We Pick The 10 Best Christmas Markets In Paris… For 2021?

Traditional Christmas markets are found in every quartier of Paris — and they're usually open from the end of November to the beginning of January. These types of holiday markets, now a staple of the festive season, originated in Germany during the Middle Ages and were introduced to Paris by Alsatians who settled here.

The signature feature of Christmas markets are the wooden chalets (although these days they are sometimes tents), lined up in rows, where all things Christmas are sold — decorations, regional products, arts & crafts, roasted chestnuts, mulled wines, and the other seasonal charms you expect like garlands and decorated trees and Santa's workshops. OF course, in the glitch that was 2020, Christmas activities in Paris were greatly curtailed. But, let's visit these ten markets to begin planning for 2021!

The Top 10 Paris Christmas Markets

1. Marché de Noël at Notre Dame

Normally cozied next door to Notre-Dame Cathedral with its giant decorated Christmas tree, this is traditionally one of the most attractive seasonal markets in the city. But, during the renovation work on the cathedral, it's hard to know where the market will be located for 2021 — although we'll keep you updated right here.

Meanwhile, imagine yourself grabbing a mug of mulled wine as you wander through the chalets, shopping for regional artisan gifts, nibbling on roasted chestnuts.

• Square René Viviani, 2 Rue du Fouarre
• Île de la Cité
• Mid-December to Christmas Eve
• Metro – Maubert-Mutualité

2. Le Village de Noël at Les Halles

The Christmas Village at Les Halles is one of the biggest holiday markets in Paris, featuring sixty chalets that display seasonal crafts, decorations, and delectable food. There are also workshops, including a letter writing session to Santa. Look for the Enchanted Forest where the kids can search for Père Noël's house. This market was an instant hit in its first season in 2017, following a multi-year renovation at Les Halles.

• Fontaine des Innocents, Place Joachim Du-Bellay
• 1st Arrondissement
• Late November to late December
• Metro – Les Halles

3. Abbesses Christmas Market at Montmartre

Head up the hill to the place at Abbesses where you'll find the children's carousel and, at this time of year, the Christmas market of Montmartre. Although it's one of the smaller markets, with only about twenty chalets, the variety and sheer charm make up for size. Plan to spend at least half a day here — and after browsing the market explore this famous quartier where so many artists lived and worked.

• Place des Abbesses
• Montmartre, 18th Arrondissement
• End of November to early January
• Metro – Abbesses

4. Village de Noël at the Eiffel Tower

At the foot of the Eiffel Tower you'll discover one of the most-loved Christmas markets in Paris. After your Santa shopping bags have been filled, hang around the Eiffel Tower for a nighttime glittering show of lights. Another of our favorite things to do in the neighborhood is to visit nearby Rue St. Dominique, where the streets are lit with Eiffel-Tower-shaped street Christmas decorations.

• Champs de Mars, Eiffel Tower
• 7th Arrondissement
• Mid to late December
• Metro – Alma-Marceau, Bir-Hakeim

5. Village de Noël at La Défense

This is the largest Christmas market in Paris, with a staggering 350 chalets. If you've never been to La Défense the market gives you a reason to go, especially in the evening when the towering buildings are illuminated. Plan to spend several hours — the variety and diversity of products sold is mind boggling. There's even a Canadian section where you can sample and purchase maple syrup from Quebec.

Also on sale are fresh oysters, regional sausages and a variety of cheeses and seasonal baked goods. Getting there is easy, it's the last stop on Metro Line 1, under the Grande Arche.

• Parvis de la Defense, Grande Arche
• La Defense
• End of November to end of December
• Metro – La Défense;

6. Alsatian Christmas Market at Gare de l'Est

Interested in a little kougelhopf? We're not being rude or suggestive. This is the famous Alsatian brioche cake with nuggets of raisins and almonds, made in a special mould, that was introduced to France by none other than Marie Antoinette. No wonder it's a staple at the two-week annual Christmas Market held at the historic train station, Gare de l'Est.

