Where to catch the lights of Christmas in Paris

The City of Light has turned on it’s Christmas magic. Luminous arches, multi-colored bulbs, incandescent flames and sparkling projections of light deck out the avenues of the French capital.

Here’s where to find them:

Illuminations de Noël du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré
rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré, 8th arr.
Métro Pont-Neuf ou Louvre-Rivoli

Illuminations on the Champs-Elysées
Metro: Etoile
the 200 plane trees along the Champs-Elysées are decorated with light rings and sparkling Christmas lights.

Avenue Montaigne
Metro: Alma Marceau | RER: Pont de l’Alma
Thousands come to Avenue Montaigne at Christmas to kiss under the mistletoe.

Place Vendôme
Metro: Place Vendôme
Place Vendôme, rue de la Paix, rue de Castiglione, rue Saint-Honoré and rue des Capucines are some of the outstanding streets and squares in Paris’ 1er arrondissement.

Forum des Halles
Metro: Les Halles | RER: Châtelet Les Halles
Miguel Chevalier, an avant-gardist in digital art, has created a virtual reality work featuring snowflakes which turn, open out, and change shape on contact with the public.

Montmartre – Upper district
Metro: Anvers (Line 2), Abbesses (Line 12)
Follow the stairs to the top of the village and enjoy the lights of the plaza.

Bercy Village
Metro: Cour Saint-Emilion | Bus: 24, 64, 109, 111
Bercy’s paved streets, which date back to the Middle Ages, are decorated with neon tubes mounted on aluminum structures creating a ceiling of stars and snowflakes illuminating the village in a star-spangled sky.

Most of the lights are turned off after January 5. If time is a factor, consider taking one of the open-top double decker bus tours.

One more thing, remember to put No Worries Paris on your Christmas Wish List.