Paris in December: Where to Stay, Shop & Celebrate

Here’s each one with a holiday lens woven in:

• Private shopping at La Samaritaine: A super fun bonding experience for friends, couples, or mother-daughter trips—and even more magical at the holidays, when the store’s iconic windows are dressed for the holidays. Great for holiday gifting—and a complimentary experience when booking through me!

• Citroën Paris tour (2CV): A chic, relaxed way to (re) visit Paris landmarks—and pure magic in December, when the city is glowing with Christmas lights. Cruise past the illuminated Champs-Élysées, the Place Vendôme tree, and Eiffel Tower

• Paris food tour: One of the best shared experiences, and especially great in December. Tasting your way through authentic neighborhoods while learning about French holiday traditions is social, fun, and delicious without ever feeling touristy.

• Crazy Horse: A fabulous night out for friends or couples; artful, empowering, and over-the-top, with holiday-season sparkle that makes it feel even more like an occasion (note—this isn’t for younger audiences; I wouldn’t recommend it for families).

• Dior Gallery: A standout for fashion lovers any time of year, but especially during the holidays, when Avenue Montaigne is at its most enchanting and the Dior boutique next door becomes a destination in itself with its legendary holiday windows.

• Musée d’Orsay: Best enjoyed at a slower pace, and even more so in winter, when there’s nothing better than ducking out of the cold into the warmth of the Impressionists.

• Notre Dame: Visit this icon for its architectural beauty and historical significance.

• Sacré-Cœur and Montmartre: Charming, and cinematic in any season, but downright dreamy at the holidays. Think twinkling lights strung over cobblestones, a small holiday market tucked among the side streets, and cozy bistros that feel made for a cold December afternoon.

• Chez Janou (Le Marais): Cozy, lively, and quintessentially Parisian—exactly the kind of place you want to duck into on a cold December evening. Ideal for long lunches or relaxed dinners. Don’t miss the chocolate mousse (legendary), and the mussels are a personal favorite!

• Pink Mamma (Pigalle, 9th): Fun, buzzy, and perfect for a girls’ night out—even more festive when the whole neighborhood is dressed in holiday lights. Great energy, bold décor, and crowd-pleasing Italian. Don’t miss the truffle pasta.

• Aux Prés (Saint Germain): A Left Bank favorite with a fashionable crowd—excellent for a chic lunch or early dinner after browsing the holiday windows along Boulevard Saint-Germain. Gorgeous cocktails that feel especially right paired with twinkling lights and a cold Paris night.

• Les Antiquaires: Classic Parisian bistro vibes—warm, timeless, and easy to love. Exactly the kind of dimly lit, candlelit room made for a long December dinner.

• Kunitoraya: A cult favorite for comforting handmade udon, great for a low-key, delicious break between shopping and sightseeing. A steaming bowl of udon is the warm-up moment you’ll want after an afternoon in the December chill.

• Café de la Paix: Elegant and historic, perfect for a glamorous lunch or coffee near the Opéra, and especially festive during the holidays.