One day walking through the Bastille plaza, I saw the Christmas trees being set up around the green July column. By the next evening, purple was once again the sparkling color lighting up the Bastille July column. For the Christmas holiday, Father Christmas (Pere Noël) was riding the merry-go-round and another day he was dancing with a marching band. Every day is different at the Bastille in Paris!
Father Christmas (Pere Noël) LIVE! At the Bastille
The Bastille is celebrating its first Christmas as a plaza (parvis) with Father Christmas (Pere Noël) LIVE! Until December 26, children can meet Father Christmas at the Bastille in Paris, tell him their wishes, and ride the merry-go-round with him.
In 2020, the sparkling Christmas trees surrounded the July column. This year the forest lengthens toward the Arsenal marina, which leads to the Seine. The merry-go-round was added as well as three chalets (food and beverage, French organic olive oils and lollipops and toys. After two years of construction, the pedestrian mall opened in January 2021.
Father Christmas is having fun walking around the Bastille plaza to meet the children. It’s interesting to see the parents take a step back as the children approach Father Christmas, look up and chat with him.
The Moktar Sound System (originally Sorbonne University medical students) provided the background musical beat.
The enchanted forest is back on the Hôtel de Ville plaza (Parvis) until January 2. The color purple is back. Two chalets are offering food and beverage for the season and six chalets offering products made in Paris in support of local artisans. The children can choose from the toboggan (luge), merry-go-round or the climbing wall.
The City of Paris lights up l’Hôtel de Ville and Bastille every year.
Bastille
Merry-go-round open every day from 11 am to 9 pm
Meet Father Christmas
Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday: 1 pm to 7 pm
School holidays: 2 pm to 8 pm
Hôtel de Ville
Merry-go-round open every day 11 am to 9 pm
Tobaggan (minimum 6 years alone or 3 years with an adult)
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 5 pm to 8 pm
School holidays: 1 pm to 7 pm
Climbing wall (6 years, height: 1m20)
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 5 pm to 8 pm
School holidays 1 pm to 7 pm
Meet Father Christmas
Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday: 2 pm to 8 pm
School holidays: 2 pm to 8 pm
Blue Velvet Christmas in Paris
Something Different for Christmas in Paris – Swedish Christmas – Svenska Kyrkan
