Event Dates
From: Thursday, November 12, 2026
To: Wednesday, January 6, 2027
The City of Lights sparkles in the French Capital during Christmas.
Paris does Christmas best when you mix the markets with the neighbourhoods around them. Browse French crafts opposite Notre-Dame, spend an evening among the Tuileries’ fairground attractions and leave time for department-store windows, long lunches and drinks in Le Marais.
- Are you visiting Paris for Christmas? Stay close to the Eiffel Tower Christmas Market, one of the most iconic markets in the city. The Derby Alma is rated “Fabulous” by guests just steps from the Champs-Élysées, our readers’ choice hotel.
The Markets
- Next Edition: Thursday, November 12, 2026 to Wednesday, January 6, 2027 – Note, some markets open early, but most will be open from the last week in November.
- A tradition since the Middle Ages, the Paris Christmas Markets transform the city with sparkling lights, bright decorations and visits from Père Noël.
- Swiss-style wooden chalets bring the atmosphere of Alsace and Germany to the French Capital as locals sip on hot mulled wine, enjoy delicious marron chauds (roasted chestnuts) and savour everything from cheese and chocolate to sausages and candies.
- More than 20 different markets appear across the city, with pop-up one-day wonders and small neighbourhood speciality markets lasting just a few days.
- These picturesque markets open during the Advent season, spanning the four Sundays before Christmas, with many open through Christmas Eve and some until the Epiphany on January 6th.
Paris Christmas Market Schedule 2026
Dates Market Location 12th Nov – 31st Dec La Défense Christmas Market Parvis de La Défense 12th Nov – 3rd Jan Le Sommet & Ice Rink La Défense; continues after the main market closes. 26th Nov – 27th Dec Notre-Dame Christmas Market Square René Viviani, Latin Quarter 12th – 13th Dec Klin d’œil Designers’ Market Le Carreau du Temple, northern Marais 14th Nov – 3rd Jan La Magie de Noël Tuileries Garden 27th Nov – 6th Jan Saint-Germain-des-Prés Beside Saint-Germain-des-Prés Church Awaiting dates Montmartre Christmas Market Place des Abbesses 4th Dec – 3rd Jan Hôtel de Ville Christmas Village Parvis de l’Hôtel de Ville 5th Dec – 3rd Jan Eiffel Tower Christmas Market Exact 2026 site awaiting announcement. Dates cover November and December 2026 and January 2027. Awaiting dates means organiser confirmation has not been verified.
Where to Stay
- Hôtel Duo: Our pick for a Christmas trip with gay nightlife. Rue du Temple puts you beside the bars, Hôtel de Ville and Métro Line 1.
- Nolinski Paris: The luxury choice for the Tuileries, Palais Royal and central shopping, with an indoor pool and spa.
- Hôtel Récamier: A quieter Left Bank base on Place Saint-Sulpice, convenient for Saint-Germain’s shops, cafés and restaurants.
- Hôtel Monsieur Aristide: Choose it for a Montmartre weekend, with Abbesses nearby and a neighbourhood feel beyond the main sightseeing circuit.
The Magic of Christmas: La Magie de Noël at Tuileries Garden
- Saturday 14th November, 2026 – Thursday 3rd January, 2027 – Our top choice out of Paris’s 20 or so markets.
- Located in Paris’s 1st Arrondissement, next to the Louvre, in Tuileries Garden, La Magie de Noël (“The Magic of Christmas”) stretches along the garden’s entire north edge from Rue des Pyramides to Place de la Concord.
- Tuileries city’s largest Market, attracting 13 million visitors and comes complete with a giant Ferris wheel, carnival rides, bumper cars and an ice skating rink.
- Enjoy drinks at the Champagne Igloo or keep warm with some hot mulled wine or traditional onion soup.
- The Market is famous for its speciality food products, artisan crafts and gifts from around the world.
- Our top tip? Take a ride on the Ferris wheel in the evening and enjoy views of the Eiffel Tower’s nightly light show (Every hour for 5 mins)
- Stay close to this Market at the iconic Nolinski Hotel, rated “Superb” by guests featuring spacious rooms and just steps from the city’s top attractions.
Paris Christmas Market at Hôtel de Ville
- Friday 4th December 2026 – Sunday 3rd January 2027 – The most beautiful Market in all of Paris and closest to the bustling Paris gay scene.
- The Hôtel de Ville Market is famous for its stunning light show on the building’s neo-Renaissance facade featuring falling snowflakes dancing across a brilliant blue background.
- Explore an enchanted forest decorated with silver ornaments and sparkling white lights while sipping hot mulled wine and Nutella crepes.
- The Market features eight chalets, a carousel and, for the more adventurous, a “luge” for tubing and a vertical climbing wall.
- Located in the 4th Arrondissement, Hôtel de Ville is a charming 10-minute walk from the gay bars of Le Marais.
- Stay steps from the gay bars and clubs at the “Superb” rated Hôtel Le Presbytère offering beautiful city views in a charming location.
Paris Notre-Dame Christmas Market at Square Viviani
- Thursday 26th November to Sunday 27th December 2026 – Located across the Seine from Square Viviani at the edge of the Latin Quarter in the 5th Arrondissement.
