Celebrating Christmas in Paris may seem glamorous, but it's also pretty expensive. I've lived in the city for over a decade now and can attest that spending the holiday season here will cost you an arm and a leg. At least, that's what movies, magazines, and social media will have you believe. Fortunately, I know of a better alternative to the usual holiday hotspots and events—Christmas markets! I've been to many of them—La Magie de Noël, Marché de Noël à Montmartre, Marché de Noel Notre Dame, and the Eiffel Tour Christmas Village—and I can attest that not only will they charm your pants off, but they won't empty your wallet too!
Discover the best Christmas markets in Paris so you can do your holiday shopping without breaking the bank! You’ll still find great stuff in these charming markets, from unique knick-knacks to tasty treats!
La Magie de Noël
La Magie de Noël is the ultimate Christmas market in Paris. The carnival-like fair set up in the 1st arrondissement's Tuileries Garden never fails to draw in locals and tourists alike, especially with its fun rides, bright lights, and cute stalls. It's one of the best places to spend the holidays with friends and family. Perhaps even go on a romantic Christmas date with your special someone! Here, you can go shopping, indulge in local treats, and go on all the rides.Marché de Noël du Mail Branly
Nothing says Christmas in Paris quite like a holiday market near the Eiffel Tower. Marché de Noël du Mail Branly is a Christmas village come to life near Musée du quai Branly right by Pont de l'Alma. While it’s far from the biggest Christmas market in Paris, its old-world ambiance paired with the iconic landmark in the background makes for a breathtaking scene. The market also features stalls upon stalls selling all sorts of cute knick-knacks, great gift options, and local holiday treats. What's not to love?Marché de Noël à Montmartre
From one Christmas market near a famous landmark to another, Marché de Noël à Montmartre is set up near Montmartre Hill in the 18th arrondissement. 30 wooden chalets that sell cute toys, pretty furniture pieces, Christmas treats, traditional European cuisine, and more provide the festive mood perfect for the season. And the best part? The grand Sacré Cœur overlooks the market, making for an Instagram-worthy scene that looks straight out of a Christmas card. You almost can't believe that such a thing exists in real life!Marché de Noel Notre Dame
Personally, Marché de Noel Notre Dame is one of my favorites! My grandmother made it a Christmas tradition in our family to hear mass in the world-famous church and afterward, we would go to this market to buy treats, toys, and more. It holds a special place in my heart so I simply can't exclude it from this list. Granted, it's one of the smallest Christmas markets in Paris, but the stalls here still have a lot of fun things to offer.Marché de Noël de Saint-Germain-des-Près
I honestly believe that Marché de Noël de Saint-Germain-des-Près is the best for doing your Christmas shopping in Paris. The stuff here is undeniably high-quality, arguably as good as the stuff you'd see in department stores and boutiques. Luxury artisan pieces reign supreme here, from handcrafted jewelry to fine leather goods. And the best part? They're far more affordable! The deals here are pretty good, making Marché de Noël de Saint-Germain-des-Près a fantastic alternative to the usual shops and stores.Hôtel de Ville Christmas Market
After having kids myself, I can confidently say that Hôtel de Ville Christmas Market is the best Christmas market for the entire family. Much like the more famous La Magie de Noël, this place is as much about its fun rides and play attractions as it is about the stalls. There's the famous carousel, the snowy slide, and more. Paired with the holiday treats from the stalls, your little ones will go wild when you bring them here on the weekend or on Christmas day itself!La Défense Marché de Noël
Not only is La Défense Marché de Noël one of the best Christmas markets in Paris, but it's also the largest in the entire city. Located along the La Défense Esplanade in Hauts-de-Seine, one of the main Paris suburbs, you could spend the entire day here and it still wouldn't be enough to get to every stall. It's also great for its nice balance between food stalls, gift stalls, and more. No matter what you're looking for this Christmas, you'll find it here and at a more affordable price too!Marché de Noël de la Gare Saint-Lazare
I have to admit, I never used to go to Marché de Noël de la Gare Saint-Lazare until only a few years ago. I've already fallen in love with the other Christmas markets on this list, so I didn't think I needed to go here too. Fortunately, my partner forced me to go here a couple of years back and after one visit, I now know why many people like it. In my opinion, Marché de Noël de la Gare Saint-Lazare sells the best home-crafted goods out of all the Christmas markets in Paris. The stuff here is proudly local, which makes them even better gift options than anything else!Marché de Noël Italie 2
Despite its name Marché de Noël Italie 2 doesn't specialize in Italian goods or cuisine. It's simply located near Place d'Italie, hence its name. So why did I still include it on this list? One word—treats! If you want to indulge in the sweetest and most satisfying holiday treats, Marché de Noël Italie 2 has them all for you! The chocolates here, for example, are amazing and just as good as Paris's best chocolatiers. And the pretzels? Not even the finest patisseries can bake them as well as they do here!Shizen - Village de Noël Japonais
Yes, you read that right! Shizen - Village de Noël Japonais is all about everything Japanese! That alone already makes it one of the most unique Christmas markets in Paris, one that not even other European cities have. If you're a huge fan of the “Land of The Rising Sun” and its fascinating culture, this is the place for you. The market sells beautiful kimonos, local teas, wooden crafts, and more. Some stalls even let you try your hand at drawing manga, making origami, or ikebana (Japanese flower arranging). Sounds interesting, doesn't it?Discover the best Christmas markets in Paris so you can do your holiday shopping without breaking the bank! You’ll still find great stuff in these charming markets, from unique knick-knacks to tasty treats!
