Paris becomes a jolly place throughout Christmas, which creates a generally pleasant experience. While you browse the Christmas markets in the city’s lit-up streets, you can warm yourself with mulled wine and roasted chestnuts. More than a million glittering lights decorate the street trees along the famous Champs Élysées avenue. What makes holiday shopping more attractive are the window decorations at Paris’ top department shops, Christmas and New Year performances in ancient cathedrals, and the shopping deals.
Places to Visit in Paris at Christmas
If you find yourself in Paris over the holiday season, below are the most recommended spots to celebrate Christmas:
- Louvre Museum: Paris is home to the Louvre Museum, the biggest art museum in the world. The Mona Lisa, the world’s most famous artwork, calls this landmark home.
- National Museum of Natural History: On 57 Cuvier Street in Paris lies the National Museum of Natural History. As a museum of natural history and a place of greater learning, it was founded in 1793.
- American Church in Paris: The first American church to be founded outside of the US was the American Church in Paris. It’s located at 65 Quai d’Orsay.
- Christmas Markets: One of the most enjoyable things to do in December in Paris is to visit a Christmas market. La Défense is home to Paris’ largest Christmas market each year. In the areas around Montmartre, Trocadero, and Saint Germain, however, you could come across smaller ones.
- Champs Élysées: Go no further than Champs Élysées if you want to see the most elaborate Christmas light show in all of Paris. Between the Arc de Triomphe and Place de la Concorde, 400 boulevard trees are illuminated with more than a million lights.
- Notre Dame Cathedral: The 4th arrondissement of Paris is home to the medieval Catholic Notre Dame Cathedral, which is located on the Île de la Cité. During the Christmas season, it becomes a sight to see with its beautiful decorations.
Christmas Traditions in Paris
The Christian population in Paris is more than 45% of the total population (41% of them are Catholics). Therefore, Christmas traditions in Paris are centered around family gatherings and the celebration of the birth of Jesus.
St. Nicholas Eve (December 5)
On December 5th, Parisians and other French celebrate St. Nicholas Eve, a beloved custom in which youngsters leave their shoes by the fireplace for the patron saint of children and schoolchildren, St. Nicholas, to fill with presents. Other children leave their shoes for Pere Noel, or Father Christmas. This is also the day for gift-giving which is less commercialized than Christmas Day. Besides St. Nicholas and his trusty donkey, Père Fouettard may also be present; it is his job to hand out the less appealing presents, such as coal and potatoes.
Advent Calendar
French children open Advent calendars during the month of December, and letters from French kids to Father Christmas actually receive a response. Parisians of all ages love using the advent calendar to keep track of the days until Christmas. “Le calendrier de l’Avent” is a French custom that usually includes 24 windows where little gifts, such as candy or toys, are hidden behind each calendar day. Starting on December 1st, children open a door on the calendar to reveal a “surprise,” which has its roots in Germany from the 19th century. This custom becomes more exciting as Christmas draws nearer.
Christmas Eve Dinner
A beloved tradition in Paris and the rest of France, the Christmas Eve supper, or “le réveillon de Noël,” is a lavish feast. Guests dine on the best of French cuisine, which includes oysters, foie gras, geese or capon with chestnuts, and a bottle of champagne. Christmas Eve supper menus are available at all Parisian restaurants. When practiced at home, families open their presents after dinner at around midnight.
There is a wide variety of wines served with Christmas dinners, ranging from classy reds from the Rhône Valley, Burgundy, and Bordeaux to delectably sweet dessert wines like Sauternes.
Marché de Noël (Christmas Market)
A classic Parisian event, the Marché de Noël (Christmas Market) has a selection of traditional arts and crafts, foods, and beverages. This is a popular event in Paris and other French cities. The Hôtel de Ville, Notre Dame, Gare Saint-Lazare, and Saint-Sulpice host these markets, which begin in late November and continue until early January. Foodstuffs like roasted chestnuts and vin chaud (hot mulled wine) are available at the markets, along with quality and one-of-a-kind French arts and crafts.
Les Treize Desserts
This is a tradition where French families serve 13 desserts on Christmas Eve. The number 13 represents Jesus and his 12 disciples, with Mary and Joseph making the 13th dessert. In the southern French province of Provence, this custom plays a role in the Provençal Christmas celebration. After the Christmas Eve meal, participants share and eat one of thirteen sweets, each representing a different apostle or fruit of the vine.
There isn’t a definitive list of sweets, but it includes nuts, fresh fruits, dried fruits, gingerbread, candied fruit, cake, almond-paste pastries, spiced bread, and yule log. People are welcome to nibble on the treats for three days, beginning on Christmas Eve and ending on December 27th.
