Table of Contents
Did you know that a Christmas shopping trip to Paris requires preparation? Yes, it’s not just a simple outing with friends or a romantic stroll through the shops. A Christmas shopping weekend in Paris is THE place to find ideas and, above all, the desire to come back with lots of lovely surprises in your suitcase! So where do we start? The City of Light, of course 😉.
Why staying in Paris for Christmas shopping ?
Paris is a gold mine when it comes to shops! Luxury, budget, crafts – you’ll always find what you’re looking for in the side streets and main thoroughfares alike. What’s more, shops in Paris stay open late and even on Sundays. So a Christmas shopping weekend means you can spend the whole weekend shopping. And in December, you’ll find several Christmas markets to inspire you (Japanese, Danish, Swedish, etc.).
Here are 4 reasons why staying in Paris for Christmas shopping is a good idea.:
- The festive atmosphere in the capital: from November onwards, the magic of Christmas takes hold of Paris! The streets are filled with Christmas spirit. Ideal for your festive shopping.
- Coming before the Christmas holidays is a good idea to avoid the crowds. Try to arrive on a Thursday, or even a Tuesday 😉
- Staying in central Paris gives you quick and easy access to all the city’s shopping destinations.
- Staying at the Welcome Hotel Paris is always a good idea! The Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood, nearby transport links, local amenities, value for money and a warm welcome are all good reasons to book with us.
Welcome Hotel : a perfect base for strolling among the shops
Choosing the Welcome Hotel Paris means choosing an ideal location in the heart of Paris. It is the perfect pied-à-terre on the Left Bank, at the junction of Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter. These typically Parisian neighbourhoods, like the Marais on the Right Bank, are full of little shops where you can find the perfect Christmas gift.
Where is the Welcome Hotel Paris ?
The Welcome Hotel Paris is located at 148 Boulevard Saint-Germain, right in the centre of the 6th arrondissement. The Odéon metro station is less than a 5-minute walk away, where you will find line 4, which crosses Paris from north to south, as well as line 10, which runs from Boulogne to Gare d’Austerlitz. Surrounded by shops, concept stores, restaurants, museums and art galleries, the Welcome Hotel is known for its unbeatable value for money in Saint-Germain.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés is one of those neighbourhoods that give a city its soul. In Saint-Germain-des-Prés, you can stroll around, explore, visit a gallery or sit outside at a café. But above all, you always come back to Saint-Germain-des-Prés. The history, the atmosphere, the lifestyle – everything about it is special, and you miss it all when you leave.
What is the best room for your Christmas shopping in Paris ?
The Welcome Hotel Paris is delighted to welcome all travellers, but please note that if you are visiting Paris with others, we do not have family rooms or connecting rooms. We offer rooms for 1 or 2 people, but we can allocate you two rooms on the same floor where possible.
Our rooms are all equipped with :
- Free Wi-Fi
- Heating
- Courtesy tray with tea and coffee
- Bathroom with shower or bath, eco-friendly toiletries and hairdryer
- Desk
- High-quality bedding, …
Parisian breakfast for your Parisian shopping in Paris
The Welcome Hotel Paris offers a Parisian breakfast from 7:00 am to 11:00 am every day, served in the dining room or in your room. The buffet offers a choice of sweet and savoury dishes, and if you are in a hurry, our express takeaway option is the perfect way to start your busy day in Paris.
A warm and professional welcoming
It’s fair to say that the name Welcome Hotel Paris fits like a glove. At our hotel, the staff are always on hand and ready to help our guests organise their stay. Whether before arrival, during their stay or at departure, we maintain a special relationship with our customers. That’s why we have so many loyal customers.
Based on customer reviews, here are the highlights of the Welcome Hotel Paris:
- Perfect location in the center of Paris
- A warm and professional welcoming
- Comfortable rooms for a stay with your partner, family or friends
- Excellent value for money for a stay in central Paris
The best places to buy your Christmas gifts in Paris
Small concept store or large high street department store, the choice is yours! One thing is certain, you won’t be disappointed.
Department stores: Christmas essentials
It would be unthinkable not to mention the department stores that make Christmas so magical. In addition to their window displays, they offer an endless array of Christmas gifts. Head to Galeries Lafayette, La Samaritaine, BHV Marais or Le Bon Marché, all located near the Welcome Hotel Paris. For more affordable prices, La Vallée Village is the place to go.
Concept stores and trendy addresses
If you are not familiar with these places, take the time to discover them; you will not be disappointed.
