Thinking of spending Christmas this year in France? You are sure to love it! The pageantry of Christmas leading up to the holiday is grand and festive and yet a certain air of peace and serenity descends over France during Christmas. There are dozens of Christmas-related activities in France during Christmas, not to mention numerous exciting Christmas markets. Christmas in France is a major celebration, as is in most other Christian countries across the world. It is a public holiday and a great time to plan a visit to this beautiful country to brighten your Christmas with a stroke of French tradition.
Quick Summary
- Christmas In France Facts
- Places To Spend Christmas In France
- Christmas Markets To Visit In France
- Reasons To Spend Christmas In France
- FAQs About Christmas In France
Interesting Facts About Christmas In France
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Traditional French Christmas celebrations include attending a mass at the local church on Christmas Eve. After mass, families gather together for a long and sumptuous meal called Réveillon, in the wee hours of Christmas morning. Besides great Christmas food in France, there are several other traditions for Christmas in France that are unique to the country. There are no cards and no carol singers on Christmas. The French like to spend Christmas quietly and soberly.
Families huddle together and play France Christmas games around the fireplace. Rather, than setting out colourful stockings for Santa to fill, kids in France leave their shoes instead! They wake up to find their shoes brimming with goodies, candies, and cookies! There are distinct signature desserts and food for Christmas in France. Writing to Santa Claus is a tradition in most countries, but in France, Santa always writes back! These were just a few of the dozens of fun facts about Christmas day in France. Plan a visit to Christmas to unravel many more!
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6 Best Places To Spend Christmas In France 2024
If you are planning to spend Christmas in France, make sure you visit these places to witness the charm and celebrations:
- Paris
- Toulouse
- Morzine
- Montbeliard
- Strasbourg
- Aix-en-Provence
1. Paris
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There isn’t a city that is as romantic as Paris. Brightly lit during Christmas, Paris is quite a sight to behold. Right from the Marais to Notre Dame, all of Paris’ landmarks are lit up and the many bustling boutiques and unique ambience, add to the festivities of the season.
There are numerous Christmas markets hosted in the city every year during Christmas, where you can experience the celebration of the traditions of Christmas in France. The market at La La Défense, in particular, is a must-visit. It is the largest market in town, located right in front of modern high-rise buildings. During the days leading up to Christmas, traditional wooden chalets are set up at La Grande Arche. During Christmas in France Eiffel Tower too is lit up like a giant Christmas ornament.
Must Experiences: Visit the Eiffel Tower, go skating on the ice rink at Champ de Mars at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, treat your taste buds to a gastronomic experience at Gare de l’Est, and enjoy incredible hilltop views at Montmartre market.
Temperature in December: An average of 4°C
How to Reach:
By Air: There are 3 international airports in France – Charles de Gaulle International Airport, Beauvais, and Orly International Airport. Many airlines operate flights to and from most other parts of the world.
By Road: Paris enjoys good bus service and is linked to most other cities of the country. Eurolines runs a number of buses to and from other cities in France.
By Rail: You may also travel to Paris via train from most parts of Europe.
2. Toulouse
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For the best-ever Christmas experience in France, head to Toulouse. There is an air of festivity in the entire city. Place du Capitole, located outside the grand town hall, features rows of wooden chalets huddled next to each other, all selling vintage artisanal products. This market is a great place to shop for gifts as the variety is simply tremendous.
You will find everything from pottery to handmade jewellery, to clothes, and even cute France Christmas Ornaments and keepsakes at this market. Be sure to taste some traditional foie gras and cake served at the stalls. Take a selfie by the side of the giant Father Christmas on your way out. An important aspect of celebrations of Christmas in France, decorations, and manger cribs can be seen here.
Must Experiences: Plan a trip to the Chinese Lantern Festival, which is just an hour’s drive away. This spectacular event is nothing like you have ever experienced.
Temperature in December: An average of 2.7°C
How to Reach:
By Air: Fly into Blagnac Airport 11 km west of downtown Toulouse. There are flights to Blagnac from major cities such as London, Paris, Munich, and Frankfurt.
By Rail: You may catch the national intercity train. Tickets are available on portals such as iDTGV.
By Road: An inexpensive way to travel to Toulouse is by bus. There are numerous buses to Toulouse from Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Belgium.
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3. Morzine
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When winter sets in, the lifts in Morzine open! The Christmas lights twinkle and the whole city is ready to welcome Santa. This beautiful city in France is a great place to revel in the festivities of Christmas. The city hosts a number of Santa Crawls for party lovers.