- Notre Dame is the most picturesque Paris Christmas Markets, with Notre Dame’s soaring mediaeval towers as a backdrop.
- Marché de Noel Notre Dame is an elegant market featuring high-quality arts and artisan crafts made in France and fancy gourmet foods.
- Stay at Hôtel Henri IV Rive Gauche for a Latin Quarter base close to the square. It suits visitors who want the market, cathedral and Left Bank restaurants within easy reach
Montmartre Christmas Market at Place des Abbesses (near Sacre Coeur)
- Late November to 29th December – Located in the 18th Arrondissement next to Place des Abbesses Metro station in one of the most instagrammable parts of Paris, Montmartre.
- The Market is charming and petite, with a local neighbourhood vibe featuring just 20 chalets selling local designer gifts, warm spiced wine and a large decorated tree.
- Montmartre Christmas Market is famous for its traditional french dishes, including escargot, small plates of sauteed mushrooms, and raclette.
- Tip: Make your way to the Sacré-Coeur, just a few blocks away and enjoy sweeping city views.
- Enjoy a “Superb” stay at the Hôtel Monsieur Aristide. The beautifully decorated hotel is famous for its knowledgeable staff, delicious breakfasts and attention to detail.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés Christmas Market
- Friday 27th November 2026 to Wednesday 6th January 2027 – Best Market for exclusive gifts and those with discerning tastes.
- Specialising in Luxury Items and delicious delicacies, the Market is next to the famous St-Germain-des-Prés Church in the 6th Arrondissement.
- Browse from over 40 chalets selling scented candles, glass Christmas ornaments and French-made leather-bound notebooks and bags.
- It is also one of the best markets for chocolates filled with liquor, candied chestnuts, smoked salmon, truffles and foie gras.
La Défense Marché de Noël
- Thursday 12th November to Thursday 31st December 2026 – One of the larger markets located along La Défense Esplanade, boasting more than 350 chalets in the glittering business district.
- The Market welcomes more than 1.5 million visitors annually and features many gifts, including high-quality jewellery and leather goods.
- Possibly one of the best markets for dining, the Market features authentic Alsace cuisine from various restaurants and international fare such as Spanish Paella.
- Tip: Don’t miss the wide selection of hand-crafted and unique nativity figures.
- For a stay beside the district, choose citizenM Paris La Défense, near the Grande Arche. It is practical for the market and Westfield shopping; plan the journey home if you spend the evening in Le Marais.
Eiffel Tower Christmas Market
- Saturday 5th December 2026 to Sunday 3rd January 2027 – The most iconic of all Christmas Markets in Paris.
- Enjoy close-up views of the Eiffel Tower at the Eiffel Tower Christmas Market, with more than 30 chalets and gourmet food trucks.
- The Market is famous for serving regional specialities and gourmet food and is one of the most photo-worth markets in Paris.
- Location varies, year-on-year from Champ de Mars in front of the Eiffel Tower to Quai Jacques Chirac next to the Seine.
- Discover the top places to stay close to the Eiffel Tower.
The Christmas Lights
- Next Edition: The main Champs-Élysées switch-on, it is Sunday 22nd November 2026.
- Every year at this time, the Christmas lights in Paris are a major attraction for tourists and Parisians.
- Christmas illuminations on the avenue des Champs-Elysées, on avenue Montaigne, in Place Vendôme, the Montmartre district and Bercy Village are some of our favourites.
- Stroll through the famous streets of Paris and take in the facades of Parisian department stores.
- Legendary department stores, including Printemps Haussmann, Galeries Lafayette, BHV MARAIS and Bon Marché Rive Gauche, are adorned with the most stunning festive decorations and window displays.
- For a smaller addition near the department stores, Fleurs de Prestige, at 17 Rue de Châteaudun, has a free Christmas light-and-music show from 1st-24th December 2026. Ten-minute performances run every half-hour from 5pm-7.30pm, Monday-Saturday.
After the Markets: Paris Your Way
Le Marais is the easiest place to turn a market afternoon into a night out. Start around Rue des Archives and Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie, then choose your evening: dinner, a sociable beer, DJs or something more adventurous.
For an Early Drink
- Cox, 15 Rue des Archives: A straightforward first stop for solo visitors, couples and friends meeting after shopping. Go early for an apéritif and see where the evening takes you. Open daily 5pm-2am.
- Make this your finish after Notre-Dame and a walk through Le Marais. There is no need to squeeze another market into the day.
For Dinner and Conversation
- Les Marronniers, 18 Rue des Archives: A casual restaurant stop with French dishes, burgers, salads and vegetarian options. Useful when your group wants a proper meal after an afternoon of market snacks.
- Its location opposite Cox makes dinner followed by a drink an easy combination. Book your evening around the neighbourhood and leave the longer journeys for another day.
For Bears and Their Friends
- Bears’Den, 6 Rue des Lombards: A longstanding meeting place for bears, their admirers and visiting gay men, between Châtelet and Le Marais.
- Choose it for a beer and a sociable start to the evening. The compact setting makes it a useful option for solo travellers who enjoy being close to the conversation.
