If you plan to be in France during Christmas time then a visit to one of the country’s many Christmas markets is an essential part of the festive fun.
There are so many to choose from that you are spoiled for choice, so here I’ve put together a list of the very best France Christmas markets to visit and everything you can expect to see at each one.
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Strasbourg
Boasting 500 years of history and originally known as ‘Christkindelsmärik’, the Strasbourg Christmas Markets have spread over 11 sites throughout the city centre.
Starting in mid-November, most remain open until just before the New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Among the most popular in Europe, the markets offer wonderful food with French and German influences, arts, crafts, hand-made Alsatian Christmas decorations, and a variety of workshops and activities for children.
You will see why the city is often referred to as “Strasbourg Capital of Noel” and it is easy to spend a full day exploring all the different stalls at different locations.
Most of the action takes place in the Old Town, which is best accessed by foot or taxi, as trams do not stop there for the duration of the holiday season.
If visiting by car, park in the underground lot in front of the train station in the city centre.
Recommended Stay In Strasbourg: Hotel Cour du Corbeau Strasbourg – MGallery
This 4-star hotel is located right in the city centre and is set in a renovated building from the 16th century. Offering breakfast and great facilities, this hotel is quite charming.
Colmar
Open from late November until just before the end of December, this Christmas market in France is the one to visit if you are looking for a magical, fairy-tale experience! All of the winding streets of the Old Town – lined with charming old half-timbered houses – are beautifully illuminated and lead you towards the six linked markets.
Twilight is the best time to visit, when the soft glow of the lights makes you feel as if you are in a winter wonderland, surrounded by stunning and historic architecture!
The range of gifts, foods, souvenirs and hand-made ornaments on offer at each market is slightly different and they are close enough together to make it easy to visit them all.
Food lovers will particularly enjoy the gourmet market, where local chefs come to give cooking demonstrations and offer tastings of local delicacies.
Recommended Stay In Colmar: Relais & Châteaux La Maison Des Têtes
This 5-star hotel is located in Colmar Old Town which is ideal for visiting the Christmas markets in the area. This hotel is set in a building from the 17th century and offers an elegant modern look.
Metz
One of the most popular France Christmas markets, the Metz markets are located across the city in its 6 main squares. In addition to the traditional offerings of local foods, gifts, and ornaments, you will find an open-air ice rink at Place de la République, a beautiful carousel for children at Place Saint-Jacques, and – at Place d’Armes – one of Europe’s tallest panoramic Ferris wheels.
Don’t miss the enchanting Lantern Trail (Le Sentier des Lanternes) – a route illuminated with 400 lanterns of varying shapes and sizes.
Starting from Place de la Préfecture and continuing along the banks of the Moselle River, it leads you to a magical arctic forest and into Santa’s world, where you will meet elves, gingerbread men, Santa’s reindeer, and more.
The markets open in mid-November and close just before New Year’s Eve.
Recommended Stay In Metz: Mercure Metz Centre
This 4-star hotel is located in the city centre. That said, you’ll find a restaurant on site to try traditional French cuisine. The rooms are modern and elegant.
Reims
The illuminated cathedral in the city centre adds to the magic of this huge Christmas market in France, where you will find 145 chalets at the Place d’Erlon and along the Condorcet and Theodore Dubois streets.
The atmosphere is bright and lively, with carol singers, magicians, and jazz bands entertaining the crowds throughout.
Being in the Champagne area, a glass of bubbly is a must, and there is no better place to enjoy it than from the market’s Ferris Wheel, whilst simultaneously enjoying views of the city in all its twinkling glory!
There is plenty on offer for children, too, with fairytales and parades, and Father Christmas is on hand every day to meet them in his chalet. The market runs from late November until Christmas Eve.
Recommended Stay In Reims: La Caserne Chanzy Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection
This 4-star hotel has a fantastic view of the cathedral. Located right in the city centre, this hotel offers a spa, a restaurant as well as a fitness centre. The rooms are elegant and modern. You’ll be able to relax while enjoying the winter festivities.
Bordeaux
If you are visiting southern France during Christmas time, then a visit to the region’s traditional festive market on Allées de Tourny is essential!
Staring at the end of November and closing just before the end of December, this Christmas market in Bordeaux features 150 chalets selling toys, local arts and crafts, jewelry, gifts, and more, plus seasonal favorites like warm spiced mulled wine and roasted chestnuts.
This area is, of course, renowned for its wine, so be sure to stock up on a few locally produced bottles, along with the region’s delicious Landes foie gras. Other specialties to look for include the blown glass from Vianne, chocolate from Bayonne, and the potteries from Saint Faust.
For an unforgettable Christmas scene to finish your day, take the short walk over to Place de la Comedie. Here you can see the InterContinental Grand Hotel all decked out for the season, featuring truly beautiful cascades of sparkling lights.
