Winter is well and truly arrived in the French capital, and with it the typical Parisian winter weather that makes you want to hide out in front of a fire (or a radiator) with a cup of tea and a warm blanket for the next four months. Honestly though, it would be a shame to miss all the fun wintery activities going on around the city!
Ice skating has always been one of my favorite winter activities (even though I frankly suck at it), and ice skating in Paris just takes it to another level- quite literally in some cases. Whether you’re doing double axels in the middle of the rink or clinging to the wall, I’ve rounded up some of the best places to go ice skating in Paris this winter.
MARCHÉ DE NOËL DU JARDIN DES TUILERIES
15 November 2019 to 5 January 2020
If you want to go full on Christmas, why not go ice skating at a Christmas market? The old Champs-Elysées market has moved to the Jardin des Tuileries in recent years and returned to a more authentic feel. Take a turn on the Ferris wheel to watch the sun set over the city, then head to the ice rink just nearby. Finish off with a chocolat chaud or vin chaud (though don’t drink the vin chaud before ice skating, booze and slippery surfaces do not mix!).
Price: 10€ for adults; 6€ for kids
Hours & Dates: 11:00-23:45 during the week; 00:45 on weekends.
GALERIES LAFAYETTE
20 November 2019 to 31 December 2019
This year, Galeries Lafayette has installed an ice rink on their rooftop! It’s 160m² of pure wintery fun, and best of all it’s free of charge and open to the public. You do have a time limit of 20 minutes on the ice, in order to keep things moving, but it’s the ideal shopping break, and the perfect excuse to head down to Angelina on the 1st floor for a hot chocolate afterwards.
Price: completely free!
Hours & Dates: 10:00-20:00 daily
NOTE: GLOVES ARE OBLIGATORY FOR SKATING ON ALL THE RINKS!
GRAND PALAIS
13 December 2019 to 8 January 2020
The Grand Palais des Glaces makes its grand (pun intended) reappearance this year after a few years of alternating, so if you missed it last year, you must go! It’s the largest indoor ice rink in the world (3000m2) and my personal pick for the most fun experience ice skating in Paris. During the day, it’s a normal ice rink and all the fun that comes with it- what makes it really special is the evening, when the light shows begin in coordination with the music played by the DJ. As it can get fairly crowded, there’s a dedicated children’s space where kids can safely get their ice legs before venturing out onto the big rink. There’s a café in case you get hungry or need a hot drink!
Pro tip: buy your tickets online and get there early- lines get long!
Price: 20€-29€ for adults depending on the time slot. 12€ for children.
You can buy your tickets in advance and read the access rules online HERE.
Hours & Dates: 10:00-13:00; 14:00-19:00; 20:00-02:00
GRANDE ARCHE DE LA DÉFENSE
20 December 2019 to 5 January 2020
This might be the only ice rink on the list that could rival the view of the one at Galeries Lafayette- maybe even better given that the Grande Arche is 110 meters (360 feet) high. The ticket gives you access to the promenade bridge as well, which has an incredible view over the city, particularly along the historic axis which lines the Grande Arche up with the Arc de Triomphe. The arch is also right next to the Marché de Noël in La Défense, which is the largest (and arguably best) in the region, so if you go between December 20th and 28th, make sure to visit!
Price: 15€ adults, 10€ adolescents, 7€ kids. 3€ skate rental.
You can buy your tickets in advance online HERE. The ice rink is included in the general arch ticket as well. Unlike most of the other ice rinks on this list, you can’t bring your own skates.
Hours & Dates: 10:00-19:00 daily (last ascent 18:30)
PLAZA ATHÉNÉE
24 November 2019 to 2 February 2020
The center courtyard at the Hotel Plaza Athénée transforms in the winter into the most posh ice skating rink in the city. Come enjoy the wintery atmosphere with the hotel’s festive teatime, or an old fashioned hot chocolate, on the terrasse next to the ice rink- don’t worry, you’ll stay warm thanks to the heaters and the plush blankets on each seat. However, only children aged 3-12 are allowed to skate on the rink (despite what you may have seen on Instagram).
Price: 60€ for the teatime
Hours & Dates: 15:00-19:00 Wednesday-Sunday
Have you gone ice skating in Paris this season? Which location is your favorite?
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