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Best Holiday Decorations in Paris

Where to See Christmas Lights in the Capital
Christmas Lights in Paris
November 25, 2022
If you’re lucky enough to be in Paris in December, don’t miss out on the amazing holiday displays all across the city. Many streets and neighborhoods are decked out with twinkling lights and small ‘sapins,’ but here are our picks for the prettiest Christmas decorations in Paris.

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Paris is absolutely magical in December, as the City of Light becomes the City of Lights, with that extra holiday sparkle gracing the streets and shops. While the outdoor light displays are indeed magnifique, especially at night, there are also indoor options with dazzling decorations, great for keeping warm while still soaking up some of that Christmas spirit and while getting that holiday shopping done too! Parfait, non?!

Here are our picks for where to see Christmas lights in Paris:

Outdoor Illuminations

Avenue Montaigne

You’ve heard of Les Champs Elysées sans doute, but you’ve probably never heard of this street which crosses the famous boulevard. Lined with designer stores and luxury hotels, Avenue Montaigne’s Christmas lights are some of the best in all of Paris. Even better than the Champs Elysées if you ask us!

Holiday lights on the Avenue Montaigne.
The illuminations on Avenue Montaigne add sparkle to this already super chic street. Photo © Daniel Thierry – Paris Tourist Office.

Village Royal

Although it may not have as many lights and trees as the larger city streets and squares, this pretty passage offers what feels like a warmer and more intimate take on Christmas decorations. For the fêtes de fin d’année last year, adorable Christmas tree teddy bears welcomed you at 25 Rue Royal. The pretty Paris shopping street is all aglitter, with a bright wall of lights marking the entrance, reflective sculptures spotting the street, and a truly dazzling display on the Dior storefront.

Paris Christmas Tree Service Orders
Make your Parisian pied à terre really feel like home for the holidays with an elegantly decorated Christmas Tree. Order your Christmas tree now.

Place Vendôme

This elegant, 18th-century square is always lovely, but never so much as around Christmastime. Each year, large Christmas trees go up around the center of the square, with smaller sapins standing at the entrances to the luxury shops. After dark, the lights on the trees seem to make the whole square glisten. Understated but beautiful, the holiday decorations at Place Vendôme are always among nos préférées.

Christmas lights in Paris
The timeless Christmas decorations at Place Vendôme are some of our favorites.
Photo Caroline Léna Becker CC 2.0

Indoor Decorations

Le Bon Marché

Sticking with the idea of elegant and understated, but headed inside to keep you warm, Le Bon Marché has consistently charming Christmas decorations year after year. Suspended sapins de Noël appear to float in the middle of this luxury Paris department store, and a ride on the Insta-worthy escalators make you feel like you’re gliding among the evergreens.

Christmas decorations at Le Bon Marché Paris department store.
A floating forest awaits you each holiday season at Le Bon Marché.

Galeries Lafayette

The complete opposite of understated, the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann is the place in Paris over-the-top Christmas decorations. They always evoke an oh là là!

For the 2022 holiday season, the theme is a celebration of Christmas trees, with the window displays and incredible suspended Christmas telling a whimsical story of sapins coming from a planet far, far away. The department store’s doors open November 16th for “Planet Christmas Tree!,” with the tree lighting up daily from 5pm-11pm.

Editor’s Note: Article originally published December 15, 2019. Last updated November 25, 2022.

Not sure what to get the Paris lovers in your life for Christmas this year? Check out our Paris Gift Guide or shop the Urbansider Boutique for our hand-picked selection of oh-so Parisian items that can be delivered right to your door.


Curious to learn more about Paris before an upcoming trip? Schedule a call with local concierge Karina to get all your questions answered.

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Holiday lights on the Avenue Montaigne.
The illuminations on Avenue Montaigne add sparkle to this already super chic street. Photo © Daniel Thierry – Paris Tourist Office.

Village Royal

Although it may not have as many lights and trees as the larger city streets and squares, this pretty passage offers what feels like a warmer and more intimate take on Christmas decorations. For the fêtes de fin d’année last year, adorable Christmas tree teddy bears welcomed you at 25 Rue Royal. The pretty Paris shopping street is all aglitter, with a bright wall of lights marking the entrance, reflective sculptures spotting the street, and a truly dazzling display on the Dior storefront.

Paris Christmas Tree Service Orders
Make your Parisian pied à terre really feel like home for the holidays with an elegantly decorated Christmas Tree. Order your Christmas tree now.

Place Vendôme

This elegant, 18th-century square is always lovely, but never so much as around Christmastime. Each year, large Christmas trees go up around the center of the square, with smaller sapins standing at the entrances to the luxury shops. After dark, the lights on the trees seem to make the whole square glisten. Understated but beautiful, the holiday decorations at Place Vendôme are always among nos préférées.

Christmas lights in Paris
The timeless Christmas decorations at Place Vendôme are some of our favorites.
Photo Caroline Léna Becker CC 2.0

Indoor Decorations

Le Bon Marché

Sticking with the idea of elegant and understated, but headed inside to keep you warm, Le Bon Marché has consistently charming Christmas decorations year after year. Suspended sapins de Noël appear to float in the middle of this luxury Paris department store, and a ride on the Insta-worthy escalators make you feel like you’re gliding among the evergreens.

Christmas decorations at Le Bon Marché Paris department store.
A floating forest awaits you each holiday season at Le Bon Marché.

Galeries Lafayette

The complete opposite of understated, the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann is the place in Paris over-the-top Christmas decorations. They always evoke an oh là là!

For the 2022 holiday season, the theme is a celebration of Christmas trees, with the window displays and incredible suspended Christmas telling a whimsical story of sapins coming from a planet far, far away. The department store’s doors open November 16th for “Planet Christmas Tree!,” with the tree lighting up daily from 5pm-11pm.

Editor’s Note: Article originally published December 15, 2019. Last updated November 25, 2022.

Not sure what to get the Paris lovers in your life for Christmas this year? Check out our Paris Gift Guide or shop the Urbansider Boutique for our hand-picked selection of oh-so Parisian items that can be delivered right to your door.


Curious to learn more about Paris before an upcoming trip? Schedule a call with local concierge Karina to get all your questions answered.

Urbansider Paris Club logo white.
Want More Paris Insider Insights?
Create a Free Account to Receive More Tips & Picks

Join our free Urbansider Club to access personalized recommendationsdownloadable guides, and a monthly newsletter with the latest from Paris as well as our new top addresses and experiences. You’ll also be invited to our exclusive Urbansider events in Paris.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *