Christmas lights and window displays in Paris

As well as street lights and decorations around the city, department store windows are filled with Christmas trees, darting fireflies and gift-wrapped parcels.

Christmas lights

Every year at this time, the Christmas lights in Paris are a major attraction for tourists and Parisians. Visitors come from all over the world to admire the streets of Paris decked out in magical colours for the festive season.

Luminous arches, multi-coloured bulbs, incandescent flames and sparkling projections of light splendidly deck out the avenues of the French capital.

More than ever, Paris lives up to its name ‘the 'City of Light'! From November to the beginning of January, the Christmas illuminations on the avenue des Champs-Elysées, on avenue Montaigne, in Place Vendôme, the Montmartre district, Bercy Village and in many other places across the city make Paris more magical than ever!

Take a sightseeing bus and enjoy the Christmas lights

The ‘Illuminations of Paris’ sightseeing coach tour, organized by OpenTour, is an invitation to discover, from 30 November 2018 to 6 January 2019 (except 24 and 31 December), Paris’s finest places and monuments illuminated at nightfall (Opéra Garnier, Champs-Élysées, place Vendôme, place de la Concorde, the Eiffel Tower, Invalides, the Louvre Museum and les Grands Magasins). Tour with commentary in 9 languages.

Christmas window displays at the big department stores

In keeping with tradition, the facades of Parisian department stores (Printemps Haussmann, Galeries Lafayette, BHV MARAIS) are adorned with the most stunning festive decorations.

Shop windows also put on a show with amazing theatre sets featuring animated figures and magical decor in an interactive world … great fun to watch! Enchanting universes, devised and created by gifted artists and designers, are still a source of wonder for both children and grown-ups.

Travel to France by coach with National Express Coaches depart from London Victoria Coach Station to Paris. Sea crossings by ferry or Eurotunnel included in the price. See the National Express website for more information. Daytime and overnight services directly into the heart of Paris at Bercy.   Generous luggage allowance (2 medium sized suitcases and 2 pieces of hand luggage), charging points at every seat, Wi-Fi, toilet and air conditioning. More ideas on where to eat and drink, attractions, and what to do, at: Paris page.   Click here to book your transport to Paris > From £12 one-way, until 19 December and after 6 January 2019 > From £35 one-way, from 19 December to 6 January 2019