Best Holiday Decorations in Paris

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
  • Village Royal
  • Place Vendôme
• Indoor decorations
  • Le Bon Marché
  • Galeries Lafayette

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!

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.

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.

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.

Galeries Lafayette

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

For winter 2025, the famous department store is celebrating its 131st year of dressing up for the holidays. Artist and illustrator Jeanne Detallante is the creative mind behind this year’s Christmas tree and bright window displays. The decorations and giant tree can be seen under the dome from November 12 through January 4, with a sound and light show taking place every 30 minutes.

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.

Editor’s Note: Article originally published December 15, 2019. Last updated November 17, 2025.