
01 Dec The Best Christmas Photo Spots in Paris
Are you looking for the best places take photos in Paris during Christmas? I got you covered! Christmas season is really a great moment to visit Paris! The city is really magical with its Christmas trees, dazzling lights and Santa vibes everywhere! There are many places that are decorated for the occasion: main squares and streets, Christmas markets, department stores windows, store facades… Therefore I am gifting you this guide with all the places you should not miss: the Best Christmas Photo Spots in Paris! Take a look at this list and you will know all the most instagrammable Christmas places in Paris!
The festivities are starting from mid-November until early January.
Table of Contents
Place Vendôme
Place Vendôme is one of the fanciest squares in Paris. In fact you can find here the world’s great jewellery brands and even the Ritz! Every year from November to beginning of January, a few huge lighted Christmas trees stand on the 4 corners of the square. This creates the perfect Christmas set-up, that’s why it is one of the best Christmas photo spots in Paris!
Location: Place Vendôme, 75001 Paris
Galeries Lafayette
Galeries Lafayette’s flagship store is turning into a real Winter Wonderland during Christmas season! Christmas is a major tradition for the luxury department store located in Boulevard Haussmann, inside and outside. Read below all the reasons why it has to be part of the best Christmas spots in Paris!
Location: 40 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris
Christmas decorations in Galeries Lafayette
On one hand, you will discover inside the Galeries Lafayette a huge sparkling tree hanging from the gorgeous Art Nouveau dome. Every 30 minutes a light show creates some magic around the Christmas tree!
If you want to get an extraordinary view over this Christmas tree and the whole departement store, you have to go to the Glasswalk! Located on the third floor of the main store, this 9-metre long walkway suspended 16 metres high in mid-air, will get you right into the middle of the dome and the very top of the tree! This experience is highly instagrammable for sure!
What you need to know before taking photos here: You will be able to access the Glasswalk with a group of 10-15 people so taking pictures will be a challenge! Therefore to be more successful, I recommend you to be the first in your group to access the walkway or the last one to leave before the next group. The Glasswalk is open all year long but it’s more busy during Christmas time. People are even starting to queue in front of the Glasswalk before the 10am (opening especially during the weekends).
More info: Glasswalk Galeries Lafayette
On the other hand, the facades of the department store are completely decorated and illuminated. Every day during the holiday season, a crowd of people (especially families) are pressing themselves to watch the whimsical and stylish creations in the window displays!
The theme is different each year and some talented artists are working to create a magical installation to wow the visitors. In 2019 for example the store is turning into a Christmas beehive!
Ice-skating rink in Galeries Lafayette
For the first time this year, Galeries Lafayette went the extra mile and built a 160 square-metre 160 square-metre ice rink on the store’s rooftop terrace. It is open every day from 10am to 8pm and accessible to all visitors for free during 20 minutes. Additionally you can enjoy from here a fantastic view over Paris overlooking Boulevard Haussmann, the Opera Garnier and even the Eiffel Tower!
More info: Ice rink Galeries Lafayette
The Christmas Market in the Tuileries Garden
From the 15th of November until the 5th of January, a wonderful Christmas market stands in the Tuilerie gardens. This beautiful park located close to the Louvre museum will be animated with wooden chalets and Christmas lights for the greatest joy of locals and tourists, with or without kids! This is the biggest Christmas market in Paris: 13 to 15 million visitors are visiting it during the season!
Let me tell you what you can find in this Christmas market:
- Crafts and gift ideas, for example 10 French craftsmen (cabinetmaker, glass blower…) and designers from Paris are selling their products
- Entertainments and merry-go-rounds such as flying chairs, a ghost train, mazes, a train, a Ferris wheel and a skating rink
- Tasty food with gastronomy coming from all over France: there is a gourmet market with 20 cabins gathering 20 French regions, a Wine Bar and several restaurants.
Location: Jardin des Tuileries 75001 Paris
Opening hours: The market is open from Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12:45 a.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. But it’s open only from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on December 25 and 31.
The entrance is free!
