10 Foods you need to try on the Paris Christmas Markets (and where to try them).
When you’re visiting the Christmas markets in Paris, you will notice that there’s a lot of food around, and you might not recognize all the foods on offer.
Trust me, the first time I went to a Christmas market in Paris, I had no idea that the love of my life, Tartiflette, was waiting for me just around the corner.
There is so much to see, so much to try, so much to drink, that it might get a little bit overwhelming.
To help you find french food at the Christmas markets in Paris that you will absolutely love and adore, I have put together a list of the best foods to look out for when you are visiting.
Here are my top picks for food and drink to try atthe Paris Christmas markets.
1. Mulled Wine (Vin Chaud)
First of all, we have mulled wine, or Vin Chaud as we call it in France. This is a warm, spiced red wine, often flavored with cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and orange zest.
Hot mulled wine is available at most, if not every, alsatian Christmas market, and it is especially popular at the Champs-Élysées and at the Magie de Noël at the Tuileries Gardens.
You will smell the Vin Chaud from quite far away because it has this incredibly beautiful aroma, and for me, it is the absolute smell of Christmas. It’s super festive!
If you can, I would really recommend asking the seller to add some Amaretto to the Vin Chaud because that is the best way to have it (trust me!).
🎅 The BEST Christmas markets in Paris! A guide.
Let’s plan a trip to Paris
🛏️ Book A Hotel
🎟️ Book Tickets
🤩 Book An Experience
✈️ Travel essentials
2. Raclette
Then we obviously have raclette. Raclette is melted cheese that gets served over boiled potatoes, pickles, and cured meat.
No, it is not melted cheese served on a sandwich like I see so many times on TikTok. It’s always served over boiled potatoes and cured meat.
Raclette is the perfect comforting dish for a cold winter night, and you can find it at many great Christmas markets in Paris and all over France.
The place to try it is La Magie de Noël at the Tuileries Garden because it is renowned for its gourmet food stalls.
You can also try it at the Saint-Germain-des-Prés Christmas Market if you are looking for a more upscale take on this classic alsatian dish.
🎄 11 Best things to do for Christmas in Paris
3. Crêpes and Galettes
Another thing I love eating at the Christmas markets are the crêpes et galettes.
Crêpes are very thin pancakes that are often served with something sweet like sugar or Nutella, and galettes are crispy, thin pancakes filled with savory stuff like bacon, potatoes, and cheese.
I think I prefer the galettes over the crêpes, especially when I’m walking around a Christmas market, but obviously, the kids will prefer the crêpes.
You might want to try these at the largest christmas market in Paris by La Défense and Abesses Christmas markets because they’re especially great for their variety and quality when it comes to crêpes and galettes.
💸 25 free things to do in Paris
4. Roasted Chestnuts (Marrons Grillés)
Another thing you should definitely try when you’re going to the Christmas market in Paris are the roasted chestnuts, or marrons grillés.
These warm roasted chestnuts are an amazing winter snack because they are quite smoky but still sweet.
They’re perfect for snacking on while you’re walking around the Christmas market. You can find them at all major Christmas markets in Paris, but I would definitely recommend trying them at the Notre-Dame Christmas market because it’s a really charming environment—eating a little chestnut by the cathedral.
If you are looking for roasted chestnuts outside of the Christmas season or outside of the Christmas markets, you can always head to Pigalle or Montmartre, especially in the lower part of Montmartre, because I have seen chestnut sellers around there.
☕ 10 Cute cafes in Paris you NEED to have a coffee at!
5. Foie Gras
Not everyone likes foie gras, but it is definitely something you can try at a French Christmas market. Foie gras is the liver of a fattened goose or duck.
It’s typically served with some bread and sometimes with steak or onion jam. It’s quite hard to find, so you’ll probably have to go to the one in Saint-Germain-des-Prés because this market offers a lot of gourmet food.
Obviously, foie gras is not made in an ethical way, so if that is very important to you, I would refrain from having it at the Christmas markets in Paris. You might also find them at the Christmas market near Place de la Concorde and the tuileries christmas markets.
😍 These are the 13 prettiest streets in Paris you must visit!
6. Oysters (Huîtres)
Next up we have oysters, or huîtres as they call them in French. France is known for its amazing oysters, especially in the region of Normandy—they are super delicious.
Normandy is not that far from Paris, so you have a great stream of fresh oysters arriving in the French capital. When you’re eating them at a Christmas market, they will be served with a squeeze of lemon and sometimes with a mignonette sauce.
I love oysters myself, and whenever I’m visiting a Christmas market or Christmas village in Paris, I try to have them.
Again, because they’re a bit more upscale, your best bet to try them is at the Saint-Germain-des-Prés Christmas market. I would really recommend having them with a glass of champagne!
💎 The 12 Most Exclusive Hotels in Paris
7. Bûche de Noël
You can also try a bouchée de Noël, although you will probably have to buy it and eat it at home, your Airbnb, or your hotel room.
