Christmas Carousels in Paris – Top 6 Must-Try Activities
Paris is the fascinating City of Lights that you will find in the charming country of France. This gem of a city which happens to be one of the most popular destinations for tourists transforms into a magical wonderland during the Christmas season . When you go to see the Paris during this time, you will come across a vibrant festive spirit. This is quite visible due to the twinkling lights, bustling Christmas markets and the magical Christmas Carousels in Paris. Want to know about some of the top things to do in Paris during Christmas with a France Tourist Visa? Then read on!
Christmas Carousels in Paris – 6 Top Activities & Festivities
1). Have Fun at the Outdoor Skating Rinks on Christmas in Paris!
Starting with one of the most interesting activities in Paris – going skating on outdoor rinks. When the winter arrives in the city of Paris, one of the most awaited things comes to life – the outdoor skating rinks. These become a hotspot of Christmas festivities!
These are essentially temporary ice rinks that spring up across various locations in the Paris. And when you go to this place, get ready for a magical experience like no other!
One of the most popular places for outdoor skating rink is at the Hôtel de Ville . Enjoy a pleasant skating experience against the stunning backdrop of the city hall.
However, if you want a genuinely one-of-a-kind ice skating experience , nothing beats the Eiffel Tower Rink. You can find this classic attraction on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower.
Not only does this allow you to bask in the ambience of the popular landmark but enjoy skating with your loved ones and see some amazing views of the city.
Do not worry if you are not experienced in ice skating. Most of the rinks in the Paris offer lessons for beginners and skate rentals. This will allow you to get familiar with skating. After that, you can strut onto any of the rinks and enjoy a gala time.
With Christmas atmosphere all around you, this is the perfect time to go to the Paris and enjoy the skating experience. All you need to do is apply for France visa today!
2). Ride on the Magical Christmas Carousels in Paris
Your Christmas trip to the Paris cannot be complete without experiencing the fascinating Christmas Carousels. When you first see this attraction, you will be literally be star-struck. That is because this amazing ride is actually a merry-go-round that you must have seen in many movies.
In Paris and France as well, these Carousels are a beloved tradition. Both the children and adults love taking a ride on these exciting rides. These usually feature colourful horses and festive music. These give the carousels a magical ambience that is both nostalgic and festive which captures the authentic essence of the Christmas season.
Where to find Christmas carousels in Paris?
Just like the ice skating rink, the Hôtel de Ville will also feature an amazing Christmas Carousel. In fact, it is a double-decker attraction that will offer double the fun for the visitors.
Another wonderful place where you will find the Christmas Carousel is at the Trocadéro. When you take a ride on this, you will get the chance to soak in the stunning views of the Eiffel tower.
The Champs-Élysées hosts a Christmas market where you will also find the carousel. This attraction allows you to enjoy an authentic ambience of Christmas revelery of the France.
Other places that you should also go to are the Sacré-Cœur and the Jardin des Tuileries carousels!
Opening times of Christmas Carousels in Paris
The Hôtel de Ville carousel usually begins from the late November and will stay till the month of January. This carousel will open at 11 am and close at 9 pm.
The Trocadéro carousel typically starts from the mid of the December and will close in early January. The timings of this carousel may vary.
The Champs-Élysées carousel will be installed during late November. It will remain open till early January so that everyone can enjoy a hearty ride. The timings of this carousel are 11 am to 11 pm.
The Jardin des Tuileries carousel will open from 10 am and close at 7 pm daily. You will find this carousel in full action from mid of the November till the early January.
3). Witness the Avant-Garde Christmas Trees Around Town, Paris
The enthralling city of Paris is popular for its artistic heritage. Therefore, when you go to see this city during the Christmas season, you will come across beautiful Christmas decorations. But, these decorations are quite pleasing and delightful to look at.
During the time of the festivities, you will find a variety of avant-garde Christmas trees across the city. However , these are not the typical pine trees that you see during Christmas everywhere. Instead, they are innovative creations that redefine the décor of Christmas holiday celebrations.
