Paris & France: 2024 Christmas Market Guide
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Paris & France: 2024 Christmas Market Guide
Hilary Matson | @hilaryinparis
Available for hire
I LOVE Christmas markets, and I make a point to visit Christmas markets all over Paris & France to see how each one is different and special. This guide is based on my personal experiences!
*Guide updated Dec. 10, 2024; purchasing the guide grants you access to all future updates.*
Guide includes:
🎄 Christmas Market Culture
🍷 What to Eat & Drink (20+ recs)
🇫🇷 Helpful Christmas-y Words/Phrases (10+)
🎁 Gift Ideas (15 suggestions)
🧳 What to Pack (7 essentials not to forget)
📍 4 French Christmas markets, with:
1. The 2024 opening dates.
2. Train distance from Paris
3. Number of stalls
4. What's special about them
5. Related videos and helpful links
📍 The COMPLETE run down on 10 Paris Christmas markets that I've been to.
Guide covers:
1. Where each market is on a map
2. My personal notes for each market, including *real* opening days/hours for 2024
3. Photos and videos of the markets
4. What’s special about each
5. A few cautions ⚠️
6. Family-friendly indicators ❤️
PLUS
🎄6 other classic Paris Christmas activities/sites
🎄5 places to look for light displays
Guide Bonus:
🇩🇪 1 German Christmas market that's a quick train ride from Paris!
If you buy this guide and have ANY questions about visiting French Christmas markets that are not already covered here, I will gladly answer them!
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Overview
This guide includes information for French Christmas markets I have personally been to at least once (several I've been to multiple times): Strasbourg, Colmar, Metz, Lyon, Paris, and Aachen (Germany). Plus, a French market that is on my list to visit next!
🎄 Christmas Market Culture
Grab a mug of vin chaud (mulled wine) and peruse the cute stalls!
- Ferris Wheels are at nearly every Christmas market, and it can be really fun to see the lights of the market from up above!
- Carrousels are also very common to see, and a great kid-friendly activity.
- Santa Pix are also possible at almost every market, just be sure to check the Santa days/times ahead of time.
- Light shows/parades happen at some of the markets, and these are special events. They're noted by destination below!
Buy to unlock full guide
Access all the local insights and recommendations from @hilaryinparis when you purchase this guide.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hilary Matson | @hilaryinparis
Available for hire
Hello et bonjour ! I'm (another) American in Paris.
I've lived in France since 2016 and I loooove sharing my Paris & France recs in hopes I can help others love this city and country as much as I do. I'm quite confident I've seen more of France than most French people, so no matter what you're looking for, I've (probably) done it!
✅ What I'm a great fit for: Mature travelers, couples, solo travelers, and families who enjoy soaking in authentic experiences, great food and wine, off-the-beaten-track gems, classic sites, and sustainable travel.
🌱 What's sustainable travel about? Traveling in a way that is kind to the environment, respectful of local culture, & supportive of the local economy. My trip-planning services are always through a sustainable lens.
❌ What I'm not a great fit for: Travelers focused on bars/clubbing or high-end shopping.
➡️ Follow me on TikTok, Instagram & Pinterest @hilaryinparis for Paris & France recommendations, tips, personal stories, and more.
🌍 PS: I'm on Thatch because I genuinely love sharing France with folks. My day job is running Yugen Earthside, a booking platform for responsible package trips primarily catering to groups of mature American travelers. My company's website is linked below.
What's included
Digital Map
Fully interactive, digital map for finding places nearby
28 places
28 hand-picked places with notes from the creator
23 photos
Beautiful, hi-res photos from the creator
19 links
19 links from the creator to go even deeper with more info
3 videos
HD creator videos that bring the destination to life
DESTINATION(S) COVERED
Strasbourg, France
Colmar, France
Metz, France
France
Aachen, Germany
Montbéliard, France
Paris, France
Lyon, France
FOCUSES AND THEMES
50+
Family
Car-free
Couples
BEST TIME OF YEAR
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
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SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Format
Map
Maps are simple lists of places often grouped by themes, categories or geos.
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