Paris turns hotel lobbies into winter stages. Every December, the city’s palace addresses unveil towering Christmas trees, couture ornaments and fairy-lit courtyards that anyone can walk in and admire.
Looking for the most beautiful trees in Paris hotels and how to see them? Start around Place Vendôme and Avenue Montaigne, then cross the Seine to the chic 8th and 16th arrondissements. Most lobbies welcome visitors during the day, with security guiding the flow at busy hours. Early morning or late afternoon works best for that unmisable photo.
Best Christmas trees in Paris hotels : the instant essentials
The search is simple: iconic palaces concentrate the season’s most spectacular trees. Four Seasons Hotel George V is the benchmark. Its artistic director of floral design, Jeff Leatham, has staged dramatic lobby installations since 1999, according to Four Seasons, often pairing a monumental tree with sculptural winter blooms.
On Place Vendôme, Ritz Paris blends classic gold with twinkling firs through the gallery and Bar Vendôme. The hotel reopened in 2016 after a four-year renovation, per Ritz Paris, and its December decor has become a magnet for winter strolls around the square’s jewellers.
A short walk away, Hôtel de Crillon – A Rosewood Hotel brings a couture touch in the historic salons. The property reopened in 2017 after a four-year restoration, according to Rosewood, and its festive tree typically anchors the lobby’s grand symmetry with crystal accents.
How to visit without a room : timing, etiquette, photos
Arrive early on weekends or just after lunchtime on weekdays. Crowds thin, reflections soften, and staff have more room to let visitors move through lobbies without stress. Ask discreetly before setting up a tripod. Most places allow quick handheld shots yet may limit professional gear.
Order a hot chocolate when possible. It helps the flow and turns a short visit into a warm pause. Plaza Athénée on avenue Montaigne – opened in 1913 per Dorchester Collection – often dresses its Cour Jardin with a sparkling tree that pairs well with the hotel’s signature pastries.
Across the river, Shangri-La Paris occupies the former residence of Prince Roland Bonaparte, completed in 1896 and transformed into a hotel in 2010, according to Shangri-La. Its staircase and lobby tree frame sweeping photo angles that feel regal without being stiff.
Partnerships, charity, and the little facts that matter
Some addresses link their trees to charity. The Peninsula Hotels launched its holiday “Trees of Hope” initiative in 2003, per The Peninsula, channeling festive programming toward local causes. At The Peninsula Paris, the lobby tree and terrace lights usually tie into that calendar of giving.
Cheval Blanc Paris, opened in 2021 according to LVMH, brings a contemporary eye to festive design on the Seine. Expect refined, sculptural ornaments rather than maximalist color. Le Bristol Paris – inaugurated in 1925, per Oetker Collection – switches the spotlight to its garden courtyard, where a classic tree glows against Haussmann stone and patisserie perfumes the air.
The pattern is clear. Parisians and travelers do not just pass through these spaces, they linger. A lobby tree becomes wayfinding, a meeting point, a seasonal stage that hotels program as carefully as a show window.
Snapshot guide : the most beautiful hotel trees in Paris
Use this compact trail to see the city’s standout lobby trees in one afternoon, from right bank icons to left bank gems.
- Four Seasons Hotel George V, 31 avenue George V, 8th – Jeff Leatham’s floral theatre since 1999, according to Four Seasons. Go at 10:00 for clear lobby vistas.
- Ritz Paris, 15 place Vendôme, 1st – Grand tree and arcades, reopened 2016 per Ritz Paris. Best light an hour before sunset on the square.
- Hôtel de Crillon, 10 place de la Concorde, 8th – Sculptural tree in historic salons, reopened 2017 per Rosewood. Security may meter access at peak times.
- Plaza Athénée, 25 avenue Montaigne, 8th – Courtyard tree with couture spirit, opened 1913 per Dorchester Collection. Pair with afternoon tea.
- Le Bristol Paris, 112 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 8th – Garden courtyard tree, opened 1925 per Oetker Collection. Calm morning visit.
- The Peninsula Paris, 19 avenue Kléber, 16th – Lobby tree linked to “Trees of Hope” charity since 2003, per The Peninsula. Terrace lights after dark.
- Shangri-La Paris, 10 avenue d’Iéna, 16th – Belle Époque staircase framing the tree, hotel since 2010 according to Shangri-La. Golden hour glow.
- Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris, 37 avenue Hoche, 8th – Contemporary art twist on classic fir. Reopened 2010 after Starck redesign.
- Cheval Blanc Paris, 8 quai du Louvre, 1st – Sleek riverfront setting, opened 2021 per LVMH. Seine reflections after sunset are unmisable.