Looking for the 2009 Xmas markets in Paris? They’re here.

Every year around this time, little villages with wooden chalets spring up all around the city and try to sell you… most anything really…

photo de Ted Drake utilisée sous licence cc

OK, we admit it, we think they’re a bit outdated, à bit touristy, and that some of the stall sell a load of old tat, but it seems that people love, otherwise there wouldn’t bee so many of them! If you haven’t got all your presents yet (and I haven’t even started), perhaps a visit to one will give you some inspiration?

Here’s a list of the 2008 Xmas markets in Paris

Let’s start in our area, place Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Just at the exit of the metro station and around the church, you’ll find Santa’s Village, probably classier than certain Right Bank affairs 😉 From 5th December 2008 – 1st January 2009, every day from 10am – 8pm.

photo by marie-astier used under cc licence

Also in the Saint-Germain area, on the Place Saint-Sulpice, there’s a Winter Village from 4th – 24th December 2008. As well as the usual stuff, this village also hosts the France Art Workshop Winter Village form 4th – 7th December (jewellery, leather goods, glasswork, ceramics, etc. and special event like a Romani concert, photo exhibition, contest…) and Le Marché de Noël et de la Solidarité from 11th – 24th December. Other event are also planned. Click here for further details.

The last Rive Gauche market is to be found at the foot of the Tour Monparnasse, with multicoloured chalets and mulled wine-tasting! Yummy! From 28th November – 29th December 2008, every day from 10.30am to 7.30pm.

For the most luxurious, high-class chalets in all of Paris, and fir the first time ever (!!!) there’s a Xmas market that goes from the du Rond-point des Champs-Elysées up to the place de la Concorde. With a European theme, you’ll find not only product from all over France, but also special activities for kids, such as wooden horses, a little train and even Santa’s house! From 20th November to mid-January.

photo by joriavlis used under cc licence

Walk up the Champs Elysées and you’ll get to La Maison de l’Alsace with its annual spread. The front of the building, nearly 750 m² has been dressed up like the witch’s house in Hansel and Gretel; think giant gingerbread and cakes. They’ll be covering all 28 windows of the building, sprinkled with illuminated garlands. From 26th November – 28th December.

Just outside the city, but still reachable by metro and directly in line with the Champs Elysees, is La Défense. Here the skyscrapers all try to outdo each other and the Xmas Market tries to outdo all the others too! In front of the Grande Arche over 10 000 m², there are 250 chalets selling not only French produce but also items from abroad: Tunisia, Morocco, Greece, Egypt, Iran, Mauritania, Kenya, Yemen, Russai, Vietnam, Indonesia… And from 1pm – 6pm every day you can have your photo taken with Santa for just 5 euros! How does he manage to be on the Champs Elysées and at La Défense at the same time?… From 26th November – 28th December 2008, every day from 11am – 7.30pm, except Saturdays 9.30am – 6pm

At the la Gare de l’Est, renovation has filled the grand empty arrival and departure halls with shops. Consequently, the Xmas Market will be out the front of the station. As it’s where people catch the train to Alsace, lots of their yummy (stodgy?) specialities should be on offer.

photo by photigule used under cc licence

Last but not least: in the north of Paris there’s also a little Xmas Market on Place des Abbesses from 28th November – 30th December 2008, and in the east of the city, another on Place de la Nation from 1st – 24th December, every day from 10am – 8pm.

Happy Xmas shopping!