Village Royal
Village Royal is a chic passageway in Paris filled with luxury retailers. Every year they decorate this little village for Christmas and it’s very pleasant to walk around!
In 2019 they have set up the cutest teddy bear Christmas sculptures: a big one with a bench in front of it and a smaller one carrying red balloons. They are absolutely adorable and unique in Paris!
Location:25 rue Royale 75008 Paris
More info: Village Royal
Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche
Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche is one of the most nicely decorated department stores of Paris! The white-tiled escalators you have in the background are really outstanding with their unique design. And when you add all the hanging Christmas trees, it’s even better!
This department store will please the fashionistas, the home decorating addict and the foodies with the Gourmet market on the first floor La Grande Epicerie!
Opening hours: Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday/Saturday 10am – 8pm, Thursday 10am – 7:45pm, Sunday 11am – 7:45pm
Location: 24 Rue de Sèvres 75007 Paris
More info: Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche
Galerie Vivienne
Galerie Vivienne is one of the most beautiful covered arcades in Paris! It was built in 1823. You will find there beautiful decorations during the Christmas season! But the mosaics on the ground and the glass roof are also amazing. It had to be inside my guide of the best Christmas photo spots in Paris!
The passage is filled with boutiques like fashion designers and old bookstores. If you are a foodie, the gourmet food and wine shops will please you. On top of that, you can also restore yourself in one of the three restaurants.
What you need to know before taking photos here: The entrance of the Galerie is free. But it’s a private place and you need an authorization to do a photoshoot here. Therefore make sure to take your photos quickly or you might get kicked out!
Location: 5 Rue de la Banque 75002 Paris
Opening hours: 8:30am to 8:30pm (closed on Sundays)
More info: Galerie Vivienne
Place Maurice Barrès/ Rue St Honoré
Place Maurice Barrès in the 1st arrondissement is not famous as such, but around it you will find some luxury boutiques like Dior St Honoré and Chanel, and also a beautiful Roman Catholic church named Eglise Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption.
Comité du Faubourg St Honoré has set up here a magical giant hot air balloon for the holidays. This hot-air balloon is illuminated as well as the façade of Dior and it’s stunning!
As you can imagine this Christmas decoration is highly instagrammable and is a must to visit! Rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré and rue St Honoré are also all lit up so you will enjoy strolling in this fancy neighborhood!
Location: Place Maurice Barrés 75005 Paris
The facade of Louis Vuitton in Place Vendôme
Louis Vuitton’s very first store is located in the luxurious Place Vendôme. Louis Vuitton Maison Vendôme occupies two historic hôtel particuliers designed in 1714. Each year the beautiful facade is decorated for Christmas.
In 2018 a quirky Christmas tree was implemented on the building. This tree didn’t look like the traditional Christmas pine tree but more like a magical weeping willow! It was very unique.
In 2019 the luxury brand decided to go back to its 2017 decoration: a giant golden sun streaming spiralling metal rays. It’s extraordinary and highly photogenic!
Location: 2 Place Vendôme 75001 Paris
The facade of Dior in Avenue Montaigne
The facade of the birthplace of the house of Dior in Paris located in the 30 of Avenue Montaigne is usually amazingly decorated from sidewalk to eaves for the holiday season!
For example, in 2018 the facade was ornated with a huge and luxuriant white lighted Christmas tree populated with a menagerie of wild animals (such as giraffes, monkeys, tigers and birds). But the installation was really different in 2017: it was dedicated to the Cruise 2018 collection, with impressive hot air balloons! Unfortunately in 2019, the historical store is under renovation so the facade is covered. The good news: it will get three times bigger in 2021!
Location: 30 avenue Montaigne 75008 Paris
Avenue Montaigne
Avenue Montaigne is connecting the Champs-Elysées to the Alma Bridge. It is one of the most exclusive and luxurious arteries in Paris!
This glamorous street is illuminated with thousands of lights during the holiday season. It’s really a beautiful scenery!
