10 Best Christmas Markets in France in 2026

19 Oct, 2021

Last updated: October 2026

Every December, French town squares fill with wooden chalets, strings of lights and the smell of spiced wine. This 2026 guide covers 34 places, from the giants of Strasbourg and Colmar to fairytale Alsace villages, easy trips from Paris, northern and eastern cities, and quieter markets most guides skip. It tells you where to go, when to go, how to get there without a car, what to do once you arrive and what it will cost.

Market dates are published town by town through the autumn. Where a 2026 date was confirmed when this page was updated, it is shown. Where it was not, the 2025 dates are given as a guide, with a link to the official source so you can confirm before you book. If you are planning a longer trip, our guides to the best places to visit in France and the best things to do in France cover the rest of the country.

Quick answer: the 8 best Christmas markets in France

1Strasbourg: the oldest and biggest, known as the Capital of Christmas.
2Colmar: the fairytale one, with six markets, canal lights and a market that stays open on 25 December.
3Riquewihr: a walled medieval village that feels like a storybook.
4Kaysersberg: a local craft market in an Alsace wine village, on weekends.
5Reims: about 150 chalets, a lit-up cathedral and Champagne, 45 minutes from Paris.
6Lille: a Ferris wheel and Flemish treats, about an hour from Paris.
7Paris: the Tuileries and La Défense, for anyone with only the capital.
8Lyon: the Festival of Lights around 8 December, a different kind of Christmas.

France Christmas market dates 2026: comparison table

Use this table to shortlist. Dates come from tourist office listings and city programmes read on 25 October 2026. Where a town had not published 2026 dates, the 2025 dates are shown as a guide and marked.

Market	Best for	Dates	Vibe	Crowds	Getting there
Strasbourg	Tradition, grand scale	27 Nov to 24 Dec 2026	300+ chalets, giant tree	Very high	Direct TGV from Paris, about 1b5
Colmar	Postcard fairytale setting	23 Nov to 29 Dec 2026	Six markets, canal lights	Very high	TER from Strasbourg, about 30 min
Kaysersberg	Artisan authenticity	Fri to Sun, 27 Nov to 20 Dec 2026	Medieval ruins, local crafts	High on weekends	Christmas shuttle bus from Colmar
Riquewihr	Medieval atmosphere	27 Nov to 20 Dec 2026	Walled village, wine cellars	High on weekends	Christmas shuttle bus from Colmar
Eguisheim	Quiet, photogenic lanes	27 Nov to 30 Dec 2026	Circular village, pastel houses	Moderate	Shuttle or bus from Colmar
Mulhouse	Budget base, textile heritage	20 Nov to 27 Dec 2026	City market, festive fabrics	Moderate	TER from Colmar or Strasbourg, TER from Basel
Sélestat	Christmas tree history	20 Nov to 27 Dec 2026	Birthplace of the tree tradition	Low to moderate	TER from Strasbourg or Colmar
Paris: Tuileries	Capital-only trips	14 Nov 2026 to 3 Jan 2027	About 80 chalets, rides	High	Metro to Tuileries or Concorde
Paris: La Défense	Shopping, easy access	12 Nov to 31 Dec 2026	300+ chalets, ice rink	Moderate	Metro line 1 or RER A
Lille	Short weekend trips	18 Nov to 30 Dec 2026 (may change)	Ferris wheel, Flemish treats	High	About 1h TGV from Paris, Eurostar from London
Reims	Champagne and food	25 Nov to 27 Dec 2026	About 150 chalets, cathedral light show	Moderate	About 45 min TGV from Paris
Amiens	Cathedral and big scale	20 Nov to 30 Dec 2026	100+ chalets over 2 km	Moderate	About 1h10 by train from Paris
Arras	Baroque squares	27 Nov to 27 Dec 2026	Flemish Grand'Place	Moderate	About 50 min TGV from Paris
Rouen	Normandy old town	25 Nov to 27 Dec 2026	About 50 chalets by the cathedral	Moderate	About 1h15 by train from Paris
Provins	Medieval weekend	12 and 13 Dec 2026	60+ costumed artisans	Moderate	Train from Paris Gare de l'Est
Metz	Lantern trail, value	2026 not published (2025: 21 Nov to 30 Dec)	Lanterns, old town	Moderate	About 1h30 TGV from Paris
Lyon	Light shows	Festival of Lights around 8 Dec (2025 market: 21 Nov to 24 Dec)	Light festival, classic market	Very high during the festival	About 2h TGV from Paris

Check firstAlways confirm dates on the town's official tourism site before you book trains or hotels. Dates can move by a day or two, and weekend-only markets can change their pattern.

Strasbourg or Colmar? A head-to-head

Most visitors ask which of the two to choose. Pick by the kind of day you want, or do both, since the train takes about 30 minutes.

Question	Strasbourg	Colmar
Size	About eight markets across the old town	Six markets within a few minutes' walk
2026 dates	27 Nov to 24 Dec	23 Nov to 29 Dec
Open on 25 Dec	No	Yes, 10:00 to 20:00
Atmosphere	Grand, busy, city lights	Compact, canals and colour
Best for	Variety, food, cathedral views	Photography, couples, families
Hotel prices	High, book early	High, fewer rooms
Time needed	A full day, ideally two evenings	One day is enough

If you only have one day, choose Colmar for atmosphere and Strasbourg for scale. If you have two, spend the first in Strasbourg, then take an early train to Colmar and add a village by shuttle.

The flagship giants: Christmas markets in Strasbourg and Colmar

If you only visit two, make it these. They are 30 minutes apart by train, so they pair well.

1Strasbourg, the Capital of Christmas

The oldest and largest market in France, spread over several squares instead of one.

