Guides · Paris
Paris Christmas Markets 2026: Opening Dates & Must-Visits
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Paris does not have one big Christmas market but several, spread from the Tuileries Garden to the business district of La Défense. The first with confirmed dates is the Notre-Dame Christmas market, listed from 26 November to 27 December 2026 in the Square René Viviani, across the river from the cathedral. Most other markets had not announced 2026 dates at the time of writing, so we give last year's dates as a guide. Entry to every Paris Christmas market on this list is free.
This guide covers the 6 best ways to enjoy a Paris Christmas market trip, from the funfair and ice rink of the Tuileries to the chic chalets of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the village atmosphere of Montmartre and the giant tree under the dome of Galeries Lafayette. Each entry has the address, the nearest metro or RER station and a Pro Tip.
The order starts on the Left Bank at Notre-Dame and Saint-Germain-des-Prés, crosses to the Tuileries, heads north to Galeries Lafayette and Montmartre, and finishes west at La Défense.
1Notre-Dame Christmas Market - Facing the Cathedral
The Notre-Dame Christmas market sets up in the Square René Viviani on the Left Bank, with views across the Seine to Notre-Dame Cathedral, which reopened after its restoration in December 2024. The 2026 market is listed from 26 November to 27 December and focuses on French artisans and regional food producers.
Opening hours for 2026 had not been announced at the time of writing; in previous years the market opened daily from 10am to 8pm, staying open until 9pm at weekends. Stalls sell crafts, decorations, cheese, charcuterie, wine and French Christmas sweets.
The square is also home to the oldest tree in Paris, a black locust planted in 1601, which is propped up by supports.
Pro Tip: Visit at dusk for the best view of the cathedral lit up across the river. Combine the market with a visit inside Notre-Dame, where entry is free but queues are long, so arrive early in the day.
2Saint-Germain-des-Prés Christmas Village - Chic Chalets on the Left Bank
The Christmas village on the Boulevard Saint-Germain sets up beside the Church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the oldest church in Paris, in the heart of the elegant Left Bank district. Its decorated chalets focus on high-quality crafts, gifts and gourmet food, and it has been part of the neighbourhood's Christmas for more than 20 years.
The 2026 dates had not been announced at the time of writing; in 2025 the market ran from 25 November 2025 to 1 January 2026.
The surrounding streets are known for their festive window displays, and the historic cafés Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore are a few steps away.
Pro Tip: Combine the market with hot chocolate at one of the famous cafés on the boulevard. Walk the side streets of Saint-Germain for boutique Christmas windows and quieter shopping.
3Christmas in the Tuileries - Funfair, Ice Rink and Chalets
The Christmas market in the Tuileries Garden, sometimes called La Magie de Noël, is the largest and liveliest in central Paris. It replaced the former Champs-Élysées market and combines rows of chalets with a funfair, a big wheel and an ice rink, set between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde.
The 2026 dates had not been announced at the time of writing; in 2025 the market ran from 14 November 2025 to 4 January 2026.
Stalls sell French and international food, mulled wine, crêpes, raclette and gifts, and the rides make it the most family-friendly Paris Christmas market.
Pro Tip: Visit on a weekday afternoon and ride the big wheel for views over the Tuileries, the Louvre and the Champs-Élysées lights. Walk up the Champs-Élysées afterwards to see the avenue's Christmas illuminations.
4Galeries Lafayette Christmas Tree and Windows - Boulevard Haussmann
The Christmas tree under the stained-glass dome of Galeries Lafayette Haussmann is one of the most spectacular festive sights in Paris. Each year the department store unveils a giant themed tree in its central atrium, along with animated Christmas windows along the Boulevard Haussmann that draw crowds of families.
Next door, Printemps Haussmann also creates elaborate Christmas windows, so the stretch of boulevard between the two stores becomes a festive walk. The windows and tree are usually unveiled in mid-November.
Both stores have rooftop terraces with views over Paris, including the Opéra Garnier and the Eiffel Tower. It is an easy indoor stop between visits to an outdoor Paris Christmas market.
