French Christmas food, gifts and decoration

Whether you are looking for a unique Christmas shopping experience or a relaxing Christmas vacation, you can be sure that a short break or holiday in France during the festive season will be truly memorable.

Traditionally, housewives in rural France would spend much of the two weeks before Christmas preparing and baking typical local festive dishes. The food markets originated and developed in order to supply them with all the ingredients they needed.

Christmas in France is sure to be a sensuous experience as you weave in and out of enticing stalls laden with unique handcrafted gifts and delectable goodies to make your Christmas recipes sensational. You can also find unusual decorations and ornaments for your Christmas tree and, if you're looking to send something different to your friends this year, then French Christmas cards will fit the bill.

French Christmas carols, candles and delights

Joining the songs at midnight mass in a soaring Gothic cathedral is an uplifting experience. The cathedrals of France attract hundreds of people for midnight mass on Christmas Eve - a long, sacred tradition that you will be welcome to share. The cathedrals are aglow with dozens of candles and filled with the sounds of Christmas carols and hymns. After midnight mass, families gather for the Reveillon de Noel, a huge late-night feast. Each region has its own mouth-watering Reveillon specialties for this massive Christmas meal.

France is also the country that invented the Christmas tree (1605 in Strasbourg) and the manger (in Avignon in the 1300s by Saint Francis of Assisi) so what could be more appropriate than to spend the festive weeks here?

Christmas festivals are held all over France and, whichever region you choose for your own taste of the festive celebrations, a Christmas vacation in France will make this magical time of year even more special.

Many of the larger Christmas markets are held in the North of France, along with special festivities and parades, so hopping across the channel for some Christmas shopping and spectacle could not be easier.

Some of the major festivals are:

  • Menton Christmas Market (Alpes-Maritimes, Provence Cote d-Azur) 8 Dec 2007 to 6 Jan 2008

    In the Biovès Gardens and throughout the town. The Christmas festival in this charming Riviera town features lights, shows, and a Christmas market and nativity scene.

    Read Menton Christmas Market (Alpes-Maritimes, Provence Cote d-Azur) 8 Dec 2007 to 6 Jan 2008

  • Licques Christmas Market / Turkey Parade(Nord Pas-de-Calais) 15 - 17 Dec 2007

    Licques Christmas Market is famous for its traditional turkey parade and market with high quality traditionally-reared organic poultry. At the market there is the opportunity to purchase various foodstuffs, regional produce, beautifully packaged sweets and chocolates, traditional decorations and local crafts.

    Read Licques Christmas Market / Turkey Parade(Nord Pas-de-Calais) 15 - 17 Dec 2007

  • Dijon Christmas Market (Cote-d'Or, Burgundy) 1 - 24 Dec 2007

    Dijon's Christmas market at Place de la Libération offers a host of over 60 stalls selling local products (spice bread, mustard, foie gras and honey), plus colourful arts and crafts, children's toys and mulled wine. Visitors can glide on ice at the skating rink at the Place de la République.

    Read Dijon Christmas Market (Cote-d'Or, Burgundy) 1 - 24 Dec 2007

  • Mulhouse Christmas Market (Haut-Rhin, Alsace) 22 Nov - 31 Dec 2007

    Mulhouse offers a typical Alsatian market with half-timbered stalls featuring exceptional fabric and other French products. The whole shopping experience gets even better while sipping mulled wine and snacking on "bredele" (small typically Alsatian cakes) or Christmas biscuits.

    Read Mulhouse Christmas Market (Haut-Rhin, Alsace) 22 Nov - 31 Dec 2007

  • Colmar Christmas Market (Haut-Rhin, Alsace) 25 Nov to 30 Dec 2007

    Colmar holds its annual Christmas market from 25 November to 31 December and it is regarded as one of the most unusual French markets with its special character. It takes place in the Old Town at 5 various venues: Petite Venise for children, Place des Dominicains, Place de l'Ancienne Douane, Place Jeanne d'Arc and inside the Koifhus, the old customs house.

    Read Colmar Christmas Market (Haut-Rhin, Alsace) 25 Nov to 30 Dec 2007

  • Montélimar Christmas Market (Drome, Rhone-Alps) 21 Nov to 24 Dec 2007

    Montélimar, the capital of nougat enjoys Christmas times, full of joy and tradition. Visitors will be well entertained with markets, museums, cribs and tales.

