In December, explore Greater Paris at night or under the Christmas lights, enjoy low-cost events, taste local products, and meet passionate producers, artisans, and creators. This guide will also help you find your next cultural outings, creative workshops, and activities to share with your children.
Greater Paris by night:
Intimate concerts, nighttime strolls, magical illuminations—discover Greater Paris at nightfall:
-Musical evenings at the Château de Santeny. Donizetti, Brahms, Strauss... the most beautiful chamber music scores performed in the heart of an exceptional venue.
- A nighttime architectural stroll through La Villette to explore all its secrets
-A stroll to discover the Christmas lights of Issy-les-Moulineaux in Paris, immersing yourself in the Christmas spirit as you stroll through parks, along the banks of the Seine, and around Île aux Cygnes.
- Enhanced by the lights, this nighttime stroll invites you to rediscover the architecture of central Paris. Between contemporary works and historic monuments, you will wander from Buren to Beaubourg, passing by Othoniel's installations and the Louvre Pyramid.
-Photo walk in the BNF neighborhood: the unusual architecture of this neighborhood makes it an ideal playground for discovering an unusual side of Paris and improving your technique alongside a professional.
Gourmet discoveries in December:
Explore Paris is launching its new tours dedicated to local expertise: cultural tours led by locals or passionate guides who take you to meet artisans to share their passions and taste for local products:
- A stroll through the flavors and traditions of Asnières to Levallois, discovering the culinary and creative expertise of the Hauts-de-Seine.
- The art of French fine dining: a gourmet stroll through the heart of Pré Saint-Gervais to rediscover the iconic flavors of French cuisine with a local twist, meeting bread, wine, and cheese producers and tableware professionals.
- Discover Fontenay-sous-Bois: a tasting tour featuring flavors, artistic creations in a former foundry, and the history of the neighborhood.
- A friendly walk with local flavors in Aubervilliers: from traditional brasseries to artisan bakeries, wine cellars to renowned cheese shops.
December's best deals:
The Plateau Briard Craft Fair: FromDecember 5 to 7, 2025, artisans will share their expertise with you: glassblowers, embroiderers, ceramists, upholsterers, milliners, jewelers, cutlers, painters, woodturners, sculptors, and more. Discover the free workshops organized with artisans.
Or take advantage of reduced rates or free admission for young people at exceptional concerts in historic venues, such as theorgan concert at the Basilica of Saint-Denis or themusical evenings at the Château de Santeny.
The Maison de la Culture de la Seine-Saint-Denis (MC93) offers a combined ticket at a special price, available exclusively on Explore Paris, giving you unique access behind the scenes (costume rooms, stages, control rooms, dressing rooms, etc.) before attending the show. Check outthe MC93's show schedule now to choose your visit date!
Discover the history of women in Greater Paris:
With the guides from Feministis in the City, explore iconic neighborhoods from a feminist perspective: stroll through the Butte-aux-Cailles in the footsteps of female street artists or the Pigalle neighborhood and its sometimes taboo subjects.
For a more in-depth look at the history of women in northeast Paris, follow Anouk Colombani, a specialist in popular memory. She will enlighten you about the Communardes, the Résistantes, and the often-forgotten female figures who shaped our cities through their professions and political commitments.
The ideal family outings in Greater Paris in winter:
Historic and heritage sites open their doors for activities to enjoy with the family. Take in a show or a magical visit to the Playing Card Museum, a puppet show at the Grosbois estate, or an immersive game at the BnF Richelieu.
Discover India in Paris through a sensory strolldesigned for families: colorful and fragrant streets, traditional and unusual objects, and typical shops.
Creative workshops for young and old:
-A workshop tour to learn all about the stained glass windows of the Basilica Cathedral of Saint-Denisand make your own Tiffany stained glass window.
-Create Christmas elves at the Domaine National de Saint-Cloud after exploring the estate.
- The Paul Eluard Museum of Art and History offers themed tours followed by creative workshops on the themes of fairy tales, heroes, and winter magic. Discover the full workshop program here.
- From the Trocadéro lawn, children can give free rein to their creativity with this Eiffel Tower drawing workshop.
Cultural venues offer special programming for families and young audiences:
-The National Dance Theater – Chaillot (The Experience Kids mini-festival will take place on December 20 and is accessible with your tour ticket)
-The Jardin des métiers d’art et du Design (from December 6, with some activities continuing until January 18)
Cultural outings in December in Paris and Greater Paris: museums, monuments, and must-see tours
Looking for indoor activities for December?
Bookgourmet activities centered around chocolate: visit an artisanal chocolate factory, make truffles, attend workshops to prepare Christmas confections, and more.
Now is also the time to (re)discover iconic monuments:
-The Maison des Jardies in Sèvres, a17th-century residence where Balzac and then Gambetta lived.
-Guided tour of the Basilica Cathedral of Saint-Denis followed by free access to the Fabrique de la Flèche construction site in the presence of the craftsmen.
-The Château de Vincennes is opening the dungeon of its fortress, one of the highest in Europe, to the public for a limited time.
- The Grosbois estate with a tour of the château and the renowned trotting horse training center.
Or visit the lesser-known museums of Greater Paris for a unique cultural experience:
-The Musée de l'Histoire Vivante in Montreuil and its new exhibition "Couleurs, histoire du travail et des luttes" (Colors, history of work and struggles)
-The Museum of Art and History at Saint-Anne Hospital
-The Museum of Jewish History and Art located in the Marais district
-The Education Center of the Legion of Honor in Saint-Denis
Explore the great monuments in a different way
Explore iconic sites such as the Hôtel Gaillard, a remarkable building that once housed the Banque de France, the New Paris Court designed by Renzo Piano, thePalais de Justice, the Commercial Court, theGrand Mosqueof Paris, and more.
Step inside unique sites: the headquarters of one of the most famous international institutions, UNESCO,Roland Garros Stadium, Stade de France, and more.
Go behind the scenes at unique locations: admire traditional French craftsmanship at the Manufacture nationale des Gobelins, enjoy a unique immersion in theheart of Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport, or explore cult film locations with our movie walks.
Find all tours on Explore Paris
Looking for a gift idea?
For a party, birthday, or any other occasion, give the gift of an unusual tour with our Explore Paris gift certificates, which are sure to delight anyone with a curious mind.
Tip: don't forget thatthere are plenty of free tours on Explore Paris!
In English, please!
Explore Paris also has an English-language store. We offer tours in English of the Basilica of Saint-Denis, UNESCO,Roland Garros Stadium, and Montmartre in song, and above all, we offer a wide range of private tours. Enjoy!
