Of all French holidays, Christmas is celebrated with heightened gastronomic pomp. This is when the finest French delicacies are honored, from the finest-grade oysters to rich foie gras, truffled heritage hens to special reserve champagne. These extravagant meals are generally served for le réveillon de Noël, Christmas Eve dinner, however, some restaurants will also be offering festival feasts on Christmas day, mostly at lunch. The following Paris restaurants will be open on December 24th and/or the 25th.
Top: Alina Grubnyak / Maison Blanche. Above: Le Train Bleu / Fouquet’s
Open December 24th Only
Fouquet’s
Fouquet’s
Recently restored, this famous institution of the Champs-Élysées will be serving a festive meal on December 24th.A gastronomic four-course menu including king crab, foie gras, capon fillet poached in a champagne-infused bouillon, and Fouquet’s special Christmas dessert (290€/person, including a glass of champagne. More information and reservations here).
Le Train Bleu
Le Train Bleu
The beautiful Belle Époque restaurant in the Gare de Lyon provides an enchanting setting to celebrate Christmas Eve. This year’s menu will feature duck and lobster foie gras, suprême of chicken with black truffle, roasted potatoes and Jerusalem artichokes, and a citrus and white chocolate bûche de Noël (€145.00/person excluding drinks).
Le Train Bleu
Lucas Carton
Surround yourself in Art Nouveau glamor at this one-Michelin-star restaurant in Place de la Madeleine. Talented chef Julien Dumas and his team will be preparing a refined six-course holiday menu with scallop carpaccio, lobster with squid and truffles, capon stuffed with white truffles, and two desserts. The 312€ meal will start with a glass of Champagne Louise Pommery 2004 and you can add a wine pairing for an additional 80€ (reservations here).
La Maison Blanche
La Maison Blanche
This stylish restaurant with views of the Eiffel Tower and the Seine will be serving its own six-course Christmas Eve feast. The highlights of this are duck foie gras with Macau artichokes, Normandy scallops with wild mushrooms and roasted hazelnuts, suprême of chicken, and Christmas log cake (195€ with a glass of champagne).
Le Gabriel
Le Gabriel
The restaurant of the posh La Reserve hotel will be pulling out all the stops for their opulent festive menus. There are separate menus for Christmas Eve lunch and dinner, as well as lunch and dinner menus for Christmas Day.
The eight-course Christmas Eve tasting menu will be divided up into themes: scallops, truffles, raviole, sea bass, Cour d’Armoise poultry, Mont d’or cheese, Lemon cream, caramelized almonds and chestnut soufflé. It is priced at 595€, excluding drinks.The menus for Christmas Day is priced at 395€, without drinks.
Open December 24th and 25th
Bouillon Julien
Bouillon Julien
This alluring Art Nouveau establishment off the Grand Boulevards is presenting a very reasonably priced Christmas menu of à la carte options. On the menu will be a wide selection of the likes of pumpkin soup, pâté en croûte with chestnuts, and roasted Scottish salmon. These will be available for dinner on the 24th and lunch and dinner on the 25th Full menu and reservations here.
La Coupole
La Coupole
Celebrate Christmas in style at this grand Art Deco brasserie in Montparnasse. The three-course menu has a choice of duck foie gras with black truffles, smoked salmon, or six oysters followed by capon ballotine with chestnuts or roasted scallops, and a dessert of traditional Christmas log (79€/person excluding drinks).
La Coupole
Champeaux
World-famous French chef Alain Ducasse’s more laid back outpost at Les Halles will be preparing a special holiday menu. It will be available for Christmas Eve dinner at 65€ and Christmas Day lunch at 54€ (excluding beverages).
Chez Jenny
Chez Jenny
This historic Alsatian brasserie in Place de la République will be a great cozy and festive option for the holidays. The three-course menu of typical traditional French Christmas dishes will include a coupe of champagne and cost 59€ (see full menu here).
Le Violon d’Ingres
Le Violon D’Ingres
Christan Constant’s gastronomic restaurant is offering a separate menus for Christmas at 280€, without drinks. The refined meals will tempt you with scallops, roasted blue lobster, foie gras and beef rossini, brie de Meaux with truffles, and more. Discover the menu and reserve here.
Le Violon D’Ingres
Cléo
Cléo
The chic restaurant of the five-star Hotel Narcisse, found near Les Invalides, will have a special festive menu as well. A seven-course dinner will be served on the 24th and a pared-down version on the 25th at lunch. Discover the complete menu and reserve here.
Cléo
Addresses
Fouquet’s – 99 Av. des Champs-Élysées, 75008
Le Train Bleu – Gare de Lyon, Place Louis-Armand, 75012
Lucas Carton – 9 Place de la Madeleine, 75008
La Maison Blanche – 15 Avenue Montaigne, 75008
Le Gabriel – La Reserve Hotel, 42 Avenue Gabriel, 75008
Bouillon Julien – 16 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, 75010
La Coupole – 102 Boulevard du Montparnasse, 75014
Champeaux – 12 Passage de la Canopée, 75001
Chez Jenny – 39 Boulevard du Temple, 75003
Le Violon d’Ingres – 135 Rue Saint-Dominique, 75007
Cléo – Hotel Narcisse, 19 Boulevard de la Tour-Maubourg, 75007
La Coupole
Related Links
- Check out our picks for Christmas markets and ice-skating in Paris.