    Read Montélimar Christmas Market (Drome, Rhone-Alps) 21 Nov to 24 Dec 2007

  • Montbéliard Christmas Market (Doubs, Franche Comte) 24 Nov - 24 Dec 2007

    Montbéliard holds its annual Christmas Festival of Lights with a Christmas market (one of the best in the area), craft fair and many other seasonal festivities. The town is ablaze with lights and decorations during this festive time of the year and attractions include pastry-making workshops for children, chocolate and warm wine tasting and sleigh rides.

    Read Montbéliard Christmas Market (Doubs, Franche Comte) 24 Nov - 24 Dec 2007

  • Brest Christmas Market (Finisterè, Brittany) 1 - 24 Dec 2007

    The market in this charming town is nestled in a natural harbour in Brittany. The market features chalets selling Christmas wares.

    Read Brest Christmas Market (Finisterè, Brittany) 1 - 24 Dec 2007

  • Orléans Christmas Market (Loiret, Loire Valley) 5 Dec 2007 - 5 Jan 2008

    Organised by the town of Orléans, this month long Christmas Market is located at the Place du Martroi. The market boasts 62 chalets which offer a large range of local produce. There is also an ice rink to enjoy!

    Read Orléans Christmas Market (Loiret, Loire Valley) 5 Dec 2007 - 5 Jan 2008

  • Besançon Christmas Market (Doubs, Franche Comte) 29 Nov - 24 Dec 2007

    Besançon's Christmas market offers carol singing, arts and crafts, local products, folk dancing and plenty of street entertainment.

    Read Besançon Christmas Market (Doubs, Franche Comte) 29 Nov - 24 Dec 2007

  • Metz Christmas Market (Moselle, Lorraine) 24 Nov to 30 Dec 2007

    The sights and sounds from the stalls lining the city square of Metz are perfumed with mulled wine and gingerbread when the Christmas Market arrives. The whole Place Saint-Louis and the Esplanade is illuminated with enchanting waterfalls of lights and wonders to behold.

    Read Metz Christmas Market (Moselle, Lorraine) 24 Nov to 30 Dec 2007

  • Noisy le Grand (Seine-Saint-Denis, Ile-de-France) 12 - 16 Dec 2007

    Noisy le Grand Christmas Market is one of the biggest in the Paris area and has become a favourite Christmas shopping destination. Twinkling decorations, traditional glassware, hand crafted wooden toys and horse-drawn carriage rides create a festive atmosphere that appeals to children and adults alike.

    Read Noisy le Grand (Seine-Saint-Denis, Ile-de-France) 12 - 16 Dec 2007

  • Strasbourg Christmas Market (Bas-Rhin, Alsace) 21 Nov - 24 Dec 2007

    This is one of the largest Christmas markets in France, and the setting in front of Strasbourg Cathedral is breathtaking. In its 431st year, this market in Alsace is the oldest Christmas market in France. Be sure to visit La Petite France, a cosy neighborhood of timbered fairy-tale buildings with Christmas shops and a gingerbread bakery.

    Read Strasbourg Christmas Market (Bas-Rhin, Alsace) 21 Nov - 24 Dec 2007

  • Paris Christmas Market (Ile de France) Festival, various dates

    Christmas in Paris is truly spectacular. Paris is always a picturesque city but at Christmas the city of lovers really comes into its own for visitors and residents alike. If you decide to spend Christmas in Paris, you will only have to walk a few steps to spot a Christmas tree. The city features several Christmas markets, with most starting some time between late November and early December. This is a wonderful time of year to visit the capital and take in the sites that the city has to offer.

    Read Paris Christmas Market (Ile de France) Festival, various dates

  • Calais Christmas Market (Pas-de-Calais) 7 - 9 Dec 2007

    Every year a Christmas market is held outside the theatre. The Calais Christmas market extends around the Theatre Square and along the main shopping streets of the city centre. Some 100 stalls display arts and crafts and mouth-watering local specialities such as ostrich pâté and festive Rond de Saint Nicolas - delicious crunchy biscuits.

