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Paris Top 10 Things to Do and See: The city is a magical destination year-round, but it truly comes alive during the holiday season. As the City of Light is transformed into a winter wonderland, there’s no shortage of festive activities and sights to enjoy. If you’re visiting Paris this Christmas, here are the top 10 things you won’t want to miss:

1. Stroll Through the Christmas Markets

Paris is known for its charming Christmas markets, which pop up in various neighborhoods throughout the city. The Tuileries Garden Christmas Market is one of the largest, offering a variety of handcrafted gifts, festive decorations, and delicious seasonal treats like mulled wine and roasted chestnuts. Be sure to also visit the market at Saint-Germain-des-Prés for a more intimate and local experience.

2. Marvel at the Champs-Élysées Light Display

The iconic Champs-Élysées is adorned with thousands of twinkling lights during the holiday season. Stroll along this famous avenue to admire the festive decorations and stop for a hot chocolate at one of the nearby cafés. The light display runs from mid-November to early January, making it a perfect activity for any visitor.

3. Ice Skating at the Grand Palais

Each year, the Grand Palais hosts an enormous indoor ice skating rink under its magnificent glass dome. The rink is beautifully illuminated, creating a magical atmosphere that’s perfect for families and couples alike. Skating sessions are available during the day and evening, so you can enjoy the festive ambiance at any time.

4. Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral’s Christmas Tree

While the interior of Notre-Dame remains under restoration, the cathedral still celebrates the season with its stunning outdoor Christmas tree. Visit the cathedral’s plaza to admire the towering tree, beautifully adorned with lights and ornaments, and take in the historic beauty of the Gothic architecture.

5. Explore Galeries Lafayette’s Christmas Window Displays

The Galeries Lafayette department store is famous for its extravagant holiday window displays. Each year, the store unveils a unique Christmas theme, drawing in visitors from around the world. Inside, the grand atrium is dominated by a massive Christmas tree hanging from the center of the dome, creating a breathtaking spectacle.

6. Take a Holiday Seine River Cruise

See Paris from a new perspective by taking a holiday-themed cruise along the Seine River. Many cruises offer festive meals, music, and stunning views of the city’s illuminated landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Notre-Dame. It’s a relaxing way to experience the city’s beauty during the holiday season.

7. Attend a Christmas Concert at Sainte-Chapelle

The Sainte-Chapelle is renowned for its stunning stained-glass windows, which provide a beautiful backdrop for holiday concerts. Enjoy classical music and Christmas carols in this historic setting, where the acoustics and atmosphere make for an unforgettable experience.

8. Shop at Le Marais Boutiques

The trendy Le Marais district is perfect for holiday shopping. Wander through its narrow streets lined with boutique shops, art galleries, and cozy cafés. Find unique gifts, fashion items, and home décor that are sure to impress.

9. Experience the Eiffel Tower Light Show

While the Eiffel Tower is spectacular year-round, the holiday season adds an extra layer of magic. Every evening, the tower sparkles with thousands of lights for five minutes on the hour. For a special experience, book a visit to the top of the tower and enjoy panoramic views of the city lit up for Christmas.

10. Enjoy Festive French Cuisine

No visit to Paris is complete without indulging in the city’s culinary delights. During the holidays, many restaurants offer special seasonal menus featuring dishes like foie gras, roasted duck, and Yule log cakes. Reserve a table at a traditional bistro or Michelin-starred restaurant to experience the best of Parisian cuisine.

WHERE TO STAY IN PARIS

Le Burgundy

6-8 rue Duphot, Paris, France, 1st Arr. (Musée du Louvre/Les Halles)

It’s rare in any city, and especially in Paris, that a new hotel immediately becomes an instant classic. In the case of Le Burgundy, however, it’s not at all out of the question. Though more modest in size than some of the big-name grand hotels — the Burgundy is just 59 rooms — it’s scarcely any less luxurious, and its location is ideal for both cultural and commercial purposes, close by not only to many of the major sights but to some of the planet’s finest high-end shopping as well.

So the in-room life is appropriately lush. Le Burgundy is pushed to the top of the heap by several notable inclusions. There’s a health club, complete with an indoor pool, and the Spa Le Burgundy by Sothys is the equal of any in Paris. Along with an English-style cocktail bar named after Baudelaire, there’s a MICHELIN-Starred restaurant — also called Le Baudelaire.

Maison Villeroy

33 rue Jean Goujon, Paris, France, 8th Arr. (Champs-Élysées/Madeleine)

Not every hôtel is a hotel in the English sense, of course — the word can denote a private residence as well — but as you may correctly infer from its presence in these pages, the Maison Villeroy is indeed in the business of hosting paying guests. And if the rapturous reception from Paris’s well-heeled travelers is any indication, it’s extraordinarily well suited to the job.

Normally the palace hotels are held up as the standard for Parisian hospitality, but a hotel that’s as luxurious as any of them, while containing a mere eleven rooms and suites, is operating on a whole different level. Any one of the suites is of virtually presidential status, and the rooms, while measurably smaller, lack for nothing in terms of comfort — at all levels you’ll find stunning marble baths, custom-made furniture by Promemoria, and handmade mattresses from Vispring.

In addition to the physical comforts you’ll have round-the-clock butler service, not to mention the run of the rest of the house; the common spaces are even more ornate and atmospheric than the accommodations. Despite its small size the Villeroy has a full-service spa by L’Officine Universelle Buly 1803. And the restaurant and bar are no less impressive than anything else about the hotel — Trente-Trois has earned one MICHELIN Star, while the Bar Jean Goujon retains the gold leaf molding of the original mansion, and possesses an unparalleled selection of Japanese whiskies.

Le Pavillon De La Reine

28 place des Vosges, Paris, France, 3rd Arr. (Le Marais)

This chateau-styled boutique hotel is blessed with a remarkable location, on the Place des Vosges, in the Marais, in the heart of historic Paris. It is housed in an eighteenth-century mansion, and the décor is full-tilt historical — no stark modernism on display, and nothing that could reasonably be called “minimal.” Instead one finds tapestries, oak beams, luxurious fabric wall coverings, striped period furniture, even reproduction oil paintings.

The Place des Vosges was originally called the Place Royale, and was constructed on the orders of Henry IV, who did not live to see its completion. It was intended as a royal residence, though this purpose was never realized. The Place was once a gathering place for figures of high society – the hotel cites Racine and Molière among its visitors. The Marais, the district of Paris that the Pavilion de la Reine calls home, has been restored to its former glory, and is now home to some phenomenal shopping and dining, and a short walk from a variety of tourist destinations.

From festive markets and dazzling lights to ice skating and gourmet dining, Paris has something for everyone during the holiday season. Make the most of your Christmas in the City of Light by experiencing these top attractions and activities. More hotels in Paris, France via Tablet Hotels.