You're spending the holidays in Paris and wondering what to do on December 25, when many shops close and the city slows down? The good news is that Paris is far from shut down on Christmas Day. Open monuments and museums, cruises on the Seine, walks through the illuminated neighborhoods, shows, and restaurants all make it possible to plan a full day of sightseeing.
In this article, I'd like to share some specific ideas for enjoying Paris on Christmas Day, whether you're with family, as a couple, or on your own, along with the practical information you need to organize your day without ending up in front of a closed door.
- On December 25 in Paris, alternate between outdoor activities (walks, decorations, neighborhoods) and visits to museums, monuments, and leisure venues that are open that day.
- Book in advance for activities with limited capacity: the Eiffel Tower, cruises, cabarets, shows, and restaurants can be in very high demand at Christmas.
- Public transportation runs on December 25, even though schedules and frequency may be reduced or adjusted for Christmas Day.
- With children, the Paris Aquarium, the Grévin Museum, or a cruise on the Seine are among the easy outings to include in your plans.
- For a very "Paris at Christmas" kind of day, you could, for example, combine a walk among the decorations, a Christmas Mass or a visit to a place of worship, a Christmas lunch, then a cruise or an evening show.
- The must-dos in Paris on Christmas Day
- Where to eat in Paris on Christmas Day?
- Family outings on Christmas Day in Paris
- Christmas evening ideas in Paris: shows and cabarets
- Walks and free discoveries on Christmas Day
- Which museums and cultural sites are open on December 25 in Paris?
- Spend December 25 at Disneyland Paris
- Transportation and practical planning on Christmas Day in Paris
- What to do in Paris on Christmas Day? Options in brief
- The Traveler's Memo for spending Christmas Day in Paris
The must-dos in Paris on Christmas Day
Even on December 25, several emblematic experiences in the capital remain accessible: here are the ones I would prioritize to start with.
Enjoy the Christmas decorations in a calm atmosphere
On December 25 in Paris, the lights and window displays are still up and commercial activity slows down noticeably, which means you can devote part of the day to a walk through the decorated neighborhoods. You can head down the Champs-Élysées admiring the lights, pass by Place Vendôme, stroll around Montmartre, or go take a look at the Christmas windows of the big department stores. Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, the BHV, and Le Bon Marché are generally closed that day, but their window displays remain visible from the street. So you can still enjoy them on December 25, take a few photos, and round off the walk with a break in an open café.
Attend a Christmas Mass in a major Parisian church
Many churches hold Masses on December 25, often in the late morning or afternoon. Even if you're not a regular churchgoer, this can be an opportunity to listen to Christmas carols, discover a very beautiful architectural setting, and experience a special moment right in the heart of the holidays.
Notre-Dame de Paris, Sacré-Cœur, La Madeleine, Saint-Eustache, and Saint-Augustin are among the major churches to keep an eye on when the Christmas schedules are published. You can also take the opportunity to discover the Nativity scenes, usually set up during Advent.
To plan your visit, the Diocese of Paris provides a dedicated page where you can search for Masses offered on Christmas Day or on Christmas Eve. The schedule fills up as the holidays approach, so it's normal not to find all the times if you're planning your trip several months in advance.
Go up the Eiffel Tower on December 25
The Eiffel Tower is one of the Parisian monuments that stay open on Christmas Day, which makes it a highlight of your day. On December 25, you can enjoy the panoramic view over the capital in winter light, which is often very different from what you see on sunny days.
I recommend booking your tickets in advance on the official ticketing website. Elevator tickets generally go on sale up to 60 days before your visit and allow you to choose between the 2nd floor and the summit. The Christmas and New Year period is particularly busy at the Eiffel Tower, so it is better not to wait until the last minute if you have a specific time in mind.
If the official ticket office no longer shows availability, tickets may still be sold at the ticket counters on the same day, subject to operating conditions and availability. You can also book an option that includes an additional service, such as this Eiffel Tower tour.
If you want to experience a truly memorable moment, you can also book a table at the restaurant Le Jules Verne, located on the 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower. Run by Frédéric Anton, the restaurant received its second star in the Michelin Guide in 2024 and keeps its two stars in 2026. A fine achievement considering the technical constraints linked to its location at the heart of the Eiffel Tower.
Reservations are made on the official Le Jules Verne website. For me, the 2nd floor remains one of the best viewpoints over Paris: high enough to take in the whole city and still close enough to easily recognize the major landmarks.
Where to eat in Paris on Christmas Day?
