Paris in Lights: Christmas Windows and Champs-Élysées Magic
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When autumn disappears, Paris starts to shine again. The air becomes colder, cafés smell like roasted chestnuts, and the City of Light turns into a real Christmas dream.
Every year, two big moments announce the season: the opening of the vitrines de Noël (Christmas windows) in the grands magasins, and the lighting of the Champs-Élysées. They are not only events; they are Paris traditions, full of emotion and charm, loved by children and adults alike.
The Christmas Windows
On Boulevard Haussmann and across the Seine River, the famous department stores try to surprise and enchant. Their windows are not only decorations, but they are also small worlds full of colour and imagination.
Behind the glass, bears are dancing, trains cross snowy landscapes, and stars shine in tiny skies. People stop in front, smiling, forgetting for one moment the rush of the city. Each store has its own moment:
- La Samaritaine, on the right bank, usually opens first, at the beginning of November. Its themes are always elegant, a bit poetic, like modern fairy tales.
- Printemps Haussmann follows a few days later, around November 6 or 7, with magical scenes inspired by collaborations with luxury brands or cities. This year, it’s New York.
- Le Bon Marché, on the Left Bank, prefers a more artistic mood, simple yet refined, sometimes even funny.
- Galeries Lafayette is, of course, the most famous. Around mid-November, its windows come to life, and under the great glass dome, the giant Christmas tree is finally revealed, bright, joyful, and always different. For a few minutes, everyone looks up and smiles.
- BHV Marais closes the season around mid-November, too, with creative ideas that fit perfectly with the Marais spirit.
The Champs-Élysées Lights
Then comes the big night. On Sunday, November 16, 2025, at 6 p.m., Paris will light up its most beautiful avenue, the Champs-Élysées. From Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe, thousands of small lights start to shine, turning the avenue into a golden river. Celebrities chosen every year, press the button, and the crowd cheers when the lights appear. This year, it will be the actress Lea Seydoux (the James Bond girl) and the singer Charlotte Cardin.
The illuminations stay until the beginning of January, from 5 p.m. to almost midnight, and all night for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. The design is becoming increasingly eco-friendly, using LED lights that save energy while preserving all the beauty. Rings of light seem to fall from the trees like a rain of brightness, elegant, modern, but still magical.
A Parisian Tradition
Together, the windows and the lights create a special kind of happiness. It’s beauty, poetry, and childhood memories all in one. Even if you live in Paris, it’s impossible not to feel amazed when everything starts to shine.
Because here, Christmas is not only a celebration, it’s a feeling. A mix of light, music, and a small touch of dream.
Thank you, Benoît, for your recent contribution and the stunning picture of Paris during Christmas. For more stories for visitors planning to visit the City of Lights, check out additional articles from the heart of the French capital on this blog.
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