10 Best Things to Do in Paris in December

Talking about December inevitably means talking about Christmas. In Paris, and in cities around the world, this holiday marks the entire month. But of course, that's not a bad thing. Thanks to Christmas, the so-called City of Light shines brighter than ever and looks more beautiful and spectacular than at any other time of the year.

It also gives us the opportunity to enjoy events and activities that are exclusive to this month. Seeing the lights, visiting the traditional Christmas markets or ice skating in some of the most spectacular locations in Paris are just a few examples of what we can do. If you want to find out more, in this article I share with you the best things to do and see in Paris in December.

It is quite likely that snow will make an appearance in Paris in December. Seeing the city covered in snow more than makes up for the cold weather. And to enjoy the French capital covered in snow, the best option is to do so from its most famous viewpoint: the Eiffel Tower with its magnificent views.

The tower has three viewing platforms, one on the first floor, another on the second floor and the last at the top, more than 300 metres above ground level. From these platforms you can see monuments such as the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame.

More information

• Price: the price of admission depends on whether you go up on foot or by lift, among other factors, and whether you opt for a guided tour or see it on your own, but you can go up the Eiffel Tower from €39.
• To find out more: here is all the information you need to know to buy your tickets for the Eiffel Tower.

In December, it's always a good idea to have alternative plans to shelter from the cold. One of the best options is to visit the Opéra Garnier and attend one of its performances.

You can visit the spectacular building to discover the secrets of the opera and what goes on behind the scenes. You'll be amazed by its beauty and want to go to a show. To do so, I recommend booking a guided tour of the Opéra Garnier well in advance.

More information

• Price: depends on the type of show and the location of the seat. You can book the guided tour from £306.
• To find out more: learn all the details about the guided tour of the Opéra Garnier.

All that Christmas and cold weather can be exhausting for some. If you want to escape both, what better way than to see some of the world's finest works of art? Booking tickets for the Louvre Museum will allow us to spend a day away from the hustle and bustle of the Christmas streets and indoors, while we see The 13 Best Works in the Louvre in Paris

among many others. You won't even have to leave to eat, as there are several restaurants in the Louvre. And if you need to do some Christmas shopping, be sure to visit the Louvre shops, as well as the museum's official shop. The latter is ideal for buying art as gifts.

Please note that the museum is closed on 25 December.

Further information

• Price: you can book your ticket to the Louvre Museum from £25.
• To find out more: Discover more about the Louvre Museum in Paris.

Who hasn't dreamed of experiencing a Christmas like in the Disney films? Well, in Paris, you can do just that if you visit Disneyland.

At Christmas, Europe's most famous theme park is decked out in spectacular Christmas decorations and hosts exclusive events and activities featuring its most iconic characters. An ideal plan for both children and adults. However, it is very busy at this time of year, so I recommend booking your tickets for Disneyland in advance, whether you are going for one day or several days to Disneyland Paris.

It is one of the most special Christmas experiences. In addition to meeting Mickey and friends, you can find the best gifts for the children in your family in the park's shops. Disney has everything to make Christmas magical. If you want to avoid worrying about how to get there, don't hesitate to book tickets for Disneyland Paris with the express bus service and avoid any complications.

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• Price: from £62 you can book a one-day ticket to Disneyland Paris.
• To find out more: Discover all the information about the best attractions at Disneyland Paris.

Paris is known as the City of Light because it was the first European capital to install electric lighting. Since then, it has earned a reputation that does the city justice, especially if you visit Paris at Christmas. It is undoubtedly one of the best cities in the world for lovers of Christmas and its lights.

Some of its streets are the most beautiful in the world in this regard, and millions of tourists travel to the French city just to admire its lights. The Champs-Élysées, Avenue Montaigne and the Montmartre district are the best places in Paris to see the city at its most splendid.

Obviously, it looks best at night. My recommendation is to hire a Paris tourist bus to take you on a tour of these and other streets famous for their lights. You also cannot miss the lights on monuments such as the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame.

More information

• Price: you can book your ticket for the tourist bus from £35.
• To find out more: check out all the information on the best tourist buses in Paris.

Paris is also known for the beauty of its churches. A beauty that is enhanced at Christmas by the special lighting that some of them display. The most recommended at this time of year are:

• The Sacré-Cœur Basilica, which you can see if you book a tour of Montmartre. It crowns the hill and offers one of the best views of Paris, lit up in a unique and spectacular way on Christmas nights.
• The Church of the Madeleine: near the Place de la Concorde is this neoclassical church, which receives a large number of visitors at Christmas thanks to its famous nativity scene.
• Notre Dame: although you can't visit the interior after the fire in 2019, the lighting on the cathedral's façade and the market in its square make Paris' most famous church one of the city's main Christmas attractions. In fact, you can book a tour of the exterior of Notre Dame with entry to the crypt.