Anyone with a Santa costume is free to join these parties. Kick off a fun old family Christmas by heading to bars that host Xmas Carol Mega parties. A trip to Morzine is a great way to enjoy a cocktail of a traditional yet contemporary France Christmas celebration.
Must Experiences: Meet Santa at the town square, hit the slopes, take a spin on an indoor rink, hop onto a Parapente ride to pump up some adrenaline, treat yourself to a hammam, and spend a night in a chalet in the snowy mountains.
Temperature in December: An average of -5°C
How to reach:
By Air: Fly into one of the closest airports at Geneva, Chambery, Grenoble, or Lyon. If you are travelling from outside France, Geneva would be the best bet.
By Rail: You can also board one of the fast TGV trains to Lyon or Paris and then on to Thonon or Cluses.
4. Montbéliard
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Get into the spirit of Christmas and be prepared to enjoy the warmest of welcomes in this winter wonderland. Located in Eastern France, Montbéliard turns into a page out of a fairy tale book, as Christmas Eve in France approaches.
The locals in the city relive the tradition of Württemberg during Advent and organize a grandiose Christmas market. Over 160 colourful stalls are brimming with authentic handicrafts and goods. Visitors may enjoy a number of scrumptious Christmas specials, and dance to the music and sound of carols.
Must Experiences: Pay a visit to the Musée de l’Aventure Peugeot museum. This fabulous gallery is more than just a museum but is a treasure trove of over 200 historic cars. Also, explore The Castle of the Dukes of Wurttemberg.
Temperature in December: An average of -5°C
How to reach:
By Air: There are many cheap flights to Basel-Mulhouse Euroairport, which is just a 50-minute drive from Montbéliard.
By Rail: The city is also served by TGV trains from Strasbourg, Paris, and Zurich. These trains stop at Belfort-Montbéliard TGV station located 20 km from the city centre of Montbéliard.
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5. Strasbourg
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Strasbourg is a destination which will make you believe in the beauty of the Christmas festivities. And if you’re thinking about where to spend Christmas in France, then this is the best place. It will make you look beyond the frosty weather. Located in the Alsace region of France, this place is decorated by a line of fairy lights, garlands of pine and also wooden trinkets. The Christmas market in Strasbourg is one of the biggest and oldest places which has existed for the past 400 years. Located just in the middle of the Gothic Cathedral, these markets boast wooden chalet-style stalls and handcrafted Christmas ornaments.
Must Experiences: Strasbourg is one of the best places to experience the oldest Christmas markets.
Temperature In December: An average of -5 degrees Celsius
How To Reach:
By Rail: Cheaper flights are running from Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg Airport in France and Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport in Germany to reach Strasbourg. From there one can train which connects to the city. The main railway station in Strasbourg is Gare de Strasbourg.
By Road: Though the trains are the most convenient, bus services can also be enjoyed from various European countries.
6. Aix-en-Provence
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Take a closure to the French Christmas traditions in a different way here at Aix-en-Provence. This place is lined up with a bustling Christmas market at Place Jeanne d’Arc which also features handcrafted goods and local things. The traditions followed here in Aix-en-Provence are the age-old things which are observed by the locals. And people can also get to taste the traditional delights of Christmas in this town in France.
Must Experiences: Experience the age-old traditions of the French locals during Christmas while in this city.
Temperature In December: An average of -5 degrees Celsius
How To Reach:
By Rail: There are TGV services by which Aix-en-Provence connects with Paris and Marseille. The station is located at a distance of 16 km towards the west of the city.
By Road: People can take the Motorway A7 route to reach Paris or Lyon.
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Christmas Markets To Visit In France
Here are some of the Christmas markets to visit in France which will give you that vibe of the festival.
- The Montpellier Christmas Market
- Strasbourg Christmas Market
- Nice Christmas Market
- The Bordeaux Christmas Market
- The Roeun Christmas Market
1. The Montpellier Christmas Market
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To enjoy the festive vibe of Christmas in South of France, the Montpellier Christmas Market is the place where you should be. This traditional Christmas market starts by the end of November and is often called the Les Hivernales. While the city brims during this time of the season, there are places like the Comedie Square and the Esplanade Charles de Gaulle where around 160 local and regional merchants offer a wide variety of Christmas gifts like sweets, oysters, mulled wine, decoration items, toys, jewels and hot chocolates inside hundreds of small wooden huts.