Location: Avenue Montaigne 75008 Paris
Four Seasons Hotel George V
Located near the Champs Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe, the Four Seasons Hotel George V is a 5-Star hotel. Built in 1928 this luxurious place is offering a beautiful art-deco architecture in the 8th arrondissement.
For the holiday season the hotel is full of festive vibes with stunning Christmas decorations. In fact, in 2019 they built a Christmas dome of lights in their courtyard. Entering there was like entering a fairy tale bubble!
And in 2020 they opened a gastronomic Christmas pop-up boutique managed by Michael Bartocetti, the Hotel’s pastry chef, and Eric Beaumard, second best sommelier in the world. You will find here a great selection of refined pastries and fantastic wines, perfect for a gift or to treat yourself! It’s open every day from 12:30 to 19:00 until Jan 10, 2021.
There is always a good reason to visit the Four Seasons Hotel George V at Christmas, one of the best places for sure!
Location: 31 Avenue George V, 75008 Paris
Panthéon
The Panthéon is located in the Latin Quarter (in the 5th arrondissement) in Paris. It’s the Temple of the French Nation and the Great Men who have made the history of France. It dates back to the end on the 18th century and its architecture is quite impressive! Therefore, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Paris!
And every year for the holidays the entrance of the Panthéon is decorated with some twenty Christmas trees all around. These trees are 3 to 6 meters high so you cannot miss them!
Location: Place du Panthéon 75005 Paris
More info: Panthéon
Place Dauphine
Place Dauphine is a public square situated in the 1st arrondissement of Paris. Its location is very central near the western end of the Île de la Cité and close to the Pont Neuf. Its triangular shape makes it very original and unique! It was built in 1607 at the request of Henry IV to create public squares in Paris.
It’s surrounded by beautiful buildings with traditional Parisian facades. As Yves Montand and Simone Signoret used to live here at the number 15, Place Dauphine became even more famous!
For the holidays some pretty Christmas trees are set up. Fortunately, you can enjoy them far from the crowd as this place is usually quiet! Therefore it’s a peaceful Christmas spots in Paris!
Location: Place Dauphine 75001 Paris
Bercy Village
Bercy village is an open-air shopping mall located in the 12th arrondissement. This place in Cour Saint-Emilion used to be for over a century, the largest wine market in the world. With its paved courtyard bordered with storehouses, it’s registered as a Historical Monument. The storehouses have been renovated and transformed into boutiques and restaurants. It’s quite charming! Moreover the central path is often decorated with original creations that vary depending on the seasons.
For the holidays a giant Christmas tree is set up in front of the cinema UGC Ciné-Cité. It’s impressive with its 11 meters high and it’s decorated with 1050 meters of garlands and 10500 twinkling lights. Therefore Bercy village is a great Christmas spots in Paris and a great place to hang out. You can go there not only for shopping but also to go to the movies, grab a drink with friends or dine out.
Location: 28 Rue François Truffaut, 75012 Paris
More info: Bercy Village
Passage Jouffroy
Passage Jouffroy is another one of those charming covered arcades in the capital. It was built in 1836 and is situated on the Grands Boulevards.
The holiday is a good moment to visit this passage as it is housing many interesting establishments. One of them is a cute toys store named “La boîte à Joujoux” which means in English « the Toy Box ». A fabulous boutique selling antiques and decorations – especially unique Christmas decorations – named La Maison du Roy is also located here. It’s a real Aladdin’s Cave that will amaze you! Then the Hôtel Chopin has some pretty little Christmas tree in front of its entrance.
But if you walk in Passage Jouffroy, do not miss the beautiful iron and glass architecture and the marble paving! And last but not least, the Musée Grévin and its famous waxwork models will please adults and kids!
Location: 10-12 Boulevard Montmartre 75009 Paris
The Ritz Hotel
The Ritz Hotel is a 5-star hotel located in Place Vendôme in the 1st arrondissement in Paris. Every year for Christmas The Ritz Paris has a Christmas counter offering yummy treats. Here you can indulge a hot chocolate and delicious pastries by the chef Francois Perret, named best pastry chef in the world in 2019!
