Discover the most beautiful Christmas markets in France with our exclusive selection of the 15 best places to visit this year. Whether you're looking for the enchanting atmosphere of Strasbourg, the culinary delights of Colmar or the artisan traditions of Lille, our guide takes you through the country's most enchanting Christmas markets. It's time to immerse yourself in the magic of the festive season, with dazzling illuminations, picturesque wooden chalets and activities for all the family.
1. Colmar Christmas Market
The quality of its products and the beauty of its decorations make the Colmar Christmas market one of the most popular in Alsace. A veritable open-air museum, the city of Colmar sets up its four Christmas markets from November 25. Until December 31, visitors canexplore Colmar's historical treasures while sipping mulled wine. Place Jeanne d'Arc offers regional specialties such as pastries and charcuterie. The Place des Dominicains is home to local traders. Don't miss: the fifty chalets in Place de l'Ancienne Douane, the Crafts and Antiques Market in the Khoifhus Palace, and the Children's Market in Little Venice.
Discover also the 15 must-do activities in Colmar!
2. Strasbourg Christmas Market
Not only is it one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in France, it's also one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe. In Alsace, Strasbourg' s Christmas market is also one of the oldest and largest in Europe, with 300 chalets scattered around a magnificent historic center listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Strolling through Strasbourg's ten or so Christmas villages, you can do your holiday shopping and indulge in typical cakes, the famous bredeles, often in the shape of a heart or star. A must-see for a weekend before Christmas!
3. Aubagne Christmas Market : one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in France
Unquestionably one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in France. Further south, theAubagne Christmas market is one of the most famous in Provence. It's particularly famous for its vast market of santons, the colorful handcrafted figurines that are a veritable tradition in Provence, and which illustrate various scenes in the Christmas crib. Each year, before being put on display, these santons are carefully selected by a jury of experts. In the rest of the market, you can also admire a magnificent panoramic crib and sample local gastronomic products. A must-see in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region!
4. Annecy Christmas Market
Annecy's Christmas market is entirely dedicated to local crafts and end-of-year delicacies, in an atmosphere worthy of a TV movie. In the Village des Alpes, you'll find a ski resort atmosphere , with a 430 m² skating rink illuminated by the market lights. After skating, enjoy fondue, diots and tartiflette. Then take the time for a little digestive stroll from the Annecy Christmas market to the Pont des Amours, one of Annecy's not-to-be-missed landmarks. It's the perfect way to end your evening, with a magnificent view of Lake Annecy! Tempted? Check out our article Weekend in Annecy: what to see in 2 or 3 days?
5. Montbéliard Christmas Market
In eastern France's Franche-Comté region, Montbéliard 's Christmas market is a favorite with craft and gourmet food lovers. Near the Temple Saint-Martin, some 160 artisans open their stalls. Carefully selected by the organizers, these artisans showcase their know-how, and some even make objects before visitors' very eyes. Gourmets will be delighted, as they can sample cured meats, foie gras, chocolates and cookies, among other delicacies.
6. Lille Christmas Market
Every year, the Lille Christmas Market attracts 900,000 visitors, whether for a weekend or longer. From November 18, Lille is decked out in its finest Christmas lights. On the Place Rihour, more than eighty chalets are set up for the festivities. Until December 30, artisans and shopkeepers from the north of France will be selling regional products. Producers from all over the world, from Canada, Russia, Germany and Poland, are also present. Decorations, santons, waffles, mulled wine... not forgetting the famous gingerbread. Something for everyone! For lovers of the city,visit the Ferris Wheel, located on the cobblestones of the Grand'Place, culminating at a height of 50 meters and offering a breathtaking view of Lille's festive lights.
7. Kaysersberg Christmas Market
Located just 12 km from Colmar, Kaysersberg is one of the most beautiful villages in Alsace and one of the most beautiful villages in France. The Kaysersberg Christmas market is held every year in the heart of the historic center, at the foot of the magnificently illuminated castle ruins. In the Arsenal courtyard and behind the Sainte-Croix church, wooden chalets set up at the foot of half-timbered houses offer typical decorations and local crafts. You'll find blown-glass objects, wooden toys, Alsatian specialties and gingerbread, plunging you into an enchanted, fairytale world. On the Place de la Mairie, the Marché Paysan de Noël (Christmas Farmers' Market) allows you to buy or taste products from the Kaysersberg valley, such as honey, charcuterie and eau de vie, to name but a few.