Even though many restaurants close on December 25, it is still perfectly possible to have lunch or dinner at a restaurant in Paris on Christmas Day. Some places serve their usual menu, while others offer a special holiday menu.
Plan a Christmas lunch or dinner at a restaurant
There are still plenty of options in Paris, especially in central and tourist areas. If you already have a restaurant in mind, check directly whether it will be open on December 25 and whether it offers a specific Christmas menu. Some establishments replace their usual à la carte menu with a festive set menu, sometimes served only at certain times or during designated seatings.
If you do not know where to start, TheFork, a popular restaurant booking platform, has a special selection of restaurants with a Christmas menu in Paris. In 2026, it includes more than a hundred places. I still suggest specifying the exact date, December 25, your party size, and your preferred time in order to check availability for Christmas Day itself.
Since TheFork specializes in restaurants, I also find that the reviews there are often more helpful for choosing a place than on more general platforms. Once you have made your selection, look carefully at the terms of the proposed menu, its price, and any conditions regarding cancellation or prepayment.
Lunch or dinner cruise on the Seine on December 25
A cruise on the Seine is also a very good option for lunch or dinner in Paris on Christmas Day. Several companies operate on December 25 and some offer packages designed especially for this day, with a festive menu and mandatory reservation.
The Compagnie des Bateaux-Mouches, in particular, offers a special Christmas lunch cruise on December 25, while the Bateaux Parisiens offer various options for lunch or dinner on the Seine. These services let you combine Christmas dinner with a cruise past the major Parisian monuments along the river.
You can check availability among different cruise options: this one-hour cruise for a simple way to see the quays, this Italian dinner cruise if you feel like a more relaxed option, or this night cruise with music and a drink. Just check the time slots available for December 25 when you book.
Meal cruises offered specially for Christmas are significantly more expensive than a simple cruise on the Seine. Check the menu, included drinks, seating on board, and schedule before booking: what is included can vary greatly from one package to another.
Family outings on Christmas Day in Paris
Several places suitable for children and teenagers remain open in Paris on December 25, which makes it easy to include an indoor activity in your day.
See fish and jellyfish at the Aquarium de Paris
The Aquarium de Paris, located in the Trocadéro gardens, is open every day of the year and is a particularly easy family outing to organize on Christmas Day. It is home to around 13,000 marine animals and the largest collection of jellyfish in Europe, including a touch pool accessible to both children and adults. Activities, quizzes, and shows are also offered throughout the visit.
The visit is relatively short: plan for about 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes if you move at a normal pace, which may feel a bit too short if you are used to very large aquariums, but it is also an advantage with young children who get tired quickly.
The location is a real asset: when you leave, you are just steps away from the Eiffel Tower and the Trocadéro esplanade, which makes it easy to continue with a walk outside. You can buy tickets in advance to make it easier to organize your visit during the holidays.
Run into celebrities at the Musée Grévin
The Musée Grévin is also open every day of the year, including public holidays and therefore December 25. Children and adults alike can take photos among the wax figures representing historical figures or contemporary personalities from music, film, sports, politics, and even science.
Everything is staged in immersive settings that make the visit very playful, even with children who are not very interested in traditional museums. You can buy your tickets online to plan your visit in advance.
Discover the Banksy museum with teens
For older kids or teenagers, The World of Banksy in the 9th arrondissement can be an interesting alternative to classic museums. The exhibition brings together more than a hundred reproductions in an immersive setting and lets you explore several recurring themes in Banksy's work: war, consumerism, surveillance, borders, and social injustice.
I was lucky enough to visit Banksy's Walled Off Hotel in Palestine, at the foot of the separation wall with Israel, and the place left me with an extremely striking memory, just like some of the street pieces I have come across on my travels. The Paris museum offers a different experience, more museum-like and less raw, but it still remains an interesting entry point into this world, especially if your teens are interested in street art.
In 2026, the Paris exhibition is scheduled until December 31 and is one of the places open on December 25. You can book your tickets online.
Christmas evening ideas in Paris: shows and cabarets
On December 25, several major Paris venues continue to offer shows: cabarets, opera, and ballet therefore give you the option of ending the day with a very Parisian evening.
See a show at the Moulin Rouge or the Crazy Horse
Paris's major cabarets are an easy choice for Christmas night. The Moulin Rouge, with its colorful universe, feathers, and French cancan, remains one of the most iconic places in the capital. The Crazy Horse offers a rather different experience, with a highly choreographed show where lighting effects and staging play a central role.
At the Crazy Horse, it is not possible to have dinner in the showroom: the cabaret offers different combinations built around the show (with champagne, macarons, etc.), but you will need to choose a restaurant separately. You can book your tickets for the Crazy Horse here.