A buche de Noël is something that you have in other countries as well, but it’s especially very good in France, as you might imagine.
In other countries, they call it a yule log, or a chog as my husband’s family calls it—a chocolate log.
It’s often made of sponge cake, rolled with cream, and decorated to resemble a log. There are lots of stalls that sell them, but you might have the best chance of finding one at the montmartre christmas market or the Christmas market at the Jardin des Tuileries, La Magie de Noël one of the best christmas markets in Paris.
🗺️ 10 common mistakes tourists make in Paris!
8. Tartiflette
We also have tartiflette. Tartiflette is the love of my life. Honestly, I love it so much. It is a dish made with cheese, baked with bacon and potatoes, and it comes from the Alsace region.
It’s just such a great thing to eat in winter. There are lots and lots of stalls selling this traditional french cheesy goodnes, but the best place to find it is either in Montmartre or Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
I especially enjoyed the tartiflette I had at the market in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. It was so cheesy, and the potatoes had taken on the taste of the bacon, which was absolutely delicious.
The Saint-Germain-des-Prés christmas market is very well known for its artisan food and I love coming to this marché de noël to find stuff to put under the christmas tree!
🧳 10 Essential Items You NEED to Pack for a Trip to Paris
9. Beignets
When you’re walking around the Christmas markets in Paris, you can also find a lot of beignets.
Beignets are dough pastries that are deep-fried and often dusted with sugar and cinnamon. They’re very fluffy, and some people might even fill them with various creams or jams.
You can find them at almost every single Christmas market, but I would recommend checking out the Champs-Élysées Christmas market and La Magie de Noël. Especially try the ones with cinnamon because they are delicious.
I have also seen them at the Abesses Christmas market which is a popular christmas market with wooden chalets in Montmartre (one of the smaller markets to be fair) and at the la défense marché de noël.
🛏️10 Best areas to stay in Paris – and what hotels to book!
10. Hot Chocolate (Chocolat Chaud)
And last but not least, if you’re traveling with kids, you might want to try a chocolat chaud.
A chocolat chaud is hot chocolate made from real chocolate and it is a popular christmas drink. In the United States, hot chocolate is often made from cocoa powder, which is okay, but it’s not great.
You haven’t had hot chocolate until you’ve had it made from real melted chocolate and milk.
It’s worth trying at any Christmas market because Chocolat Chaud really carries the magoc of Christmas!
Maybe have it at the Champs de Mars market on your trip to Paris, just because it’s super cozy. Having a drink with the backdrop of the Eiffel Tower and the many christmas lights might be a really nice memory.
😋 10 Unique and Unusual Things to Do Off the Beaten Path in Paris
This Hidden Island Near Athens Is Greece’s Best-Kept Secret – But Not for Long
Looking for a Greek island escape without the crowds of Santorini or the glitz of Mykonos? Meet Egina (Aegina), the charming island just an hour from Athens that’s finally getting the love it deserves. With its pistachio groves, ancient temples, and seaside tavernas, Egina is the perfect blend of history, flavor, and laid-back island life…
You Won’t Believe These Ancient Sites Are Hiding in One of Crete’s Cutest Towns
Forget everything you thought you knew about Crete. While most travelers head to Heraklion or hit the beaches of Elafonissi, those in the know are turning their attention to Chania—a postcard-perfect town that’s absolutely bursting with ancient secrets. Behind its Venetian harbor and colorful facades, Chania hides some of Greece’s most fascinating archaeological gems. From…
Two African Cities Just Beat Paris and Tokyo for Culture in 2025 – Here’s Why Everyone’s Talking
When people think of the world’s top cultural destinations, cities like Paris, Tokyo, and New York often come to mind. But in 2025, two African cities have stolen the spotlight – and for good reason. Cape Town, South Africa, and Marrakech, Morocco, have both been crowned among the world’s best cultural cities, and their rise…
Ditch the Crowds: 2025’s Hottest Travel Dupes That’ll Save You a Fortune
If you’re tired of elbowing your way through tourist-packed piazzas, queuing for overpriced cocktails, and blowing half your budget on entry tickets, it’s time to embrace a trend that’s gaining serious momentum in 2025: travel dupes. Like the fashion world’s designer knockoffs that look just as good for a fraction of the price, travel dupes…
These 7 Budget Destinations Are Cheaper (and Hotter) Than Ever in 2025
Want to see the world without selling your soul (or your AirPods)? 2025 is your year. With airfare deals, low-cost hotspots, and hidden gems popping up across the map, savvy travellers are swapping overpriced city breaks for affordable adventures that deliver sunshine, culture, and cocktails – without killing your credit score. Here are 7 ridiculously…
You Won’t Believe What This Airport Has Inside – No Wonder It’s Been Crowned World’s Best Again!
