Paris’s Largest Outdoor Ice Rink Just Got Even Bigger (And Yes, There’s Raclette)

Patins en Folie returns to Parc André Citroën with 600m² of real ice, DJ sets, and a gourmet village that finally understands what ice skating actually requires: cheese

The hot air balloon bobbing above Parc André Citroën isn’t the only thing inflating this winter. Patins en Folie—Paris’s largest outdoor ice rink—just expanded from 450m² to a whopping 600m² of real ice for the 2025-2026 season.

That’s right. REAL ice. Not that synthetic plastic nonsense that makes you work twice as hard for half the glide.

What’s New This Year

After last year’s debut made the rink an unexpected hit (turns out Parisians actually enjoy outdoor winter activities when they involve cheese and music), the organizers decided bigger is better.

The upgrades:

• 600m² of natural ice vs. last year’s 450m²
• Dedicated 100m² kids’ zone so toddlers can face-plant in peace
• Expanded gourmet village featuring raclette, bar à frites, crêpes, waffles, churros, and every hot chocolate variation known to mankind
• DJ sets that transform the ice into what they’re calling a “dancefloor givré” (frozen dancefloor)
• More chalets. Nine, to be exact. Because apparently stopping for snacks requires options.

The setting remains absurdly picturesque: string lights, the iconic Ballon de Paris floating overhead daily, and enough trees to make you forget you’re technically in the 15th arrondissement.

The Raclette Situation

Let’s address what really matters here. Yes, there’s an actual raclette station. On-site. At an ice rink.

This is the kind of French problem-solving that explains why this country invented both figure skating and three-hour lunch breaks. You glide around, burning approximately 200 calories, then immediately replace them with 600 calories of melted cheese scraped onto potatoes.

The gourmet village doesn’t stop there. They’ve got:

• Crêpes & waffles (obviously)
• Churros (because Spain is only a train ride away)
• Cotton candy (for the kids, theoretically)
• Hot chocolate (in dangerous proximity to whipped cream)
• Bar à frites (this is France; of course there’s a dedicated fries bar)

The Schedule

Morning sessions: Designed for beginners and families. Professional skaters offer lessons so your kids can learn proper technique before developing bad habits you’ll spend years trying to correct.

Daytime & evening: Open skating for all levels. Natural light during the day. Dramatic spot lighting after dark. DJ providing the soundtrack.

Late-night sessions: When the music gets louder and the adults remember they’re actually pretty good at this once they stop worrying about falling.

The Practical Bits

Dates: November 22, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Location: Parc André Citroën, 2 Rue Cauchy, 75015
Metro: Javel-André Citroën (Line 10) or Balard (Line 8)
Note: After 5:30pm, park entrance is opposite 13 Rue de la Montagne de la Fage

Pricing:

• Under 3: Free (they can’t skate anyway)
• Under 8: €8
• Adults: €11
• Family pack (2 adults + 2 kids): €36
• Evening sessions: €10-15 depending on timing

You can book tickets here.

Included: Skate rental in all sizes (or bring your own)
Required: Gloves (€3 on-site if you forget)
Duration: 45-60 minute sessions
Pro tip: Book ahead; this sold out regularly last year

Why It Actually Works

Paris has no shortage of winter ice rinks. The Grand Palais des Glaces is technically bigger. The Tuileries rink is more central. La Défense has a massive Christmas market attached.

But Patins en Folie nailed something specific: it feels like an actual winter destination rather than a tourist activity. The park setting helps. The real ice helps more. But mostly, it’s the vibe—locals bringing thermoses of wine, kids wobbling across the dedicated zone, couples attempting romantic skating before realizing neither of them is coordinated enough, groups laughing over raclette after wiping out spectacularly.

The morning lessons legitimately teach kids to skate rather than just supervising controlled chaos. The DJ sets create actual energy without feeling forced, and positioning a cheese station next to people actively exercising? Chef’s kiss. Literally.

The Competition

Fair warning: If you want THE biggest indoor ice experience, the Grand Palais des Glaces (3,000m²) wins hands down. If you want the most Instagrammable location, Galeries Lafayette’s rooftop rink offers unbeatable Opéra views.