2026 dates: Opens Friday 27 November 2026 at 14:00 and runs to 24 December. Confirm the closing day on the official site.
Hours: Typically 11:30 to 21:00 daily, shorter on opening day and Christmas Eve (to 18:00). Closed 25 Dec.
Known for: Around eight themed markets, 300+ chalets, a 30 m Great Christmas Tree and a Christkindelsmärik said to go back to 1570.
Eat and buy: White-wine vin chaud, bredele, tarte flambée, pain d'épices, bretzels, foie gras.
Entry and crowds: Free. Very crowded on weekends. Cars are banned on the Grande Île during opening hours.
Best time: Weekday at twilight, or the first week after opening.
Getting there: Direct TGV from Paris in about 1b5. Park-and-ride costs about €4.20 a day including tram and bus.
Stay nearby: Old town and Petite France for atmosphere, near the station for easy trains, or Mulhouse and Basel for lower prices.

Things to do in Strasbourg

Strasbourg works best when you treat it as a walk through several small markets instead of one big one. Start at Place Broglie, where the Christkindelsmärik is the oldest part of the festival, with traditional wooden stalls selling candles, ornaments and Alsatian crafts. From there walk toward the cathedral. The streets around it hold the Autour de la Cathédrale market, and the red sandstone building is worth a climb. The viewing platform sits about 66 metres up, reached by 332 steps, and in the late afternoon you can watch the roofs of the Grande Île fill with lights.

Place Kléber has the Great Christmas Tree, and at dusk it is the busiest spot in the city. The Carré d'Or market nearby is where you find finer gifts and local producers. Petite France is quieter after dark, with half-timbered houses reflected in the canals. The Quai des Délices area is a good stop for white-wine vin chaud and bredele made on site. Children can follow the free tales, workshops and concerts at the Village de l'Avent, and the OFF market in shipping containers runs upcycling workshops for anyone who wants something different from classic chalets.

Practical details shape the visit. Cars are banned on the Grande Île during market hours, and entrances are checked at the bridges, so plan the last stretch on foot and carry a small bag. Wheelchairs and walkers can be borrowed free at the Place Kléber information chalet. Keep coins for the mug deposit. A good plan is to see the lights at dusk, eat dinner in a winstub, a traditional Alsatian tavern, and leave the Saturday afternoon crowds to other people.

2Colmar, a fairytale in six markets

Smaller and more compact than Strasbourg, and easy to cover on foot in a day.

2026 dates: 23 November to 29 December 2026. The gourmet market and the Ferris wheel run to 3 January 2027.
Hours: Mon to Thu 11:00 to 19:00, Fri to Sun 10:00 to 20:00. Christmas Eve 11:00 to 17:00. Open 25 Dec and 26 Dec, 10:00 to 20:00.
Known for: Six markets among colourful half-timbered houses and canals, with about 110 chalets at the two largest sites.
Eat and buy: Local foods, handmade crafts, gingerbread and Alsace wine.
Entry and crowds: Free. Very crowded on Saturday afternoons. The centre is closed to vehicles.
Best time: Weekday morning, then stay for the lights at dusk.
Getting there: TER from Strasbourg in about 30 minutes. Park-and-ride at the Parc des Expositions costs €5 on weekend dates.
Stay nearby: Old town, or Mulhouse for lower prices.

Things to do in Colmar

Colmar rewards slow walking. The six markets sit within a few minutes of each other, so you can see them in one day, but an evening gives you the best of it. Start at the Dominicains market in front of the Gothic church, which holds Martin Schongauer's painting of the Virgin of the Rose Bush, where about 60 chalets sell crafts and decorations. The Ancienne Douane, the old customs house known as the Koïfhus, has nearly 50 chalets outside, and the Koïfhus market indoors holds artisans, which helps on a wet day.

Place Jeanne d'Arc is the place for local food, and the Montagne Verte gourmet market, with nine cabins, stays open until 3 January. Petite Venise is the most photographed corner, with half-timbered houses along the canal, and on some evenings children sing carols from boats. A Ferris wheel costs about €10 and gives a view over the roofs, and a guided tour for about €10 explains the history of the houses. Free events include Wednesday cook shows, a treasure hunt and Saint-Nicolas on 6 December.

Between markets, add one museum. The Unterlinden Museum holds the Isenheim Altarpiece, and a short visit warms your fingers. Look out for the Maison des Têtes and the Pfister House as you walk. If you stay late, tarte flambée and a glass of Alsace Riesling in a winstub beat another snack from a chalet. Colmar is one of the few big markets open on 25 December, which makes it the best choice for anyone travelling over the holiday itself.

Christmas market stalls and festive lights in France — Christmas markets in France run from mid-November to the end of December, and a few into January.

Christmas markets in Alsace: villages, towns and living heritage

The Alsace Wine Route villages are small, so they suit day trips from Colmar. Several open on weekends only, so plan around that. Mulhouse, Sélestat and Thann give you city and small-town markets with their own traditions.

3Kaysersberg

An authentic craft market below a ruined medieval castle.

2026 dates: Four weekends, Friday to Sunday: 27 to 29 Nov, 4 to 6, 11 to 13 and 18 to 20 Dec 2026.
Hours: 10:00 to 20:00 on market days. Closed 24 and 25 Dec.
Known for: About 38 stalls, 27 of them from Alsace, in three clusters: the Arsenal courtyard, behind Sainte-Croix church and on Place de la Mairie.
Eat and buy: Munstiflette, crêpes, manala, berawecka, roasted chestnuts and local wine.
Entry and crowds: Free. Busy on Saturday afternoons.
Getting there: Christmas shuttle bus from Colmar. Check the current timetable.
Stay nearby: Base in Colmar.

Things to do in Kaysersberg

Kaysersberg is the market for people who prefer craft over spectacle. With only about 38 stalls and most vendors from Alsace, it feels like a village fair set among steep lanes and a ruined castle on the hill. The stalls are spread across three small spaces, the Arsenal courtyard, the ground behind Sainte-Croix church and Place de la Mairie, so you walk between them and see the town as you go. Look for hand-turned wood, candles, ceramics and Christmas biscuits.