More information

• Price: from €36 you can book a guided tour of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart or Notre Dame.
• To find out more: Learn more about visiting Notre Dame Cathedral.

Another tradition associated with Paris in December is the Parisian Christmas markets. From the beginning of November, these markets are set up in many of the city's iconic locations and squares, where you can buy all kinds of items.

French gastronomic products, crafts, winter clothing and Christmas items of all kinds can be found in these markets. So where are the main markets located? Grab a pen and paper and take note. Also, keep in mind that the best way to get around these markets is to book the Big Bus tourist bus in Paris.

• On the Champs-Élysées (the most famous).
• In the Tuileries Gardens next to the Louvre.
• In the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville (Paris City Hall).
• At Notre Dame Cathedral.
• On the Champs de Mars (below the Eiffel Tower).

Further information

• Price: free admission.
• To find out more: here is a list of the best Christmas markets in Paris.

Parisians love to ice skate when winter and Christmas approach. It's also a highly recommended activity for tourists. So much so that it has become almost a tradition, and the city council installs ice rinks throughout the city. Some of them are in very special locations that you can visit in advance if you book a guided tour of Paris.

• The rink at the Grand Palais des Glaces is the largest in France and the third largest indoor ice rink in the world.
• At the Champs de Mars, under the Eiffel Tower.
• And at the Eiffel Tower itself. An ice rink is installed on the first floor, 57 metres above the ground.
• On the Champs-Élysées.
• In the square in front of the Hôtel de Ville, the city hall.

More information

• Price: there are free ice rinks in Paris. However, you will always have to pay for skate hire.

One of the most deeply rooted Christmas traditions in Paris is visiting the famous Galeries Lafayette. Located next to the Opéra Garnier, this department store is famous for its glass dome and architecture.

Added to this are spectacular Christmas decorations that invite visitors to buy their gifts for the festive season. Although this is an added bonus, as just visiting the store is worth the trip. In the centre, there is a huge interactive Christmas tree with lights and figures, and the shop windows are a veritable display of Christmas spirit. Don't miss these and other Parisian passages with the tour of the Parisian galleries.

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• Price: free admission.

Speaking of shopping, what is the best area in Paris for it? Well, there are many options, but at Christmas I prefer the Champs-Élysées. If you're looking to buy the best Christmas gifts, this famous two-kilometre-long avenue is home to many of the world's most renowned shops and brands.

Throughout the year, its shop windows and premises attract the attention of any visitor, but at Christmas this is multiplied thanks to the spectacular Christmas lighting on this avenue, which begins at the Place de la Concorde and ends at the Arc de Triomphe. Shopping isn't always everyone's favourite activity, but when you do it on what many consider to be the most beautiful street in the world, it's a different story. And if you love shopping, you can book a shopping trip to La Vallée outlet in Paris.

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• Price: free admission.

In December, the cold is the undisputed star of Paris, although it is the second coldest month of the year after January. Temperatures range from a high of 7 degrees to a low of 2 degrees. Rain is also frequent, with an average of 15 to 22 rainy days in December.

But the rain doesn't come alone, and snow is also likely to make an appearance. Although it is not common, it usually snows a couple of days a month. As you can see, if you go to Paris in December, you will need to wrap up warm.

There are countless things to do and see in Paris. However, in December, two elements clash: the intense cold that the capital suffers and Christmas. The cold may cause some people to reconsider visiting Paris at this time of year, but Christmas usually wins the battle. Paris looks especially beautiful in December, which is enough to attract millions of tourists.

As a result, tourist numbers are very high. At the beginning of December, tourism is moderate, but as Christmas approaches, it increases significantly. Hotels and restaurants are booked well in advance for the last days of the month and are often fully booked. This also drives up prices in the city.

But it is a price worth paying to visit one of the most beautiful cities in the world at a time when it is at its most splendid.

The cold will undoubtedly be the factor that determines what we pack for our trip to Paris in December. Take a large suitcase, as winter clothes take up a lot of space and you'll want to leave room for any Christmas gifts you might buy. Your suitcase must contain the following:

• A warm coat. Preferably waterproof.
• Thick jumpers or knitwear.
• Waterproof clothing for rain and possible snow.
• Winter accessories such as gloves, a hat and a scarf.
• Comfortable, waterproof footwear. And if snow is forecast, boots with good grip.
• Thick socks are a must if you don't want your feet to freeze.
• Bring a large suitcase for your winter clothes and, if you plan to do your Christmas shopping in Paris, an extra one.