Unmissable Things to Do in Paris in December 2025 – Pure Holiday Magic

Paris in December pulls out all the stops. It's festive, frosty, and full of holiday magic — twinkling streets, skating rinks in palace courtyards, and vin chaud on every corner. If you're looking for things to do in Paris in December, don't worry — the whole city is basically one big seasonal event. From classic Christmas markets to candlelit concerts in historic chapels, it's a choose-your-own-adventure of coziness and spectacle.

The best part? You can make the most of the season with just a little planning. Our recommended activities help you skip the stress and go straight to the good stuff — festive dinners, iconic sights, and experiences that feel tailor-made for December. Galleries are open, restaurants are bustling, and the scent of roasted chestnuts hangs in the air. December doesn’t just feel like a celebration — it is one.

Esprit de Paris – The Top Experiences

Things to Do in Paris in December 2025

Festive Charm with Bateaux Parisiens

Celebrate the magic of December with a Bateaux Parisiens dinner cruise. Service Premier offers the best seats, an exquisite French meal, and champagne as you sail past Paris's dazzling holiday lights. The festive atmosphere is elevated by live music, creating a charming and unforgettable way to experience the holiday season in the City of Light. One Of The Best Things To Do In Paris In December.

Xmas Day & Xmas Eve Gourmet Cruises

Choose between a Christmas Day or Christmas Eve gourmet meal along the magical river Seine. You can opt for a lunch cruise, an early dinner cruise, or a late cruise on either day — or even the New Years Dinner Cruise party. This is something you will remember forever, but these sailings WILL sell out, so book right now. Definitely one of the best things to do in Paris in December.

Holiday Lights & Haute Cuisine

December nights on the Seine are chilly, but the Maxim's dinner cruise brings the heat — via champagne, soft jazz, and enough foie gras to make resolutions irrelevant. The boat glides past a Paris wrapped in lights, while inside it's all velvet seats and decadent bites. This is festive done with flair — no gimmicks, just a legendary brasserie taking its show on the river, and absolutely nailing the mood.

Make the Most of the Louvre

You don't need to know your Rococo from your Romanesque — that's what the guide is for. The Louvre is packed with masterpieces, but without context, it's just a lot of beautiful confusion. We recommend a tour that brings it all into focus. The ones we like are skip-the-line, storytelling-rich, and surprisingly fun. Because great art deserves more than a passing glance and a shrug.

Eiffel Tower Festive Heights

Paris decks its halls in December, and the Eiffel Tower is no exception. With skip-the-line tickets, ascend swiftly to witness the City of Light embracing the holiday spirit. From the summit, marvel at festive markets, twinkling decorations, and perhaps even a dusting of snow. It's a magical way to cap off the year and create memories that sparkle as brightly as Paris itself.

Holiday Concerts in Historic Churches

This is the month when Paris's churches really flex. Concerts in Saint-Germain-des-Prés or Sainte-Chapelle go full majestic with a blend of classic holiday music and the kind of acoustics that make you think twice about ever using headphones again. Think Bach, Corelli, and maybe a few carols snuck in for good measure. It's haunting, beautiful, and just festive enough to make you forget it's freezing outside.

Paris Christmas Food Walking Tour

Here's an easy & fun way to enjoy all the seasonal goodness that Paris has to offer. Follow your guide to explore Christmas in Paris in its many forms — the decorations & displays at Galeries Lafayette, window displays in the city's Art Nouveau shops & boutiques, in and out of quaint food and tableware shops, and finishing up at a traditional Parisian wine bar for champagne and foie gras. Is this one of the best things to do in Paris in December? Mais, oui !

Eiffel Tower Visit, Dinner Cruise & Moulin Rouge Show

No need to choose between twinkling lights, elegant bites, and over-the-top cabaret — this night's got all three. Start at the Eiffel Tower, skipping lines like you're on the guest list. Then it's dinner aboard a bateau, gliding past landmarks that look suspiciously perfect. End the evening at the Moulin Rouge, where nothing is quiet and everything sparkles. It's Paris in full performance mode — and you've got front-row seats.

