France

Christmas Markets in Paris

Paris's Christmas markets along the Champs-Élysées and Tuileries, with the Eiffel Tower sparkling on the hour, anchor Seine sailings.

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Famous for

Seasonal events and holiday lighting around the Tuileries, central avenues, and neighborhood markets.

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About the Paris markets

Paris is the western anchor of every Seine Christmas sailing, and the city turns into one enormous festive experience. The headline is the Champs-Élysées market (when active), with two million lights strung along the avenue, plus the Tuileries market by the Louvre. The Eiffel Tower sparkles for five minutes on the hour, every hour, after dark. Beyond the markets, every department store — Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, Le Bon Marché — installs extravagant animated window displays. Seine sailings typically overnight in Paris at both ends, giving you several evenings to explore.

What to eat

❄ Crêpes
❄ Vin chaud
❄ Gaufres
❄ Foie gras

What to drink

❄ Vin chaud
❄ Champagne
❄ Hot chocolate

Crafts & gifts

❄ Lyonnais silk
❄ Glass ornaments
❄ Perfume

Dates & vibe

Typical season: Mid-Nov – early Jan

Dates differ by market and year. Confirm the opening calendar for the day your ship visits; festive lights do not mean the stalls are still open.

Vibe: Chic and luminous — the City of Light at its most luminous.

Highlights

Champs-Élysées marketTuileries marketEiffel Tower (sparkles hourly)Galeries Lafayette windowsNotre-Dame CathedralMontmartre

Local tip

Time your Eiffel Tower visit for after dark — it sparkles for 5 minutes at the top of every hour, and it's free to watch from below.

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Lyon, France's gastronomic capital, hosts a Christmas market on Place Carnot during the famous Fête des Lumières festival of lights.

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