The first Christmas markets appeared in France in the 16th century, in Alsace, on the border with Germany. The most beautiful and largest fairs are still held in this region. In the 20th century, the tradition of Christmas markets spread throughout France. Now in every region you can try Christmas delicacies and sweets according to ancient recipes, visit festively decorated castles and take part in master classes and masquerades. We will tell you about the best Christmas markets in France.
Paris, Ile-de-France
There are several Christmas markets in Paris. The largest is in the business district La Défense. 250 pavilions sell souvenirs, jewelry, clothing, wines and products from all over France. It is especially worth noting the gastronomic pavilions: they sell Corsican hams, Alpine cheeses, foie gras from the southwest of France and sweets from Provence.
The most popular bazaar is located on the Champs Elysees. They sell toys and garlands, jewelry, souvenirs, sweets, foie gras, duck breast and mulled wine. Here you can also ride the skating rink and the Ferris wheel. And during the fair there is an exhibition of ice sculptures on the Place de la Concorde.
Other Christmas markets are in Montparnasse, the Eiffel Tower, Place de l’Est Station and the Bois de Boulogne.
When: from November 23 to December 28
Opening hours: from 11.00 to 20.00 from Sunday to Thursday and from 10.00 to 22.00 on Fridays and Saturdays
Housing: from 1,153 rubles for 1 person per night
Tours from locals in Paris
Strasbourg, Alsace
The Christmas market in Strasbourg is the largest and oldest. It was first held in 1570. Every year, a huge freshly cut fir tree (the largest in Europe) is installed in the central square,
all the houses in the center are decorated, 300 carved wooden pavilions are installed in large areas, and from November 24th the entire Old Town turns into a Christmas market. Here you can buy everything: jewelry made of gold and silver, leather accessories, toys, gingerbread, hundreds of types of raw smoked sausages and white wine for which Alsace is famous. In pavilions and shops, master classes are constantly held for adults and children, where they will teach you how to make clay figures, glass jewelry, bake gingerbread cookies and pies, brew mulled wine and embroider.
When: from November 24 to December 30, December 25 is a day off
Opening hours: from 11.00 to 20.00 on weekdays, from 11.00 to 21.00 on Fridays and from 11.00 to 22.00 on Saturdays
Housing: from per person per night
Montbéliard, Burgundy
Christmas market in Montbéliard takes place at the foot of the Saint-Martin temple. It is famous for its delicacies; its main streets are called “Gourmet Alley” and “Delicacy Alley.” Here you can try fried and smoked sausages, Burgundy wines, hundreds of types of local muffins, sweets and cakes. In addition to concerts and master classes for adults, there is a lot of entertainment for children. At Atelier de petit lutins children will be taught how to make Christmas toys and will be told tales about fairies and leprechauns. And in a special pavilion, similar to a cave, the good fairy Airy gives gifts to children.
When: from November 25 to December 24
Opening hours: from Sunday on Thursday from 11.00 to 20.00, on Fridays and Saturdays from 11.00 to 21.00
Accommodation: from 1,850 rubles per person per night
Avignon, Provence
In Provence, even on New Year’s Eve, the temperature rarely drops below +10°C, and the symbol of Christmas is considered to be santons (clay nativity scenes where hand-made small figurines of Jesus, Mary, apostles and local residents are placed),
which are installed in homes and churches. Avignon, a beautiful medieval city, hosts the most interesting fair in the region. On three squares (place de l’Horloge, place des Carmes, place Crillon) they sell santons, candied fruits, muffins, calissons (candies made from honey, melon and almonds) ,
toys and wine. At place Pie there is a fair for children – with rides, musician performances, master classes and a small skating rink. The Célestins Church hosts an exhibition of the most beautiful santons.
When: from December 5 to January 6, from Tuesday to Saturday
Opening hours: from 9.00 to 19.00
Accommodation: from 1,664 rubles per person per night
Reims, Champagne
The Christmas market in Reims is held in the square next to the Gothic cathedral, which will be highlighted in all the colors of the rainbow. The fair consists of 140 pavilions and is divided into several parts. Next to the city hall there are gastronomic pavilions where they sell fluffy pink biscuits, which are usually washed down with champagne, ham, sausages, chocolate and cakes. Pavilions with toys, souvenirs, leather and glass jewelry are located on Burette, Concordet streets and on Place Drouet d’Erlon. There is a Ferris wheel nearby, and when you buy a ticket for it you will be given a glass of champagne. On Colbert there are amusement rides and a skating rink, children can ride ponies and horses.
When: from November 24 to December 24
Opening hours: from 14.00 to 20.00 on Monday from 10.30 to 20.00 from Tuesday to Thursday and from 10.30 to 21.00 on Fridays and Saturdays
Accommodation: from 2,006 rubles per person per night
Colmar, Alsace
Colmar, a fabulously beautiful town near Strasbourg, has not one, but five fairs that have won the title of best Christmas market in Europe several times. Shining boats float along the canals of Colmar, children’s choirs sing in churches, every house is decorated and looks like an illustration from a children’s fairy tale. At Place Jeanne d’Arc they sell Christmas delicacies: foie gras, gingerbread, cakes and muffins, sausages, choucroute (a dish made from cabbage and several types of meat) and dozens of types of mulled wine . place des Dominicains and Place de l’Ancienne Douane sell toys made of glass, porcelain and clay , garlands and candles. Petite Venise – a real paradise for children, with an old carousel, attractions and a petting zoo.
When: from November 24 to December 30
Opening hours: from Monday to Thursday from 10.00 to 19.00, from Friday to Sunday from 10.00 to 20.00
Accommodation: from 2,674 rubles per person per night
Lyon, Auvergne – Rhone – Alps
Lyon is the gastronomic capital of France and one of the most beautiful cities in the country. The city is famous for its pork sausages, soft cheeses, pike quenelles and brioche. The Christmas market consists of 200 pavilions and is divided into two parts. Place Carnot has 150 pavilions selling jewelry, Christmas tree decorations, candles and home decorations. On the boulevard de la Croix Rousse there is the second part of the fair – an indoor market with gastronomic pavilions, attractions, musicians and a farm with domestic animals.
When: from December 1 to 30, December 25 is a day off
Hours opening hours: from 10.00 to 20.00 from Sunday to Thursday and from 10.30 to 21.00 on Fridays and Saturdays
Housing: from 1,532 rubles for 1 person per night
Metz, Lorraine
Metz is an ancient city in northeastern France, decorated with garlands and toys. The Christmas market covers the entire city, and is divided into 8 parts. At Place Saint-Louis every year they build a 17-meter wooden tower sparkling with lights. At place Saint-Étienne there is an ice skating rink and stalls with food and mulled wine. In the Faubert garden there is a “fairy path” for children, where they will meet the Bremen musicians, fairies and tame animals, and take part in games and competitions. At place de Chambre there is a gastronomic fair with oysters, foie gras, snails in garlic sauce, sweets, champagne and mulled wine. And at the place de République an exhibition of ice sculptures is open.
When: from November 18 to December 30
Opening hours: daily from 10.00 to 20.00
Accommodation: from 2,065 rubles per person per night
* Accommodation prices are indicated at the time of writing. The cost indicated in the material and the final price may differ.
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