Holiday Dinner Cruise on the Seine

Paris at Christmas is all sparkle and no subtlety — and we're all for it. Aboard the Bateaux Mouches, you'll dine on holiday-season classics while the city glows outside like it's been wrapped in tinsel. A four-course meal, festive music, and the Eiffel Tower in full glimmer-mode make this a December night worth remembering. It's the most Parisian way to eat, float, and feel mildly enchanted.

Private Transfers from the Airport to Paris

Paris looks even better when you're not arriving flustered. Private airport transfers put you in a clean car, with a real driver, and zero chaos. You'll go straight from arrivals to your hotel — no train changes, no ticket machines, no crossed fingers. It's a smooth, quiet start to your trip that feels equal parts practical and just a little indulgent.

Stay Classic on the Left Bank

If you want to feel like you're staying in the real Paris — not just looking at it — the Left Bank is where to do it. The hotels are tucked into old buildings with stories, located on streets that look great in black-and-white or color. You're close to the Seine, the cafés, and a dozen places to lose an afternoon. Left Bank hotels don't try to impress. They just do.

The Wonders of Versailles

Things to Do in Paris in December 2025

Versailles at Year's End

Versailles in December is grand, quiet, and a little mysterious. The gardens are hushed, the halls echo, and you can actually hear the history. These expert-led tours deliver all the elegance with none of the chaos — perfect for a winter day trip with serious flair. Skip the line, see the sights, and wrap up your Paris year with a dose of royal decadence. Crowns optional. The royal escape you need.

Half-Day Versailles with Priority Access

If you don't have a full day to devote to Versailles, we also recommend this half-day tour that includes priority access. You'll breeze by the long lines to experience the grandeur of Louis XIV, The Sun King. This small-group activity is led by an expert guide and includes transportation from central Paris. If you prefer (as we do) you can opt for a private tour, for just you and your group.

Delectable Food & Wine Experiences

Things to Do in Paris in December 2025

A Cheese Tasting, Supercharged

This is the kind of tasting where the cheese could easily steal the show — even with wine in the room. You'll head into a cheese-tasting cellar in Paris to try seven distinct cheeses, each one carefully wine paired, explained, and admired. It's cozy, flavorful, and pleasantly nerdy, with just enough room for opinions. You'll come for the Comté, stay for the blue, and maybe buy a cheese knife on the way out.

Learn to Make Croissants with a Pastry Chef

Celebrate the festive season by learning to make croissants in a professional Parisian kitchen. Guided by an expert chef, you'll create buttery, flaky pastries from scratch, mastering each step along the way. This small-group class provides an intimate and educational experience, perfect for bringing a touch of Parisian elegance to your holiday baking. Enjoy the fruits of your labor on-site, and leave with the skills to impress family and friends at home.

A Festive Food Tour in Montmartre

Celebrate the season with a culinary walking tour of Montmartre, where Paris's artistic soul meets its culinary heart. Taste a selection of French delights, including cheeses, charcuterie, and festive pastries, paired with wines chosen for the occasion. Walk through cobblestone streets illuminated by holiday lights as your guide recounts stories of Montmartre's bohemian past. End the tour with the famous panoramic views of Paris.

Your Inner Sommelier Starts Here

In a quiet cellar not far from the Louvre, you'll get a crash course in French wine and food that's more entertaining than it has any right to be. Champagne? Absolutely. Bordeaux? Of course. Something you've never heard of but will now pretend to love? Also yes. No maps, no lectures — just good wine and a better lunch than you've eaten yet.

Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Lunch

It's an Insiders secret that the best place to see the dazzling landmarks of Paris is on a boat, cruising along the Seine, sipping champagne while enjoying a leisurely classic 3-course French meal. The menu is a la carte, with wine & champagne compris (included). We highly recommend the Premier Service option, if available, to guarantee you a private window seat and a better menu.

Saint-Germain Chocolate & Pastry Walking Tour

In Paris, chocolate is a major food group. At least that how it seems, what with over 200 speciality (and amazing) chocolatiers. On this tour (our readers' fave food activity) you walk from chocolate shop to pastry shop to chocolate shop in an historic district of Paris and sample all along the route. On a small group tour like this you get hands-on attention at a relaxed pace.

Champagne Cruise Along the Seine

What could be better than a relaxed, champagne-fueled boat ride down the most beautiful river in the world? Well, what about having priority seating at the front of the boat? How about a French sommelier to guide you through a flight of three different types of champagne? Glide past the sights while sipping bubbly and discovering that the best way to see the City of Lights is on a bateau.