Dates: November 27th to December 28th, 2019
2. Strasbourg Christmas Market
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To witness the old world charm, Strasbourg is a place which should be counted down in the list to find the best Christmas markets in France. This is the oldest Christmas market in France which started in 1577 and every year around 2 million people fly down to witness that. The place glitters with all the Christmas lights and themed events along with a giant ice rink and a famous 100-foot gigantic tree.
Dates: Friday, 22nd November to Tuesday, 31 December
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3. Nice Christmas Market
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Another place which oozes out the Christmas spirit is the Nice Christmas Market which is settled up alongside the French Riviera. The markets consist of around 60 stalls where people can try out delicious delights and also the nice vin chaud (hot wine). And adding to that there is a scope to go for ice skating. This is one of the biggest markets in France where there is a wide array of things to do apart from just shopping.
Dates: 6th December to 5th January
4. The Bordeaux Christmas Market
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This is one of the most interesting and enchanting Christmas Markets in France which happens in Bordeaux. There are around 100 tiny themed stables installed at the Allees de Tourny in the middle of the town. Alongside this, there are many more things to experience like the great food, drinks and delicacies which are located around the Bordeaux Christmas Market. And when here, you can’t miss out on the mulled wine which will keep you warm during the Christmas season.
Dates: November 27- December 29, 2019
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5. The Rouen Christmas Market
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Dream about experiencing Christmas by the Seine River? If yes, then experience the best time of your life at the Rouen Christmas Market. Rouen is famous for being the capital city of Normandy and it has always been linked with the Joan of Arc. There is a blanket of magic spelt around this city during Christmas time. The place brims with the joy of festivities which include merry games, concerts and of course music. And in addition to all this, there are 70 wooden chalets, French mulled wine and also ice skating to experience the wintery vibe.
Dates: November 27- 31 December, 2019
8 Reasons Why You Must Spend Christmas In France
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- The Christmas markets hosted in France are by far the most colourful, festive, and grand markets in all of Europe. This is a great time to explore the markets and soak up some Christmas spirit.
- Enjoy a traditional Le Réveillon, that stretches on late into the night – a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
- A perfect excuse to enjoy some great wine. Vintage wines, Crémants, and Champagne are on the offering everywhere! These drinks paired with foie gras and cheeses add to the culinary experience!
- Wake up to glistening snow-covered mountains on a secluded chalet in the Alps.
- Christmas isn’t commercial in France. It is all about great food and bonding with your loved ones.
- Knowing the history of Christmas in France and its traditions is fun.
- This is a great time to hone your skiing skills. French ski resorts offer great discounts during the festive season.
- French Christmas decorations are truly breathtaking. But, there are plenty of other events, festivals, and France Christmas activities to celebrate winter, even before it is really Christmas. Fête des Lumières in Lyon, and Nord-Pas-de-Calais deserve a special mention.
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So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and set out to enjoy a thrilling Christmas in France. Plan your trip to France with TravelTriangle now and get ready to enjoy this joyous festival with your loved ones in this wonderful country.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Best Places To Spend Christmas In France
Are there Christmas markets in France?
France exudes a fantastic atmosphere during Christmas. It hosts close to 12 traditional Christmas markets scattered across the country.
Which are the best Christmas markets in France?
While each Christmas market is unique, some of the best markets are hosted in Paris, Lille, Colmar, Strasbourg, and Mulhouse. The Christmas market in Lille France is another extraordinary one. These markets wow several thousand visitors from across the world.
Where is the best place in France to spend Christmas?
Paris, is undoubtedly the best place in France to spend a Christmas vacation.
How do they celebrate Christmas in France?
The people in France set up a Christmas tree as a ritual and then visit a church service. And alongside that, they prepare an elaborate meal which is enjoyed with family and friends.
When did France start celebrating Christmas?
The Christmas celebration was started by the Reims in 496 when Clovis and his 3,000 warriors were baptized.
Do the French have Christmas trees?
In France, the Christmas tree is called the “un Sapin de noel” or un Arbre de noel”. The Christmas tree was first introduced in Alsace in 1521.
What are typical Christmas foods in France?
In France, the Christmas dinner includes roast turkey served with chestnuts or roasted goose. Apart from this oysters, foie gras, lobster, venison and cheeses are also served. For the dessert, chocolate sponge cake is normally eaten.
Does it snow in France?
During winter snow hardly appears on the plains in the South of the Loire and in Paris. However, snowfall happens in the Alps and the Pyrenees.
What is the most Christmassy place in France?
Known as the French Christmas Capital, Strasbourg is one of the best places in France to spend the Christmas holidays with the best Christmas markets.
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