Events - Christmas La Villette 2025 : an enchanted Swiss village transforms Paris into a winter wonderland

By Mulder, Paris, Place de la Fontaine aux Lions, 20 november 2025

The festive spirit has already swept across the capital thanks to the arrival of Christmas La Villette 2025, a brand-new holiday village combining Swiss tradition, Parisian charm, and a contemporary sense of conviviality. Installed around the iconic Fontaine aux Lions, this magical market—born from the collaboration between The Swiss Christmas Village team and the Fever platform—ushers in a new chapter in the city’s winter festivities. Our visit to the Swiss Christmas Village at La Villette offered a first tangible glimpse of this enchanting world, and the experience immediately stood apart from the usual Parisian Christmas markets. Even before visitors spot the illuminated chalets or breathe in the scent of mulled wine, the atmosphere feels different, warmer, more carefully crafted. Coming from several successful editions in Zurich and Geneva, this village carries with it a sense of authenticity and precision that instantly invites exploration. The nearly one hundred chalets forming this seasonal labyrinth feel like stepping inside a cozy Alpine postcard—with a touch of Parisian refinement.

The real charm of Christmas La Villette 2025 lies in its commitment to blending discovery, tradition, and cultural exchange. Instead of providing a static series of stands seen in most winter markets, the organizers have designed a weekly rotation of artisans, producers, and designers from various regions, transforming every visit into a fresh experience. You may stroll past a Parisian jeweler specializing in minimalist silver work before stumbling onto a Swiss ceramist whose shapes echo the rugged Alps, and then end up sipping roasted Jura coffee while snacking on Provençal sweets. What makes this flow so delightful is the care put into curating these encounters: the Zurich Workshop space, in particular, acts as a cultural bridge between Swiss craftsmanship and French creativity, while the collaboration with Le Gros Marché shines a spotlight on short supply chains and eco-friendly production. It feels less like browsing a marketplace and more like participating in a living, evolving gallery of winter artistry.

At the heart of this shimmering village stands what promises to be its warmest and most irresistible refuge: the Chalet à Fondue, a rustic yet beautifully designed alpine dining space accommodating up to 120 guests. This chalet isn’t merely a restaurant—it is the beating heart of the village, a place where laughter mixes with the scent of melted cheese and where the frosty air outside makes every warm dish feel like a gentle embrace. The menu, curated by Michelin-starred chef Benjamin Plsek, offers several reinterpretations of traditional Zurich fondue, simultaneously honoring heritage while giving it a fresh, modern twist. During our early exploration, the atmosphere inside this chalet already conveyed the promise of countless memorable winter dinners—corporate celebrations, family reunions, or romantic meals complete with candlelight and steaming pots of cheese. And for those who want to secure the perfect spot, advance reservations ensure a seamless experience, making the chalet a cornerstone of the market’s convivial spirit.

Yet, Christmas La Villette 2025 isn’t content with simply being a gourmet paradise. This village aims for a full sensory immersion, blending festive sights, sounds, and flavors with playful attractions. Alongside the main market stands a large ice rink shimmering under strings of lights, a panoramic Ferris wheel offering breathtaking views of La Villette Park, traditional carousels spinning to timeless holiday music, and a mini-village entirely dedicated to children. This zone offers reading corners, workshops, performances, and hands-on creative activities designed specifically for younger visitors, ensuring that their sense of wonder never falters. Meanwhile, adults can warm up with mulled wine, craft beers, Swiss chocolate, or seasonal specialties infused with holiday scents. The Christmas Party-Pub extends the evenings with concerts, DJ sets, and festive gatherings, blending the warmth of Alpine tradition with the energy of Parisian nightlife. Whether you seek family bonding moments or late-night celebrations, the village adapts effortlessly to every kind of Christmas mood.

The culinary diversity goes far beyond Swiss traditions thanks to a partnership with Le Food Market, which introduces an eclectic fusion twist to the festivities. Visitors will find smash burgers and octo-dogs from Camion Paillette, Vietnamese bowls and Bánh Mì from Loaf, and unexpected delights such as the Winter Chicken Tikka Naan topped with raclette cheese from Kuna. This juxtaposition between comfort food and inventive flavors creates an atmosphere where culinary curiosity becomes part of the adventure. It contributes to the identity of Christmas La Villette as a meeting point between cultural heritage and modern gastronomy, a place where traditions evolve rather than freeze in time. This blend of influences mirrors the spirit of La Villette itself, a site known for bridging cultures, generations, and artistic expressions.

Behind the scenes, The Swiss Christmas Village teams have infused Christmas La Villette with the same expertise that made Zurich’s Wienachtsdorf and Geneva’s Noël au Quai beloved winter traditions. Their talent for immersive scenography is visible in every detail—from the warm glow of suspended lights to the geometric harmony of the chalets, which creates both a sense of discovery and a familiar village rhythm. This attention to detail reinforces the sense of entering a self-contained world every time you cross the esplanade. Meanwhile, Fever's technological support ensures a streamlined experience: from booking attraction bundles to reserving dining tables or purchasing drink passes, visitors can prepare their stay with ease and enjoy preferential rates. It is a smart way of balancing accessibility with modern organization, offering free entry while enabling cost-effective upgrades for those who want to optimize their time.

Christmas La Villette 2025 is not just another Christmas market—it is a redefinition of what winter festivities in Paris can be. It captures the magic of Swiss winter traditions, the creativity of French artisans, and the cosmopolitan flair of contemporary gastronomy, all while offering a thoughtfully designed experience meant to spark joy in every visitor. Whether sipping mulled wine near the fireplace of the fondue chalet, watching children marvel at the carousel lights, or simply strolling between chalets under the falling evening snow, the village promises a moment of pause—a breath of enchantment in a busy city. Running from November 20 to December 28, 2025, this new seasonal rendezvous is poised to become one of Paris’s most beloved holiday destinations, restoring a sense of wonder to the festive season while creating a new winter memory for all who visit.

You can discover our photos in our Flickr page

Practical information
Official website and reservations: billetterie.noel-la-villette.fr
Location: Place de la Fontaine aux Lions, La Villette - 219 avenue Jean-Jaurès 75019 Paris
Price: free admission
Dates: November 20 to December 28, 2025
Opening hours:
Market operating weeks:
Monday-Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. (indoor areas until 11 p.m.)
Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (indoor areas from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.)
Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (indoor areas from noon to midnight)
Friday/Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (indoor areas from 11 a.m. to midnight)
Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (indoor areas from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.)
Last week (Christmas):
December 22/23: from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (indoor areas until 11 p.m.)
December 24: from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
December 25/26: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (indoor areas until 10 p.m.)
December 27: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (indoor areas until midnight)
December 28: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (indoor areas until 10 p.m.)

Photos and video : Boris Colletier / Mulderville