The Christmas illuminations in Paris are a magical part of the festive season. From the Champs-Élysées to Bercy village, Paris is decked out in a thousand lights every year. More than 150 streets and 70 districts of the capital will be alive with stars, twinkling garlands, luminous fireflies, shimmering fir trees and multicolored baubles. A magical setting for a sparkling Christmas!
You'll be able to sip hot chocolates and eat waffles in the streets, all the while taking in the sights and sounds of the illuminations.
How can you resist such enchantment? So here's the best of the 2023 illuminations in Paris:
From November 16th to January 8th 2024, you can schedule a gourmet stroll down an alley transformed into a magical place with magnificent illuminations. Bercy Village also features Christmas treats overhead, an XXL selfie spot, Christmas tales and, of course, Santa Claus himself!
On the evening of November 19th, the fir trees and illuminations make their grand return to the most beautiful avenue in the world. For the inauguration of the festivities on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Parisians and tourists alike will discover the new color that illuminates the avenue. This year, golden lights adorn this beautiful avenue. It will sparkle from November 19 to January 7, 2024, from 5 p.m. to midnight.
On November 20th, the magic of the festive season returns to the capital's most elegant district, with its traditional Christmas illuminations. From avenue Montaigne to rue François 1er, the lights will be up in the trees, in the gardens and even in the shop windows, to delight the eyes. This year, the kick-off event joins forces with the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées to offer a unique musical interlude at 6 p.m. in front of the theater.
From November 22nd, another famous square will be illuminated for Christmas. The Place Vendôme will be sublimated by a magical, luminous Parisian décor, with four large 10-metre-high fir trees, and 160 smaller ones placed in front of the district's luxury boutiques.
And let's not forget the Christmas 2023 window displays of Parisian department stores, unveiled in the run-up to the festive season to the delight of young and old alike! Bon Marché, BHV, Samaritaine and Galeries Lafayette all call on top decorators to bring the crowds around their animated windows to life. These shows, with their constantly renewed decorations, exude an enchanting spirit and are one of the must-do free strolls during a Christmas in Paris.