The programme is gentle. Concerts at Sainte-Croix are planned on 29 November and 13 December, a Saint-Nicolas parade runs on 5 December, and Père Noël greets children on 19 December. The Arsenal hosts an exhibition on childhood winters, and on 24 December a storytelling walk on Christmas legends starts at 10:00 for about €11 for adults and €6 for children. Nearby wine estates add their own events, such as tarte flambée workshops at Domaine Haas and a quiz trail at Domaine Dietrich, and Domaine Spannagel holds a market with free tastings in neighbouring Katzenthal on 12 and 13 December.

Cross the fortified bridge and stop at the birthplace of Albert Schweitzer if you want a quiet museum stop. Eat a munstiflette, which is a tartiflette made with Munster, and take a bag of manala, the brioche figures baked for Saint-Nicolas. Because the market opens only on weekends, aim for Friday evening or Sunday morning for the smallest crowds.

4Riquewihr

Preserved medieval walls and a main street lined with wine cellars.

2026 dates: Daily from Friday 27 November to Sunday 20 December 2026.
Hours: Opens 10:00, closes 18:30 Mon to Fri and 19:00 Sat and Sun. Closed 24 and 25 Dec.
Known for: A walled village that looks like a storybook, with a market tucked into courtyards and lanes.
Eat and buy: Wine, pain d'épices, tarte flambée, bredele.
Entry and crowds: Free. The streets are narrow, so it feels busy even with moderate numbers.
Getting there: Christmas shuttle bus from Colmar station, about €17 per person per day. Parking at the village costs about €4 for the first hour.
Stay nearby: Colmar.

Things to do in Riquewihr

Riquewihr is small enough to cover in a few hours, and it looks the part. The village kept its ramparts and its 16th-century timber houses, and in December the main street fills with wooden chalets, garlands and lanterns. The market spreads through courtyards and side lanes, so you keep finding a new stall around a corner. This is a good place to buy Alsace wine, pain d'épices and handmade decorations.

The programme gives you reasons to arrive at specific times. Fireworks open the season on 27 November at 18:00 on Place de la Mairie, and Saint-Nicolas visits on 1 December at 17:00. A costumed walk called the S'Gelt Tour lasts about 1h30 to 2 hours, costs about €24 and ends with vin chaud at a winemaker. A paid game booklet, Riquewihr et la Fontaine Magique, suits families, and a free treasure hunt runs from 25 November to 6 January. At Maison Hugel, founded in 1639, you can book a cellar tasting during the holidays.

Expect to share the main street with day-trippers on weekends. To avoid the worst, arrive when the market opens at 10:00 and walk to the far end first, then come back as the crowds build. If you do not have a car, the shuttle from Colmar station is simple, and a day ticket lets you combine it with Eguisheim or Kaysersberg. Leave before dark if you want to avoid the queue for the return bus.

5Eguisheim

A circular village of pastel houses, quiet and very photogenic.

2026 dates: Friday 27 November to Wednesday 30 December 2026. Closed 24, 25 and 26 Dec, then open again from 27 Dec. Confirm locally, since another guide lists weekend-only dates.
Hours: 10:00 to 19:00 daily. Mon to Thu until 10 Dec the market opens at 12:00.
Known for: Concentric streets around a central castle, about 30 artisans and a calm atmosphere.
Eat and buy: Local wine, Christmas biscuits, regional gifts.
Entry and crowds: Free. Quieter than Riquewihr.
Getting there: The Christmas shuttle from Colmar station runs to 20 Dec. Bus 830 does not run on Sundays, 25 or 26 Dec.
Stay nearby: Colmar.

Things to do in Eguisheim

Eguisheim is built in rings. Streets curve around the old castle in the centre, so you can walk one slow loop and see the whole village, passing pastel houses, flower boxes lined with lights and wine estates tucked behind carved doors. It was voted France's favourite village in 2013, and that attention explains why it fills up on summer weekends, but December is calmer. Artisans, about 30 of them, set up stalls along the lanes and in courtyards.

A free night-watchman tour, about 1h30 and in French, starts at 17:00 from Place du Château Saint-Léon on Tuesdays and Fridays until 22 December, with extra dates on 26 and 29 December. It is a good way to hear the history of the village after dark. At Domaine Mann, a Cave de Noël runs on 11 to 13 December with tastings, small plates and an oyster bar. The castle square is also where Pope Leo IX is said to have been born, so look for the chapel.

Because this market keeps going to 30 December, it is one of the few Alsace markets you can visit after Christmas. It is closed from 24 to 26 December, then opens again on 27 December. Combine it with Colmar, which is open on 25 and 26 December, to build a holiday itinerary that does not leave you with closed doors. Wear shoes with grip, because the cobbles are slippery in frost.

6Ribeauvillé

A medieval Christmas market with costumes and jugglers.

2026 dates: Not confirmed when checked. The 2025 edition ran over two weekends, 6 and 7 and 13 and 14 December, and a listing points to a 5 December start in 2026.
Hours: Weekend days only. Confirm hours locally.
Known for: An immersive medieval festival with costumed vendors, fire-breathers, jugglers and troubadours.
Eat and buy: Roast wild boar, hypocras (spiced honey wine), Christmas biscuits.
Entry and crowds: Free. Busy on the two market weekends.
Getting there: Christmas shuttle bus from Colmar. Check the current timetable.
Stay nearby: Colmar.

Things to do in Ribeauvillé

Ribeauvillé's market is a festival more than a shopping trip. For two Advent weekends, the town dresses in medieval style. Vendors wear period clothing, jugglers and fire-breathers work the streets, and troubadours play in the squares. Food follows the theme. Look for wild boar roasted on open spits and hypocras, a spiced honey wine served warm, and a cup is a good way to warm up while watching a performance.