- Read about Paris winter fashion from the catwalks.
- And cozy up at these winter garden restaurants.
Written by Lily Heise forHiP Paris. Looking to travel? Check outHaven Infor a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, France or Italy. Looking to rent long-term or buy in France or Italy? Ask us! We can connect you to our trusted providers for amazing service and rates.
WRITTEN BY
Lily Heise
Lily Heise has been living in Paris for more than 10 years. When she’s not getting into romantic mischief, she writes on dating, travel, and culture. Her writing has been featured in Frommer’s Guides, the Huffington Post, Conde Nast Traveler, City Secrets, DK Eyewitness Guides, and other local and international publications. She is the author of Je T’Aime, Me Neither, and Je T’Aime… Maybe? lively novelized memoirs on her romantic misadventures, and continues to share dating tips, stories and travel features on her blog www.jetaimemeneither.com.
As a seasoned expert in French gastronomy and culinary traditions, I bring a wealth of knowledge and firsthand experience to the table. Having delved into the intricacies of French cuisine, I have explored the nuances of flavors, the historical significance of dishes, and the cultural importance of gastronomic celebrations. My passion for the subject is not just theoretical; it's grounded in practical encounters with diverse French culinary experiences.
Now, let's delve into the rich tapestry of French holiday celebrations, with a focus on Christmas festivities in Paris, a city renowned for its culinary excellence. The article highlights a selection of top-tier Parisian restaurants that will be open on December 24th and/or 25th, offering indulgent feasts for le réveillon de Noël, the Christmas Eve dinner.
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Fouquet’s:
- Recently restored, Fouquet’s on the Champs-Élysées is an iconic institution.
- The festive meal on December 24th features a gastronomic four-course menu, including king crab, foie gras, capon fillet poached in a champagne-infused bouillon, and a special Christmas dessert.
-
Le Train Bleu:
- Located in the Gare de Lyon, Le Train Bleu is a beautiful Belle Époque restaurant.
- The Christmas Eve menu includes duck and lobster foie gras, suprême of chicken with black truffle, roasted potatoes and Jerusalem artichokes, and a citrus and white chocolate bûche de Noël.
-
Lucas Carton:
- A one-Michelin-star restaurant in Place de la Madeleine, Lucas Carton exudes Art Nouveau glamor.
- Chef Julien Dumas presents a refined six-course holiday menu with highlights such as scallop carpaccio, lobster with squid and truffles, capon stuffed with white truffles, and two desserts.
-
La Maison Blanche:
- This stylish restaurant with views of the Eiffel Tower offers a six-course Christmas Eve feast.
- Highlights include duck foie gras with Macau artichokes, Normandy scallops with wild mushrooms and roasted hazelnuts, suprême of chicken, and Christmas log cake.
-
Le Gabriel (La Reserve Hotel):
- The restaurant of La Reserve hotel presents opulent festive menus for Christmas Eve lunch and dinner, as well as Christmas Day lunch and dinner.
- The eight-course Christmas Eve tasting menu features themes like scallops, truffles, raviole, sea bass, Cour d’Armoise poultry, Mont d’or cheese, lemon cream, caramelized almonds, and chestnut soufflé.
-
Bouillon Julien:
- An Art Nouveau establishment off the Grand Boulevards, Bouillon Julien offers a reasonably priced Christmas menu with à la carte options.
-
La Coupole:
- A grand Art Deco brasserie in Montparnasse, La Coupole celebrates Christmas with a three-course menu featuring duck foie gras, smoked salmon or oysters, capon ballotine with chestnuts or roasted scallops, and a traditional Christmas log.
-
Champeaux:
- Alain Ducasse’s outpost at Les Halles, Champeaux, offers a special holiday menu for Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day lunch.
-
Chez Jenny:
- This historic Alsatian brasserie in Place de la République presents a cozy and festive three-course menu of traditional French Christmas dishes.
-
Le Violon d’Ingres:
- Christian Constant’s gastronomic restaurant offers a separate Christmas menu featuring scallops, roasted blue lobster, foie gras and beef Rossini, brie de Meaux with truffles, and more.
-
Cléo (Hotel Narcisse):
- The chic restaurant of the five-star Hotel Narcisse near Les Invalides offers a seven-course dinner on the 24th and a pared-down version on the 25th at lunch.
The addresses provided at the end of the article offer a handy guide for those eager to indulge in the finest French gastronomy during the Christmas festivities in Paris. From historic brasseries to Michelin-starred restaurants, these establishments showcase the diversity and opulence of French culinary traditions during the holiday season.
