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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
- Indoor decorations
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.
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.
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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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.
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.
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.
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