The Most Beautiful Places to Celebrate The Holidays in Paris

Winter is back, bringing with it the 2023 festive holiday season. Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann moves into holiday mode and shares with you all its favourites so that you don’t miss one iota of the Paris holiday (high)lights.

Paris, the City of Lights, doesn’t do anything by halves! Throughout the capital, holiday lights, department store display windows and Christmas markets spark the wonder of young and old alike.

An inescapable haven for elves searching for gift ideas, Boulevard Haussmann and Rue Caumartin will feature even more lights this year thanks to the Haussmann Paris Committee. A total of 1725 strings of lights will bring a twinkle to thousands of eyes every day as night falls during the holiday season.

With a view to its carbon footprint, the store will not illuminate its display windows and illuminations during the daytime this year but will return them to magnificent splendour between 5pm and 8pm.

The Eiffel Tower scintillates with light

Every evening, the Eiffel Tower will sparkle with lights until 11.45pm. As soon as night falls, 20,000 light bulbs will burst into light on the Iron Lady to the delight of all visitors. For the first five minutes of every hour, the Tower will glimmer dazzlingly. From its first level, you have one of the most beautiful panoramas in all of Paris.

The Galeries Lafayette Department Store

A Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann tradition since 1976, the department store dresses its façade for the holidays with themed window displays to the wonder of both young and old. Inside the store, the Dome majestically hosts its iconic Christmas tree for the year, which shimmers every 30 minutes with a sound and light show. On the rooftop, you can enjoy a 360° panorama over the Paris rooftops, along with all the holiday illuminations.

My Dream Christmas

Come and discover My Dream Christmas by Charles de Vilmorin which tells the adventures of a little girl and her magic paintbrush travelling through their imaginary world.

The Paris illuminations

Paris sparkles with thousands of lights! The City of Light lives up to its name, particularly on its most magnificent avenue, the Champs-Elysées. Stroll along the 2 kilometres that separate Place Vendôme from the Christmas market at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe from November, 19 2023 to January, 7 2024.

Admire the enchanting colours on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré beginning on November, 16 2023 as well as those on Boulevard Montaigne from November, 20 2023.

New Year’s firework display

Come and celebrate the New Year on December 31,on the most beautiful avenue in the world. Launched from the Arc de Triomphe, the fireworks start at the stroke of midnight to offer a fabulous sound and light show.

The Christmas markets

Imported from Alsace and Germany, Christmas markets have always provided cosy, welcoming venues during the holiday period. As early as mid-November, you will find everything you need to decorate your Christmas tree. Foodies will find a relaxed and friendly atmosphere where they can feast on regional specialities and mulled wine. Stroll through the market to find last-minute presents to put under the tree.

The Galeries Lafayette selection

In one of the capital’s most beautiful parks, the Christmas market at the Tuileries Gardens will open its doors from November, 18 to January, 8 2024. On the agenda: gourmet tastings, an ice-skating rink, an amusement park and… Santa Claus. You will discover the Christmas village of Montmartre from November, 25 to December, 31 perched all around the Sacré-Cœur Basilica.

Christmas at Versailles

For the end-of-year holidays, the Château de Versailles boasts fabulous Christmas decorations while its rooms and parks shimmer as they become a backdrop for special events and shows to delight all ages.

The King’s Tour, a Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann favourite

As night falls, slip into the Baroque ambiance of an exceptional visit and show at the Château de Versailles. The holiday magic of the King’s court will unveil all its secrets to you. A show not to be missed from December, 16 2023 to January, 7 2024. Tickets can be purchased here.

Disney

Disneyland Paris is staging an Enchanted Christmas from November, 11 to January, 7 2023 for the most enchanting holiday season ever! For more information click here.

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