Wooden mini-chalets, ‘crafts’, mulled wine (thank goodness for that!)… the Paris Xmas markets have become a veritable industry, with a dozen on offer, but not all are necessarily worth your time (or money).

We help you to choose which one’s good for you, which has the best selection or seeting, and which ones are just a steaming pile of, er, snow.

When does a tradition become just an obligation? The Paris Xmas markets are so blatantly, sadly mercantile that it almost pains us to mention them. Many are filled to the brim with nasty ‘crafts’ and other items of dubious taste. Let’s try and avoid those and point you in the right direction…

The nearest

On the Left Bank, not far from our hotels, four markets are ready to take your money:

Santa’s village in Saint-Germain-des-Prés
from 2nd December 2011 – 2nd January 2012

On the boulevard, 25 chalets “spreading the magic of Xmas” (so their site says). Hmm.

Xmas village, place Saint Sulpice
from 1st December 2011 – 24th December 2011

A small market with the beautiful church as backdrop. Probably our favourite in the neighbourhood.

Not far, but not pretty

The Montparnasse Xmas village
from 5th December 2011 – 30th December 2011

The last market to set up, with 40 chalets but no ice rink this year. Not the most interesting market in town.

The Italie 2 Xmas market
from 25th November 2011 – 24th December 2011

Small (20 stalls) and in one of Paris’ ugliest shopping centres. Avoid.

The best settings

The Trocadéro European Xmas village
from 8th December 2011 – 2nd January 2012

With the Eiffel Tower in the background, a large market (100 chalets) with traditional products from each country.

The Champs-Elysées Xmas market
from 19th November 2011 – 2nd January 2012

If you’re sightseeing, you can’t miss it, with the Champs Elysées to see one way and the big wheel at Place de la Concorde shining down at you from the other. Should help take your eyes away from the nasty stuff being sold.

The biggest: it’s a whopper!

The Xmas arch of La Défense
from 23rd November 2011 – 27th December 2011

The mother of all Xmas markets in Paris. 350 chalets! Un tent with 400 m² of Xmas decorations on sale! Another just as big filled just with toys! However, there is some bad news:

– Panpipe concerts every day from midday-2pm and 5-6pm
– A Bavarian tavern below the Grande Arche, open ono-stop from 10am – 11pm in a giant tent decorated with Xmas trees, illuminations and “musical effects” (???).
– Gospel concerts on 15th & 16th December in the shopping centre (from 12.30-1.30pm)

And all the shops in the neighbouring shopping centre will be open on all the Sundays before Xmas, starting 27th November.

Click here to expand the map.

Try going Alsation

The Gare de l’Est market
from 2nd December 2011 – 17th December 2011

Alsace is the home of Xmas (apparently), trains from the Alsace region arrive at Gare de l’Est, so it’s only logical that the Alsace-style Xmas should land there too!

The Xmas market of la Maison de l’Alsace
from 24th November 2011 – 23rd December 2011

On the first floor (2nd floor for your Americans) of their building on the Champs Elysées, meet Saint Nicolas (Tuesday 6th December at 5.30pm), discover the Liederkranz d’Attenschwiller choir (Wednesday 23rd November at 7.30pm), take part in a workshop with chefs freshly arrived from Strasbourg (dates and times here)…

The most inventive

Place de la Nation Xmas market
from 1st December 2011 – 24th December 2011

17th edition with crafts from around the world (Korea, Vietnam, Russia, Peru, India, Thailand…)

Xmas in Auteuil, the “Festiv’ Solidaires”
from Wednesday 14th December 2011 – Sunday 18th December 2011

In aide of Christian charity Les Apprentis d’Auteuil, with a Xmas market, a manger made of marble by the young apprentices studying how to cut stone, workshops, Lego and Kapla areas, a make-up stand, old-school merry-go-round, flea market and concerts at the weekend.

The furthest away

The Boulogne-Billancourt Xmas market
from 8th December 2011 – 24th December 2011

Just outside the city limits. Their site says they are just opposite the shopping centre, with one of those little white trains used to ferry old folks around in. Perhaps not eh?

To seel all the 2011 Paris Xmas markets on our interactive map, click here.