Table Decorations
French families decorate their tables with holiday-themed decorations, such as candles, hollies, mistletoes, flowers, and festive tablecloths. Although traditional Christmas colors like green, gold, and red are always present, there is a Parisian spin, which is white and silver. Fine china, crystal glasses, and polished silverware are other additions, and the personalized place cards and festive napkin rings are little touches.
Sapin de Noël (Christmas Tree)
It is customary to decorate the “Sapin de Noël” (Christmas Tree) before Christmas Day and leave the family’s shoes by the fireplace for Père Noël in Paris. Parisians put thought into decorating their Christmas trees. The Galeries Lafayette tree is a must-see since it changes themes every year, as is the Forum des Halles tree, which is over 26 feet. Other trees may be seen around the Parisian churches, Strasbourg’s Place Kléber, and Nancy’s Place Stanislas.
Midnight Mass
Parisian churches, cathedrals, and French families welcome congregations for Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The Parisians attend masses at 6 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 11:30 p.m. at Notre Dame de Lorette. French households continue the age-old practice of the Midnight Mass, when believers assemble to sing hymns either before midnight or a few hours before liturgical.
Les Étrennes
In Paris, the practice of “Les Étrennes”—the exchange of modest presents between friends, family, and neighbors—is highly prized and is accompanied by a note or card as a tradition as long as it is a handwritten message. Giving Les Étrennes is a way to celebrate Christmas with loved ones in this city. Traditionally, the term denotes New Year’s presents given to public and commercial sector employees (and sometimes to young children), but these gratitude mementos have become more commonplace at Christmas in recent years.
Mistletoe
As a symbol of everlasting life, mistletoe (or “gui” in French) is linked to Druidry and pagan rituals (originated before Christianity). It is customary to hang mistletoe balls or festive sprigs over doorways in Paris around Christmastime, with the hope that everyone who passes under may exchange a kiss. The Parisians have carried on the ancient practice of kissing beneath this plant as part of their Christmas rituals since it has an association with good fortune and harmony in the new year. Parisians and other French celebrate Christmas with mistletoe, despite the fact that it is poisonous.
Papillotes
“Papillotes” is shorthand for a baking method in which food is placed in a folded pouch. A fish recipe calls for sealing the fish in parchment paper with spices, herbs, and veggies and then baking it. The steam is trapped in the pouch, so the fish cooks slowly and evenly, making for a tasty meal. According to French cuisine, “en papillote” means “on parchment.” In addition to being a quick way to cook fish that is low in fat, this approach also makes cleaning a breeze. This is a popular and adaptable cooking method for Parisians that is not only reserved for Christmas.
Traditional Parisian Christmas Foods
There are many examples of classic Parisian Christmas foods, and the most beloved ones are:
- Le Réveillon: Traditionally served on Christmas Eve, it is the most lavish holiday feast in Paris. The dinner includes entrées with shellfish, escargots, a main dish with chicken, and traditional French sweets, the most prominent of which is the Bûche de Noël. Champagne or classic French wine is served with each meal.
- Foie Gras Terrine: When one thinks of Christmas in Paris, the first meal that springs to mind is foie gras terrine, which is often cooked with handmade foie gras.
- Seafood Platter with Chilled Oysters: To keep the oysters cold, they are served on a big platter and sometimes even on top of an ice bed.
- Scallops: The Parisians have an insatiable appetite for scallops because of their exquisite flavor and delicate texture.
- Champagne: Although it is not a dish in and of itself, champagne is an essential component of every traditional Parisian Christmas Eve meal. Champagne, crème de cassis, and blackcurrant liqueur are the ingredients for a Kir royal.
- Jampon Rouleaux de chèvre: The French term for wrapped goat cheese with ham is jambon rouleaux de chèvre.
- Cake salé: Slices of savory cake flavored with a variety of ingredients are called cake salé.
- Courgettes roulées: Zucchini rolls stuffed with cheese are called courgettes roulées.
- Smoked salmon canapés: Salmon and cream cheese canapés smoked.
- Baked Camembert rôti: Melted Camembert rôti, a dish traditionally eaten with bread, is baked.
History of Christmas in Paris
Like the majority of the Christian world, Paris and the rest of France throws a huge party every year for Christmas. Around 300 AD, during the period of the Roman Empire, Christianity was brought to the territory that is now France. Throughout France’s history, this religion has been significant.
Galeries Lafayette’s world-famous Christmas tree is one of the city’s most recognizable symbols. The iconic windows of Galeries Lafayette were the initial part of the store’s 1912 Christmas festivities, which also included lighting the storefront. The first Christmas tree was put up inside the business a short time later. The elaborate ornaments that decorated the tree started small but quickly became famous as it expanded.
Children put sweets and carrots in their shoes and set them by the fireplace on Christmas Eve for Père Noël’s donkey, Gui (meaning “Mistletoe” in French) before they go to sleep, and this means drawing attention to the gospel of Christ, which is said to have originated in the 13th century.