Close to the counter at the entrance of the hotel, a pretty 2 meters high Christmas Teddy Bear is here to welcome you! It’s a really cute and super instagrammable Christmas decoration in Paris!
Opening: from December 12, 2020 to to Jan 07, 2021 (open from 2 pm to 7 pm every day).
Location: 15 Place Vendôme 75001 Paris.
Ladurée Bonaparte
Ladurée is an iconic luxury macarons and sweets maker house in Paris. Created in 1862, Ladurée is the most famous premier sellers of the double-decker macaron in the world! They have a few boutiques in Paris, one of them being especially nicely decorated for the Holiday Season. So, if you want to enjoy both yummy macarons and pretty Christmas decorations, head to Ladurée Bonaparte, in rue Bonaparte in the 6th arrondissement!
Location: 21 rue Bonaparte 75006 Paris.
More info: Ladurée
In Conclusion…
There are so many places to see during the holiday in Paris that you will have more than enough to fill in your vacations! Do not forget to visit the Best Chocolatiers in Paris if you want to bring some gifts to your loved ones (or treat yourself)!
If you want to see all the iconic places of Paris you should also read The Best Of Paris in one day !
I have shared all my tips about Paris: the best photography spots and best places to eat are in my Paris section, take a look! If you want to get some gorgeous pictures of you, you can hire me for a Photoshoot in Paris! And I am also offering my foodie services as your Food Concierge in Paris!
In case you are looking for more Christmas vibes, take a look at my blogpost about A Magical Christmas Getaway in Alsace.
google.com
Posted at 20:20h, 23 MarchWe stumbled over here different web page and thought I
may as well check things out. I like what I see so now i am following you.
Look forward to looking over your web page for a second time.
Limitlesssecrets
Posted at 20:46h, 23 MarchHello Michael! Thank you very much for your feedback, I am glad you like the content of the blog!
Jade
Posted at 12:57h, 14 NovemberParis is my all-time favorite! I love visiting for the holidays, this post made me so nostalgic! Gorgeous pictures (and I completely envy your sense of style!). Thanks for sharing!
Limitlesssecrets
Posted at 00:34h, 15 NovemberThank you for the compliments Jade! I hope you can visit Paris during Christmas again!
Sara Essop
Posted at 14:32h, 14 NovemberThese photo spots are beautiful. It must be lovely to be there in December. I’ve only been there in June/July.
Limitlesssecrets
Posted at 00:35h, 15 NovemberDecember has a totally different ambiance with the Christmas vibes Sara! Maybe one day you will have the opportunity to experience it by yourself!
Lina
Posted at 16:18h, 14 NovemberAll your photos are absolutely gorgeous! My favorite is the one at Village Royal with the balloons and the teddy, soooo cute 🙂
Limitlesssecrets
Posted at 00:36h, 15 NovemberThank you Alina! The teddy bear sculptures in Village Royal are SO adorable indeed! I hope they will put them again this year!
Cristina
Posted at 18:12h, 14 NovemberThis is an amazing post! 🙂 I visited Paris during Christmas six years ago, but I definitely want to go back to Paris and check all these Christmas photo spots. Your pictures are stunning!
Limitlesssecrets
Posted at 00:37h, 15 NovemberThank you Cristina! Paris is changing so often, it’s worth to come again to enjoy the Christmas spirit here!
Krista
Posted at 20:27h, 14 NovemberBeautiful locations for photos in Paris, especially around Christmas time! I love all of your dresses as well, they look great on you.
Limitlesssecrets
Posted at 00:38h, 15 NovemberParis offers so many pretty places Krista! Thanks a lot for the kind words!
Anita
Posted at 20:34h, 14 NovemberI love Christmas and I love taking pictures always. Thanks for your great guide of taking Christmas pictures in Paris. Maybe I will be there around this time someday!
Limitlesssecrets
Posted at 00:39h, 15 NovemberI really wish you can capture all those pretty Parisian places by yourself Anita!
Lenore | The Nitty Gritty Travel OT
Posted at 20:36h, 14 NovemberOkay, first off you look STUNNING! These are all great suggestions, I’ve visited a few, but I haven’t in winter as of yet. I can’t wait to go back to Paris during the holidays.