At the Moulin Rouge, you can instead opt for a dinner-and-show option or attend just the revue. You can check availability and book tickets for the Moulin Rouge here for the Christmas dinner show or here for the show with champagne. For December 25, it is better to book as soon as your schedule is set, especially if there are many of you or you want a specific time.
Attend a ballet or an opera on December 25
The Paris Opera is offering two performances on December 25 2026, which even allows you to choose between an afternoon show and an evening at the opera.
At 2:30 p.m. at the Opéra Bastille, the Paris Opera Ballet presents Rituels, a program bringing together three choreographies: Suite en blanc by Serge Lifar, a creation by Shahar Binyamini set to Ravel's Bolero, and The Rite of Spring by Pina Bausch.
At 7:30 p.m. at the Palais Garnier, you can attend Mozart's La Clemenza di Tito. This December 25 performance is the last in the series scheduled at Garnier between the end of November and Christmas.
To find out about prices and remaining availability, check the official ticket office of the Paris Opera. Year-end shows can be in very high demand: if this outing is one of the highlights of your stay, it is better not to wait too long before booking.
Walks and free discoveries on Christmas Day
December 25 is also a good opportunity to discover Paris on foot: shops operate at a slower pace but the streets, riverbanks, and historic districts are of course still accessible, as are several free walking areas.
Visit Paris neighborhoods on foot
Walking through Paris on Christmas Day lets you see the city from a slightly different angle. Paris is full of curiosities to look out for in the streets: old facades, hidden courtyards, small passageways, gardens, statues, commemorative plaques… Le Marais is one of my favorite neighborhoods for this. You can also explore the Latin Quarter, Montmartre, the village of Charonne in the 20th arrondissement, the banks of the Seine, or Île Saint-Louis.
For those who appreciate historic cemeteries, the major Parisian cemeteries are also open on Christmas Day. Père-Lachaise is open on December 25, with winter hours specific to Sundays and public holidays. It offers another side of the city, quieter and more contemplative, with a mix of famous graves, funerary sculptures, and historic heritage.
Wander through Paris's covered passages
The covered passages are a particularly charming feature of Paris, which appeared mainly in the 19th century. Beneath their glass roofs, they once brought together boutiques, cafés, and shops sheltered from the rain and the hustle and bustle of the streets. Many disappeared during the redevelopment of Paris in the 19th century and with the rise of department stores, but the ones that remain today offer a very beautiful setting for a walk.
On Christmas Day, many shops are closed, but some passages remain accessible. This is particularly true of Galerie Vivienne, which is normally open every day from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can also take a look at Passage des Panoramas or Passage Jouffroy, checking their hours before you go. Even when the stores are closed, the main appeal lies in the glass roofs, mosaics, old signs, and the architecture of these places.
Go on a photo walk in Paris on December 25
December 25 can also be a good day to take out your smartphone or camera and walk around without too specific a goal, simply staying on the lookout for scenes to capture. The low winter light, Christmas decorations, illuminated facades at the end of the day, and the particular pace of Christmas Day give the city a different atmosphere.
You might, for example, pass through Place Vendôme, the banks of the Seine, Montmartre, or some of the main boulevards, and use the walk as an opportunity to photograph both the Christmas decorations and Parisian architecture. In late afternoon, when the lights start to come on, the contrast between daylight and the decorations is often particularly photogenic.
Which museums and cultural sites are open on December 25 in Paris?
Most major Parisian museums close on Christmas Day, but a few cultural sites remain open on December 25. It is a good option if you would like to alternate an indoor visit with the walks and lights planned for the rest of the day.
Discover the Museum of Jewish Art and History
In the Marais, the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire du Judaïsme (mahJ) is the largest museum in France devoted to the history and cultures of Judaism. It covers a period ranging from the Middle Ages to the contemporary era and addresses many different aspects: religion and spirituality, rites, art, daily life, as well as an important collection dedicated to the Dreyfus affair. The museum is housed in a very beautiful townhouse and offers a rich visit, combining religious objects, works of art, archival documents, and temporary exhibitions.
The museum is one of the cultural venues open on December 25. You can check the hours and book your tickets on the online ticket office. It is also a good opportunity to follow up with a walk in the Marais, where many elements of Paris's Jewish heritage are visible.
Visit the Arab World Institute
The Institut du Monde Arabe (IMA), located along the Seine, is open on public holidays except for May 1, so you can visit on December 25. Its museum showcases the arts, history, and cultures of the Arab world, and the architecture of the building is a highlight in itself, especially its famous contemporary mashrabiyas.
