Remember that scene in Home Alone 2 when Kevin stands wide-eyed in front of a Christmas window display in a New York toy store? Paris in winter evokes exactly the same feeling – even in adults. Every December, the city transforms into a real-life fairy tale: facades glisten, garlands sway in the breeze, and dolls in shop windows ride sleds. And all of it – not in a theatre, but in ordinary shops.
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When it all begins in Paris
Paris begins dressing up for Christmas as early as the beginning of November. Galeries Lafayette and Printemps are the first to switch to festive mode: garlands light up, music floats from the windows, and crowds gather — as if the entire Rue d’Haussmann had turned out to watch a holiday trailer. The unveiling of the window displays becomes a mini-premiere: light shows, bridges for children, mulled wine (for adults), and a flurry of camera flashes.
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By mid-November, no self-respecting department store is left behind — everything sparkles, from the Marais to Montparnasse. And so it continues into January, when the season shifts — from Christmas trees to sales.
Where to see shop windows in Paris
Paris boasts dozens of shops with beautiful displays, but four stores become true stars every December. These department stores compete in imagination, budget, and creativity, impressing even the most seasoned travellers.
- Galeries Lafayette (Boulevard Haussmann) — the most famous Christmas tree under the dome and spectacular window displays. Special platforms are set up in front of the windows so that children can see all the action at eye level without relying on dad’s shoulders
- Printemps (literally across the street) competes with its neighbor in creativity: in 2012, the displays were designed by Dior himself, and they were true miniature masterpieces
- BHV Marais loves nationally themed displays. Italian Christmas, elves, Pinocchio – nearly all the characters from European fairy tales have appeared in their windows
- Le Bon Marché (Rive Gauche) – here the displays are more atmospheric, quieter, and often a bit more refined. Inside, there’s a cozy Christmas market
» READ MORE – Paris Christmas window displays: a fairy tale behind glass
What was before
Each year, the themes of the Christmas window displays are kept secret – designers treat them like theatrical productions and are in no rush to reveal the storyline before opening night. But we can indulge in a little nostalgia: the displays of past years were so memorable that people still talk about them, revisit old photos, and compile personal top lists.
Where else is beautiful in Paris in winter
While department store windows are undoubtedly the stars of Christmas in Paris, they’re far from the only show. If you wander a bit off the main paths, Christmas will greet you in unexpected corners.
- Place Vendôme — austere and elegant, like a Chanel ad
- Rue Saint-Honoré — boutique windows that sometimes outshine even Lafayette
- The Christmas market in the Tuileries Garden – ice rink, souvenirs, sweets, and lights
- Paris City Hall (Hôtel de Ville) – every year transforms into a fairy tale with trees, garlands, and figurines
- La Défense – not the most romantic setting, but home to one of the city’s biggest Christmas markets
If you’re lucky enough to find yourself in Paris in winter, don’t rush straight to the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower. Head first to the shop windows. Because here, Christmas doesn’t hide in museums — it shines right out on the streets.
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