France is renowned for its colourful markets where fresh regional delicacies vie with beautiful arts and crafts. Christmas is one of the best times of year to browse French markets so why not enjoy a festive Christmas vacation at one of our cosy holiday homes. Our complete illustrated guide tells you where to go, what to do and how to find the best shopping.
Shopping Breaks at Christmas Markets in France
Take a festive Christmas vacation at a French Connections holiday homes, and do your Christmas shopping at one France's renowned Christmas markets.
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:
Paris (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. Paris Christmas Markets Guide
Strasbourg (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. Strasbourg Christmas Markets Guide.
Avignon (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. Avignon Christmas Markets Guide
Lille (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. Lille Christmas Markets Guide
Calais (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. Calais Christmas Markets Guide
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. Noisy le Grand Christmas Markets Guide
Orléans (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! Orléans Christmas Markets Guide
Dijon (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. Dijon Christmas Markets Guide
Mulhouse (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.
Mulhouse Christmas Market Guide
Brest (Finisterè, Brittany) 1 - 24 Dec 2007
The market in this small city (population 150,000) in Brittany features chalets selling Christmas wares. Brest Christmas Market Guide
Besançon (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. Besançon Christmas Markets Guide
Licques (Nord Pas-de-Calais) 15 - 17 Dec 2007
Licques hosts the famous turkey festival with a turkey procession. No wonder this small town in the Trois Pays area of Nord-Pas-de-Calais is renowned for the delicious turkeys it rears in time for Christmas every year. Licques Christmas Market and turkey parade Guide
Chartres (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. Chartres Christmas Market Guide
Montbéliard (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. Montbéliard Christmas Market Guide
Amiens (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. Amiens Christmas Markets Guide
Nancy (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. Nancy Christmas Markets Guide
Reims (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. Reims Christmas Market Guide
Menton (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. Menton Christmas Market Guide
Colmar (Haut-Rhin, Alsace) 25 Nov to 30 Dec 2007
The old town is beautifully decorated and the lights are turned on by a local celebrity. Following local tradition, for the weeks of Advent before Christmas, candles are attached to branches of holly and fir to protect against evil spells. Colmar Christmas Market Guide
Arras (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. Arras Christmas Market Guide
Montélimar (Drome, Rhone-Alps) 21 Nov to 24 Dec 2007
Montélimar, the home of nougat, enjoys Christmas times full of joy and tradition. Visitors will be well entertained with markets, museums, cribs and tales. Montélimar Christmas Market Guide
Metz (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. Metz Christmas Market Guide
Disneyland Paris (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! Disneyland Paris Christmas Market Guide
Béthune (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. Béthune Christmas Market Guide