Now, kougelhopf by itself is a big draw for us, but this market is not only about the kougelhopf. The Alsatian-themed Christmas market has an abundance of other seasonal culinary delights like gingerbread, brioche, galettes, funky munster cheese, tangy sauerkraut, rich foie gras, with some sweet Riesling wines to wash it all down with.

• Place du 11 Novembre 1918
• 10th Arrondissement
• First two weeks of December
• Metro – Gare de l'Est

7. Marché de Noel at Saint Germain des Prés

Just hop off the metro at Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Line 4) to shop at twenty-five chalets selling a range of authentic arts, crafts, and local seasonal foods. Once your stockings are filled, enjoy the attractions of Saint-Germain-des-Prés like the historic church that gives the area its name, Église Saint-Germain, or the literary cafes Les Deux Magots and Cafe de Flore.

• Place Saint-Germain des Prés
• 6th Arrondissement
• Mid-December to early January
• Metro – Saint-Germain-des-Prés

8. Marché de Noël, 15th Arrondissement

Head to the mairie (town hall) of the 15th arrondissement for the annual neighborhood Christmas market. Twenty chalets sell regional specialities, games, crafts, jewelry, and decorations. There will be Christmas carols, pony rides, sleigh rides and merry-go-rounds, as well as goodie bags for kids from Père Noël himself.

• 31 Rue Peclet
• 15th Arrondissement
• December 15 to 24
• Metro – Volontaires

9. Les Faeries d'Auteil

This festive Christmas market in the 16th is filled with the bounty of the season — think mulled wine, foie gras, cheese and gingerbread. Also for sale are jewelry, decorations, and those traditional Christmas figures from Provence called santons. Don't miss the nativity scenes, a flea market, concerts and the festive, decorated Christmas trees.

• 40 Rue Jean de la Fontaine
• 16th Arrondissement
• Usually around December 2 to 10
• Metro – Jasmin

10. A Japanese Christmas Market

Jipango, a Franco-Japanese association in Paris, hosts many events during the year. In December they stage their Christmas market, featuring forty stalls with an Asian flair and a zen attitude. Artisans sell unique Japanese arts and crafts. As well, there are plenty of Japanese foods and teas to sample and purchase.

• 10 Passage Choiseul
• 2nd Arrondissement
• November 28 to December 1
• Metro – Pyramides

Other Popular Paris Christmas Markets

Champs-Elysées Christmas Market

The biggest and most popular Christmas market in Paris (running along Champs-Elysées) was closed in 2019 by the Mayor's Office due to a dispute with the market operator. The word for Christmas 2020 was that an alternative market was going to be set up in the Tuileries Gardens. What with the mess that 2020 made of Christmas in Paris, not much happened with this, but maybe in 2021? In past years there had been about 200 chalets offering a variety of French seasonal foods, and arts & crafts. We'll confirm when we have more information.

Swedish Christmas Market

This Christmas market, a love song to Sweden, features a plethora of Swedish arts, crafts, and glassware as well as a smorgasbord of pickled herring, smoked salmon, tart cranberry jam, with authentic bread, cakes, and chocolates. The event is brought to Paris by the Friends of the Paris Swedish Church, built in the early 1900s.

• Église Suedoise, 9 rue Médéric
• 17th Arrondissement
• Early December
• Metro – Sainte Sulpice

Père Noël Village at Place de Saint-Sulpice

Here's a good reason to visit the lovely fountain as well as Église Sainte-Sulpice. When you need to warm your hands, head inside the church to see Delacroix's masterpiece, Jacob Wrestling with the Angel.

• Place de Saint-Sulpice
• 6th Arrondissement
• Metro – Courcelles

Place d'Italie

Although it's a petit market with about twenty chalets, there is a festive feeling in the 13th Arrondissement

• Place d'Italie
• 13th Arrondissemen

Trocadero Christmas Market

With its great views of the Eiffel Tower, the Trocadero Christmas Market (photo above) is very popular with locals and visitors alike. Word has it there may also be a temporary ice rink set up for the season.

• Place d'Italie
• Metro – Trocadero