Christmas Markets in Paris
By DAVID DADOUN
Nothing exudes the spirit and festiveness of Christmas more than the traditional Christmas markets in Paris. Sip hot spiced wine while shopping for artisan cheeses, giant-sized ginger bread cookies, sausages, wines and other winter season specialties. Each market has its own character, but it very much feels like being in Strasbourg, or the really charming towns of Colmar and Kayserberg, with their ginger-bread style Alsace homes.
My favorite marché is on Rue Jean de la Fontaine, in the 16th arrondissement, where revenue is donated to the children’s orphanage that hosts this event. A complete listing of Christmas markets is as follows:
Christmas Market on the Avenue des Champs-Elysees
Open: November 16-January 4
Location: Avenue des Champs-Elysees
Metro: Champs Elysees-Clemenceau or Concorde
Christmas Market at La Defense
Open: November 21-December 27
Location: Parvis de la Defense
Metro/RER: La Defense
Christmas Market and Ice Rink at Trocadero
Open: December 12-January 4
Location: Place de la Trocadero
Metro: Trocadero
Christmas Market and Santa’s Village at Saint-Sulpice
Open: December 1-24
Location: Place Saint-Sulpice
Metro: Saint-Sulpice
Christmas Market and Santa’s Village at Saint Germain des Pres
Open: December1-January 4
Location: Place Saint Germain des Pres
Metro: Saint Germain des Pres
Christmas Market at Montparnasse Tower
Open: December15-January 2
Location: In front of Gare Montparnasse
Metro: Montparnasse-Bienvenue
Christmas Market at Place de la Nation
Open: December 1-24
Location: Place de la Nation
Metro/RER: Nation
Christmas Market at Place des Abbesses
Open: December
Location: Place des Abbesses
Metro: Abbesses
Christmas Market at Gare de L’Est
Open: December 2-17
Location: Gare de L’Est
Metro: Gare De L’Est
Christmas Market at Disney Village
Open: December 10-January 2, 2011
Location: Disneyland Resort Paris
RER: Marne la Vallee
