The Paris Christmas Market Experience

The row of snow-topped chalets aromatizes the crisp winter air with warm scents of holiday spices, sweets, and a promise of warm beverages to sooth even the grouchiest Grinch. Traditional Christmas music plays in the distance while children pose for photos with Santa Claus. Farther off, figures glide smoothly in circles in the open-air ice rink while the ice effuses reflections of red and green holiday lighting from the nearby festively-adorned trees.

Quarrels of bartering are heard from nearby chalets where seasonal delicacies are sold below market price. To one side stands a rack of handmade Christmas decorations and on the other side a counter displays an array of the latest gadgets. Families and friends huddle together under the illumination of thousands of twinkling lights. Despite the cold and crowded sidewalks, these people cannot resist the holiday charm exuberating throughout the city.

One of the largest avenues in the world, Champs-Elysees, is home to the biggest Christmas market in Paris. Normally, the last few miles stretching from the Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde’s towering obelisk is an insipid walk serving merely as a means to an end. Starting each November however, this area is decked out for the holidays, making this otherwise dull location a sought-after destination for tourists and locals. By means of a small detour, visitors can see the Petit Palais, the Grand Palais, the Elysee Palace – current home to French president Francois Hollande – and Place de la Concorde. The latter is host to the large Paris Wheel from which the city’s most famous landmarks can be seen. Just behind the Paris Wheel lies the entrance to the Tuileries Garden, where anyone can simultaneously enjoy viewing the Eiffel Tower and the legion of old statues and large modern art exhibits interspersed throughout the garden.

Christmas markets have changed location over the centuries as other countries gradually adopted the festival from its German origins. Now, countries such as France consider this just as essential a part of Christmas as roasted chestnuts or Christmas trees. The Christmas markets are enjoyed by the French for a number of reasons, such as the availability of otherwise hard to find regional products, festive food and beverages, hand-crafted commodities, last minute gift ideas, and the overall lighthearted ambiance.

The French pride themselves on local products, but regrettably do not have time throughout the busy year to take advantage of a wide variety. During Christmastime, local farmers, bakers, and butchers come together to offer their goods from their own stands, making up the principal reason for the market’s popularity. For this reason, epicures set out to procure cured sausage, cheese, bread, and traditional pastries, all of which are indispensable to the traditional French Christmas Eve aperitif. Family and friends indulge in these tidbits often accompanied by champagne while having amiable discourse. While scouting out the best local products offered, the German influence does not go without anticipated homage. This is the one time of the year that the French can delight in authentically baked German pretzels, gingerbread, Stollenbrot, various German wurst, and sauerkraut without taking a trip to Germany. While the children enjoy hot cider and cocoa, adults indulge in German-style mulled wine, or seasonally spiced teas.

The real charm of the market is indebted to the archaic art of the local craftsmen. The French are elated by the creative originality that comes with every piece of handcrafted décor. The uniqueness of these items is essential to the French nativity scene tradition, which goes beyond the traditional religious assemblage. The custom is to add at least one additional piece to the scene each year. Over time, their singular scenes expand into thriving villages with personalities of their own. The Christmas market is a quintessential place to find some of the most unique handcrafted figures to serve this purpose.

Once the task of finding the perfect new addition to their Christmas Village is complete, visitors turn their endeavors elsewhere. Last-minute gift shopping is often completed via the Christmas market due to its variety. Guests can expect to find handcrafted toys, tree ornaments, carousels, candles, jewelry, clothes, winter accessories, wreaths, centerpieces, and original drawings, paintings and miniature sculptures. Those in search of something commercially manufactured are not lacking in choice. The market stands also offer fine jewelry, expensive gadgets, and clothing. Venders also offer action figures, drones, dolls, teddy bears, cooking ware, books, everyday household decor, and a variety of imported goods.

The experience is not complete without taking advantage of one of the holiday related activities available. Under the influence of festive music and decorations, both the young and the young at heart can ice skate in the open-air ice rink, or take a ride on a Ferris wheel while enjoying a unique look over the city. Children can take their photos with Saint Nicholas, interspersed between Christmas-themed carnival-like rides and attractions.

Paris is an exciting city to visit any time of the year, but an opportunity to visit during the holiday season is one not to be missed. The French collectively adopt a festive social grace to complement the holiday makeover that the city receives each November. The good-natured ambiance can be best experienced at one of the many Christmas markets adorning the city, the biggest being the market on Champs-Elysees. Locals and tourists gather together to enjoy seasonal food, beverages, activities, and the acquisition of handcrafted and commercial items. A French holiday season is not complete without at least one visit to a Christmas market.

Jacqueline Perrier-Gillette is currently a resident of Paris, France, where she lives with her husband. Together the two of them operate their small translation company, giving Jacqueline the opportunity to observe the French and their culture up close. She is an avid reader, writer, and student of foreign languages.

By Jacqueline Perrier-Gillette