    Read Calais Christmas Market (Pas-de-Calais) 7 - 9 Dec 2007

  • Amiens Christmas Market (Somme, Picardie) 24 - 29 Dec 2007

    The town is host to one of the largest Christmas markets in northern France. With an alpine flavour, this market is quite different to many around Europe and offers visitors a change from the traditional wooden crafts found elsewhere. Instead, visitors can enjoy Le Creuset kitchenware, fine crystal and hand-made glass, as well as Angora sweaters. For fish lovers, the market is home to many stalls selling eel, shrimp, duck and trout, as well as Beauvais chocolate and Amiens macaroons.

    Read Amiens Christmas Market (Somme, Picardie) 24 - 29 Dec 2007

  • Reims Christmas Market (Marne, Champagne Ardenne) 23 Nov - 27 Dec 2007

    Reims was the site of the first French Christmas celebration when, in 496, Clovis and his 3,000 warriors were baptized. Bishop Rémi had purposely chosen the day of the Nativity for this ceremony. Other important events eventually took place on Christmas day in the following years. During the run-up to Christmas, Reims' Christmas Village combines street entertainment, magicians, carol singers and market stalls selling Christmas gifts, decorations and food.

    Read Reims Christmas Market (Marne, Champagne Ardenne) 23 Nov - 27 Dec 2007

  • Lille Christmas Market (Nord, Nord Pas de Calais) 21 Nov - 24 Dec 2007

    The month-long Christmas Market in Lille is the largest in Northern France and has been a tradition for centuries. A popular destination for British visitors because of the Eurostar link, the festival is held in the Place Rihour in the town centre.

    Read Lille Christmas Market (Nord, Nord Pas de Calais) 21 Nov - 24 Dec 2007

  • Disneyland Paris Christmas Market (Ile de France) 21 Dec 2007 to 6 Jan 2008

    The Christmas market at Disney Village has the magical atmosphere that only Disney can create. There is plenty of entertainment for the whole family so be ready for the full Disney experience this Christmas time!

    Read Disneyland Paris Christmas Market (Ile de France) 21 Dec 2007 to 6 Jan 2008

  • Avignon Christmas Market (Vaucluse, Provence) 1 - 30 Dec 2007

    There is plenty for all to enjoy at this Christmas market. A variety of delectable delights and gifts are offered by all the stall holders and there is entertainment to delight and captivate all the family, including traditional folk dances and costumes, parades and games.

    Read Avignon Christmas Market (Vaucluse, Provence) 1 - 30 Dec 2007

  • Arras Christmas Market (Pas-de-Calais) 30 Nov to 24 Dec 2007

    Arras, the town renowed for its tapestries of the late Middle Ages, holds a spectacular Christmas market on the splendid Grand Place. Around 60 exhibitors offer a wide selection of arts and crafts, as well as local delicacies.

    Read Arras Christmas Market (Pas-de-Calais) 30 Nov to 24 Dec 2007

  • Chartres Christmas Market (Eure-et-Loire, Loire Valley) 1 - 24 Dec 2007

    Chartres hosts a fantastic Christmas market, the town ablaze with festive lights. There are stalls with local artisans displaying their goods as well as plenty of tasty treats of chocolate, chestnuts and cinnamon to tempt the taste buds. Younger visitors will enjoy the manger scene, a welcome parade for Santa Claus and ice skating.

    Read Chartres Christmas Market (Eure-et-Loire, Loire Valley) 1 - 24 Dec 2007

  • Nancy Christmas Market (Meurthe-et-Moselle) 24 Nov - 24 Dec 2007

    The medieval town of Nancy, famous for its triumphal arch built to honor Louis XV, hosts its celebrated market in the historic Place Maginot. A wide range of local specialties are on offer, from delicious fresh bread to spicy charcuterie and, for those with a sweet tooth, Bergamotte bonbons, Macarons and Mirabelle liqueur. Enjoyable Christmas activities include carol singing, folk dancing and lively street entertainment. Several little chalets (stalls) sell hand-crafted toys and an array of other presents.

    Read Nancy Christmas Market (Meurthe-et-Moselle) 24 Nov - 24 Dec 2007

  • Béthune Christmas Market (Pas-de-Calais) 24 Nov to 31 Dec 2007

    Béthune is an attractive small town in Northern France with a Christmas market that holds around 40 Flemish-style chalets selling festive crafts, regional produce and other gifts. The market is located by the Belfry tower in the central square of the city and is regarded as one of the best ones in the region.

    Read Béthune Christmas Market (Pas-de-Calais) 24 Nov to 31 Dec 2007