CHRISTMAS MARKET. “Christmas villages” and other Christmas markets are preparing to open in Paris, Rennes, Reims, Alsace, Marseille, Bordeaux, Lille, Toulouse and many other cities in France.
Christmas markets, set up in their small wooden chalets in the heart of our towns and villages, open almost everywhere in France from mid-November. The illuminations, richly decorated fir trees, Christmas carols, carousels, Ferris wheels and wooden chalets are yours to enjoy in Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Marseille, Toulouse, Lille, Grenoble and even Avignon… Alongside the markets, the spirit of Christmas also takes over the squares and alleys where sumptuous decorations and activities intended for children will appeal to the whole family.
From December onwards, Alsatian towns and villages light up in Christmas colors. Light decorations, Christmas carols, craft Christmas markets to fill your basket and the sweet scent of cinnamon invade the streets. It’s time to prepare the famous bredele, traditional Christmas cookies, to take the path of the Bergheim nativity scenes, to listen to popular Alsatian stories in the Enchanted Forest of Altkirch or to stock up on gifts in the markets of Christmas in Colmar or Mulhouse.
Around twenty Christmas markets are set up in the capital from the end of November, including the unmissable Christmas markets in Tuileries, Paris Notre-Dame and La Défense, as well as the Alsatian Christmas market at Gare de la Défense. ballast. All the information with the opening dates of the essentials below:
The largest Christmas market in Île-de-France, but a little more out of the way in Hauts-de-Seine (92), the La Défense Christmas Market is open from Thursday November 14 to Sunday December 29, 2024, with a hundred chalets and a guest of honor: Quebec. Restaurateurs and exhibitors welcome you from Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. with the exception of Tuesday December 24 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Monday 25 December closed.
Marcel Campion’s Christmas market, “The Magic of Christmas at the Tuileries”, will be back for the 6th year at the Tuileries gardens, Place de la Concorde. The usual program: an ice rink, Santa Claus and numerous tastings and gift ideas. From November 16, 2024 to January 1, 2025, every day from 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. Exceptional closure on Saturday December 24 and Saturday December 31 at 7:30 p.m.
Alsace celebrates Christmas at the Gare de l’Est from November 29 to December 15, 2024 for the 42nd edition on the station square, Place du 11 November 1918 in the 10th arrondissement of Paris. On the program: charcuterie and cheese from Christlesgut, gingerbread and biscuits from Fortwenger, fresh Alsatian pasta from Tante Germaine, wines, liqueurs and spirits from Domaine Jean Becker, Christmas decorations… Open from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. , except Sundays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (closing at 6 p.m. on December 15).
Christmas comes to Montmartre from Friday November 22, 2024 to Sunday January 7, 2025, every day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Place des Abbesses, at the foot of Sacré Cœur in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, where 15 small wooden chalets await you, offering regional products, jewelry and accessories Made in France.
THE Paris Notre-Dame Christmas market takes place from Friday November 29 to Monday December 25, 2024 at the foot of the cathedral, square René Viviani, quai de Montebello in the 4th arrondissement of Paris. On the program: sausages, foie gras, macarons, cheeses, fruits, ceramics, textiles, leather, metallurgy, calligraphy, painting, drawing and story competitions for children… Open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., closing at 9 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
At 39, quai de la Loire in the 19th arrondissement of Paris, the Canal Pavilion hosts several Christmas markets: Frusques Market on December 2, Le Vilain Marché on December 9 and 10 and the Canal Vintage December 16 and 17, 2024.
Many Christmas markets are set up in the capital of Brittany. The Christmas Village takes place at the Place du Parlement de Bretagne illuminated from November 30 to January 5 from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a giant tree, gourmet chalets and the mailbox to send your request to Santa’s secretariat.
From November 22 to December 31, 2024, the Mail François Mitterrand Christmas market takes place on the “Champs-Elysées Rennes” with around fifty chalets on Thursday, from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday to Saturday, from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Other smaller Christmas markets are taking place: the creators’ Christmas market at Place Hoche from November 29 to December 23 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., the market at Ateliers du Vent et Mur at 59 rue Alexandre Duval on December 12 and 13, 2024. , the Christmas of the Establishments, Comme un Established on December 14 and 15, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Les Arts du feu town hall square, from December 12 to 15, 2024.
The Christmas market in the city of Perpignan takes place from Friday November 22, 2024 to Sunday January 5, 2025, every day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Quai Vauban and in the various squares in the city center . It has 22 chalets offering handcrafted creations, gift ideas, and stands selling sweet treats and hot chestnuts, on Place de la République, Place Gambetta, Place Péri, Place Rigaud, Place Arago, Place Catalogne or even Payra Square.