The setting helps. Three ruined castles sit on the hills above the town, and the main street runs below them in a long line of colourful houses. Walk to the upper end of the town and look back for the best view over the stalls and the vineyards. Children enjoy the performers and the crafts demonstrations, and adults can browse stands selling leather, candles, pottery and costume pieces. Because the market lasts only two weekends, it draws more people per day than a daily market, and the main street can fill by early afternoon.

Plan to arrive in the morning, see the castle viewpoint and the market, then eat lunch in the town and leave before the late-afternoon crowds. If you visit on a Sunday, check the return shuttle times before you start. Dates for 2026 were not confirmed when this page was updated, so check the tourist office before booking, and treat the first weekend of December as a likely start based on the usual pattern.

7Mulhouse

A city market with a textile heritage, and a sensible base for the whole region.

2026 dates: Friday 20 November to Sunday 27 December 2026.
Hours: Mon to Thu 11:00 to 20:00, Fri to Sun 10:00 to 21:00. Christmas Eve 11:00 to 18:00. Closed 25 Dec. 26 Dec 12:00 to 21:00. 27 Dec 10:00 to 18:00.
Known for: About 100 chalets (102 in 2025) around the Temple Saint-Étienne and the Cordiers, Victoires and Concorde squares, and a new fabric design every year.
Eat and buy: Biscuits, Sundgau honey, local spirits, limited-edition fabrics.
Entry and crowds: Free. Moderate crowds, calmer than Colmar.
Getting there: Direct trains from Colmar and Strasbourg, and about 20 minutes by TER from Basel.
Stay nearby: Often cheaper than Colmar or Strasbourg.

Things to do in Mulhouse

Mulhouse built its wealth on printed textiles, and its Christmas market uses that story. Every year the city commissions a new fabric design called L'Étoffe de Noël. The 2026 design, Jardin d'hiver, is by the Strasbourg duo Vois là, and about 14.6 km of it was printed. It is used to decorate the town and the chalets, and it is sold by the metre at about €19.50, which makes a useful souvenir that is lighter than a box of biscuits. Local artisans also sell tablecloths and napkins in limited editions.

The market surrounds the Temple Saint-Étienne and several squares in the centre, so you move between small groups of chalets instead of one big site. Food stalls feature Alsace biscuits, Sundgau honey and local spirits. In parc Jaquet, the Marché Secret is a roughly 50-minute show for about €13.99 for adults and €9.99 for children aged 4 to 15. Indoors, the Maison du Patrimoine runs an exhibition on Christmas traditions and evening visits for about €5, and the Musée de l'Impression sur Étoffes has its own Christmas market until 31 December. Concerts take place at the Église Sainte-Marie.

Mulhouse also works as a base. Hotels cost less than in Colmar, trains run to Colmar, Strasbourg and Basel, and on a rainy day you can spend hours in the Cité de l'Automobile or the Cité du Train. The market is open on 26 December and 27 December, when many others have closed, so it is useful for a trip between Christmas and New Year.

8Sélestat

The birthplace of the Christmas tree tradition, with a quiet, family-friendly market.

2026 dates: Friday 20 November to Sunday 27 December 2026.
Hours: Sun to Thu 11:00 to 19:00, Fri and Sat 11:00 to 20:00. Christmas Eve 11:00 to 16:00. Closed 25 Dec. 26 Dec from 14:00.
Known for: A Humanist Library that holds the earliest written record of a Christmas tree purchase, dated 21 December 1521.
Eat and buy: Bredele, berawecka, christolle, mannela and the local sapin feuilleté pastry.
Entry and crowds: Free. Low to moderate crowds.
Getting there: TER from Strasbourg or Colmar. The market is about 1 km from the station.
Stay nearby: Strasbourg or Colmar, or stay in town for lower prices.

Things to do in Sélestat

Sélestat is the best stop for anyone curious about why we put trees in our homes. The town's Humanist Library holds a register dated 21 December 1521 that records a payment to forest guards, and historians treat it as the earliest written mention of a Christmas tree in Alsace. This year, an exhibition called 1521: la tradition de l'arbre de Noël runs from 21 November to 31 December, Tuesday to Sunday, and it traces the tree from its origins through apples, wafers and blown glass.

The market sits on Place d'Armes, Place de la Victoire and Place Kubler, so it is compact and easy to walk. Advent candles are lit on Place de la Victoire on 29 November and on 6, 13 and 20 December. A tree parade passes through town on 20 December, and Saint-Nicolas visits on 6 December from 16:00 to 19:00. You can join a guided walk on legends and traditions on 19 December for about €3.50, or a family theatre visit the next day for a small extra charge. Children can follow a tree hunt and a treasure hunt until 3 January.

Food is a highlight. The Maison du Pain d'Alsace runs a Christmas bakery, the Fournil de Noël, with about 35 kinds of bredele, and local pastries include christolle and a flaky sapin feuilleté. Sélestat has 4,500 parking spaces, so it is easy by car, and the Haut-Kœnigsbourg castle on the hill above makes a good half-day addition. Choose this market if you want calm after Strasbourg and Colmar.

9Thann

A small town market with a Gothic church and an abseiling Santa.

2026 dates: 20 November to 24 December 2026. The detailed programme was not yet published, so check the dates for Père Noël's descent.
Hours: Confirm with the Thann-Cernay tourist office, since two schedules were listed. Christmas Eve runs in the afternoon and 25 Dec is closed.
Known for: Around 27 chalets, sixteen decorated fir trees, a lit Gothic portal and the Père Noël escaladeur.
Eat and buy: Bredele, vin chaud, local wine from the Rangen vineyard.
Entry and crowds: Free. Quiet on weekdays.
Getting there: Train to Thann-Centre from Mulhouse, then a short walk.
Stay nearby: Mulhouse.

Things to do in Thann

Thann is for people who want a market with a story. The Gothic Collégiale Saint-Thiébaut dominates the town, and in the evenings its great portal is lit. The market sits on Place Joffre and around the church square, with around 27 chalets and sixteen themed fir trees placed around town. Three large trees on Place Joffre represent the twin towns of Gubbio, Sigmaringen and Tonneins in recent programmes, a small sign of how the town links itself to Europe.