In 2026, you can also see The Secrets of the Alhambra, an exhibition running from November 24 2026 to May 16 2027. The museum and exhibitions are open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on public holidays.
Don't miss the panoramic terrace, which is free to access and offers a beautiful view of Notre-Dame and the Seine. On the 9th floor, the restaurant Dar Mima is open for lunch and dinner, and you can also stop by the tea room between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. To confirm the exact opening hours of the different areas, check the IMA's official website.
Note that usually, the Grand Mosque of Paris is also open to the public on Christmas Day... but in 2026, Christmas falls on a Friday, which is one of the days when visits are not offered. So it is not possible to go there this year.
Spend December 25 at Disneyland Paris
If you feel like leaving Paris for the day, Disneyland Paris is an excellent option on December 25: the parks are open every day of the year, and Christmas is one of the destination's major seasons.
In 2026, Disney Enchanted Christmas runs from November 7 to January 6 2027. December 25 therefore falls right in the middle of the festivities, with Christmas decorations, the big tree on Town Square, Disney characters in their holiday outfits, and Mickey's Dazzling Christmas Parade.
The year 2026 is also special because the brand-new World of Frozen, in Disney Adventure World, is celebrating its first Christmas. For the occasion, the kingdom of Arendelle takes on an atmosphere inspired by Scandinavian traditions, with winter decorations and musical celebrations featuring Anna, Elsa, Olaf, and Kristoff.
If you are coming with children, December 25 is also the last announced day to meet Santa Claus as part of the Christmas festivities. Some character meet-and-greets use a virtual queue and remain subject to availability.
Disneyland Paris is easily accessible from Paris on the RER A to Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy, with a station located right at the park entrance. Plan for a full day and, above all, book your dated ticket in advance: Disneyland Paris warns that the parks may reach capacity during periods of high demand.
Transportation and practical planning on Christmas Day in Paris
Public transport continues to run in Paris on December 25, so it is entirely possible to plan several visits in different neighborhoods without needing a car. However, schedules and frequency may be adjusted because of Christmas Day.
How does transportation work in Paris on Christmas Day?
The metro, RER, trains, buses, and trams all run on December 25. However, you should not assume that all lines follow exactly the same schedule as on a typical Sunday: service is set line by line, and some routes may be adjusted during the Christmas holidays.
To plan your day, the most reliable option is to check your route on the Île-de-France Mobilités app or on the website and app of the RATP as December 25 approaches. There you will find the scheduled times for each line, any disruptions, and the next departures in real time.
This is particularly important if you have a fixed-time reservation, need to catch a train from a major Paris station, or are planning an excursion outside Paris: in that case, allow some extra time rather than counting on a connection that is too tight.
What to do in Paris on Christmas Day? Options in brief
| Activity | Why choose it on December 25? | Reservation |
|---|---|---|
| Walks in Paris Decorations, Marais, Montmartre, covered passages |
A free way to enjoy Paris on foot and photograph the Christmas decorations. | No |
| Christmas mass Notre-Dame, Sacré-Cœur, major Parisian churches |
To experience a moment that is spiritual, cultural, and architectural all at once. | Generally no, but check the times |
| Eiffel Tower Visit or Le Jules Verne restaurant |
To enjoy one of the most iconic views of Paris on Christmas Day. | Yes, plan ahead |
| Restaurant or cruise on the Seine | To organize Christmas lunch or dinner while also enjoying, on the cruise, the monuments from the Seine. | Yes, especially with meals |
| Family outings Paris Aquarium, Musée Grévin, The World of Banksy |
Indoor activities suitable for children or teenagers and open on December 25. | Recommended during the holidays |
| Show or cabaret Moulin Rouge, Crazy Horse, Paris Opera |
To end Christmas with an evening show in an emblematic Paris venue. | Yes, plan ahead |
| Arab World Institute or mahJ | Two alternatives to the major Paris museums that are closed on Christmas Day. | Recommended |
| Disneyland Paris | To spend the whole day in a Christmas atmosphere, with rides, decorations, a parade, and special entertainment. | Yes, dated ticket to be booked in advance |
The Traveler's Memo for spending Christmas Day in Paris
Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about planning a day in Paris on December 25, to help you organize your schedule without stress.
I hope these ideas help you put together a December 25 that suits you, with a mix of major highlights and simpler moments in the streets of Paris. On Christmas Day, the capital changes its pace, but it does not shut down: it simply reveals itself in a different way.
