Christmas on Boulevard Haussmann: Windows, the Dome Tree and the Rooftop Ice Rink

Each winter the stretch of Boulevard Haussmann between Opéra and Chaussée d'Antin becomes the most theatrical corner of Paris. Galeries Lafayette and Printemps light their Art Nouveau facades, animated window displays take over the pavement, and a giant Christmas tree is suspended beneath Galeries Lafayette's stained-glass dome. The newest and most active part of the season is a rooftop ice rink on the store's eighth-floor terrace — the one element you book in advance. This guide covers what to see, when it opens, what it costs, and how to visit without being swallowed by the crowds.

The rooftop ice rink at Galeries Lafayette

The ice rink sits on the eighth-floor terrace of Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann, under the open sky and beside the free rooftop viewpoint that looks out over the Opéra and the Eiffel Tower. It is synthetic ice, so it stays open in mild, wet Paris weather that would close a real rink, and the decor changes with the season's theme. For 2026–2027 the rink is dressed in the colours of designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, in partnership with the Savoy resort of Courchevel, which is marking its 80th anniversary.

Opening hours

Hours depend on the day and on the Paris school-holiday calendar, so check before a weekday visit.

Who can skate, and what to bring

The rink is aimed at families, but the rules matter if you are bringing young children:

• Open from age 4. Children aged 4–14 must be supervised by an adult on the ice.
• Gloves are required and are not provided — bring your own. A helmet is mandatory for children aged 4–14 and is included.
• One adult may accompany each skater free of charge (on the terrace, not on the ice).
• Skating is not recommended during pregnancy.
• A free skating aid (one chair per session) is available for visitors with reduced mobility — ask at the rink.

The animated windows and the dome tree

The windows are the older, free half of the tradition. Every November the ground-floor display windows of Galeries Lafayette (and, along the same boulevard, Printemps) become miniature mechanical theatres: figures, animals and miniature Paris scenes built over months by the stores' display workshops, each window playing a short animation loop. They are lit until late evening and cost nothing to see from the pavement — only the crowds cost you time.

Inside, the centrepiece sits under the store's Art Nouveau stained-glass dome, the Coupole. A giant Christmas tree is suspended beneath it each year — a tradition the store traces back to 1976 — decorated, like the rink, in the colours of the season's guest designer. For the 2026–2027 edition the artistic direction is reported to be by Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, around a theme titled "Au cœur de Noël"; because this comes from press coverage rather than a fixed published schedule, treat the theme and the unveiling date as the current plan and confirm them on the official Galeries Lafayette site in the week of your visit.

A short viewing order

The three elements sit inside one building and a few hundred metres of pavement, so a visit fits into a couple of hours:

1. Arrive by metro at Chaussée d'Antin–La Fayette, Opéra or Havre–Caumartin — see Metro Galeries Lafayette and Metro stations for the exits.
2. Walk the windows on the boulevard first, while it is still daylight and the pavement is passable. Start on the Galeries Lafayette side and continue to Printemps.
3. Step inside for the dome tree under the Coupole, and look up through the glass roof.
4. Finish on the rooftop rink (or the adjacent free terrace) — the only part that is timed, so book your slot to coincide with dusk when the lights come on. The rooftop access guide and the rooftop comparison guide explain how to reach the terrace.

Practical planning

Best times. Weekday mornings (roughly 10:00–12:00) are quietest for the windows and the dome. Weekends and the school holidays bring the heaviest pavement crowds; the rink is busiest on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. For the mechanics of dodging the crush, see the crowd management guide.

Weather. The windows and the dome tree are indoors or under cover, so rain is not a problem for them. The rooftop rink uses synthetic ice and stays open in most weather, but the terrace can close in high wind or heavy rain — check the day of your visit, and rebook if it is cancelled.

Access. The store and the terrace lift are step-free; the rink provides a skating aid for visitors with reduced mobility (ask ahead, as there is one chair per session). Wheelchair users pay the child €7.50 rate.

Checklist. Booked rink slot ☐   Gloves ☐   Warm layer for the terrace ☐   Comfortable shoes ☐

Christmas on Boulevard Haussmann: FAQ

Do I need to book the ice rink?

Yes. Entry is by timed, paid session and booking is required — book online before you go, especially at weekends.

How much does the rink cost?

€16 for adults aged 15 and over and €7.50 for children aged 4–14 and for wheelchair users. Skate and helmet hire is included.

Is it real ice?

No — the rooftop rink uses synthetic ice, which is why it can stay open through milder, wetter Paris weather.

Can young children skate?

Children can skate from age 4. Those aged 4–14 must wear a helmet (provided) and be supervised by an adult on the ice, and everyone must have gloves, which you bring yourself.

When do the windows and the tree appear?

Each year in mid-November, and they remain up into early January. The current display is reported to open from 12 November 2026; confirm the date on the official site.

Is it free to see the windows and the tree?

Yes. The animated windows and the suspended tree under the dome are free to view. Only the rooftop ice rink is ticketed.

While you are in the store

The rooftop rink shares its floor with the store's free terrace and its viewing angle over Paris. If you build in time for a meal, the top-floor dining rooms are covered in our food and dining guide, and the broader shopping picture sits in the ultimate Boulevard Haussmann shopping guide. Families planning around the rink's age rules will find more in the shopping with kids guide.