Champs-Elysées Christmas Market

Arc de Triomphe

Last week we went to Champs-Elysées to check out their Christmas market. Probably the most well-known Christmas market in Paris, it did not disappoint.

I loved the festive atmosphere!

We decided to take the metro there and it dropped us off right on Champs-Elysées. We started of near the Place de Concorde (where the huge ferris wheel is) and headed off towards the Arc de Triomphe.

Champs-Elysées is roughly 2 km long and has many flagship stores, boutiques, and restaurants along the boulevard. It is nicknamed "the world's most beautiful avenue". With all the Christmas lights and decorations, it definitely was beautiful.

Our family loves trying new cheese. Samples are given out by the merchants so one can try a new flavor before buying.

The Christmas market occurs every year from late November until January. If you missed going before Christmas, you still have a chance to check it out before the new year!

There are tons of little booths set up selling gift ideas, food (crepes, speciality items like foie gras, drinks), and clothing. 

Actual painting on the carousal

And another one

One of the neatest things we got to do was have London go on this beautiful carousal. We talked to the man working and he said it was 85 years old! I loved all the horses and the lights - it was gorgeous!

London chose to ride on a hot air balloon that would spin when she pushed the wheel around. It was darling. She loved it and we loved watching her have so much fun.

So magical!

We did a lot of walking around and checked out all the booths. I loved seeing all the stacks of chocolate and cheese and other specialty items.

So.Much.Chocolate.

There were also different craftsmen, like the one above, making different items. The man making pottery made a little pot for London. We also bought some gloves that were handmade in Nepal. It was really neat seeing all these different items being sold from all over the world.

Once we went past the different booths, we passed by many boutiques and flagship stores. At the very end, we reached the Arc de Triomphe. It was very beautiful.

We crossed the street and headed down back towards the Ferris wheel. On our way, we passed a little section called "The Enchanted Forest". It had different little animal scenes set up and a talking tree and a little play area. It was a nice area to let our toddler get out and run around.

There were several other little sectioned areas like this throughout the avenue as well. One had all kinds of Christmas decorations and there were several others that we didn't get a chance to check out.

The Ferris Wheel and the Place de la Concorde

We had a great time walking around seeing all the sights. It's definitely something I would recommend everyone do at least once if they're in Paris during the holidays!