Limitlesssecrets
Posted at 00:40h, 15 NovemberI am sure you would love to be in Paris in December Lenore! It’s so beautiful! Thank you for your nice message 🙂
Jamie
Posted at 21:06h, 14 NovemberThese are really magical locations! Thanks for sharing them. It’s really lovely to see Paris all dressed up and decorated for the Christmas season. All the trees are so unique and beautiful.
Limitlesssecrets
Posted at 00:41h, 15 NovemberParis is such a gorgeous city, and it’s even better with the Christmas decorations Jamie!
Caroline
Posted at 21:07h, 14 NovemberBeautiful! I’ve never been to Paris at Christmas, but now I want to…
Limitlesssecrets
Posted at 00:42h, 15 NovemberYou will love it Caroline!
Sam
Posted at 21:52h, 14 NovemberThese are all such stunning locations! This makes me want to go to Paris during the holidays so badly! Thanks for sharing!
Limitlesssecrets
Posted at 00:42h, 15 NovemberI hope you will make this dream come true Sam! Paris is so magical in this season!
Maria
Posted at 21:58h, 14 NovemberThese spots are amazing, also love the angles of your shots!
Limitlesssecrets
Posted at 00:45h, 15 NovemberGlad you like them Maria! Paris is such a dream during the holiday!
Roxanne Weijer
Posted at 23:11h, 14 NovemberGosh Paris is already such a beautiful city. So I can imagine it’s extra beautiful around Christmas. These photo spots and your photos are amazing. Especially the left one on Avenue Montaigne.
Limitlesssecrets
Posted at 00:45h, 15 NovemberThank you Roxanne! Maybe one day you can come and capture Paris with the Christmas lights by yourself!
Danie Joubert
Posted at 00:02h, 15 NovemberThese places look like a fairytale!!! So so beautiful. Saved for future winter trips here – thanks for all the tips!!
Limitlesssecrets
Posted at 00:49h, 15 NovemberParis has so many gorgeous places to capture during the holidays Danie! I am so happy to share them!
Sarah
Posted at 00:36h, 15 NovemberParis looks absolutely magical at Christmas! These spots are so stunning – I hope to get over to Europe for all of the Christmas markets and will have to include Paris! These photo are gorgeous!
Limitlesssecrets
Posted at 11:18h, 22 NovemberIf you do a tour of Europe for the holidays I highly recommend to pass by Paris Sarah! You can only love it!
Elena Pappalardo
Posted at 00:39h, 15 NovemberYour photos are so stunning! I’m wishing I could spend the holidays here, but I saved for the future!
Limitlesssecrets
Posted at 11:16h, 22 NovemberHopefully you will get the opportunity to see Paris with all the christmas decorations Elena!
Elina
Posted at 00:42h, 15 NovemberYour photos are so beautiful! I can’t wait to be able to visit Paris again. I haven’t been there in years and I would love to experience the Christmas vibes of the city.
Limitlesssecrets
Posted at 11:40h, 15 NovemberI am really happy that reading this article motivated you to visit Paris again Elina!
Helena
Posted at 00:57h, 15 NovemberThere are literally so many dream Christmas spots on this list for me, i hope I can experience Christmas in Paris one day. Your photos make me want to visit right now if I could!!
Limitlesssecrets
Posted at 11:33h, 15 NovemberParis is full of treasures I agree Helena! Hopefully you can enjoy the holidays in Paris soon!
Lies
Posted at 01:44h, 15 NovemberParis looks pretty during the Holidays! I’ve been to Paris several times but never in December. I wish I could visit this year. Your outfits look amazing btw!
Limitlesssecrets
Posted at 11:34h, 15 NovemberThe Christmas season is such a beautiful moment to visit Paris Lies! You will adore it for sure! And thank you 🙂
Taylor
Posted at 04:26h, 15 NovemberWow! I totally need to get back to Paris during Christmastime! Your photos are so magical Ophelie! 🙂
Limitlesssecrets
Posted at 11:34h, 15 NovemberMany thanks Taylor! Paris is worth visiting every time of the year as there is always something to do and some beautiful places to capture right?!
