The season leading up to Christmas is a light-filled, festive time in Paris that can provide an ideal backdrop for a romantic vacation or an enchanting holiday season with the kids. Several annual Christmas events in Paris are not to be missed.
Please Note: Some information on 2011-2012 events is not yet available. Please check back soon for updates on ice skating rinks and a full list of Christmas markets.
1. Christmas Lights and Holiday Displays in Paris
©Francois Durand/Getty Images
Each Christmas season, elegant holiday lights adorn several quarters and historical sites in Paris, bringing the town out of the November gloom. In 2011-2012 several spots around town will be decoratively lit.
More Information: Details on holiday lights displays in Paris for the 2011-2012 season
Also See: 2009 Picture Gallery of Holiday Lights Displays and Decorations at Paris Department Stores
2. Paris Christmas Markets
©2006 Cyril Lg. Some rights reserved under the Creative Commons License.
One holiday tradition originating in the Northern Alsace region is the Christmas market, an outdoor "village" of wooden booths offering gourmet treats like mulled wine and gingerbread, gifts, decorations, and other delights.
More information: Paris Christmas Markets in 2011
3. Open-Air Ice Skating
©2006 Ashley Byock.
Several ice-skating rinks are set up around Paris for the holidays-- with free entry and 5 Euro rental for skates (no charge for kids). A sledding area is available for children at the Hotel de Ville rink.
4. Paris Restaurants Open for Christmas
With Paris restaurants likely to be booked full and many closed for Christmas day, your best bet is to try and reserve ahead for lunch or dinner on Christmas Eve. See our list of Paris restaurants open for Christmas here.
More: Check out food writer Clotilde Dusoulier's picks for a gourmet Paris Christmas at Chocolate and Zucchini.
5. Christmas at Notre Dame Cathedral
©2006 Courtney Traub.
More information: Visit Notre Dame's official website (in French)
6. Christmas at Disneyland Paris
Francois Durand/Getty Images
Disneyland Paris is another way to soak up a little holiday ambiance during your stay in Paris. From November 7th, 2011 through January 12th,2012, the theme park will be decked out for the season, with a full-fledged Christmas market (at Disney Village), parade, and other festive events.