Festive Flavors in the Marais

Celebrate the holiday season with a food and wine tour of the Marais. Visit its finest food shops and markets to taste French delicacies like creamy cheeses, savory charcuterie, crusty baguettes, and indulgent chocolates, paired with festive wines. With its cobblestone streets and lively atmosphere, the Marais offers a magical setting for a culinary exploration of Paris during the holidays.

Gourmet Holiday Food Tour

You start your culinary afternoon on the historic Left Bank, a gourmet haven. At a traditional fromagerie you learn about French cheeses while you sample, sample, sample. Next up are freshly baked baguettes followed by French wine. Don't forget the foie gras! And, don't worry, any calories you consume are going to be burned off by the walk! The Christmas version of this popular tour is not to be missed.

Go Deeper Into France On Day Trips

Things to Do in Paris in December 2025

Spend a Day in the Champagne Region

There are worse ways to spend a winter day than drinking Champagne in ancient limestone caves. On this small-group trip, you'll be welcomed into cozy tasting rooms, fed like royalty, and taught the subtle art of saying "I prefer a brut rosé" without sounding like a snob. You'll visit both the big names and the family houses, then glide back to Paris full of facts, fizz, and French food. Good decisions all around.

Normandy's D-Day Beaches in Winter's Reflection

Embark on a winter journey from Paris to the historic D-Day landing beaches of Normandy. Walk along Omaha Beach, visit the American Cemetery, explore museums and monuments that commemorate the Allied invasion of June 1944. Your guide offers moving insights into the significance of these sites. A tasting of Normandy's famous cider completes this thoughtful and enriching day trip to one of France's most historic and poignant regions.

Castles + Festive Cheer in the Loire Valley

Celebrate the holiday season with a day trip to the Loire Valley from Paris. Visit the grand chateaux as they sparkle with festive decorations. Explore their storied halls, stroll through wintry gardens, and learn about their Renaissance history. A wine tasting introduces you to the region's famed vintages. This tour is a magical way to experience the Loire Valley during the most festive time of year.

What's On At The Museums

Things to Do in Paris in December 2025

Musée d'Orsay Impressionism Tour

While Paris sparkles outside, Orsay glows in its own moody way. This skip-the-line tour gets you past the queues and into a world of swirls, light, and a surprising amount of painterly rebellion. Your guide pulls back the curtain on the drama and brilliance behind the canvases. Inside: oil paint and backstory. Outside: twinkle lights and vin chaud. It's the most cultured way to warm up in December.

Portraits of a Changing World

David Hockney's portraits don't just capture individuals — they reveal the world around them. His paintings reflect changing times, evolving styles, and a deep connection to his subjects. With each brushstroke, Hockney reveals a fragment of the human story, making his work both personal and universal.
• Ends January 9, 2026
• Information…

Machines, Myths, and Mischief

A carnival of motion and imagination unfolds in this exhibition of Niki de Saint Phalle and Jean Tinguely. Their art merges fantasy and engineering, bringing together mechanical creatures, rebellious machines, and sculptural myths. The results are joyous, unpredictable, and always a little subversive..
• Grand Palais
• Ends January 4, 2026
• Information…

Sargent – The Paris Years

Forget the aging master. Here's Sargent in his twenties — hungry, experimental, and unafraid to provoke. This exhibition focuses on his rise in Paris, where he honed his signature style and made his first big artistic splash — with elegance, energy, and more than a few ruffled critics.

• Musée d'Orsay
• September 23, 2025 to January 11, 2026
• Information…

Love & Art Through Her Lens

What makes Gabrielle Hébert stand out? She wasn't after stiff, formal portraits. Instead, she played with mirrors, motion, and shadow. Her photographs feel modern — not for their style, but for how they sneak up on you, like a whispered secret caught on film.

• Musée d'Orsay
• October 28, 2025 to February 15, 2026
• Information…

Paul Troubetzkoy – The Sculptor Prince

This retrospective reintroduces a sculptor who was once world-famous — and now long overdue for a comeback. Troubetzkoy's quick, tactile handling of bronze gave his subjects a kind of shimmering vitality, turning portraiture into something bold, modern, and alive.

