Que la magie de Noël remplisse votre cœur de joie. (May the magic of Christmas fill your heart with joy.)
By: Keanu Agard
Paris will soon launch its annual Christmas festivities this December, unveiling expanded holiday markets, new light and window displays at Galeries Lafayette, and citywide celebrations expected to draw thousands of residents and visitors from around the world.
The Champs-Élysées, Montmartre, l’eglise de Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and Le Marais will each feature their own festive displays, while department stores, museums, and cultural centres prepare special events to mark the start of the season. The city’s theatres and concert halls will stage festive performances, from classical ballets like “The Nutcracker” to modern interpretations of holiday tales like Père Noël.
As the month begins, the city and most of France will transform into a winter wonderland, overflowing with the joy and laughter of residents as the Christmas spirit dwells in the air. Amidst the twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower and the lingering aroma of chestnuts roasting on an open fire, many Parisians are preparing for a Christmas season filled with exquisite delicacies and family traditions.
“My favourite Christmas tradition is a bit obvious, I really enjoy choosing and decorating the Christmas tree with my mom and brother,” said Violette Bardouil, a CSI exchange student from Paris, France.“I also enjoy going into the city to Galeries Lafayette to see the new theme and decorations they choose for each year’s celebration.”
The iconic and massive 750,000 square foot department store, Galeries Lafayette’s dome, will debut a new themed display, complete with animated figures and a towering Christmas tree in the centre that draws crowds from around the world each year.
“This year, Galeries Lafayette’s theme for 2025 will be Un Noël à New York,” said Violette’s mom. “I can’t believe it! I can’t imagine having Christmas in New York City.”
From the bustling stress of NYC to quiet boulevards and neighbourhood squares of Paris, the Christmas spirit settles in early and grows bigger and bigger as the days go by, markets open, Christmas lights flicker on, and tree branches sway to the sweet sounds of seasonal music that echoes throughout the air.
The Tuileries Garden market, one of the largest and most visited in Paris, often features more than 100 vendors offering everything from handcrafted ornaments to knitted scarves. Visitors often stroll through wooden chalets decorated with garlands, browse artisanal goods that reflect the cultural richness of France and sample regional treats and gourmet French specialities such as Raclette (Soft melted French cheese), Foie Gras (Duck Liver), Vin Chaud (Warm Wine) and the iconic Bûche de Noël (A Christmas Log Cake).
La bûche de Noël is a traditional French Christmas dessert shaped and decorated to look like a Yule log,” said Antoine, a baker at Maison Georges Larnicol, Paris. “This moist rolled sponge cake is filled with a rich chocolate cream and is a festive centrepiece, evolving from ancient pagan traditions of burning a real log for warmth and good fortune during winter solstice celebrations.”
With Christmas Day approaching, the anticipation reaches its all-time high as Christmas in France is a blend of religious traditions and regional customs. Many families attend midnight mass on Christmas Eve at various churches around the city, such as l’eglise de Saint-Germain-des-Prés, for example. Often packed beyond capacity, many churchgoers’ welcome visitors for special services and carols.
After church service or mass, many families gather to exchange gifts and share heartwarming meals during a grand feast known as “le Réveillon de Noël”. The word Réveillon comes from the French word réveiller (“to wake”), as people stay up late to play games, watch movies and enjoy time with their family, friends and loved ones, creating memories that will last them a lifetime.
“From my family to yours, Joyeux Noël,” said Bardouil. “And have a Happy New Year!!”
