours: Monday-Thursday & Sunday 11am-11:45pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-12:45am
Le Marché de Noël Notre-Dame
Although the Notre-Dame is still closed due to the fire in April, the city of Paris decided to move forward with the Christmas market anyways! I’m so happy they did, as this one is one of my favorites. There’s just something about strolling through the various stalls, with a vin chaud in my hand and the Notre-Dame looming in the background.
Here you’ll also find plenty of vendors selling their goods, and plenty of roasted chestnuts to try, too. This Christmas market specializes in artisanal French products and handmade gifts. Keep your eye out for Santa Claus!
Date: December 13-29, 2019
Address: Square Viviani, 25 Quai de Montebello, 75005 Paris
Opening hours: Every day 10am-8pm, Friday-Sunday until 9pm
Le Village de Noël at Les Halles
If you’ve been to Paris in recent years, you’ve probably seen the new and improved Les Halles shopping center. I like to compare it to a massive stingray that covers one of the largest metro stations in the city. Okay, so I’m not the biggest fan of the design, but it does house many different shops and boutiques, and it is a lot better than the massive construction site that stood in the center of the city from 2012-2016.
This holiday season, you’ll find a huge Christmas market under La Canopée (The Canopy in English, and the name of that stingray-esque structure I was telling you about), and it is totally worth a visit! There are 75 different chalets here, and the focus is on regional cuisine. I’m talking sausages, foie gras, cheeses and more! Plus, you can eat some of it on the spot with, of course, your vin chaud. Or hot chocolate. Pick your poison!
Date: November 14 to December 29, 2019
Address: Canopée des Halles, Passage de la Canopée, 75001 Paris
Opening hours: Monday-Tuesday 10am-8:30pm, Wednesday-Saturday 10am-9pm, Sunday 11am-8pm
Abbesses Christmas Market in Montmartre
A list of Christmas markets in Paris wouldn’t be complete without the Abbesses Christmas Market in Montmartre! Montmartre is one of our favorite areas in Paris, and as of just a few months ago, my new home! And I love every minute of living here.
This market is much smaller than the few I’ve already mentioned, but it isn’t any less enjoyable. In fact, it is often less crowded and overwhelming than the markets in the center of the city. At this market you can find handmade accessories like knitted scarves, and for the kiddos there is a carousel and visits by Santa. Head here before you make the hike up to the Sacré Coeur!
Date: December 1-24, 2019
Address: Next to the Abbesses metro station, 75018 Paris
Opening hours: Every day 10am-5pm
Le Village de Noël at the Champ de Mars
What a better way to admire the Eiffel Tower in all its glory, than at Le Village de Noël at the Champ de Mars?! This time of year, I’d like to argue nowhere! The Champ de Mars is the large grassy area in front of the Eiffel Tower, perfect for picnics in the warmer months, and in the winter, well…it’s Christmas market!
There are 60 chalets at this market, and there is also an ice skating rink! This year, the market is also bringing in flavors from around the world, with stands dedicated to cuisine from places like Austria, Spain, Greece and Italy. Try to head here in the evenings so that you can see the Eiffel Tower sparkle, it will make for a really magical moment!
Date: December 20, 2019 to January 5, 2020
Address: Champ de Mars, 2 Allée Adrienne Lecouvreur, 75007 Paris
Opening hours: Every day 11am-8pm, the ice skating rink is open from 11am-9pm
Le Village de Noël at La Défense
Le Village de Noël at La Défense is by far the largest market on my list (and in Paris in general), and boasts 350 chalets. You’ll find the market at the Esplanade de La Défense, a large open air area in the middle of the new business district located just outside the limits of Paris. Don’t worry, it’s very close and is easily accessible by metro. It is also home to La Grande Arche, a modern version of the Arc de Triomphe.
There is so much to choose from at this market! You’ll find small and inexpensive gifts, in addition to luxury leather products and jewelry. There are also many, many food vendors so you don’t go hungry from all of the shopping you’ll be doing. Don’t miss Santa Claus and some cute donkeys that you can pet!
Date: November 21 to December 28, 2019
Address: Parvis de la Défense, 92800 Puteaux
Opening hours: Sunday-Thursday 11am-8pm, Friday 11am-10pm, Saturday 10am-10pm
Marché de Noël in Saint-German-des-Prés
This was one of the first Christmas markets in Paris that I ever visited the first time I came to the city. Saint-German-des-Prés is another one of my favorite areas of the city for its history and connection to the Lost Generation, a group of writers and artists that lived in Paris in the 20th century. Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald ringing any bells? Saint-Germain-des-Prés was their stomping grounds. As a writer myself, I considered it a sort of required pilgrimage to visit this part of the city.
This market is made up of around 25 different chalets. You’ll find a lot of luxury items here, which fits into the posh neighborhood that Saint-Germain has become over the years. Think fine leather, jewelry and French gastronomy products. So, if you feel like getting a little bit fancy with your Christmas gifts and Paris souvenirs, head here!
Date: November 30, 2019 to January 5, 2020
Address: Next to the Saint-Germain-des-Prés Church, 3 Place Saint-Germain des Prés, 75006 Paris
Opening hours: Every day 10am-7pm
Conclusion
You’ve got plenty of options when it comes to Christmas markets in Paris in 2019. Will you try to visit them all?! I hope so! That would make for some really fantastic holiday memories! Just make sure to leave some extra space in your suitcase for all of the goodies you’ll want to bring home with you. On second thought…maybe you should consider bringing an extra suitcase all together!
Thanks for reading, Sight Seeker’s! We hope to see you in Paris this holiday season 🙂