Experience Christmas the Parisian way!
We take you to the Champs Elysées, one of the world’s most famous streets, lit up every year to celebrate the holiday season. The switching on of the Christmas lights on the Champs Elysées signals to everyone in France that the holiday season has begun, and it’s here that Parisians gather on 31 December to see in the New Year. A fashionable area since the late 18th century, the Champs Elysées is much more than just a beautiful avenue - history has been made here many times.
Major events see hundreds of thousands congregating here to celebrate; most recently was the victory of the French team in the 2018 football World Cup! The legendary Tour de France cycle race finishes here each year. In 1944 the Free French and their Allies marched here to celebrate the Liberation of Paris, and nowadays the Bastille Day military parade takes place every 14th July. Pass by the Elysée Palace where the French President lives, and see iconic sites such as the Lido cabaret, and the famous Fouquet's restaurant, where you can perhaps indulge in some French celebrity spotting!
We’ll stop at the celebrated patissier Ladurée, where you will be treated to delicious French macarons from their delightful pastry store and tearoom.
What better way to see the Christmas lights across Paris than from the top of the Arc de Triomphe, one of the most famous monuments in the city? Built by Napoleon Bonaparte to celebrate his great military victories, the terrace on the top offers some of the best views over the city. Your guide will explain the history and significance of this magnificent monument, before providing you with skip the line tickets to ascend to the top. Admire the sparkling Champs Elysées laid out at your feet and enjoy the breathtaking views of the dazzling Eiffel Tower shimmering nearby.