You can find one of the most popular avant-garde Christmas trees at the Galeries Lafayette department store. Every year, this store reveals a spectacular tree fully decorated at put at the centre of the iconic dome. But, what makes this tree interesting is that the owners of the store suspend it from the dome. Some of the previous tree designs include upside-down trees, trees that have abstract designs and many more.
Other notable Christmas trees that you should see are at the Le Bon Marché store, Hôtel de Ville, Place Vendôme and the Bercy Village.
4). Explore Special Events – Christmas Day activities Paris with Kids
If you are travelling with the kids to Paris on Christmas, then you must know about some interesting events. These special events will allow you and your kids to have a fun time in Paris.
Some of the common events that you will come across are the themed nights and shows. Usually, some rinks host such special events like ice shows or themed skating nights. These add a fascinating layer of fun to your Christmas celebrations in Paris.
Then, there are the family games like which you will at the Saint-Mandé rink. Apart from the skating, this place also offers a variety of games that are an amazing choice for visitors of all ages.
You can also attend a classic holiday show in Paris like the Nutcracker . The Opéra Bastille will host this iconic event . Aside from this, you can also check out the Christmas markets like the Tuileries Garden Christmas Market, the Notre-Dame Christmas Market and many more.
5). Attend Christmas Mass – Best Thing to Do in Paris on Christmas
The Christmas Mass is Paris is perhaps one of the best in the Europe. These are essentially church services where people gather to remember the birth of Jesus Christ. In Paris, these church services can be a magical experience. That is because these you will find these church services in the stunning churches that have a wonderful history coupled with magnificent architecture. These allow you to truly bask in the festive cheer while experiencing the traditional Christmas celebrations .
One of the most popular places to take part in the Christmas mass is the Notre-Dame Cathedral. This amazing historical church will reopen on 8th of December, 2024 . Another incredible place to attend the church mass is the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. This is an iconic white church that offers wonderful views of the Paris. Even if you miss one mass, you can the other. That is because this church will host many masses on the Christmas Eve and the Christmas Day.
Other fascinating churches to take part in the Christmas mass are the Saint-Sulpice Church, Saint-Eustache Church and the Saint-Germain-des-Prés Church!
6). Try out the Delicious Christmas Food in Paris
When you are celebrating the Christmas festivities in Paris, you should not miss out on the mouth-watering foods .
You can start your Christmas Culinary Experience in Paris by relishing the classic Bûche de Noël. It is a lip-smacking French dessert that is made with sponge cake . The chef rolls the cake with cream and decorates it to make it look like a log.
Another delicious dish is the Foie Gras. This is a luxurious delight that many restaurants and hotel serve as a starter during the Christmas meals.
Apart from this, you should also try out the Escargots, Raclette and Oysters. These are some wonderful foods that will tantalize your taste buds during the Christmas festivities.
So, what are you waiting for? Simply book your France visa appointment to start the Christmas holiday preparations. After you get the visa, you can easily go to see the France and enjoy a delightful holiday with your loved ones exploring the skating rinks, activities and Christmas Carousels in Paris.
FAQs
The season of the Christmas in the Paris usually starts from the later part of the November. The festivities continue all along the month of the December and end in the early January.
Well, you can’t ride the carousels in Paris for free. On the other hand, a little charge will apply to many of the Christmas carousels you see and ride in Paris. This charge may vary from two to three euros.
Paris can become quite cold during the Christmas time because it is the winter season. So, make sure to carry some warm clothes with you . These can include a good coat, a sweater and a pair of gloves. Additionally, take a pair of comfortable walking shoes as you will be walking a lot in Paris.
If you are planning to enjoy a dinner on the Christmas Day then please note that many of the restaurants will be closed. However, some restaurants, especially in the hotels will remain open. That is why, make sure to book your stay in a place where the restaurants will be open on the day of the Christmas if you are planning to relish a hearty meal.
Yes, the Eiffel Tower’s famous light show runs year-round , including during the Christmas season, sparkling for five minutes every hour from sunset until 1 am.
