At Christmas, Paris sparkles with lights, animated window displays and enchanting shows. Nestled in the heart of the 9th arrondissement, just minutes from the Grands Magasins and the Opéra, Hôtel R de Paris is the perfect starting point for a full day of festive magic, without transport hassles or long distances.
From the window displays at Galeries Lafayette to the immersive show Yule, then on to the illuminations of the Champs-Élysées and Place Vendôme, follow this itinerary designed as an ideal Christmas interlude—punctuated by peaceful breaks back in the hushed atmosphere of your boutique hotel.
Morning: Christmas windows and the giant tree at Galeries Lafayette
Start your day with a morning stroll towards Galeries Lafayette and the department stores on Boulevard Haussmann. From Hôtel R de Paris, it takes only a few minutes to reach these Parisian icons and ease into the festive mood before the afternoon crowds.
In front of the animated windows, miniature scenes come to life for children and adults alike. Inside, the giant tree set beneath the Dome is a show in itself, especially when it lights up at regular intervals. To make the most of this stop, you can draw inspiration from our dedicated news item « Galeries Lafayette: the 2025 Christmas windows and the giant tree under the Dome », already featured in the hotel’s news.
After this first immersion, treat yourself to a coffee or hot chocolate in one of the cafés inside the department stores or in the nearby covered passages, then head back to the hotel to drop off your purchases and enjoy a few moments of the comfort of your room. This “pause” makes all the difference: you’ll set off again light, without bags, for the rest of the day.
A magical afternoon: the Yule show and a winter stroll
In the afternoon, continue your Christmas day with an immersive experience with the show Yule: The True Story of Santa Claus (12 November – 4 January) at the Grand Hôtel des Rêves. In our dedicated article « Yule: The True Story of Santa Claus, a magical immersive show at the Grand Hôtel des Rêves », you’ll find all the practical details to plan this outing as a family or as a duo.
With its crafted sets, music and wandering through the scenes, the show plunges you into a storybook world—you’re not just watching, you’re moving through the tale. A great option if you want a Christmas activity that goes beyond shopping, while staying welcoming and easy to enjoy.
Afterwards, keep the magic going with a winter stroll: wander the streets of the 9th, pause in a tea room, or return to Hôtel R de Paris for a cosy moment. Tucked away on a quiet street, the boutique hotel offers an intimate atmosphere, perfect for warming up before the evening’s luminous walk. If you feel like unwinding, our wellness area is ideal for recharging.
A bright evening: Champs-Élysées and Place Vendôme illuminations
As night falls, head for the capital’s most iconic illuminations. Our dedicated news item « Fairy-tale illuminations on the Champs-Élysées and Place Vendôme: the magical Christmas show 2025 » guides you through the must-see spots and the best ways to enjoy them.
Begin on the Champs-Élysées, where the trees and façades shimmer with a thousand lights. Then continue to Place Vendôme, whose majestic architecture and glow create a postcard setting. Between photos, treat yourself to a drink or dinner on the rive droite, then make your way back to the hotel at an easy pace.
Back at Hôtel R de Paris, the day ends in the soft comfort of your room: generous bedding, the feel of fine materials, the calm of the 9th arrondissement… A perfect way to close this Christmas interlude, with the city still glowing in the background.
By choosing Hôtel R de Paris as your starting point, you enjoy an elegant, intimate address at the crossroads of the Grands Magasins, shows and the capital’s most emblematic illuminations. All that’s left is to book your stay and let the holiday magic work.
