France certainly knows how to celebrate Christmas in style. It’s so easy to get into the festive spirit when you’re surrounded by twinkling lights, the sound of carol singers, and the warm scent of mulled wine and hot chocolate filling the air. Wherever you are in France, you’ll get an intensely regional flavor—and that goes for its Christmas markets, too. Head east to Alsace for influences from neighboring Germany, or dive into France’s deep south for a taste of Spain or Italy. Get the most of a festive break when you visit one of these top Christmas markets in France.
Strasbourg
As one of Europe’s oldest Christmas markets, Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmärik has been enchanting visitors and locals alike since 1570. This extraordinarily beautiful city in Alsace beside the German border justifies its nickname of the Capital of Christmas. Just look at its 100-ft Great Christmas Tree decked with hundreds of illuminated candles, cherubs and flashing lights dominating Place Kléber.
From late November until Christmas Eve, you can browse more than 300 stalls in various squares around the historic center, including the most majestic spectacle in front of Strasbourg Cathedral. Snack on festive treats including spicy gingerbread and cinnamon-filled Alsatian cookies called bredele. If you’re really hungry, get a plate of choucroute, a hearty Alsatian dish of smoked pork ribs, potatoes, sausages and sauerkraut—just the thing to warm you up on a chilly winter’s night.
Lille
Lille, the capital of French Flanders in France’s northeast, has one of the country’s most charming Christmas markets, which runs from mid-November till the end of the year. Start off in Grand Place where a ride on the giant wheel gives you fantastic views of the city. Look out for Santa and Mrs Claus with all the elves and sleighs, then head around the corner to the Christmas Village set up in Place Rihour. When you’re not buying Christmas presents and regional artisanal produce, you’re feasting on cheesy donuts, fluffy waffles and gooey melted raclette cheese while Christmassy music fills the air.
Bordeaux
France’s lively wine capital turns one of its most elegant avenues, Alleés de Tourny, into a dazzling display of Christmas lights and gaily decorated craft and food stalls. Over four weeks until Christmas Day, you can taste some of Bordeaux’s famous wines among the local delicacies, including juicy oysters and other shellfish from nearby Arcachon Bay. Take part in some of the workshops on offer, including a cooking class, and look out for the exciting medieval dances and mock battles. Across the Garonne River in the funky Darwin district, there’s another Christmas market that takes place over two weekends in December. In this buzzing place, DJs and live bands perform while you check out the stalls selling sustainable goods and vintage clothes.
Carcassonne
As if Carcassonne wasn’t enough of a fairy tale, it goes into festive overdrive in December during what’s aptly called the Magic of Christmas. Both its magnificent citadel, La Cité, and lower town, La Bastide, are smothered in lights, giant wreaths and baubles, while the tantalizing scent of Spanish churros wafts through the air. Join the skaters swirling around on the ice rink in Place Carnot, and take in soothing views of the Canal du Midi from the top of the Ferris wheel. If you happen to be in Carcassonne during St Nicholas Day on December 6, you can watch the enthralling spectacle of a torchlight procession making its spirited way through the city.
Arras
The red carpet literally comes out at Christmastime in this handsome city in the northern Hauts-de-France region. The entire Grand Place is swathed in deep red to add to the magical atmosphere of sparkling lights and the square’s colorful Flemish Baroque gabled townhouses. From late November to late December, you can wander round nearly 150 wooden stalls selling Christmas gifts and regional snacks (including lots of local pungent cheese). Take a twirl on the outdoor skating rink or whoosh down the toboggan run when you’re not riding the big wheel. Next door in the equally gorgeous Place des Héros, you can climb to the top of the medieval belfry and take in a fabulous view of the square’s Christmas Court of Lights.
Colmar
Colmar is one of France’s most exquisite cities, with a historic center crammed with medieval and Renaissance half-timbered houses. Now imagine this beautiful place—the wine capital of Alsace—decorated for the six Christmas markets that take over from late November to late December. Each has its own way of spreading Christmas cheer, from the Gourmet Market serving Alsatian specialties such as the pizza-like flammkuechen to the Children’s Market in Colmar’s Little Venice district where kids can ride the merry-go-round and post a letter to Santa.
Reims
Here in Champagne Country, expect plenty of Yuletide sparkle and fizz at Reims’s Christmas Market, one of the largest in France. Over four weeks until Christmas Eve, you can marvel at the sound-and-light show and giant Christmas tree in front of the impressive 13th-century cathedral. You’ll have the chance to pick up stocking stuffers at one of the 150 gift and craft stalls and take a ride on the Ferris wheel. Treat yourself to glasses of champagne while you do your Christmas shopping in this festive atmosphere.
Paris
It’s not surprising that the City of Light has about 20 markets scattered around different neighborhoods. From mid-November until about January 7, Paris ramps up its romance factor with a large Christmas market in the Tuileries Gardens, where a skating rink and funfair joins the dozens of wooden food and craft stalls. The scent of freshly made crêpes and roasted chestnuts will be hard to resist as you decide which Christmas candles and ornaments to buy. The festive air is everywhere, from the Alsatian Food Market near the Gare de l’Est train station to the spectacular lights strung up along the Champs-Elysées.
Nice
Celebrate Christmas Riviera style at Nice’s colorful Christmas market that runs all throughout December. Stroll along the glamorous Promenade des Anglais past palm trees dripping with twinkly lights before heading into stately Place Masséna and its Italian-style townhouses. Here among the lights and giant wheel you’ll find dozens of wooden huts selling Christmas presents and delicious snacks like the local chickpea pancake called socca. The party continues into neighboring Jardin Albert 1er, with more food and gift stalls, street entertainment and live concerts.
Metz
France’s second-largest Christmas market (after Strasbourg) sprawls across five different locations in this attractive Lorraine city from mid-November till early January.
Head to Place Saint Louis, where the original Metz market began in this beautiful square of medieval houses and porticoed walkways. Then join the skaters on the ice rink in the huge Place de la République, where there’s extra festive sparkle in the form of a giant wooden Christmas pyramid. This traditional structure of wooden huts stacked onto each other originated in nearby Germany, and has become a big favorite in this northeastern region of France. Bring a big appetite to the Gourmet Market in Place de la Comédie, which sits on its own island in the Moselle River. There’s more fun in store in Place d’Armes and its 200-ft Ferris wheel, and in Place Saint Jacques, where the Christmas Village tempts you with its wooden craft stalls and merry-go-round.