Recommended Stay In Bordeaux: Hôtel Singulier Bordeaux
This 4-star hotel is located in the city centre. They provide breakfast and great facilities so that you can enjoy your stay. The rooms are beautiful and cosy.
Amiens
The beautifully illuminated gothic cathedral in Amiens provides a fitting backdrop for the region’s Christmas market, which opens towards the end of November and runs until just before New Year’s Eve.
It boasts 130 chalets, many selling locally produced gifts, arts, crafts, and foods.
You can find beautiful, regionally made glass here, plus gourmet specialties like macarons and Beauvais chocolate. You’ll also find plenty of chalets with a more international influence.
There are lots to see and do, from meeting Father Christmas himself to taking a twirl on an ice rink or a ride on a merry-go-round. And when you need to warm up, why not try the locally made mulled beer – an unusual twist on the more traditional mulled wine.
A lovely way to end the day is to watch the light show at the cathedral, which takes place at 7 pm every evening when stunning scenes are projected onto the cathedral’s walls.
Recommended Stay In Amiens: Mercure Amiens Cathédrale
This 4-star hotel might not be the most impressive one, but it has the perfect location because it’s located right next to the cathedral. That said, the location is perfect if you wish to visit the Christmas markets.
Lille
One of the largest France Christmas markets, the centuries-old Lille market takes place in Place Rihour in the town centre. There is something very special about wandering along the cobbled streets of the Old Town at this time of year, with the quaint 17th-century merchant’s houses bathed in lights.
There is so much to do here besides shop for gifts, with Friday night concerts, exhibitions, a funfair, and even pony rides for children. Plus, of course, there is a giant Christmas tree, along with Father Christmas on hand for some great photo opportunities!
One of the more unusual features of the Lille market is the event that takes place on the Saturday just before Christmas Day when Father Christmas ‘falls’ from the 80 metre high belfry at the Chamber of Commerce! This market runs from the last week in November until the end of December.
Recommended Stay In Lille: Hotel L’Arbre Voyageur – BW Premier Collection – LILLE
This 4-star hotel is located in the old town in the city centre which is a great location to visit the Christmas markets. The hotel has a bar, two restaurants and great facilities. You’ll be able to enjoy one of the best breakfast buffets available in the city.
Toulouse
The historic city of Toulouse – often referred to as the ‘Pink City’ because of the locally made red-pink clay bricks and tiles used in its construction – is the perfect setting for a magical Christmas market.
It takes place at Place du Capitole in the very heart of the city, running from the last week in November until the end of December. All kinds of merchandise are on offer, from unique local woodcrafts to regional preserves, cakes, and foie gras.
A food lover’s dream, there are some truly mouthwatering local dishes to try here, particularly aligot, a kind of cheese and potato puree with plenty of garlic that makes the perfect winter warmer!
The illuminations throughout the city are spectacular and there is even an interactive light show behind the Capitole building that is a big hit with young and old alike. Be sure to take a stroll to the Henri IV courtyard, where the gorgeous decorations make it look like a scene from a fairy tale!
Recommended Stay In Toulouse: Le Grand Balcon Hotel
This 4-star hotel is located very close to the Place du Capitole where the Christmas markets are. The hotel offers a great breakfast buffet as well as modern rooms. There’s a bar on-site too. We really love the dreamy look of the hotel.
Le Touquet
Perhaps one of the most lovely things to do in France in winter is to pay a visit to the Christmas market at Le Touquet. It is one of the lesser-known markets in France but possibly the most atmospheric of all, located in a beautiful beach resort.
Throughout December you can buy handmade toys, jewelry, clothing, and Christmas decorations from the market’s wooden chalets, along with locally produced cheese and champagne.
You truly feel as if you have stepped into a Christmas card scene, with two skating rinks available (one just for children), an Enchanted Forest with an illuminated trail, horse-drawn carriage rides. storytelling and festive shows.
There is also a twinkling carousel, and fairy lights everywhere – even strung across the dunes! In mid-December, you can enjoy the region’s annual Christmas parade – and don’t miss the fireworks display on opening night, where the colors are beautifully reflected in the waters of the English channel.
Recommended Stay In Le Touquet: Novotel Thalassa Le Touquet
This 4-star hotel is located on the beachfront and features a salt-water swimming pool, a terrace, and a restaurant. The rooms are modern and you can have a lovely sea view if you wish.
Final Thoughts On Christmas Markets In France
Visiting the Christmas markets is definitely one of the best things to do in France in winter and makes a fantastic family day out.
Whether you want to enjoy local gourmet specialties, shop for unique gifts you won’t find anywhere else, or simply want to become part of an enchanting winter scene, a day at one or more of these markets will be a memorable experience that will make the festive season that little bit more special!
Looking for more Christmas market destinations? Read about the best Christmas markets in Luxembourg.
