Christmas 2025 at Plaza Athénée: festive family afternoon tea, enchanted ice skating rink, and a charming chalet offering raclette and photo opportunities

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!

Nestled within the grand courtyard of the palace, the renowned pop-up ice rink at the Plaza Athénée offers nearly 100 square meters of real ice. From November 27, 2025, to January 31, 2026, children aged 3 to 12 can glide through the shimmering cascade of lights that spill over the foliage and walls of the hotel, creating a magical winter wonderland.

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.

But before slipping into skates, let’s start with the essential festive treat: tea time. Access to the ice rink is only available with a reservation for a tea time, which comes with quite a price tag to ensure kids can enjoy gliding on the ice. Options include the Christmas Tea by Angelo Musa (€85), the Christmas Tea at the Plaza Athénée (€105), or the Kids’ Christmas Tea (€40). To allow children to skate, booking at least one adult and one children's tea is required. All servings are set in the gallery of the palace, accompanied by the soothing sounds of a harp, with views overlooking the rink—tables near the windows offer the best views of the festive 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.

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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.

At Plaza Athénée, Christmas is enjoyed with a delicate spoonful or savored with bold, generous bites. Grab your skates... and your forks!

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.