December 2025
~ Your Guide to Picturesque Travel in France ~
When the City of Light Sparkles
December in Paris
The Christmas lights in Paris are a magical moment that accompanies the end-of-year celebrations and brightens our long winter nights. From the iconic Champs-Élysées to Bercy Village, via the chic Place de Vendôme, Paris in December is decked out in a thousand lights. And of course the shop windows at the Parisian department stores (Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche, Galeries Lafayette, Printemps Haussmann, the Samaritaine) are spectacular animated attractions in a class of their own!
We are delighted to share a selection of our favorite activities for enjoying Paris this winter. And for those planning a future trip, we have the perfect gift: A Gift Certificate for a Picturesque Voyage Tour or Custom Planned Itinerary!
Contact us at hello@picturesquevoyages.com to give the gift of travel.
How to Enjoy the Holidays in Paris
🌿 Jardin des Plantes : On the Path to Illumination: Lights of Nature
Not surprisingly, our favorite Christmas light show is to be found at the city’s oldest garden, the Jardin des Plantes. The night time promenade—the path of Illumination—is an enchanting and educational event, you will learn about nature's light (bioluminescence, fluorescence, and incandescence) while strolling the garden. This unique night walk combines scientific rigor, cutting-edge technologies and immersive devices for all ages. Life size inflated dinosaurs and tiny fireflies combine to create a sensational picturesque stroll like no other.
🏰 Vaux-le-Vicomte: Le Grand Nöel
For its 20th edition, Le Grand Noël exhibition presents The House of Dreams at Vaux le Vicomte where ocean sculptor and origami artist Junior Fritz Jacquet has designed a maritime world of folded paper landscapes. This sumptuous display in every room is not to be missed: the decorations evoke the Christmas of your dreams! At dusk, the 1,000 m² façade of the chateau is a backdrop for a light show about three brothers who, after a day of laughter and play, fall asleep and embark on a poetic journey into the world of dreams. Additional activities for children include an ice rink treasure hunts and candlelight illuminations that turn Le Nôtre’s gardens into a Garden of Dreams.
🎁 Christmas Markets: A Taste of Christmas
Originating in Germany and Alsace, Christmas markets have spread across Europe since the 1990s. They have gradually become an essential part of the festive season in Paris and offer unique gift ideas, items made by designers and local artisans as well as culinary specialities, like mulled wine and spice cookies, from eastern France. Every neighborhood has its own market, our favorites at located at Montmartre and Saint Germain des Près.
🎉 Happy Holidays!
We wish you a wonderful holiday season filled with joy. Thank you for being part of our journey this year — we can’t wait to welcome you back to Paris in 2026 for new stories, new places, and fresh Parisian inspirations.
📲 Stay Inspired
In 2026 we will continue to share updates about our tours, travel tips, and carefully curated recommendations to make your Paris experience unforgettable.
Follow us on Instagram for real-time inspiration—or reach out to us so we can customize your own Picturesque Voyage!
Warm regards,
The Picturesque Voyages Team