-
- Merci : Christmas decorations, fashion, beauty, etc. Boulevard Beaumarchais in the 3rd arrondissement…
- The Socialite Family, specialising in furniture and designer items, Rue Saint-Fiacre in the 2nd arrondissement
- Empreintes : French designers, items entirely manufactured in France, Rue de Picardie in the 3rd arrondissement
- Fleux : lifestyle, lighting, kitchen, Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie in the 4th arrondissement
Christmas markets and flea markets
If you are more interested in crafts, ceramics or costume jewellery, why not visit a Christmas market or a flea market? Here are a few ideas that might appeal to you:
- The Paris Notre-Dame Christmas Market: on the cathedral square
- The Tuileries Garden Christmas Market: with its Ferris wheel, rides, chalets and more, right opposite the Louvre Museum
- The ‘Made in Paris’ Christmas Market on the square in front of the Town Hall
- The Swiss Christmas Village
- The Saint-Ouen Flea Market, a must for those who love flea markets: furniture, clothing, illustrations, paintings, decorations, and more.
For trendy art or culture gifts
The great thing about choosing to do your Christmas shopping in Paris is that you can focus on culture and art. And museum shops are perfect for this kind of shopping. Here are a few examples, but there are so many that we had to make a selection:
- Louvre Museum
- Opéra Garnier,
- Sainte-Chapelle shop
- The Invalides, …
And still more cultural and arty notes with shops such as:
- TASCHEN Paris for good books
- La Hune and Yellow Korner rue de l’Abbaye at few minutes walk from the Welcome Hotel Paris
- Arty Dandy : a very stylish gift shop on Place Furstemberg
Treat yourself to a museum ticket, an exhibition catalogue or even a miniature work of art.
Christmas window displays and illuminated streets not to be missed
Christmas lights are magical, and all the enchantment of the festive season comes to life with the switching on of the Christmas illuminations! Strolling through a Christmas market, watching the shop windows come alive with childlike wonder, or feeling tiny at the foot of a gigantic Christmas tree – what a wonderful time of year! Christmas lights suit Paris so well 🙂
We have put together a list of shop windows and streets that are not to be missed under any circumstances:
- The Champs-Élysées is a must-see! Stand right in the middle and look up and down the most beautiful avenue in the world. On one side is the Place de la Concorde, on the other the Arc de Triomphe. On either side, the trees sparkle and their ballet of light is a sublime spectacle.
- Place Vendôme: its tall fir trees combine elegance and minimalism.
- Galeries Lafayette and Printemps Haussmann: also not to be missed. The windows of these department stores come alive day and night. Puppets dance around the products sold by the shops, and the show is guaranteed!
- Avenue Montaigne: the lights on Avenue Montaigne are magical. They can be found in the trees, on the façades of buildings and in shop windows. We particularly love Maison Dior and its enchanting display.
- The Tuileries Garden Christmas Market with its delicious smell of mulled wine and legendary Ferris wheel
Also worth seeing are the shop windows of La Samaritaine, Le Bon Marché, BHV, etc.
Practical tips for organising your Christmas shopping trip
To organise your Christmas shopping in Paris, you need a few tips and a little forward planning.
- Choose a date before mid-December to avoid the last-minute crowds in the shops.
- Book your room at the Welcome Hotel directly with the hotel to get a 15% discount.
- Bring a large suitcase so you can fill it on your way back.
- Do some online research beforehand to plan your shopping.
- Make a short list of shops you don’t want to miss.
- Set aside some time to see the lights and window displays in the department stores (following the recommendations above).
- Ask the hotel reception for recommendations on restaurants.
- Think about transport during your stay (underground tickets or Navigo pass).
Questions about your stay in Paris :
- When is the best time for a Christmas shopping trip to Paris? Choose late November or early December to avoid the crowds. A weekday trip is even better.
- How do I book my hotel room? Contact the Welcome Hotel directly. By email, telephone or on the official website, you will receive a 15% discount.
- What time can I check into my room? Check-in is at 3 p.m.
- Can I leave my suitcase at the hotel while I go shopping? Yes, of course. We can store your suitcase upon arrival if your room is not ready, and after you check out if necessary.
- Is the Welcome Hotel easily accessible from train stations and airports? Yes, the Welcome Hotel is located in the heart of Paris, close to the underground (Odéon station is a 5-minute walk away, with lines 4 and 10) and several bus stops.
- Are there any restaurants near the hotel? Saint-Germain-des-Prés is full of great places to eat. Bistros, gourmet restaurants, brasseries—there’s something for everyone, every day, at any time of day.
- Is breakfast served every day? Breakfast is served every day between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. in the breakfast room or in your room. An express breakfast to take away is also available on request.
- Are there any Christmas markets near the hotel? The Saint-Germain-des-Prés Christmas Market is right next to the hotel, and among the other Christmas markets, the one at the Parvis de Notre-Dame is very close, as is the one at the Jardin des Tuileries. By metro, you can quickly reach the Paris La Défense Christmas Market or the Alsatian Christmas Market on the forecourt of the Gare de l’Est.