Andrea Cannon
Posted at 06:56h, 15 NovemberI am now DREAMING of visiting Paris at Christmastime! These photos are so stunning
Limitlesssecrets
Posted at 11:35h, 15 NovemberI am so happy my photos are motivating you to see Paris during the holidays Andrea! It’s so beautiful here!
Katja
Posted at 07:42h, 15 NovemberOhhh such amazing pictures (again) 🙂 I´ve been to Paris a couple of times but never around Xmas so this is wonderful to see. We have a trip planned for this years holidays from Germany to France with our car and possibly stopping in Paris on the way, but let´s see how the lockdown situation will develop. Thanks for sharing this great post!
Limitlesssecrets
Posted at 11:37h, 15 NovemberOh I hope this will be possible Katja! In case you haven’t seen it, take a look at my article about Christmas in Alsace as it’s close to Germany https://limitless-secrets.com/a-magical-christmas-getaway-in-alsace/
Cosette
Posted at 08:39h, 15 NovemberThis post definitely gets me in the Christmas spirit. Beautiful places and so Christmassy, would love to wonder around here.
Limitlesssecrets
Posted at 11:38h, 15 NovemberParis has so much charm during the Holidays Cosette! i hope you can see it by yourself one day!
Marguerite
Posted at 11:09h, 15 NovemberWow!! I have been to Paris so many times but never at Christmas. That will have to change. Such a great idea for a blog post. And your outfits are stunning as well 🙂
Limitlesssecrets
Posted at 11:39h, 15 NovemberI am so glad this article gave you some inspiration to visit Paris for the Holidays Marguerite! And thanks a lot for the compliment 🙂
Bettina
Posted at 20:00h, 15 NovemberThese spots are all so beautiful! Seriously love your photography and would love to come to Paris for the holidays!
Limitlesssecrets
Posted at 11:08h, 22 NovemberParis is so pretty during that time of the year Bettina! You will love it for sure! Thank you for the compliment!
Mikaela Musa
Posted at 13:36h, 16 NovemberParis looks so beautiful with Christmas decorations! I’m sure everyone would love to have their photos taken on these locations.
Limitlesssecrets
Posted at 11:10h, 22 NovemberI agree with you Mikaela: all the Christmas lights and decorations are creating the prettiest set up in Paris!
Nina Clapperton
Posted at 14:39h, 16 NovemberYour shots are brilliant! I love a good photo guide, but it’s even better when it’s time specific. I’d love to see Paris at Christmas
Limitlesssecrets
Posted at 20:53h, 19 NovemberI am so happy you enjoyed reading this Christmas guide Nina! Paris is so beautiful during the holiday!
Stefanie Wich-Herrlein
Posted at 20:41h, 16 NovemberHaha, so funny: Kinda didn’t feel like Chrismas at all until I read your post. I’m still in the mood of enjoying the fall vibes in the Pacific Northwest. But you are right: the holiday season is just around the corner!
Limitlesssecrets
Posted at 20:54h, 19 NovemberChristmas is such a beautiful time of the year Stefanie! I am glad you enjoyed the vibes you got from reading this Paris guide!
Anuradha
Posted at 14:17h, 17 NovemberParis is one of the cities that I can never be bored of! I have visited Paris in Summer and Spring but never got the chance to experience Christmas in Paris! Would love to do this once things go back to normalcy!
Limitlesssecrets
Posted at 11:15h, 22 NovemberParis is the kind of places that you can visit at any time of the year for sure Anuradha! I hope you will be able to enjoy a Christmas in Paris!
Arabela
Posted at 12:46h, 21 NovemberWow your photos look stunning, looks like Paris is the perfect place to spend Christmas! But I don’t think I’d survive in such thin dresses in winter haha!
Limitlesssecrets
Posted at 11:23h, 22 NovemberThank you Arabela! I mostly wear the dresses for the photos 😉