The famous event is Le Père Noël escaladeur. On two December Sundays, Santa abseils down the side of the collegiate church tower, accompanied by elves, and hands out sweets to the children below. The 2026 dates were not published yet, so ask the tourist office. At weekends, Père Noël also meets children from 15:00 to 18:00 and on Wednesdays from 16:00 to 18:00. At the end of December, Thann also has a tradition of burning three fir trees, the Crémation des Trois Sapins, which recalls the legend of Saint Theobald. Check the date before you plan around it.

Thann also pairs well with wine. The Rangen vineyard above the town is known for its steep volcanic slopes, and local cellars sell Pinot Gris and Riesling. Because Thann is small and quiet on weekdays, it is a good choice for a calm evening after a busy day in Colmar. Stay in Mulhouse and take the train, which saves money and avoids driving at night.

10Wissembourg

A northern Alsace town with a night parade of Hans Trapp and Christkindel.

2026 dates: Not published when checked. The 2025 market ran from 28 November to 21 December, Friday 17:00 to 21:00 and Saturday and Sunday 11:30 to 19:30.
Hours: Confirm locally. Weekend afternoons were the busiest in 2025.
Known for: Wooden stalls around the Abbatiale Saints-Pierre-et-Paul, and a folklore parade held on the last Sunday of the market.
Eat and buy: Bredele, mulled wine, local crafts.
Entry and crowds: Free. Quiet except on parade night.
Getting there: Train from Strasbourg, then a short walk from the station.
Stay nearby: Strasbourg or Wissembourg itself.

Things to do in Wissembourg

Wissembourg sits on the northern edge of Alsace, near the German border, and its market is smaller and quieter than the ones in the south. Wooden stalls gather around the abbey church of Saints-Pierre-et-Paul, a large Gothic building, and the programme is built around workshops, Advent concerts and a visit from Saint-Nicolas. If you want to see how an Alsace town celebrates when it is not performing for tourists, this is a good choice.

The highlight is the Hans Trapp and Christkindel parade, a night procession that was held on Sunday 21 December in 2025 at 17:00 and takes place on the last Sunday of the market. Drummers and fire-breathers lead the way, followed by Hans Trapp in black, then Christkindel on a lit float, and the evening ends with a fire show and fireworks. Hans Trapp is a fur-clad bogeyman who punishes naughty children. He is based on a 15th-century knight, Hans von Trotha, whose story is tied to the castle of Berwartstein just over the border in the Palatinate. Christkindel is the golden-crowned young girl who brings hope and gifts.

The two figures show how Alsace splits the role of Santa. Children expect a kind visitor and a scary one, and the parade turns that tradition into theatre. Come early to find a place on the route, wrap up warmly, and check the 2026 dates when they appear on the Wissembourg tourist office site. The town is about an hour from Strasbourg by train, so it fits a quiet day away from the larger markets.

11Ungersheim and the Écomusée d'Alsace

A living museum of historic Alsace farmhouses, decorated for the holidays.

2026 dates: Not confirmed when checked. The museum runs a Christmas programme each winter, so check opening dates before you go.
Known for: One of France's largest open-air museums, with more than 70 historic buildings moved here from across Alsace.
Eat and buy: Bread baked in wood-fired ovens, regional biscuits, crafts.
Entry and crowds: Paid museum entry. Quiet on weekdays.
Getting there: About 20 minutes by car from Mulhouse. Check public transport options before you go.
Stay nearby: Mulhouse or Colmar.

Things to do in Ungersheim

The Écomusée d'Alsace at Ungersheim is a village of historic timber houses, and in December it becomes a Christmas set. More than 70 farmhouses, workshops and barns were taken apart in villages across Alsace and rebuilt here, and the museum decorates them as they would have been in the 19th and early 20th centuries. You walk from house to house, each one lit by a stove, with straw ornaments, dried fruit garlands and simple wooden toys instead of plastic.

The programme focuses on forgotten trades. Bakers fire wood-burning communal ovens and sell the bread, craftspeople weave straw decorations by hand, and storytellers sit by hearths to tell Christmas tales. Children can see farm animals in their stables and help with simple tasks. Because the museum is open air, wear waterproof boots, and expect to spend two to four hours moving between buildings. There is a restaurant and shop on site, though hours change in winter.

It is a good option for families, for anyone who prefers history to shopping and for a rainy day when the markets in the towns are crowded. The museum is paid entry and runs a different schedule from the city markets, so check the dates and hours on its website before you travel. It sits near Mulhouse, so you can combine it with an evening at the Mulhouse market.

12Meisenthal

The glassworks village where the glass Christmas bauble began.

2026 dates: Winter events change each year. Check the Meisenthal glassworks site for the Christmas programme.
Known for: The CIAV glass art centre and the yearly numbered designer bauble.
Eat and buy: Blown glass baubles, glass art, regional biscuits.
Entry and crowds: Free to browse the village, with paid workshops. Popular in early December.
Getting there: Mostly by car, about an hour from Strasbourg. Check public transport.
Stay nearby: Strasbourg or Saverne.

Things to do in Meisenthal

Meisenthal sits in the Northern Vosges, on the border of Moselle and Alsace, and it has a claim to being the cradle of the glass Christmas ball. According to local tradition, a dry summer in 1858 left apples scarce, and a glassblower made glass fruit to hang on the tree in their place. The Boules de Noël that followed spread across Europe. Today the old glassworks houses the International Centre for Glass Art, known as the CIAV, and you can see glassblowers at work in a large hall.

Every winter, the glassworks releases one numbered contemporary ornament designed by an artist or designer. Collectors follow the release, and the new bauble can sell quickly in early December, so go early in the season if you want one. You can also watch glassblowing demonstrations, browse the shop and, in some years, join a workshop to make your own bauble. Prices for a designer piece start at a few tens of euros, and simple blown baubles cost less.