But for the combination of:

• Real outdoor ice
• Actual breathing room (600m² spreads people out)
• Food that goes beyond overpriced hot dogs
• A park setting that doesn’t feel claustrophobic
• DJ sets that don’t make you cringe
• Professional morning lessons
• A kids’ area that actually keeps them contained

…Patins en Folie delivers the most complete package.

What They Got Right

Size matters: Expanding to 600m² means you’re not constantly dodging the person ahead. The kids’ zone keeps different skill levels separated, which reduces collisions and the subsequent crying.

Real ice: Synthetic rinks make even good skaters look clumsy. Natural ice rewards proper technique and feels faster, smoother, and more satisfying.

The gourmet village: Every ice rink has hot chocolate. Not every ice rink lets you follow your skating session with proper melted cheese. The nine chalets ensure you can stop mid-session, refuel, and return without the queue eating your entire time slot.

Morning lessons: Most rinks just open and let chaos unfold. Having pros available for actual instruction means kids leave knowing how to stop, turn, and skate backward—skills that make subsequent visits exponentially more fun.

Evening energy: The DJ sets transform the experience from “family activity” to “actual night out.” Couples skate to proper music rather than tinny Christmas loops. The lighting creates atmosphere. Adults remember why they liked ice skating before parenthood made everything about supervision.

The Reality Check

This isn’t cheap entertainment. €36 for a family of four adds up quickly if you make it a regular thing. The gourmet village prices reflect “captive audience at a special event” rather than “corner café” economics.

Sessions are limited to 45-60 minutes, which feels short once you factor in getting your skates on, warming up, and actually hitting your stride. Some people spend 20 minutes getting comfortable, skate for 15 minutes, then time’s up.

The 15th arrondissement location isn’t exactly central. From tourist Paris, you’re looking at 30-40 minutes via metro. And while Parc André Citroën is lovely, it’s not Place des Vosges or Luxembourg Gardens in terms of “iconic Paris park” status.

Also: gloves are mandatory. For safety, yes. But also because falling on ice barehanded hurts. They’ll sell you gloves for €3 if you forget, but we all know those €3 gloves will be lost within a week.

Who This Is For

Families with kids 5-12: The dedicated kids’ zone and morning lessons make this ideal for teaching skating without the stress of dodging advanced skaters.

Groups of friends: The evening sessions with DJ sets create party vibes. Bring your crew, embrace the wipeouts, reward yourselves with raclette.

Couples seeking winter date ideas: Romantic in theory (skating under lights!), hilarious in practice (neither of you can skate!), redeemable via hot chocolate (everyone wins!).

Anyone done with traditional tourist activities: This feels local. Parisians actually go here for fun, not because guidebooks tell them to.

Who Can Skip

Serious skaters: If you’re training for triple axels, the crowded rink and time limits will frustrate you. Head to an actual ice sports facility.

Budget travelers: At €11-15 per person for under an hour, this isn’t the cheapest Paris activity. The gourmet village only increases costs.

Anyone avoiding the 15th: If you’re staying in Montmartre or the Marais and want something walkable, look elsewhere.

People who hate cold: This is outdoors. In winter. In Paris. You will be cold. The raclette helps, but fundamentally, you’re voluntarily freezing while sliding around on ice.

The Verdict

Patins en Folie succeeds because it commits fully to the bit. It’s not trying to be the biggest, most central, or most Instagrammable. It’s trying to be the best actual ice skating experience—and mostly pulls it off.

The expansion to 600m² addresses last year’s crowding. The kids’ zone makes it family-friendly without sacrificing adult fun. The gourmet village transforms “quick activity” into “spend the afternoon here.” The DJ sets add energy. The morning lessons add value.

Is it perfect? No. The time limits feel restrictive. The location isn’t convenient. The pricing isn’t cheap.

But sliding across real ice in an outdoor park under string lights and a hot air balloon, with actual music playing and melted cheese waiting nearby? That’s pretty damn good for a Tuesday night in Paris.

Open: November 22, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Book ahead: patinsenfolie.com
Bring: Gloves, warm layers, appetite for cheese
Leave at home: Expectations of Olympic-level figure skating