• Musée d'Orsay
• September 30 to January 11, 2026
• Information…

Musika Automatika – Sound & Memory

Rooted in rumba, buoyed by electronics and seasoned with field samples, the piece invites improvisation. Each visit unfolds differently — every session rideable, rowdy, reflective. Junior Mvunzi's track is performance, composition and sound‑sculpture wrapped into one.

• Musée du Quai Branly
• Ends February 26, 2026
• Information…

Jean‑Baptiste Greuze – Childhood Unmasked

With gentle lighting and expressive gestures, Greuze staged childhood as a theatre of feeling. Whether it's a girl pulling petals to test love or a boy learning hard lessons, these stories reflect shifting ideas of innocence, virtue, and human development.

• Petit Palais
• September 16 to January 25, 2026
• Information…

Pekka Halonen – Finnish Nature Reimagined

This French premiere retrospective places Halonen within international art. Works span from early Paris canvases through his Italian sojourns to his Finnish masterpieces — the result is a full portrait of a painter who bridged tradition and modernity.

• Petit Palais
• November 4 to February 22, 2026
• Information…

Michel Paysant – Monet Seen by Eye

Paysant's project is both homage and experiment. Monet's original Water Lilies are still there — but next to them are Paysant's responses, based entirely on gaze behavior. What you're seeing isn't Monet's brushwork, but how we, collectively, interact with it.

• Musée de l'Orangerie
• October 4, 2025 to January 6, 2026
• Information…

Berthe Weill – Dealer of the Avant-Garde

More than 75 works retrace Berthe Weill's game-changing instincts — from gritty Montmartre beginnings to salon rebellions and high-stakes risks. She sold Picasso's first painting, took on Fauvism, and did it all as a woman in a world that preferred she didn't.

• Musée de l'Orangerie
• October 2, 2024 to January 27, 2025
• Information…

L'empire du sommeil – Dreams, Rest & Folly

Art across eras whispers the same message: sleep isn't just rest. You'll see the sleeping innocent, dreamscapes from religious texts, and the erotic charge of a sleeping body. The show asks: what do those closed eyelids mean — and why do artists keep painting them?

• Musée Marmatton Monet
• October 9, 2025 to March 1, 2026
• Information…

Guillermo Kuitca – Cubistoid Chapel

Born in Buenos Aires, Guillermo Kuitca has long explored how spaces hold memory. Here, in dialogue with the chapel's architecture, he turns its walls into an abstract language of lines. There's no script to follow — just geometry, history, and a sense of quiet theatrical tension.

• Musée Picasso
• Ends December 31, 2027
• Information…

La Collection – Revoir Picasso

In 2014 Pablo Picasso's most important public collection was permanently installed in the lavish setting of the Hôtel Salé, a mansion in the Marais. A decade later, the museum pays homage with a three-year retrospective starting with a tribute to Françoise Gilot. Beyond her famous book — Living with Picasso, published in 1965 — Gilot's own artistic career spanned from Réalités Nouvelles to her large compositions of the "emblematic paintings" of the 1980s.

• Musée Picasso
• To March 12, 2027
• Information…

The Top Events In Paris

Things to Do in Paris in December 2025

Christmas Markets

From the middle of November to early January bundle up warm and set out on the streets of Paris to learn how the French celebrate Christmas. Seasonal markets are set up up in many quartiers of the city. These temporary cabin villages are where tout les Parisiens shop for seasonal specialties, decorations, and Christmas crafts. During this festive time of year you will find Noël markets throughout the city.

Notre Dame Christmas Market

It's a Christmas miracle! Paris' favorite Marché a Noël at Notre Dame Cathedral is back, but just across the river in Square Viviani. Marvel at oldest tree in Paris (at 400 years) and sample regional specialties like macarons, gingerbread, foie gras, hot pretzels, sausages, local cheese, roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and chocolat chaud.
• Square René Viviani, 5th Arrondissement
• Information…

Christmas Lights on Champs Elysées

Paris lights up for the holidays, but the most famous light show is on Champs Elysées. If you're lucky enough to be in Paris in mid November you can watch the Christmas lights be turned on by celebrities and French dignitaries. (We're still waiting to be invited to throw the switch!)
• Avenue des Champs Elysées
• November 15 to January 6
• Information…