‹ Holidays · The Paris food guide
Thanksgiving to New Year's · 2026-27
The holidays in Paris
The Champs-Élysées lit from late November, the Christmas market by Notre-Dame, the bûches de Noël from the great pâtissiers, the réveillon dinners on the 24th, the Saint-Sylvestre on the 31st, and the galette des rois in January.
Photo: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra from Paris, France, CC BY 2.0The dates to know
- Nov 12 to Dec 31 · in 4 daysLa Défense Christmas market (dates confirmed by the organizer)From Paris Select Book
- Sun, Nov 22 · in 14 daysChamps-Élysées lights switch on (expected) and its market opensListed dates, check before you go · From Sortir à Paris
- Nov 24 to Jan 3Ice rink on the Galeries Lafayette roofFrom Come to Paris
- Nov 26 to Dec 27Notre-Dame Christmas market, Square René-VivianiFrom Sortir à Paris
- Thu, Dec 24Le réveillon: the big dinner is Christmas Eve
- Thu, Dec 31La Saint-Sylvestre: the New Year's Eve réveillon
- Wed, Jan 6Epiphany: galettes des rois in every bakery through January
The Christmas markets
Where to drink something hot and buy something you can eat on the walk.
1A photo like it
Marché de Noël de Notre-Dame
Get: Vin chaud and something hot, with the cathedral across the river.
Small, and in the best setting in the city, facing the rebuilt Notre-Dame.
Go at dusk, then walk the quays.
From Sortir à Paris · checked Nov 8, 2026
Photo like it: Lauriane MERCIER, CC BY-SA 3.0
2A photo like it
Marché de Noël de La Défense
Get: Raclette, tartiflette and gingerbread from the chalets.
The biggest Christmas market in the Paris region, and open every day.
Metro line 1 to La Défense; it's under the Grande Arche.
From Paris Select Book, Paris je t'aime · checked Nov 8, 2026
Photo like it: Lauriane MERCIER, CC BY-SA 3.0
3A photo like it
Le Noël des Champs-Élysées
Get: A crêpe and a vin chaud under the lights.
The market goes with the switch-on of the avenue's lights.
Combine it with the lights after dark.
From Agenda Culturel · checked Nov 8, 2026
Photo like it: Lauriane MERCIER, CC BY-SA 3.0
4A photo like it
Tuileries Christmas market
Get: The fair and the chalets at the Concorde end of the garden.
When it runs, it's the most central of the big markets.
Check paris.fr before you go.
From Paris.fr calendar · checked Nov 8, 2026
Photo like it: Lauriane MERCIER, CC BY-SA 3.0
The lights
The lights worth leaving dinner for, in walking order.
The lights walk, Concorde to Haussmann
About 4 km, an hour and a half with stops. After dark.
Walk it in Google Maps5
The Champs-Élysées lights
Look for: The whole avenue lit, from the Concorde end up to the Arc.
The switch-on is the night Paris starts Christmas.
Walk it up from Concorde after dark.
From Sortir à Paris · checked Nov 8, 2026
Photo: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra from Paris, France, CC BY 2.0
6A photo like it
Avenue Montaigne
Look for: The lights on the fashion houses' avenue.
The quieter, prettier lights, a few minutes from the Champs-Élysées.
Walk it right after the Champs-Élysées.
From Paris je t'aime · checked Nov 8, 2026
Photo like it: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra from Paris, France, CC BY 2.0
7A photo like it
Galeries Lafayette Haussmann
Look for: The tree under the glass dome (a short show every hour) and the windows outside.
The tree under the cupola is the one Parisians bring the kids to see.
Then the windows at Printemps next door.
From Come to Paris, Sortir à Paris · checked Nov 8, 2026
Photo like it: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra from Paris, France, CC BY 2.0
The holiday sweets
Where to buy the bûche de Noël. Order ahead: the good ones sell out in the last week.
8A photo like it
Pierre Hermé
Get: The season's bûche de Noël.
The pâtissier most of the Paris press puts on the bûche list every year.
Bûches go on order in early December; pick up on the 24th.
From Paris je t'aime · checked Nov 8, 2026
Photo like it: Jebulon, CC0
9A photo like it
La Grande Épicerie de Paris
Get: Their bûches (three in 2025, in the spirit of the Christmas markets), plus foie gras and Champagne for the hotel room.
The food hall for the whole réveillon in one stop.
Go on a weekday morning; the 23rd and 24th are packed.
From Sortir à Paris · checked Nov 8, 2026
Photo like it: Jebulon, CC0
10A photo like it
Jean-Paul Hévin
Get: A chocolate bûche (his iced bûche made the 2025 lists).
One of the great Paris chocolatiers.
Order ahead for the 24th.
From Sortir à Paris · checked Nov 8, 2026
Photo like it: Jebulon, CC0
Christmas Eve and Day
The night that matters most here, and where to book it.
11A photo like it
La Fontaine Gaillon
Get: A réveillon dinner where you choose starter, main and dessert (€380 a person, as listed).
A grand house near the Opéra with its 2026 menu already out.
Book now; the 24th is the big night in France.
From Sortir à Paris, 2026 · checked Nov 8, 2026
Photo like it: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0
12A photo like it
Madame Brasserie
Get: Thierry Marx's holiday menu, inside the tower.
Christmas dinner in the Eiffel Tower, on either night.
Two seatings a night; book early.
From Sortir à Paris · checked Nov 8, 2026
Photo like it: Jürgen Howaldt, CC BY-SA 2.0 de
13A photo like it
Chez André
Get: The usual brasserie carte on Christmas Eve (around €55 a person before drinks).
An old brasserie that keeps it simple and fair on the 24th.
A good choice after the lights.
From Paris Gourmand · checked Nov 8, 2026
Photo like it: Thomon, CC BY-SA 4.0
14A photo like it
Terminus Nord
Get: The réveillon menu with a glass of Champagne (€75 in 2025).
The great brasserie across from the Eurostar, open on both nights.
2025 price; check the 2026 menu.
From Paris Gourmand · checked Nov 8, 2026
Photo like it: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0
New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve dinners worth booking now.
The Michelin Guide's pick of starred rooms open on the 31st.
Book early; window tables go first.
From Michelin Guide · checked Nov 8, 2026
Photo like it: Thomon, CC BY-SA 4.0
16A photo like it
Brasserie Lutetia
Get: The seafood platter and the Saint-Sylvestre menu.
A Left Bank brasserie for a New Year's Eve that feels like Paris.
Check the 2026 menu on Paris Gourmand.
From Paris Gourmand · checked Nov 8, 2026
Photo like it: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0
17A photo like it
Bistrot Valois
Get: The New Year's menu where you choose each course.
A small bistro by the Palais-Royal for a night that isn't black tie.
Walk the Palais-Royal garden after.
From Paris Gourmand · checked Nov 8, 2026
Photo like it: daryl_mitchell, CC BY-SA 2.0
On the map
Plan your holiday trip
Tell Chef your dates and where you're staying. He puts the markets, the lights and the dinners you save into your Trips and fills the days around them. Free, no password.
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The holidays in Vienna
The Christkindlmarkt in front of the Rathaus, Punsch at Spittelberg, the chandeliers over the Graben, Vanillekipferl from Demel, carp and a long dinner on the 24th, and the whole Innere Stadt out on the Silvesterpfad on the 31st..
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The Santa Llúcia fair in front of the cathedral, the lights up Passeig de Gràcia, turrón from the old shops on Portal de l'Àngel, a long Christmas lunch on the 25th, canelons on Sant Esteve, and grapes at midnight on the 31st..
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The holidays in Madrid
The market in the Plaza Mayor, the lights down Gran Vía and Alcalá, turrón from Casa Mira, Lhardy's consommé on Christmas Eve, twelve grapes under the clock at Sol, churros at dawn, and the roscón for the Three Kings on January 6..
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The holidays in Amsterdam
The Light Festival on the canals, skating on Museumplein, oliebollen from a stall in the cold, a long Christmas with two days off, and a New Year's Eve that, from this year, moves to Museumplein..
Good to know
What are the best Christmas markets in Paris?
Marché de Noël de Notre-Dame (Square René-Viviani, 5th, November 26 to December 27); Marché de Noël de La Défense (Parvis de La Défense, November 12 to December 31 (confirmed)); Le Noël des Champs-Élysées (Champs-Élysées, 8th, November 22 to early January); Tuileries Christmas market (Jardin des Tuileries, 1st, 2026 dates not confirmed; sources disagree).
Where are the best Christmas lights in Paris?
The lights walk, Concorde to Haussmann: Tuileries Christmas market, then The Champs-Élysées lights, then Avenue Montaigne, then Galeries Lafayette Haussmann. About 4 km, an hour and a half with stops. After dark.
Where can you buy the bûche de Noël in Paris?
Pierre Hermé: The season's bûche de Noël. La Grande Épicerie de Paris: Their bûches (three in 2025, in the spirit of the Christmas markets), plus foie gras and Champagne for the hotel room. Jean-Paul Hévin: A chocolate bûche (his iced bûche made the 2025 lists).
Where to eat on New Year's Eve in Paris?
Le Tout-Paris (Cheval Blanc, 8 quai du Louvre, 1st): The New Year's Eve menu, looking over the Seine. Brasserie Lutetia (Saint-Germain, 45 boulevard Raspail, 6th): The seafood platter and the Saint-Sylvestre menu. Bistrot Valois (Palais-Royal, 1st): The New Year's menu where you choose each course.
Every pick was checked on November 8, 2026 and says where Chef found it. Market dates, holiday hours and menus change, and some places haven't posted 2026 yet (each card says which year it's from): check before you go. Photos marked "a photo like it" aren't of that place. Chef Amazing isn't paid by any place here. Something wrong or missing? hello@chefamazing.com.
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