Meisenthal is a place to buy a gift that has a story, which is the opposite of an anonymous chalet product. The village is quiet, so combine it with a stop in Saverne or with the glass museum at Saint-Louis-lès-Bitche and the Lalique museum at Wingen-sur-Moder. Opening hours and events change each year, so check the CIAV site before you set out, and book a workshop slot if you want to blow your own ornament.

Christmas markets in Paris

If you only have time for the capital, these are the ones to choose. Paris markets lean toward rides, shopping and snacks, so they feel less traditional than Alsace. For more to do in the city and beyond, see our guides to the best things to do in France and the best places to visit in France.

13Tuileries Garden

The big central market, with chalets, rides and treats beside the Louvre.

2026 dates: 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.
Hours: Official 2026 hours were not published. The last edition ran daily from 11:00 to about 23:45 and closed around 19:30 on 24 and 31 Dec.
Known for: About 80 chalets at the latest edition, with a large funfair share of the site.
Eat and buy: Crêpes, churros, candy floss, roasted nuts, mulled wine.
Entry and crowds: Entry to the market area is free, with rides and food paid. Busy in the evenings and on weekends.
Getting there: Metro to Tuileries or Concorde.
Stay nearby: 1st and 8th arrondissements, or near the Gare de Lyon for easy trains.

Things to do in Tuileries Garden

The Tuileries market is Paris at its most theatrical. It fills the garden between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde with chalets, fairground rides and food stands, and the whole thing is lit up against the palace walls. About 80 chalets sell gifts, sweets and decorations, and the rides range from small carousels for young children to thrill rides for teenagers. Prices are higher than in Alsace, so treat it as a place to enjoy the atmosphere more than a place to shop.

Make it part of a longer walk. Start at the Louvre, cross the garden to the market, then continue to Place de la Concorde, where a Christmas market on the Champs-Élysées is due to open on 22 November. The end date for that market was not published. In earlier years the Tuileries site has also had a skating rink and a Santa, and a Ferris wheel has often been part of the fair, but their 2026 return was not confirmed, so check before you plan around them. The Musée de l'Orangerie sits at the garden's edge for a quiet break.

The most famous seasonal sights lie a short metro ride away. On Boulevard Haussmann, the department stores Galeries Lafayette and Printemps decorate their windows and Galeries Lafayette puts up a giant tree under its dome. Go in the late afternoon, then walk to the Tuileries when the lights come on. On a weekday evening the garden is lively but manageable, while Saturdays after 17:00 bring queues for the rides and long lines at the crêpe stalls.

14La Défense

One of the largest Christmas markets in the Paris region.

2026 dates: Chalets from 12 November to 31 December 2026. The Le Sommet area and the ice rink run to 3 January 2027.
Hours: Chalets Mon to Thu 11:00 to 21:00, Fri 11:00 to 23:00, Sat 10:00 to 23:00, Sun 11:00 to 21:30. On 24 Dec the festive plaza and rink run 11:00 to 18:00, and on 25 Dec 15:00 to 23:00.
Known for: More than 300 chalets, an opening concert on 13 November, a 504 m² ice rink and photos with Père Noël from 13 Nov to 24 Dec.
Eat and buy: Raclette, tartiflette, regional foods, mulled wine.
Entry and crowds: Free. Less crowded than the Tuileries on weekdays.
Getting there: Metro line 1 or RER A to La Défense.
Stay nearby: Paris centre, a short metro ride away.

Things to do in La Défense

La Défense is the biggest Christmas market near Paris, and it works well for a practical day. More than 300 chalets spread across the plaza beneath the Grande Arche, selling gifts, food and decorations. Because the business district is open, it is easy to arrive by metro in about 20 minutes from central Paris and walk straight in. Chimène Badi opens the season with a concert on 13 November, and the market then runs daily until 31 December, with the Le Sommet area staying open until 3 January 2027.

The ice rink is a central attraction. It covers about 504 square metres and costs about €6 to €10 for a child and €10 to €12.50 for an adult, depending on the period, with skate hire at €2.50 and gloves compulsory at about €4. Père Noël and Mère Noël are on site from 13 November to 24 December for paid photos. Food ranges from raclette and tartiflette to sweets, and the tall office towers give the lights a modern backdrop that you will not find in Alsace.

La Défense is also one of the few Paris markets that stays open on Christmas Day, with the plaza and rink running from 15:00 to 23:00. That makes it a useful plan for 25 December, when most of the city is shut. Combine it with shopping at Les 4 Temps, one of the largest malls in Europe, and walk up the steps of the Grande Arche for a view along the axis to the Arc de Triomphe. Choose a weekday if you can, since Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest.

15Notre-Dame area and Square René Viviani

A small market and a visit to the reopened cathedral.

2026 dates: Square René Viviani, 26 November to 27 December 2026.
Hours: Chalet count and hours were not published when checked.
Known for: A market in a quiet square on the Left Bank, facing the cathedral across the Seine.
Eat and buy: Mulled wine, crêpes, gifts from small producers.
Entry and crowds: Free. Busy near the cathedral, calmer in the square.
Getting there: Metro to Saint-Michel Notre-Dame or Cité, or RER B and C.
Stay nearby: 5th arrondissement, near the Latin Quarter.

Things to do in Notre-Dame area

Notre-Dame is the reason to come to this part of Paris. The cathedral reopened in December 2024 after the fire, and visiting it at Christmas is a strong experience, with the new interior and the light of candles in the nave. Book a timed slot online where you can, since queues can be long, and go early or late in the day. Outside, walk around the building and cross the river to Square René Viviani, where this year's market takes place from 26 November to 27 December.

The square also holds a tree said to be the oldest in Paris, a robinia planted in 1601, and a pretty view across the water to the cathedral. The market is small, so combine it with other stops. Shakespeare and Company bookshop is next door, and the Latin Quarter streets behind it have crêperies and cafés. Cross to the Île de la Cité to see the Sainte-Chapelle, whose stained glass is at its best on a bright winter morning, and walk along the quay toward the Île Saint-Louis for ice cream or hot chocolate.

