Spotted in Emily in Paris, this ephemeral ice rink at the heart of a Parisian palace is set to return soon.

In this Parisian palace, Christmas is lived through skating and festive treats. Nestled in the courtyard garden of this iconic venue, an ephemeral ice rink invites children to whirl beneath the lights after a family Christmas tea.

In Paris, December is all about glitter, festive treats, and twirls. As the city dons its twinkling holiday attire, the Plaza Athénée pulls out all the stops, turning winter into a fairytale skating wonderland. Here, visitors skate, savor, and indulge — often all at once!

Set in the majestic palace courtyard, the famous ephemeral ice rink of Plaza Athénée unfolds nearly 100 m2 of real ice. From November 26, 2026 to January 31, 2027, children aged 3 to 12 can glide beneath cascades of twinkling lights that spill over the hotel’s greenery and walls.

A well-fitted helmet, a penguin aid for the unsure skaters, and a professional coach to guide beginners... here, gliding is safe and stress-free. Whether daylight or under the stars, the magic takes hold in a fairy-tale setting that enhances every lap on the ice.

Does Plaza Athénée's pop-up ice rink live up to the hype?

Test conducted in 2025

Before lacing up the skates, the must-do indulgence steps in: tea time. Access to the rink is conditioned on booking a tea time, a sizable budget for kids to get on the ice. Choices include the Noël Angelo Musa Tea (€85) or the Noël Plaza Athénée Tea (€105) and the Noël Kids Tea (€40). To let children skate, reservation of at least one adult tea and one kids tea is required. All of it is served in the palace gallery, to the accompaniment of a harp, with a view of the rink depending on your table—those near the windows offer the best spectacle.

We chose the Christmas Afternoon Tea at the Plaza Athénée, which features the same delightful treats from Angelo Musa’s Christmas-themed tea service, along with an extra touch — three savory bites. To start, a plate of three savory bites sets the tone. The standout is the white truffle tartlet with scrambled eggs on flaky pastry — rich, melt-in-the-mouth, and crispy all at once. The chestnut and foie gras finger food, along with the lobster brioche snack (brioche, lobster, avocado, chives), are more traditional but equally delicious. Three savory bites — just enough to whet the appetite and fully enjoy the sweetness to come.

The display, whose design echoes the iconic façade of the Plaza, then showcases six exquisite pastries. At the top, a champagne crème brioche, soft and flawlessly crafted, alongside the "100% Plaza"—a nod to the upcoming 2025 Christmas log: pecan biscuit, honey crunch, citrus marmalade, honey caramel, and citrus-honey mousse, all dressed in the house’s signature red. This bold honey-citrus pairing offers an elegant yet somewhat polarizing flavor profile. In the center, a chestnut tartlet filled with chestnut confit and delicate tuile wafers will delight connoisseurs, while the airy, melt-in-the-mouth pear-bergamot roulade provides a nostalgic taste that recalls the lightness of a Japanese cheesecake. At the bottom, the "100% vanilla" entices with its Madagascar vanilla-infused mousse, a well-hazelnutted praline center, and a crisp biscuit, while the Christmas choux filled with gingerbread and chocolate sparks debate, thanks to its pronounced spices and subtle bitter notes.

The hot chocolate, served with generous pots of chocolate and milk left at the table, hits the perfect balance: rich yet light, indulgent without being overwhelming. It’s just right for a cozy snack, complementing rather than overshadowing the desserts. Even when slightly cooled, it remains irresistibly delicious.

For the little ones, the Christmas Kids' Snack offers raspberry shortbread, apple compote, and a trio of homemade mikado-style biscuits—white chocolate, milk, and dark chocolate—all made from scratch.

The service took a little longer than expected, but that's understandable given the holiday rush: the gallery was bustling nonstop, fuelled by the festive spirit. To keep the festivities going, the Plaza Athénée Chalet offers, in the evenings, a local milk raclette and desserts crafted by Angelo Musa and Elisabeth Hot. Guests can enjoy exclusive access to the ice rink from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM, in a private setting, for a dinner priced at €225 per person. Reservations are mandatory.