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What to Do in Paris During December

Posted December 14, 2014 by


Whether you're celebrating a holiday or just passing through, you'll be fortunate to find yourself in Paris during December. Between the markets, sparkling lights, elaborate window displays, and festive events, there's a unique experience waiting for you in Paris this holiday season.


  • Place de la Trocadero ice skating
  • Place de la Trocadero snow park

Patinoires: Open-Air Ice Skating

Several skating rinks are set up in Paris each year. With free admission and a reasonable skate rental charge (€5 on average), this is an inexpensive and fun outdoor activity for all ages.

Aeon's Pick

Place de la Trocadero skating rink and snow park: Across from the Eiffel Tower you'll find a skating rink, Christmas market, and even a snow park with areas for sledding and cross-country skiing. The Place de la Trocadero rink is open from December 13, 2014 through January 7, 2015.




  • Montmartre Christmas Market
  • Versailles ice skating

Marches de Noel: Paris Christmas Markets

No one is immune to the appeal of the iconic Christmas markets in Paris. The clusters of wooden chalets, handmade toys, and vin chaud (mulled wine) make for a memorable, cozy experience. Markets pop up in every neighborhood, nearly every day of the week until Christmas. The Avenue des Champs-Elysées Christmas market is the largest, while the Notre Dame Cathedral Christmas market is known for its giant Christmas tree and mulled wine.

A comprehensive list of Christmas markets in Paris can be found at Parisinfo.com.

Aeon's Picks

Village de Noà«l de Montmartre (Montmartre Christmas Market): Likely the highest slope you'll climb in Paris looking for a Christmas market. This market, located beside the Sacre Coeur, is open from 10:00AM-8:30PM from December 5th, 2014 to January 4th, 2015. The nearby Place des Abbesses market is also worth a visit.

Versailles Christmas market: Located at the Trianon Palace Hotel with an added bonus: an ice skating rink. We love recommending this market to out-of-towners along with a day trip to Versailles palace.




  • Paris Autumn Festival 2014
  • In Low Resolution by David Maljković, Paris Autumn Festival 2014
  • Le Goà»t du faux et autres chansons, Paris Autumn Festival 2014

Festival de l'Automne

The Festival d’Automne à  Paris is a non-profit that produces a contemporary arts festival that lasts from September through December every year. Over 40 events are held, including theater, music, dance, visual arts and film productions in venues inside and outside of Paris. The festival was started in 1972 with the goal of encouraging artistic expression and diversity. The annual Festival de l'Automne is eagerly anticipated by Parisians, French citizens, and visitors alike.

Aeon's Picks

Le Goà»t du faux et autres chansons: Surreal, cryptic theater sketches starring Jeanne Candel, perhaps best known for the film Paris (2008).

In Low Resolution by David Maljković: An art installation taking up an entire floor of the Palais de Tokyo.


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