The 8 Best Christmas Trips in Paris

1.Tootbus Open-Top Christmas Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,365 reviews · 1h 30m · from $46Our pick

Ride through Paris at night on a 90-minute Tootbus Christmas tour from Boulevard des Capucines to Boulevard Haussmann. You’ll see the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Opera, and department stores with multilingual audio, Christmas songs, Wi-Fi, and a self-guided walking app.

“Great way to see Paris decorated for the holidays! We really enjoyed the ride. It is cold, so definitely bring warm clothes and gloves. One should be at the meeting point one hour before so you can pick where you wish to stay on the bus. Definitely worth it…”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Bastille Day Special Evening Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 83 reviews · 2 hours · from $224

Board at Port de Solférino for a two-hour Bastille Day dinner cruise with a three-course French meal, Champagne, wine, water, and coffee. You’ll pass the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, bridges, and illuminated Paris, with a chance to watch the national fireworks from the Seine.

“Terrible experience, awful food and different from what was advertised when purchasing the tickets. We bought the dinner option with veal and were served duck liver pâté and a piece of guinea fowl, and the portions were tiny for the very expensive price we paid. The only good thing was the super attentive waiters, because the guy who checked the table reservations was also rude. I do not recommend this boat; you can find better and cheaper boat tours.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Paris Tootbus Festive Christmas Lights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 83 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $46

Ride through central Paris for 90 minutes on an English-language Tootbus Christmas lights tour. You’ll pass Place Vendôme, the Louvre, Champs-Elysées, Arc de Triomphe, and Eiffel Tower, finishing near the department-store windows on Boulevard Haussmann. Dress warmly and expect city traffic.

“It was nice to do a drive to see the Christmas lights, but having said that, Paris doesn’t have a lot of Christmas lights. Also, it would have been nice if they had played Christmas music during the tour. We’re glad we did it once, but would not do it again.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Private Christmas Lights Tour by Citroën 2CV

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 62 reviews · 2 hours

Ride through Paris at night in a private vintage Citroën 2CV for two hours. Your English or French-speaking driver, including guides such as Brice, François, Doug, and William, shares city stories, adapts the route, and stops for photos. Pickup and drop-off cover Paris arrondissements 1 through 20.

“We had a lovely time! Our tour guide was so great and the Christmas lights were gorgeous!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Paris Christmas Illuminations and Local Festivities Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 43 reviews · from $355Top rated

Join guide Milan Melet for a 3 to 4 hour private Christmas tour through Paris by chauffeured vehicle and on foot. Visit Galeries Lafayette, the Tuileries market, Place Vendôme, and the Champs-Elysées, with a Ferris wheel ride, seasonal treats, and hotel pickup included.

“Our guide, Milan, was well versed in French history and local Paris venues. His enthusiasm lifted the four of us and greatly added to our appreciation of our surroundings. Three cheers for Viator and Milan!”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Bateaux Mouches New Year’s Eve Special Dinner Cruise in Paris

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 22 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $577

Board Bateaux Mouches at Port de la Conférence for a five-hour New Year’s Eve celebration. Cruise past Paris landmarks during a four-course dinner, then stay aboard for music and dancing until 2am. Champagne, wine, soft drinks, vegetarian choices, Wi-Fi, and an open upper deck are included.

“A recepção é ótima pois tem uma estrutura adequada posta tipo de festa reveion Tanto a música quanto a comida estavam preparadas com muito carinho para os convidados O percurso do barco durou em torno de 2h00 e foi muito bacana o reveillon e a virada de ano foi com o bote parado na frente da torre Eiffel”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Paris Christmas Lights Small Group Walking Tour with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $78

Walk through Paris with a local guide such as Walid, Lou, Juliette, or Emily, stopping at Rue Montorgueil, Galerie Vivienne, the Tuileries market, Place Vendôme, and Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. Your group has six people or fewer, with hot chocolate or mulled wine included.

“Very interesting your. Walked to holiday markets and saw Christmas lights and learned some history. I would remind this tour”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Paris Christmas Gourmet Food Small Group Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 17 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $251

Spend three hours in Saint-Germain-des-Prés collecting French Christmas treats, from candied chestnuts and nougat to chocolate Yule logs. Your guide explains the 13 Desserts of Christmas, leads you through seasonal shops and market areas, and ends with tea or coffee in a Parisian tearoom.

“The food tasting was amazing! The guide, and the "student guide" were extremely well informed on the areas we toured as well as the history of the buildings. Both were enjoyable companions and made the tour go quickly. We were disappointed the Christmas markets weren't open yet but that was beyond your control. Very satisfied with the experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review