Christmas in Paris

The French really love their Christmas traditions—from swags of lights strung across the avenues to mulled wine stalls and Christmas markets, they always pull out all the stops. Even during a pandemic, it’s hard not to feel the spirit of the season while walking about town. Since many of you can’t come to Paris this year, these photos taken around the city, will bring Paris at Christmastime to you.

rue de castiglione-copyright lisa anselmo — Rue Castiglione looking toward Place Vendôme. This area has some of the most elegant shops in Paris. ©Lisa Anselmo

louis vuitton-place vendome-Xmas-copyright Lisa Anselmo — Louis Vuitton, Place Vendôme. ©Lisa Anselmo

place vendome-copyright Lisa Anselmo — Place Vendôme. ©Lisa Anselmo

Chaumet-place Vendome-copyright Lisa Anselmo — Chaumet, one of the luxury shops on Place Vendôme. In this image you can glimpse the elegant apartments this square is famous for. Once private residences, these are now mostly offices, with the exception of The Hotel Ritz.

hotel maurice-copyright Lisa Anselmo — The venerable Hotel Maurice, Rue de Rivoli. ©Lisa Anselmo

fleuriste ledru rollin copyright Lisa Anselmo — Parisian florists have exceptional displays any time of year, but never more so than at Christmas. This florist on Avenue Ledru Rollin in the 12th arrondissement is outstanding. ©Lisa Anselmo

cafe-copyright lisa anselmo — It’s not Christmas without hot mulled wine, or vin chaud, and even though cafés and many Christmas markets are closed this year, cafés are still doing takeaway cheer, like this café in Les Halles. ©Lisa Anselmo

tree-les halles-copyright Lisa Anselmo — The tree at Les Halles under the new canape. ©Lisa Anselmo

Hotel de Ville at Xmas-copyright Lisa Anselmo — Extraordinary sound and light show at Hôtel de Ville (City Hall), with animated snow falling on the façade of the building. The plaza was transformed into a festive forest. ©Lisa Anselmo

Hotel de Ville at Xmas2-copyright Lisa Anselmo — Hôtel de Ville. ©Lisa Anselmo

A child admiring the animated windows of Galeries Lafayette Lisa Anselmo — A child admiring the animated windows of Galeries Lafayette © Lisa Anselmo

fruits-galeries lafayette gourmet-copyright Lisa Anselmo — Even the gourmet market at Galeries Lafayette puts you in the holiday mood. ©Lisa Anselmo

galeries lafayette-copyright Lisa Anselmo — The tree at Galeries Lafayette presides over the holiday shoppers. ©Lisa Anselmo

tree-galeries lafayette3-copyright Lisa Anselmo — Merry Christmas! ©Lisa Anselmo

For more photos of Paris, follow Lisa on Instagram.

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Author, writing coach, and branding expert. She has spent most of her professional career in magazine publishing in New York, working on such iconic brands as Allure, InStyle, and People. Her memoir, My (Part-Time) Paris Life: How Running Away Brought Me Home (St. Martin’s Press), is a candid story of a woman searching for purpose in the City of Light. 