Christmas Lights Tours in France: Our 8 Picks for December

1.Paris Tootbus Festive Christmas Lights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 83 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $46Our pick

Ride through Paris for about 90 minutes on an English-language Tootbus Christmas lights tour. You’ll pass Place Vendôme, the Champs-Élysées, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower, with a well-timed view of the tower’s sparkling lights. The route ends near the festive department-store windows at Printemps and Galeries Lafayette.

“Great way to see the city without walking. It was perfect and beautiful and I was tired. I loved it!”

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2.Paris: Private Christmas Lights Tour by Citroën 2CV

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 62 reviews · 2 hours

Spend two hours touring Paris at night in a private Citroën 2CV, with pickup and drop-off anywhere in the 1st to 20th arrondissements. Your English or French speaking driver, including guides such as Brice, François, or William, shares city stories, adjusts the route to your interests, and stops at Champs de Mars for photos.

“We had the most lovely time! The Citroen was so fun and well appointed with blankets and the removable roof to see the Christmas lights. Our driver was so kind and informed. He made us feel so comfortable and was willing to flip between English and French. We would recommend this itinerary to anybody-especially with our driver- and will make sure to do so!”

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3.Paris Christmas Illuminations and Local Festivities Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 43 reviews · from $355Top rated

Explore Paris Christmas lights with guide Milan, using private transport and walking between Galeries Lafayette, Tuileries, Place Vendôme, and the Champs-Élysées. Expect rooftop views, seasonal sweets, mulled wine or hot chocolate, and a Ferris wheel ride. Hotel pickup and drop-off within Paris are included.

“Our guide, Milan, was well versed in French history and local Paris venues. His enthusiasm lifted the four of us and greatly added to our appreciation of our surroundings. Three cheers for Viator and Milan!”

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4.Paris Christmas Lights Small Group Walking Tour with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $78

Walk through Paris with a local English-speaking guide in a group of six or fewer. You’ll visit Rue Montorgueil, Galerie Vivienne, Palais-Royal, the Tuileries Christmas market, Place Vendôme, and Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, with hot chocolate or mulled wine included.

“Oh boy, it was freezing, but Walid took us to some great places. The lights were spectacular and we were able to buy from the oldest bakery in Paris (delicious!). He even took us to a small Christmas Market at the end. Great tour!”

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5.Paris Christmas Lights & Stories with Tastings on Champs-Élysées

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $70

Start at the Grand Palais at 5 p.m. and follow a guide along Pont Alexandre III, Avenue Montaigne, and the Champs-Élysées. You’ll taste Alsatian gingerbread, festive cookies, a macaron, and thick hot chocolate before finishing beneath the Arc de Triomphe. The group is limited to 15, and guide Aladia is praised for clear English, stories, and photos.

“Our Guide Aladia was friendly, knowledgeable and spoke perfect English. She told us interesting stories and showed us historical photos of the places we visited. Everyone was lucky enough to have photos taken by her for our memories to be treasured for the future. She was well organized at the Fortwenger and Maison du Chocolat for our tastings. The light shows were breathtaking! Merci beaucoup! I highly recommend this tour and our Guide! She made the whole tour so enjoyable! Merci a vous, Debra”

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6.Paris Christmas Lights Walking Tour with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 13 reviews · 2 hours · from $88

Walk from Rue Étienne Marcel to Place de la Concorde with a French, English, or Spanish-speaking guide. Visit Galerie Vivienne, Palais-Royal, Tuileries Garden, Place Vendôme, and La Madeleine Church, with a hot drink and festive sweet. Groups hold up to six people, with private tours available.

“Loved the tour! Clara was a great host and knew so much about the history of Paris. She also showed us many great little hot spots to visit that only locals know. :)”

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7.Private tour Paris Christmas lights tour 2 hours in Citroën 2CV

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 11 reviews · from $147

Ride through Paris in a private Citroën 2CV with a driver-guide, blankets, and no sightseeing on foot. The route includes the Champs-Élysées, Place Vendôme, Moulin Rouge, Arc de Triomphe, Seine, and Eiffel Tower. Each passenger receives a French-made Saint James scarf. Cars carry up to three passengers.

“This was such a highlight!!! It was so much driving around Paris in one of these iconic cars. Everyone stared at us and wanted to take photos. Our guides were brilliant too!”

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8.Christmas illuminations in 2CV – With 2 Presents (Food + goodies)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $120

Ride through Bordeaux for about 90 minutes in a classic 2CV during the Christmas season. Your English-speaking guide takes you from grand squares and medieval gates to the wine museum, river bridges, Chartrons, the Water Mirror, and the cathedral area. Pickup is available from your Bordeaux hotel, apartment, or cruise ship, and food and goodies are included.

“Magnificent evening in Bordeaux with friends...thanks to Julie our guide for helping us experience a beautiful city”

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