The Marseille Christmas market is held in the pedestrian zone at the bottom of the Canebière, from November 23, 2024 to January 5, 2025, Monday to Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday to Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. . On the program: around forty artisans and creators, and activities. As for the famous Marseille Santon Fair, it returns from November 16, 2024 to January 5, 2025 on the Quai du Port.
The Avignon Christmas market takes place at Place Pie and Saint-Jean le Vieux from November 29 to December 29, 2024, every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. with evening events on Fridays and Saturdays. On the program: around sixty chalets offering typically Provençal products, orchestras, folk dances and Christmas carols…
The Lyon Christmas market takes place from November 22 to December 24, 2024 and welcomes nearly 90 chalets on Place Carnot in the 2nd arrondissement from Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Place des Quinconces hosts the Bordeaux Christmas market from November 29 to December 29, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. with around a hundred exhibitors to find numerous gifts and gastronomic gems. An illuminated carousel is also installed in front of the Grand Théâtre.
The Toulouse Christmas market, which hosts 120 immaculate white chalets on the Place du Capitole, takes place from November 24 to December 26, 2024 from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. except Friday and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. On the program, catering chalets, food chalets, clothing chalets, world craft chalets, decoration chalets, jewelry chalets and a 200 m² ice rink!
The Lille Christmas Village, which takes place on Place Rihour each year, will take place from Wednesday November 20 to Sunday December 29, 2024 from Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (unless closed December 24). On the program, 90 chalets with gift ideas, figurines, decorations for the tree and festive products, specialties from here and elsewhere!
The Grenoble Christmas market is held from November 22 to December 24, 2024 on Place Victor Hugo. Throughout the Grenoble Christmas markets, traders, children’s activities and concerts punctuate the life of the city. Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Third most beautiful Christmas market in Europe, the Metz Christmas market takes place from November 22 to December 30, 2024. On the 120 chalets located in the 5 squares of the Enchanted Markets, you will find local crafts, the Christmas pyramid, two carousels, gourmet wagons for a culinary journey, a large wheel and sweets with flavors of gingerbread and cinnamon.
Although there are Christmas markets in a large number of towns in France, those which take place in Alsace are particularly famous and welcome tens of thousands of visitors each year, such as the Strasbourg Christmas marketone of the most popular of all. These historic markets, these festive squares and these timeless places bring the magic of Christmas to life in Alsace.
The Colmar Christmas market is the second largest Christmas market in France after the Strasbourg Christmas market. From November 26 to December 29, 2024, come and enjoy the magic of Christmas in this city of art and history that smells of orange and cinnamon. At nightfall, a path of light guides you towards its Christmas markets, highlighting the city’s incredible architecture, ranging from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. 6 magical Christmas markets usually take place in the city of Colmar:
- Place des Dominicains Marketaround sixty wooden houses await you in front of the 14th century Dominican Church, whose stained glass windows are illuminated at nightfall.
- Place de l’Ancienne Douane Marketaround fifty wooden houses are arranged around the Schwendi fountain. At nightfall, the Koïfhus, the imposing building of the Old Customs House, is adorned with lights.
- Place Jeanne d’Arc Market where you can find traditional half-timbered houses, local products are in the spotlight: foie gras, cold meats, wines, brandies and biscuits.
- Koïfhus indoor arts and crafts marketat 29 Grand’ rue, presents the creations of around twenty local artisans: ceramists, potters, master glassmakers, cabinetmakers, wood sculptors, hatters, jewelers etc.
- Little Venice Children’s MarketPlace des 6 Montagnes Noires, is a true paradise for children. Come admire the mechanical nativity scene, drink a hot apple juice, and parade your children on the horses of the carousel and take them to post their mail in Santa’s giant mailbox.
- Gourmet marketrue de la Montagne Verte, is a village entirely devoted to gastronomy with 9 cabins and 9 chefs and master restaurateurs who will concoct divine dishes for you. Plates to enjoy on site or to take away, with friends and family. Visit the official website of the Colmar Christmas Market.
Mulhouse is the second city in Alsace after Strasbourg. THE Mulhouse Christmas market has a very unique character with its Christmas fabric created to decorate the facades and streets of the city. He will be back from November 22 to December 27, 2024.
Christmas market in Kaysersberg
Kaysersberg, elected French favorite village in 2017, offers a authentic Christmas marketbehind the Sainte-Croix church and in the Arsenal courtyard, with quality craftsmanship, every weekend (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) from November 29 to December 22, 2024.
From Reims to Montbéliard via Amiens or Arras, discover a non-exhaustive list of other essential Christmas markets in France: