The Paris Christmas market season starts in mid-November 2026, when wooden chalets go up in the Tuileries Garden and on the forecourt at La Défense. Paris doesn’t have one single market like Strasbourg or Vienna. It has a handful of big ones and several neighbourhood fairs, so it helps to know which is which before you go. Below you’ll find the 2026 dates that have been announced, what to eat, how to get there and where to leave your bags for the day.
Paris Christmas Market 2026: Key Facts
| Main market | Tuileries Garden (Jardin des Tuileries), 1st arrondissement |
| Tuileries dates | 14 November 2026 – 3 January 2027 |
| Tuileries hours | Expected 11:00–23:45 daily, earlier close on 24 and 31 December (same as last year; 2026 hours not yet confirmed) |
| La Défense dates | From 12 November 2026; chalets until 31 December, Le Sommet area until 3 January 2027 |
| Entry | Free (rides, food and shopping are paid) |
| Nearest metro | Tuileries (line 1) or Concorde (lines 1, 8, 12); La Défense (line 1, RER A) |
Dates for the smaller markets usually come out in November. Check the Paris je t’aime tourist office for updates before you travel.
Where to Find the Best Paris Christmas Market
Tuileries Garden
This is the biggest market in central Paris, set between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde. Next to the stalls there’s a funfair with a big wheel and rides, which makes it busy with families on weekends. It runs from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, so it’s the one to aim for if you’re visiting between Christmas and New Year.
La Défense Christmas Village
Out in the business district west of the city, La Défense puts up around 300 chalets on its forecourt from 12 November 2026, with an opening concert on 13 November. It’s a short ride on metro line 1 from the centre. The chalets close on 31 December, while the newer Le Sommet area stays open until 3 January 2027.
Montmartre and Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Both neighbourhoods usually host small markets in December, at Place des Abbesses below Sacré-Cœur and on Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés on the Left Bank. They’re quieter and more local, with crafts, chocolate and a few food stalls. The 2026 dates hadn’t been published at the time of writing, so check closer to the date.
Provins Medieval Christmas Market
If you have a spare weekend, the walled town of Provins (about 1.5 hours from Paris by train) holds a medieval-themed market on 12 and 13 December 2026. Entry is free.
Food and Drink at the Paris Christmas Market
Most stalls sell the same French winter staples: vin chaud (mulled wine), hot cider, crêpes, roasted chestnuts and raclette scraped over potatoes or bread.
More Christmas Things to Do in Paris
- Walk the Champs-Élysées and Avenue Montaigne after dark to see the lights.
- See the Christmas windows and the tree under the dome at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann.
- Book a candlelit concert in one of the city’s churches, such as La Madeleine.
Getting to the Markets
Metro line 1 links the two biggest markets: get off at Tuileries or Concorde for the Tuileries Garden and ride to the end of the line for La Défense. If you’re arriving at Gare du Nord or Gare de Lyon, the Tuileries is a short metro ride away. Lille is about an hour away by TGV, so you can combine the Paris Christmas market with a day at the Lille Christmas market and big wheel.
Luggage Storage Near the Paris Christmas Market
Arriving on the morning train or checking out before an evening flight? You don’t need to drag a suitcase through the crowds at the Tuileries. Radical Storage has partner shops and hotels across Paris where you can leave your bags for the day, including spots close to the Tuileries Garden and near La Défense.
Each bag is protected up to €10,000, cancellation is free, and prices start from €0.90 a day. With 16.5K+ locations in 2.3K+ cities and a 4.8/5 rating from travellers, you can book in a minute and drop off on your way to the stalls.
Paris Christmas Market FAQ
The Tuileries Garden market runs from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. La Défense opens on 12 November 2026.
La Défense has around 300 chalets. In central Paris, the Tuileries Garden market is the largest.
Yes. Entry is free, and you only pay for rides, food and anything you buy.
The Tuileries market stays open until 3 January 2027. At La Défense the chalets close on 31 December, and the Le Sommet area stays open until 3 January.
Take metro line 1 to Tuileries, or lines 1, 8 or 12 to Concorde.
Radical Storage has partner locations near the Tuileries Garden and La Défense. Book online, drop your bags and pick them up when you’re done.