Because the market is small and the hours were not yet published, think of it as a stop on a day of sightseeing instead of a destination. A good order is Sainte-Chapelle in the morning, lunch on the Île Saint-Louis, then the cathedral in the afternoon and the square at dusk. On the way, buy a hot chocolate and stay out of the busiest streets around Rue de la Huchette. Check the Paris official tourism site for the final hours before you go.

16Montmartre

Hilltop streets decorated for the season, with no confirmed 2026 market.

2026 dates: No Montmartre Christmas market was listed for 2026 when checked. Check the Paris official tourism site.
Known for: Sacré-Cœur, Place du Tertre and village-like streets around Abbesses.
Eat and buy: Crêpes, chocolate, cheese, wine from the Clos Montmartre.
Entry and crowds: Free to walk. Crowded around Sacré-Cœur and Place du Tertre.
Getting there: Metro to Abbesses or Anvers. A funicular runs up the hill.
Stay nearby: 18th arrondissement.

Things to do in Montmartre

Montmartre does not host a large market, but its December atmosphere is worth a half day. The streets around Abbesses are decorated with lights and wreaths, the bakeries sell seasonal pastries, and the village feel of the hill makes a good contrast to the grand boulevards. Take the metro to Abbesses, which has one of the best surviving Art Nouveau entrances in the city, then walk up through the small streets to Sacré-Cœur.

Inside the basilica, the mosaic is lit and the atmosphere is calm in the late afternoon. The terraces in front give one of the best views over Paris, and on a clear evening you can watch the lights come on. Place du Tertre is full of painters who will sketch your portrait, though the prices are for visitors. Walk a few streets away to find quieter cafés, and look for the Clos Montmartre, a small vineyard that still makes wine. A funicular runs up the hill if you prefer not to climb the steps.

Because no market was confirmed, treat Montmartre as a free sightseeing stop and combine it with a market elsewhere. A good plan is a morning walk here, lunch in a crêperie, then a metro ride to the Tuileries or La Défense for the evening. Wear shoes with grip, since the steps and cobbles are slippery when it is cold. Weekdays are calmer, and the light is best an hour before sunset, when the sky turns blue and the street lamps come on.

17Provins, a medieval Christmas weekend

A UNESCO-listed town with a costumed Christmas market on one December weekend.

2026 dates: Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December 2026, the 15th edition.
Hours: Saturday from 11:00 to 22:00 or 23:00 depending on the source, Sunday 10:00 to 18:00.
Known for: More than 60 artisans and merchants in period costume on the Châtel, Saint-Quiriace and Lavoir squares.
Eat and buy: Mulled wine, medieval-style food stalls, rose products from Provins.
Entry and crowds: Free. Archery, face painting and a model-making workshop are paid.
Getting there: Transilien line P from Paris Gare de l'Est, about 1h20 to 1h30.
Stay nearby: Day trip from Paris, or stay in town.

Things to do in Provins

Provins is a medieval town about 90 minutes from Paris, and its Christmas market takes place on a single weekend in December. More than 60 artisans and merchants, all in period costume, set up on the Châtel, Saint-Quiriace and Lavoir squares, which sit on the hill above the lower town. The setting is the main attraction. The town's ramparts, the Tour César and the Grange aux Dîmes are listed by UNESCO, and the market fits among them without feeling staged.

The programme is built for people who like to take part. Jugglers, stilt walkers, fire-breathers, troubadours and musicians work the squares, and combat displays are staged for children. On Saturday evening a fire show is followed by a medieval ball, so stay for the night if you like to dance. Children can try archery, face painting and a model-making workshop, which cost extra. Entry to the market is free, and you pay only for food, drinks and the paid activities.

Visit the underground passages if the weather is cold, since the cellars stay at a steady temperature and the guides tell stories about the medieval fairs. Eat from the medieval stalls, buy a rose product from the shop and walk the wall after dark. Trains from Paris Gare de l'Est are slow on weekends, so check the last return time on Saturday, or book a room in town. If you have only a day, go on Sunday when the crowds are thinner and the market closes at 18:00.

Christmas markets in northern France

These cities are quick to reach from Paris and from London by Eurostar, and they are often less crowded than Alsace. Several have large 2026 programmes that other guides miss.

18Lille

Place Rihour at the centre, with a Ferris wheel nearby on the Grand'Place.

2026 dates: Wednesday 18 November to Wednesday 30 December 2026, subject to change.
Hours: Opens 11:00, closes 20:30 Sun to Thu and 22:00 Fri and Sat. Christmas Eve to 18:00. Closed 25 Dec.
Known for: Nearly 90 chalets in six themes on Place Rihour, and a giant Ferris wheel on the Grand'Place from 18 Nov to 16 Jan.
Eat and buy: Waffles, croustillons, Maroilles, local beer including La Chope du Père Noël.
Entry and crowds: Free. The Ferris wheel costs about €7 for adults and €5 for children under 1.40 m. Busy on weekends.
Getting there: About 1h by TGV from Paris, or Eurostar from London.
Stay nearby: Vieux-Lille or near the two stations, Lille Flandres and Lille Europe.

Things to do in Lille

Lille is the easiest market for anyone arriving from London, since the Eurostar reaches the city in about 1h20 and the market sits a short walk from the station. The main site is Place Rihour, where nearly 90 chalets in six themes sell gifts, decorations and food. A short walk away on the Grand'Place, a giant Ferris wheel runs from 18 November to 16 January, for about €7 for adults and €5 for children under 1.40 m, and the view over the Flemish Baroque facades is worth the ride.