For Pop, Disco and a Later Night
- Freedj, 35 Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie: Start with drinks upstairs, then head downstairs when the basement opens on Friday and Saturday nights. A practical choice when your group wants to stay in the centre of Le Marais.
- Le Tango, 11 Rue au Maire: A longstanding Paris club with a mixed gay, lesbian and straight crowd and music spanning French favourites, pop and disco. Choose it for a broader age mix and a less polished club atmosphere; check the programme for your night.
For a Show with Your Cocktails
- Le Raidd, 23 Rue du Temple: The famous shower shows make this a different proposition from the neighbourhood’s smaller bars. Come for cocktails and a late-night spectacle with friends.
- The venue lists shower performances from midnight. Arriving straight after the markets leaves plenty of time for dinner first.
- Opening hours: Sun-Thu 6pm-4am; Fri-Sat 6pm-5am.
For Leather and Cruising
- Full Metal, 40 Rue des Blancs-Manteaux: An established fetish and cruising bar for visitors seeking an adult night out.
- Check the night’s theme and dress requirements before leaving your hotel; these vary by event. Its central Marais address makes it easy to plan dinner nearby first.
For Couples Keeping It Quiet
- Finish your market visit with dinner in Saint-Germain, or take a riverside walk after browsing Notre-Dame’s stalls. Give yourselves time for a long meal rather than treating every evening as another sightseeing route.
- Hôtel Récamier, on Place Saint-Sulpice, suits a quieter Left Bank stay. For evenings centred on the gay bars, choose Hôtel Duo on Rue du Temple or Hôtel Le Presbytère on Rue de la Verrerie, so you can drop off your shopping and head out on foot.
Where to stay close to all the gay bars
Our top 4 selections with the best rates.
The Hotel Duo is our preferred hotel when
staying in Le Marais gay district in Paris.
For further information and advice on
Paris Christmas Markets The Website
The gay district in Paris is located primarily in Le Marais, right in the heart of the city and featuring some of the finest museums and architecture in the French capital.
Address: 2 Place des Pyramides, 75001 Paris, France
Address: 8 Place Marguerite de Navarre, 75001 Paris, France
26 Rue Pierre Lescot, 75001 Paris, France
Located in a in the centre of , Hôtel Le Relais des Halles Paris is 500 m from the Georges Pompidou Museum. It offers individually decorated rooms with free Wi-Fi access and an antique-style décor.
The air-conditioned rooms and suites feature a wardrobe and a private bathroom with a shower, free toiletries and a hairdryer.
Address: 11 Rue du Temple, 75004 Paris, France
Address: 4 Rue du Faubourg Montmartre, 75009 Paris
Address: 10 rue Saint-Marc, Paris, 75002, France
Address: 13 Rue de la Ferronnerie, Paris 75001
Address: 6 Rue des Lombards, Paris 75004
Address: 15 Rue des Archives, Paris 75004
Address: 12 Rue des Haudriettes, Paris 75003
Address: 25 Rue Michel Le Comte, Paris 75003
Address: 35 Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie, Paris 75004
Address: 15 Rue des Lombards, Paris 75004
Address: 28 Rue des Archives, Paris 75004
Address: 8 Rue des Archives, Paris 75004
Address: 7 Rue du Trésor, Paris 75004
Address: 7 Rue de la Verrerie, Paris 75004
Address: 150 Rue Saint-Maur, Paris 75011
Address: 28 Rue Charlot, Paris 75003
Address: 10 Rue de la Verrerie, Paris 75004
Address: 23 Rue du Temple 75004 Paris,France
Address: 37 Rue des Lombards, Paris 75001
Address: 14 Rue Saint-Merri, Paris 75004
Address: 173 Rue Saint-Martin, Paris 75003
Address: 41 Rue des Blancs-Manteaux, Paris 75004
Address: 40 Rue des Blancs-Manteaux, Paris 75004
Address: 12 Rue Simon le Franc, Paris 75004
Address: 18 Rue Greneta, Paris 75002
Address: 14 Rue Keller, Paris 75011
Address: 34 Rue Charlot, Paris 75003
Address: 49 Rue des Blancs-Manteaux, Paris 75004
Address: 18 Rue du Faubourg du Temple, 75011 Paris
Address: 14 Rue Saint-Merri, 75004 Paris, France
Address: 11 - 13 Rue au Maire, 75003 Paris, France
Address: 45 Rue de la Folie Méricourt, 75011 Paris, France
Address: 15 Rue Michel le Comte75003 Paris,France
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A tour of the best markets in the city
Paris, the City of Love, flaunts its vibrant gay scene with panache and elegance. Nestled amidst the historic boulevards and charming bistros, the gay bars, clubs, and cafes offer a blend of classic French culture and Romance, no more so than in Le Marais, the city’s primary gay neighbourhood, while the popular 10th and 11th arrondissements are just a 10 to 15 minute walk away.
Less touristy than Le Marais, the 11th is known for its eclectic hipster mix of bars and music venues.
Emerging hotspot for the LGBTQ+ community with a more laid-back feel; home to the scenic Canal Saint-Martin.