Christmas in France is a magical experience, where streets twinkle with thousands of lights and festive cheer fills every corner. At the heart of this excitement lie the Christmas markets, where you can find unique gifts, savor local delicacies, and immerse yourself in the warm spirit of the season. Let’s explore some of France’s most renowned Christmas markets, each with its own unique charm and beauty, promising unforgettable memories.
Strolling through these markets, you’ll not only admire exquisite handicrafts but also indulge in regional specialties, from fragrant gingerbread to warm mulled wine. It’s a true journey of discovering French culture through its cuisine and traditions.
I. Metz Christmas Market: A Dazzling Spectacle of Lights
The Metz Christmas Market, located in the Grand Est region, is one of the most visited in France. Open from November 24th to December 30th, it sprawls across several of the city’s main squares, each with its own distinct appeal.
Metz Christmas Market illuminated with festive lights
Place de la République boasts a giant Christmas tree, an ice rink, and a snow slide. Place de la Comédie is a hub for enticing food stalls. Charming wooden chalets offer traditional Christmas decorations, handicrafts, and unique souvenirs.
The highlight of the Metz Christmas Market is the Sentiers des Lanternes (Lantern Trails) at Place Boufflers. Adorned with over a million lanterns in various shapes and colors, it creates a mesmerizing fairytale setting. It’s the perfect spot for capturing memorable Christmas photos.
II. Montbéliard Christmas Market: The City of Lights
The Montbéliard Christmas Market, also known as “The City of Lights,” takes place from November 25th to December 24th in the town of Montbéliard, Franche-Comté region. The market features a grand craft fair, a children’s village, exhibitions, concerts, and parades.
Montbéliard Christmas Market glowing with festive lights
Over 160 stalls showcase high-quality products, from silk and ceramics to candles, artwork, and jewelry. Visitors can indulge in shopping and find unique gifts for loved ones. In the evenings, the Montbéliard Christmas Market comes alive with captivating Christmas concerts.
Strolling through the illuminated streets, you can savor cheese, sausages, and pastries at the food stalls, admire the diverse artwork, and immerse yourself in the lively festive atmosphere.
III. Strasbourg Christmas Market: The Capital of Christmas
Open from November 26th to December 26th, the Strasbourg Christmas Market is the oldest in France and one of the most famous in Europe. Known as the “Capital of Christmas,” Strasbourg offers a unique blend of French, German, and Swiss traditions.
Strasbourg Christmas Market, historic and magnificent
The heart of the market is Place Kléber, featuring a magnificently decorated 30-meter-tall Christmas tree. Around 300 stalls offer local specialties and exquisite handicrafts. The impressive architecture transports visitors to a royal feast.
Visit Place du Marche-des-Poissons for traditional Alsatian bredele cookies or Place des Meuniers for truffles, biscuits, and cheese. Exploring the Strasbourg Christmas Market is a journey of cultural and culinary discovery.
IV. Colmar Christmas Market: A Fairytale Come to Life
From November 23rd to December 29th, Christmas in Colmar exudes a magical fairytale atmosphere. The stalls of the Colmar Christmas Market are interconnected by countless quaint little streets.
Colmar Christmas Market with a fairytale atmosphere
Along the streets are rows of centuries-old, colorful wooden houses. In the evenings, choirs sing carols on illuminated boats.
Visit Place de Dominicains to admire the 18th-century church, browse the 60 wooden stalls, or explore the Koifhus market for exquisite handicrafts. Don’t forget to savor Alsatian specialties like gingerbread, truffle risotto, and Gugelhupf cake at Place de la Cathédrale and Place Jeanne d’Arc.
V. Amiens Christmas Market: The Largest in Northern France
Amiens, the capital of Picardy, is renowned for having the largest Gothic cathedral in France and hosting one of the largest and most impressive Christmas markets in Northern France. Open from November 24th to December 31st, the Amiens Christmas Market showcases over 130 stalls.
Amiens Christmas Market bustling and vibrant
Find Le Creuset cookware, exquisite crystal, glassware, and local specialties like Beauvais chocolate, Amiens macarons, marrons glacés, along with beverages like Marne Valley Champagne and cider.
Wandering through the streets, admiring the illuminated Notre-Dame d’Amiens cathedral, marveling at the Christmas tree, and immersing yourself in the festive ambiance is an unforgettable experience.
VI. Reims Christmas Market: The Land of Champagne
Less than an hour from Paris by TGV train, Reims is a magical destination during Christmas. From November 24th to December 31st, visitors to the land of champagne can enjoy various champagnes and savor the delicious “biscuit de Reims” at over 140 stalls in France’s third-largest Christmas market.
Reims Christmas Market splendid under the lights
In the evenings, witness a spectacular rainbow sound and light show projected onto the facade of the magnificent Reims Cathedral. Enjoy a ride on the Ferris wheel at Place du Forum for panoramic views of the old town.
VII. Lille Christmas Market: A Festive Tapestry of Colors
The Lille Christmas Market dazzles with its city lights and decorations, wonderful stalls, and the giant Grand Roue Ferris wheel at the center of Grand Place Rihour. From November 22nd to December 31st, the city is awash in color and festive spirit.
Lille Christmas Market glowing at night
Ninety wooden chalets overflow with gift ideas, nativity figurines, decorations, artwork, and crafts from Russia, Poland, and Quebec. Enjoy regional specialties and traditional Christmas treats like gingerbread, roasted chestnuts, and babelutte caramels.
VIII. Mulhouse Christmas Market: A Textile Wonderland
Famous for its textiles, each year the Mulhouse Christmas Market (November 24th – December 23rd) creates a new fabric specifically for decorating the streets and stalls, creating a unique and elegant atmosphere.
Mulhouse Christmas Market unique with its textiles
100 Christmas stalls showcase local specialties like foie gras, gingerbread, and bredeles, along with renowned fabrics and wonderful Christmas gifts such as tablecloths, scarves, ties, and handkerchiefs. Visit the Musée de l’Impression sur Etoffes, a museum of printed textiles.
IX. Paris Christmas Markets: Romance and Charm
From November 20th to December 26th, Christmas markets pop up across Paris, from Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés to Place de la Nation, the Champs-Elysées, and Place du Trocadéro.
Paris Christmas Market romantic under the lights
One of the most beautiful and romantic Christmas markets in Paris is held opposite Notre Dame Cathedral on the banks of the Seine at Quai de Montebello in the Latin Quarter. Sip mulled wine and nibble on roasted chestnuts while swaying to music and admiring the famous cathedral.
For the best views of Paris, stroll along the cobbled streets of Montmartre below the Sacre-Cœur Basilica. Countless stalls showcase local artwork and culinary delights like sautéed mushrooms and raclette cheese.
X. Arras Christmas Market: Unique Flemish Architecture
The Christmas Market in Arras (November 25th – December 30th) is impressively staged with a Christmas forest featuring 140 artisans and exhibitions revolving around decorations, gifts, and gastronomy.
Arras Christmas Market with unique Flemish architecture
Take a bike ride to admire the surrounding festivities and the unique Flemish architecture. After enjoying mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, or gaufres, browse the market stalls, visit the unique Christmas tree, or try ice skating on the natural ice rink.
Christmas in France is an unforgettable experience, and exploring its renowned Christmas markets is a wonderful way to embrace the festive spirit. Each market offers its own unique charm and beauty, promising cherished memories. Plan your trip today and enjoy the magic of France at Christmas!