8. Brest Christmas market
Brest has no shortage of charm when it comes to celebrating the spirit of Christmas. Some fifty illuminated chalets transform the heart of the port city into a veritable Christmas village. It's the perfect place to find last-minute local and original gifts, but also to stroll around and enjoy the enchanting atmosphere, accompanied by the aromas of Christmas spices. If you're in Finistère and planning a trip to Morbihan, be sure to visit the Theix-Noyalo Christmas market. It's the biggest Christmas market in Brittany, and certainly one of the most beautiful!
9. Amiens Christmas market
The Amiens Christmas market is one of the most beautiful in France, rivalling those in Alsace. It was even nominated in the "Most Beautiful Christmas Market in Europe" category by European Best Destinations.
For over 20 years, Amiens has been decked out in its finest Christmas colors, welcoming numerous exhibitors to share their know-how, local produce and passion. A bonus point for Notre-Dame d'Amiens Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in France, which lights up at dusk and offers a son et lumière show for the festive season.
10. Marseille Christmas Market
What could be more traditional than Marseille 's Christmas market and its legendary Santon fair ? A santon-making capital par excellence, the city organized the first Santon and Crib Fair in 1803. Since then, over 30 santon makers have put on a multitude of events for young and old at the Christmas market. All the ingredients are in place for a delightful weekend in the spirit of Christmas. Let yourself be carried away by the enchanting atmosphere (and singing!) and find everything you need to create a traditional or revisited nativity scene. Don't forget to take a ride on the Ferris wheel, for a breathtaking view of the Old Port.
11. Lyon Christmas Market, one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in France
Not only is Lyon one of France's most beautiful cities during the festive season, it's also home to one of the country's finest Christmas markets. The Fête des Lumières, which takes place at the same time, transforms the city into a veritable fairytale setting. Every year, over 3 million visitors come to discover Lyon, its Christmas market and its 46 creations of light and sound. 90 chalets are set up and ready to welcome you for a moment of sharing and discovery with your family. On the menu for a weekend in Lyon: tartiflette, truffle aligot, pretzels and craft beer.
12. Metz Christmas Market
One of the most beautiful Christmas markets in France, and without doubt the most enchanting, is to be found in Metz, one of the top 10 cities in which to spend the festive season. The city is transformed into a veritable village of light and enchantment, where 80 chalets are set up to delight and spoil you in the traditional way. A light show, ice sculptures inspired by the world of Disney, and a Ferris wheel will delight young and old alike. One of the highlights of the season is the Sentier des Lanternes (Lantern Trail), which generally runs from late November to late December. This magical walk guides you through a variety of Christmas illuminations, from Santa's sleigh to giant gifts and adorable animals. Absolutely magical!
13. Paris Christmas Market
The romantic atmosphere of Paris combined with the magic of Christmas gives birth to the Tuileries Christmas Market. With its 1,200 m² ice rink, funfair and Santa Claus, this is one of the most beautiful markets in Paris, located in the Jardins des Tuileries. It's the perfect place to spend a weekend with the kids, but adults won't be outdone either, thanks to a selection of French artisans for well-chosen gifts. The Paris Christmas Market deserves its name: "The Magic of Christmas". With almost 15 million visitors and over 200 wooden chalets, it's one of the busiest Christmas markets in the world.
14. Reims Christmas Market
Head to one of France's most beautiful Christmas markets, Reims, where a multitude of artisanal and gastronomic products await you. A children's kingdom is available in the courtyard of the Palais de Thau, where a little train, an ice rink and Santa Claus will be on hand. And that's not all! In Reims, during the Christmas season, the Palais de Tau is transformed into a veritable village of artisans: ice skating rink, little train, Christmas crib... quite a tradition. But it's really the Children's Kingdom of Reims that plunges us a little deeper into the magic of Christmas. With its interactive automatons, luminous decorations and the promise of a meeting with Santa Claus himself, it's the ideal place for little ones to discover during an enchanted weekend.
15. Mulhouse Christmas Market, one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in France
Christmas in Alsace means magic at home and in the streets, with countless Christmas markets dotting the region. From the end of November, Mulhouse sets up its Christmas market chalets on the mythical Place de la Réunion. True to its textile history, a new fabric is created each year to decorate and dress the facades, chalets and pedestrian streets of the city center. Visitors and locals alike gather at Place de la Réunion to sip mulled wine or sample typical Alsatian sweets such as Berawecka (a soft cake with pears, plums, figs and kirsch) or Pebkucha (a life cake made with honey and spices). If you'd like to take home an original, local gift, you can also visit the fabric boutique in the town hall. A must-see Advent festivity inone of Alsace's most beautiful towns.
Did you like our article? See also our article What to do in London at Christmas? 14 must-do activities and Rome at Christmas.