Pro Tip: Visit the Galeries Lafayette tree on a weekday morning, when the store is quieter, then head up to the free rooftop terrace for views over the city. See the windows after dark for the full effect.
5Montmartre Christmas Market - Place des Abbesses
The Christmas market on the Place des Abbesses, at the foot of the Montmartre hill, brings a village atmosphere to one of the city's most charming neighbourhoods. Its chalets sell crafts, gifts, mulled wine and French treats, beside the famous Art Nouveau entrance of Abbesses metro station.
The 2026 dates had not been announced at the time of writing; in 2025 the market ran from 21 November 2025 to 4 January 2026.
From the square, it is a short climb through cobbled streets to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, which offers one of the best views over Paris, especially at dusk. It is the most village-like Paris Christmas market on this list.
Pro Tip: Visit the market in the late afternoon, then climb to the Sacré-Cœur for sunset over Paris. Take the funicular if you prefer to avoid the steep steps.
6La Défense Christmas Market - The Biggest in the Paris Region
The Christmas market at La Défense, set among the skyscrapers of the business district at the foot of the Grande Arche, is the largest in the Paris region, with around 300 chalets. It has a modern, open feel and offers a huge choice of food, drinks, crafts and gifts from across France and beyond.
The 2026 market has been confirmed, but exact dates had not been published at the time of writing; in 2025 it ran from mid-November until 28 December.
It is easy to reach from central Paris on metro line 1 or the RER A, and the views back down the historic axis towards the Arc de Triomphe are striking after dark.
Pro Tip: Visit on a weekday evening after the office crowds have left, and look back along the historic axis towards the Arc de Triomphe. Bring cash or a card for the many food stalls.
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Paris Christmas Markets 2026: Dates & Best Markets - FAQ
The first Paris Christmas market to open in 2026 is La Défense, on 12 November, running until 31 December. The Champs-Élysées market follows from 22 November 2026 to 4 January 2027, and the Notre-Dame market runs from 26 November to 27 December 2026. Most markets stay open until late December or early January.
The Tuileries market is the biggest and liveliest in central Paris, with a funfair and ice rink. The Notre-Dame market has the best setting, facing the cathedral, while Saint-Germain-des-Prés is the most chic and La Défense is the largest in the Paris region.
Yes, all the Paris Christmas markets on this list are free to enter. You pay for food, drinks and gifts, as well as rides and ice skating at the Tuileries. The Galeries Lafayette Christmas tree and windows are also free to see.
The Christmas illuminations on the Champs-Élysées and in the major shopping streets are usually switched on in mid to late November and stay up until early January. The Galeries Lafayette tree and windows are usually unveiled in mid-November.
The La Défense Christmas market runs from 12 November to 31 December 2026 on the Parvis de La Défense. It's the largest Christmas market in the Paris region, with hundreds of wooden chalets set beneath the business district's towers and the Grande Arche. Take metro line 1 or RER A to La Défense.
Yes. The Champs-Élysées Christmas market returns after almost ten years away, running from 22 November 2026 to 4 January 2027, across Place de la Concorde from the Tuileries market. That means you can easily visit both on foot in a single evening.
The Notre-Dame Christmas market is held in Square René Viviani, beside the Seine, with the cathedral as a backdrop. The nearest stop is Saint-Michel – Notre-Dame, served by metro line 4 and RER B and C. The market focuses on French artisans and exhibitors.
It depends on the market. Notre-Dame stays open until 27 December, and La Défense runs until 31 December. Opening hours on 24–25 December are often reduced, so check the market's official site before you go.
Yes, several stay open into the new year. The Tuileries market runs until 8 January 2027, and the Champs-Élysées market until 4 January 2027. This makes the week between Christmas and New Year a good time to visit with fewer crowds.
Weekday evenings are the best time to go. Tuileries and La Défense get very crowded on weekends. If you arrive just before dark, you'll see the chalets in daylight and then the lights as they come on.
