I always think being in Paris any time of year is wonderful but it is particularly magical during the holiday season. Lights and decor start to adorn buildings as October windows down and by the end of November the city of Paris is full of photo worthy opps to capture the Christmas spirit.
If you’re heading to Paris during the holidays, the following is a great starting point as you explore the various holiday decorations adorning the city. As the founder of En Route to Rêverie I have helped hundreds of people plan a trip to Paris via Rêverie in Paris and I have been to Paris during the holiday season several times. I always love photographing the various stunning holiday installations, Christmas trees and beautiful light displays.
I split my time between New York and Paris and both do Christmas and the holiday season right.
Bookmark this post and pin the images to return to in the future when you can next get to Paris in the holiday season!
And if you need more help planning your time in Paris during the holiday season to know what’s open, where to eat on Christmas and New Year’s Eve and even more ways to spend the holidays in Paris, I would love to work with you as an En Route to Rêverie client.
The Best Christmas Photo Spots In Paris
Tuileries Christmas Market
There are Christmas markets all throughout Paris during the holiday season. One of the most visited is because of its central location in the 1st arrondissement. The market pops up in the historic Tuileries gardens just next to the Louvre. You can eat regional food, shop for little gifts and snap a picture of Paris from above when you take a ride on their ferris wheel.
Place Vendôme
Place Vendôme is one of my favorite places in all of Paris for all the history it holds. But during the holidays it is also home to some very chic Christmas trees simply and beautifully decorated. You’ll also spot some great decor put out by the team at The Ritz Paris.
Rue Saint Dominique
This street in the 7th arrondissement boasts some great views of the Eiffel Tower but it also gets decked out with lights during the Christmas season.
Laduree
The famed Laduree pastry shops always do such beautiful Christmas decor on each of their shops every holiday season. The one seen above is in Saint Germain.
Plaza Athenee
The palace hotels in Paris go all out when it comes to decorating and the Plaza Athenee transforms its inner courtyard with lights and greenery and even puts in a tiny ice skating rink you can take lessons on or go for a spin on your skates.
Galeries Lafayette
The department stores in Paris do it up right every holiday season but Galeries Lafayette’s Christmas Tree is really the thing that takes center stage. It is massive and always adorned in the theme that the department store has chosen for their holiday decorations for that year so each season it always looks a bit different which makes for a fun discovery every November.
Don’t miss the opportunity to have your photo snapped on their Glasswalk with the Christmas Tree in the background while you’re in the store shopping. For views above Paris, head to their rooftop.
La Samaritaine
Reopened in 2021 following years and years of renovation and legal battles with the city of Paris, the LVMH owned Samaritane has plenty to snap pictures of with their elevated, upscale decor. Don’t miss going to the top floor and looking down while there. This year they have a cute Christmas tree on the lower level that’s good for a photo opp, too.
Le Bon Marché
Le Bon Marché is one of my personal favorite spots to shop and you must see their Christmas decor that is different every year. It’s chic, super photogenic and while there you must go next door to their La Grand Epicerie to pick up goodies to take home.
Printemps
The window displays of this iconic grand magasin are intricately done up every Christmas with interactive and colorful displays. Always popular with kids!
Saint Germain
Arguably the most well known neighborhood in Paris, Saint Germain storefronts and cafés get all done up for the holiday season. Pop by Ralph Lauren, Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots in particular. They all within two blocks of each other so its easy to see them all!
Galerie Vivienne
I love the passages in Paris and Galerie Vivienne is one of the best. Tucked behind the Palais Royal, Galerie Vivienne is located in the 2nd arrondissement and was built in 1823. It has charming shops and a beautiful bistrot as well and at Christmas time it comes alive with holiday lights throughout.
Avenue Montaigne
Avenue Montaigne is one of the most famous streets thanks to being home to some of the most famed addresses in fashion. You have to see the stores all decorated – particularly Dior’s gorgeous Christmas installations.
Once you finish strolling the Avenue, you could head to the YSL museum nearby or to the Pont de l’Alma to see the Eiffel Tower and snap a pic from the bridge.
Hotel de Ville
A little Christmas village pops up in front of this massive building on Paris’s right bank. Stroll around and you’ll find Swiss-style chalets offering a variety of gifts made in France as well as vendors selling Christmas market food specialties as well as vin chaud (mulled wine). In years past there has also been an ice skating rink that makes for a fun photo opp!
Le Village Royale
This charming secret little alleyway is adorned with a giant teddy bear and Christmas lights that are perfect for a cute snap. Pop in as you shop in the area around Place de la Madeleine.
Champs-Élysées
All the way from Place de la Concorde up to the Arc de Triomphe thousands of lights adorn the trees of the Champs-Élysées. It is worth capturing a photo of with the iconic arc in the background! I find the street gets so, so crowded so I actually recommend you enjoy the lights after the stores have closed if you want to snap a good picture.
Eiffel Tower Christmas Market
Open for a very short couple of weeks, this Christmas market is set under the iconic Iron Lady. Pick up regional foods and mulled wine to sip and snap. If you time it right, you’ll be able to see the Eiffel Tower sparkling given the sun sets so early this time of year.
Ritz Paris & Ritz Paris Le Comptoir
Year round this newer patisserie from the famed Ritz Paris Hotel makes Instagram worthy pastries but beginning in late November they also drop seasonal pastries inspired by the festive season. I like to purchase mine and then enjoy them during a rest in the Jardin des Tuileries.
Chanel on Rue Cambon
Chanel always does some beautiful, very on brand decorations on the outside of their stores in Paris. The one on Rue Cambon is their flagship and the building in which Coco herself used to live so worth seeing.
Shops in the Marais
I always love photographing the charming Parisian storefronts in this beloved neighborhood but even more so around Christmastime when they become adorned with garlands and lights.
Angelina Paris
Not Christmas specific but always worth a visit for a cute photo, head to Angelina Paris to warm up this time of year with their famous hot chocolate with delicious chantilly whipped cream.
Patisseries
The Parisian pastry shops, patisseries, really revel in the Christmas season. They make limited edition chocolates, les buches de Noel and other spirited treats meaning you must go check them out. Buy some pastries and take them to one of the aforementioned Christmasy spots to snap a picture.
The bûche de Noël are particularly photogenic with pastry chefs across the city coming up with inventive takes on them.
If not familiar, a bûche de Noël is a traditional Christmas cake, often served as a dessert near Christmas, especially in France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland. We often refer to them as Yule Logs in the States.
Montgolfier Vendôme Paris
You’ll find this charming hot air balloon holiday installation at the intersection of Rue Saint Honore and Rue Cambon. It looks even more lovely all lit up at night!
Galerie Vivienne
The Galerie Vivienne adorns itself in tasteful and magical lights and is the perfect covered passageway to enjoy on a blustery day.
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Have you been to Paris during the Christmas season? I would love to hear about your experience and what you enjoy doing during the Christmas season!
If you enjoy this post on photo spots in Paris, I recommend you save each place on a Paris Christmas Photo Opp list in Google Maps so you don’t miss any Christmas Decor photo opps when you visit! And you can follow me on TikTok and Instagram for more Paris content!
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