5 Best Ice Skating Rinks in Paris for the Holiday Season

If you’re traveling to Paris at Christmas with kids, you will want to check out the ice skating rinks. They are some of the best things to do in Paris with kids.

As someone who lives in Belgium and has traveled to Paris numerous times, even during the Christmas season, I have always loved going to the ice skating rinks.

You can ice skate on some of the most iconic squares and places, like just in front of the Hotel de Ville, or ice skate with a view of the Eiffel Tower.

I mean, who wouldn’t like that?

Another thing that I really love about the ice skating rinks in Paris is that they are available to everyone.

So, whether you are a beginner, have never skated before, or are an absolute pro, it’s a very nice and calm thing to do at the Christmas market in Paris.

To help you pick out the best ice skating rinks in Paris, I have made a list of the five best ice skating rinks to visit during the holiday season.

I will talk about the Grand Palais de Glace, which is an ice skating rink in the Grand Palais, the one at the Hotel de Ville, and even the one at the Champs-Élysées.

There’s also one at the Trocadéro if you want to see the Eiffel Tower.

Let’s dive in!

1. Grand Palais des Glaces

The best ice skating rink in Paris has to be the Grand Palais des Glaces. This is a beautiful ice skating rink right inside the Grand Palais.

It is one of the largest indoor ice skating rinks in Europe during the Christmas season. You will be ice skating under the beautiful glass dome of the Grand Palais, with gorgeous Christmas lights all around you.

You will be skating to music and enjoying beautiful light shows.

I highly recommend coming here in the evening because the evening sessions are super festive.

You don’t have to bring your own skates because rentals are available on site, and there are also some food and drink stalls that provide really nice refreshments.

They also have special events, including DJ nights..

Practical Information

• Opening dates and hours: Typically open from mid-December to early January. Check the official website for specific dates and times.
• Accessibility: The nearest metro station is Champs-Élysées – Clemenceau (Lines 1 and 13).

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2. Hôtel de Ville Ice Rink

Next up, we have the Hôtel de Ville Ice Rink. This rink is located right in front of the Hôtel de Ville of Paris, which is the Paris City Hall.

This is quite a large outdoor rink with a vibrant, family-friendly atmosphere that is very popular with both locals and tourists.

One of the things I really like about this ice skating rink is that there is a separate area designed for children and beginners.

If you’re not very good at ice skating, you can go there and just try standing on the ice with your skates.

Again, there are ice skate rentals available, and the whole square is decorated with beautiful lights.

There are also stalls nearby offering food and drink. It’s a very central location, making it easily accessible and a great starting point for exploring other Christmas markets, like the one in front of Notre-Dame.

On weekends, you might see some special performances and events held here as well.

Practical Information

• Opening dates and hours: Typically open from mid-December to early March. Check the official website for specific dates and times.
• Accessibility: The nearest metro station is Hôtel de Ville (Lines 1 and 11).

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3. Champs-Elysées Ice Rink

You can also head to the Champs-Élysées for the ice-skating rink. This is not a very large ice-skating rink, but you’ll be able to say that you have ice-skated on the Champs-Élysées, which is pretty cool if you ask me.

It’s quite a nice atmosphere.

You’ll be ice-skating near the Champs-Élysées Christmas Market, so there’s a lot going on with lots of festive lights on one of the most famous avenues in Paris.

There are skate rentals and lockers available, and because the Christmas Market is nearby, you can get lots of shopping done, and there are plenty of food and drink options as well.

You’ll be ice-skating with a view of the Arc de Triomphe and the stunning Champs-Élysées.

It’s quite close to some other major attractions, so if you are traveling with kids and want to do something with them in between visiting different attractions, this is a great stop during the Christmas season.

Practical Information

• Opening dates and hours: Typically open from late November to early January. Check the official website for specific dates and times.
• Accessibility: The nearest metro station is Franklin D. Roosevelt (Lines 1 and 9).

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4. Trocadéro Ice Rink

There’s also an ice skating rink at the Trocadéro, located in the Trocadéro Gardens. This is the one to visit if you want to ice skate with stunning views of the Eiffel Tower.

It’s quite a small ice skating rink, providing a very romantic and scenic experience, but because of its size, you might have to wait before you can rent skates and get on the ice.

Skate rentals are available, so you don’t have to bring your own.

Food stalls are also nearby, thanks to the Christmas market you can visit.

The highlight here is definitely ice skating with the Eiffel Tower in the background, which is, in my opinion, an unforgettable experience.

I highly recommend coming here in the evening because you will see the evening light shows at the Eiffel Tower from the ice skating rink.

Practical Information

• Opening dates and hours: Typically open from mid-December to early January. Check the official website for specific dates and times.
• Accessibility: The nearest metro station is Trocadéro (Lines 6 and 9).

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5. La Défense Christmas Village Ice Rink

I have always loved the Christmas village at La Défense, and they also have an ice skating rink.

La Défense is a business district in Paris, and to be fair, I have a soft spot for it. It’s not somewhere I would recommend if this is your first time in Paris, but if this is your second or third time or you’re looking for something new, La Défense is definitely the way to go.

Here you will find a medium-sized rink that is part of the larger Christmas village. It’s very modern and lively.

Skates are available, and there are numerous stalls with unique gifts and treats nearby.

One of the highlights is the modern background of La Défense skyscrapers and the beautiful, large Christmas market that surrounds the ice skating rink.

If you’re into shopping, there’s also one of the largest malls in Europe nearby, which is great if you are a parent and want to drop off your kids for ice skating while you do some Christmas shopping.

Practical Information

• Opening dates and hours: Typically open from late November to late December. Check the official website for specific dates and times.
• Accessibility: The nearest metro station is La Défense (Line 1 and RER A).

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Additional Tips

• Best times to visit: Weekday mornings or early afternoons to avoid crowds.
• What to wear: Warm, comfortable clothing, gloves, and thick socks.
• Safety tips: Beginners should stick to the edges of the rink and consider wearing protective gear.