If you’ve ever dreaded long layovers or dreaded airport queues, Singapore’s Changi Airport is here to blow your mind – again. In 2025, Changi has reclaimed its title as the World’s Best Airport, and if you’ve been there, you’re probably not surprised. This marks its 13th win from Skytrax, the leading global airport rating organisation,…
Why the Athens Riviera Is the Greek Island Alternative No One’s Talking About (Yet)
If you’re dreaming of Greece but dreading the logistics of island-hopping, you’re not alone. As beautiful as Santorini, Mykonos and Crete are, they come with ferry schedules, steep prices, and heavy crowds. But what if we told you there’s a sun-drenched coastal escape just 30 minutes from central Athens that offers the same turquoise waters,…
This is National Geographic’s Top Destination for 2025
If you’re already planning your 2025 holidays and looking for somewhere a little different, then it’s time to turn your attention to Sarajevo – National Geographic’s top travel destination for the year. Often overlooked in favour of more obvious European hotspots, Sarajevo is finally getting the recognition it deserves, and for good reason. Nestled in…
This is East Asia’s happiest country in 2025
Thinking about your next island escape? Taiwan might not be the first place that comes to mind, but that’s changing fast. According to the 2025 World Happiness Report, Taiwan is officially the happiest country in East Asia—and it’s easy to see why. Ranked 27th globally, Taiwan outranked popular destinations like Singapore, Japan, and South Korea….
Santorini’s Shaky Start to 2025: What Tourists Need to Know
In early 2025, Santorini was hit by a series of earthquakes. Over 20,000 tremors shook the island. Most of them were small. But they worried both locals and visitors. The quakes were not volcanic. They were tectonic. That means they came from the earth’s plates moving, not the volcano. Still, the island took action quickly….
Why These French Destinations Are the Most Romantic in the World!
Ah, France—the country that has made romance its national sport. If you’re on the lookout for the most ravishingly romantic places in France, grab a croissant and settle in. From picturesque hilltop villages to candle-lit castles, let me whisk you away on a romantic escape through 12 of the best places to make your heart…
The 10 Most Breathtaking Beaches in Greece (Locals Don’t Want You to Know #7!)
If you’re dreaming of stunning beaches, golden sand, and crystal-clear waters, then Greece is the place to be. With countless gorgeous stretches of coastline, the Greek islands are home to some of the finest beaches in the world. From secluded coves to lively beach bars, Greece has a little something for everyone. Let’s dive into…
12 Best Christmas Markets in Spain
Spain, with its rich cultural heritage and vibrant cities, transforms into a winter wonderland during the Christmas season. From dazzling lights to traditional crafts, Spanish Christmas markets offer a magical experience filled with festive spirit, artisan products, and delightful treats. Whether you’re seeking unique gifts or simply soaking up the holiday cheer, this guide to…
8 most beautiful Christmas Markets in Belgium
Belgium, with its historic cities, enchanting canals, and festive atmosphere, transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday season. From Brussels to Bruges, the country hosts some of Europe’s best Christmas markets, offering everything from mulled wine and buttery waffles to hand-crafted ornaments and cozy chalets. Whether you’re planning a trip to Belgium’s Christmas markets…
12 Best Christmas Markets in France to Visit
France is home to some of the most magical Christmas markets in Europe, offering a blend of tradition, festive cheer, and regional specialties. Whether you’re exploring the enchanting Alsace Christmas markets or discovering hidden gems throughout France, these markets are perfect for creating unforgettable holiday memories. Here’s your ultimate guide to the best Christmas markets…
12 Best Christmas Markets in Europe
The festive season is the perfect time to experience the magic of Europe’s Christmas markets. With twinkling lights, towering Christmas trees, and stalls brimming with artisan crafts and delicious treats, these markets promise an unforgettable holiday experience. In this listicle, we’ll explore 12 of the best Christmas markets in Europe, each offering its own unique…
12 Best Christmas Markets in Germany
When it comes to festive cheer, Germany sets the gold standard with its enchanting Christmas markets. Known as the birthplace of the Christmas market tradition, Germany offers some of the best Christmas markets in the world. From the cobblestone streets of medieval towns to the vibrant heart of bustling cities, there’s a German Christmas market…
12 Best Christmas markets in the Netherlands
The festive period in the Netherlands is a magical time, with the best Christmas markets transforming city centres into enchanting winter wonderlands. From twinkling lights to cosy chalets, each Christmas market in the Netherlands offers a unique and unforgettable experience. If you’re planning your Christmas break, these markets are must-visits for their festive spirit, unique…
12 Best Christmas markets in the UK
When it comes to embracing the festive season, there’s no better way than exploring the best Christmas markets in the UK. These incredible markets transform city centers into magical wonderlands, adorned with twinkling lights, wooden chalets, and the aroma of mulled wine wafting through the air. Visitors can expect a delightful mix of festive cheer,…
12 Most Beautiful Hills and Mountains in the UK
The UK is blessed with some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world, from towering peaks to rolling hills. From the adrenaline rush of rugged ridges to the serene charm of gentle slopes, these locations offer something for everyone. If you’re an avid climber, a casual hiker, or just someone who loves a stunning…
