Christmas Market at La Défense

Last year was my first Christmas in Paris, and I went to the most well known big Christmas markets, the Champs-Elysées, and Trocadéro by the Eiffel Tower.

This year I went to the one at La Défense, the business center of Paris. A huge holiday village in the center of the industrial complex, with the omnipresent kitsch, like miniature Santas in various poses in all Christmas markets, but also a nice place to wander and shop. If the weather hadn't been cold and rainy, I would've taken more pictures of the stands, which reflected more of what residents would want to give as gifts and eat. There was a lot of Iberian ham and raclette, warm cushy throws, hand tooled leather journals, kitchen gadgets, and of course all kinds of toys and books for children. 

No matter which exit from the metro you choose, you'll be greeted with a lit Christmas tree, this one is near the Grande Arche, next to Santa's house where he greeted children (because it was much too cold to stand outdoors for long)!

A giant red ball illuminated one of the main entrances to the Christmas village.

 The little wooden "chalets" were a stark contrast to the modern high rise buildings.

 Once inside the village you really forgot about the skyscrapers.

Angels lit the walkways along both sides

 and the light angels framed the Arc de Triumph between them at the other end of the Esplanade.

 The other huge Christmas tree of lights

 had a walkway underneath so you could literally stand under the tree of lights:)