Christmas in Paris: markets, lights and winter atmosphere

Shop windows are lit up, the streets take on a festive air and a special atmosphere settles over the whole city. Staying at the Relais Madeleine during this time means you can enjoy some of Paris’s finest events just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel.

The department stores decked out for the festive season

It’s impossible to talk about Christmas in Paris without mentioning Galeries Lafayette and Printemps Haussmann.

Every year, their animated shop windows attract Parisians and travellers from all over the world. Inside, Galeries Lafayette’s famous Christmas tree becomes one of the season’s iconic symbols.

From the Relais Madeleine, both department stores are less than a ten-minute walk away.

The illuminations in central Paris

Winter is also a chance to discover the capital from a different angle.

Among the must-see walks:

• Place Vendôme and its elegant decorations
• The streets of the Madeleine district
• The Champs-Élysées
• The area around the Opéra Garnier
• The banks of the Seine, illuminated in the evening

The temperatures are cooler, but the streets of Paris have a particularly cosy atmosphere at this time of year.

Christmas markets

Several Christmas markets spring up in the capital every year.

You’ll usually find:

• Handcrafted goods
• Gourmet specialities
• Gift ideas
• Entertainment for young and old

Their programme changes every year, but they always make for a lovely break during a winter holiday.

An ideal season for culture lovers

Winter is also an excellent time to explore Paris’s museums, exhibitions and monuments.

Near the hotel, you can visit, amongst others:

• The Louvre
• The Musée d’Orsay
• The Opéra Garnier
• The Musée de l’Orangerie

The shorter days naturally lend themselves to alternating between walks and cultural visits.

Find some peace and quiet after a day in Paris

After enjoying the festive lights and celebrations, the Relais Madeleine offers a more peaceful setting in which to unwind.

A moment in our wellness area, dinner in the neighbourhood or simply a quiet evening are the perfect ways to round off the day.

At Christmas, Paris is, more than ever, a city to experience and admire.