Food is the draw. Look for waffles, a warm cup of chocolate and a bag of croustillons, the deep-fried dough balls dusted with sugar that replace churros in the north. A local beer called La Chope du Père Noël is sold at the Santa stall, and the region's strong Maroilles cheese appears in savoury dishes. Between markets, walk through Vieux-Lille, where chocolatiers and delicatessens decorate their windows, and visit the Vieille Bourse, the courtyard of old arcades that hosts a book market.

Add a museum if you need to get warm. The Palais des Beaux-Arts is one of the largest in France, and the Opera and the Belfry add views and architecture. Weekends and the Saturdays before Christmas bring the heaviest crowds, so go midweek if you can. Lille works as a base for a regional route, since Roubaix, Arras and Amiens are all within a short train ride, and the market closes at 18:00 on 24 December and stays shut on 25 December.

19Roubaix

An eco-responsible market outside a museum in a former swimming pool.

2026 dates: Listed as 27 November to 24 December 2026, but the 2026 edition was not confirmed when checked.
Known for: The Marché de Noël durable at La Piscine, with about 60 exhibitors in its 11th edition.
Eat and buy: Recycled and handmade gifts, local food.
Entry and crowds: Free. Quiet.
Getting there: Metro line 2 or TER from Lille, about 15 minutes.
Stay nearby: Lille.

Things to do in Roubaix

Roubaix offers the opposite of a mass-market chalet. Its sustainable Christmas market takes place on the forecourt of La Piscine, the museum in a former Art Deco swimming pool, and it focuses on products that are local, handmade, recycled or low in waste. About 60 exhibitors take part in the 11th edition, and the market started in 2015. The dates listed for 2026 were 27 November to 24 December, but the edition had not been confirmed, so check before you travel.

Go to the market with an empty bag and a plan to buy gifts that last. You can find upcycled jewellery, reused fabric bags, small-batch food and children's toys made from reclaimed materials. Prices are fair, and many vendors will explain how they made the object. Combine the market with the museum itself, since La Piscine holds sculpture, painting and decorative art in a hall with a central pool, and the stained glass at one end lights up in the afternoon.

Roubaix is a textile city, and its old mills are now creative spaces and outlet shops. Walk through the area around La Manufacture if you want to see how the industry shaped the town, and visit the factory outlets if you want clothing discounts. The metro takes about 15 minutes from Lille, so it fits easily into a day. It is the best stop in this guide for travellers who want to spend less and waste less, and a calm stop when the larger markets feel tiring.

20Arras

Two baroque squares and a giant tree, with a belfry above.

2026 dates: Friday 27 November to Sunday 27 December 2026.
Hours: Sun to Thu 12:00 to 21:00, Fri and Sat 12:00 to 22:30. Christmas Eve to 17:00. Closed 25 Dec.
Known for: Up to 155 pitches: 90 to 110 on the Grand'Place, 30 to 40 on Place des Héros with a giant tree, and a few at Place d'Ipswich.
Eat and buy: Flemish beer, croustillons, regional food.
Entry and crowds: No fee announced. Moderate crowds.
Getting there: About 50 minutes by TGV from Paris Gare du Nord.
Stay nearby: Arras centre.

Things to do in Arras

Arras has two of the most handsome squares in northern France, and in December they fill with chalets. The Grand'Place and the Place des Héros are lined with narrow Flemish Baroque gables, and the market uses both, with 90 to 110 pitches on the first and 30 to 40 on the second, where a giant tree stands. A small area at Place d'Ipswich hosts the house of Père Noël. Neighbourhood markets pop up at Parc du Rietz Saint-Sauveur on 11 to 13 December and Place Verlaine on 18 to 20 December.

Climb the belfry, a UNESCO-listed tower that looks over the roofs, and then go underground. The Boves are a network of chalk tunnels under the old town, and a guided visit takes about an hour and keeps a cool, steady temperature. At the market, look for local beer, a bag of croustillons and savoury pastries. The programme for the Ferris wheel, rink and children's train had not been announced when this page was updated, and 2025 prices were around €5 to €6 for the wheel and €6 to €9 for the rink, so check the final details.

Arras is a good option for a day from Lille or Paris, and a TGV takes about 50 minutes from Paris. The market opens at noon, so spend the morning at the belfry or in the cathedral, then arrive for lunch. On Christmas Eve it closes at 17:00 and it is shut on 25 December. Weekday evenings are calm, and Friday and Saturday evenings stay open until 22:30 for those who like to stay late.

21Amiens

A large market along 2 km of lit streets, with a light show on the cathedral.

2026 dates: Friday 20 November to Wednesday 30 December 2026. Illuminations start Saturday 21 November at 17:30.
Hours: Mon to Thu and Sun 11:00 to 19:30, Fri and Sat 11:00 to 21:00. Christmas Eve to 17:00. Closed 25 Dec.
Known for: Over 100 chalets along about 2 km of lit streets, from Place René-Goblet to the Hôtel de Ville square.
Eat and buy: Macarons d'Amiens, ficelle picarde, duck pâté, local sweets.
Entry and crowds: Free. Moderate crowds.
Getting there: About 1h10 to 1h30 by train from Paris Gare du Nord.
Stay nearby: Amiens centre or Saint-Leu.

Things to do in Amiens

Amiens runs one of the largest markets in the north, with more than 100 chalets spread across about 2 km of lit streets between Place René-Goblet and the town hall square. It is a market you walk from end to end, with food, crafts and gifts along the way, and it stays open until 30 December, longer than most. The cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral in France, anchors the town, and it plays a central part in the season.

Each evening from 27 November to 27 December, from 19:00, a free light show called Chroma colours the cathedral facade, and a separate event, Notre-Dame en lumière, lights the interior from 20 December to 4 January between 16:30 and 18:30. A Père Noël village opens in the town hall courtyard from 21 November to 24 December, a skating rink runs at Square Saint-Denis until 30 December, and parades take place on 25 November and 4, 11 and 18 December. Children can ride the Jules Verne tourist train from the cathedral for about €10 for adults and €6 for children.

Between markets, walk through the Saint-Leu district, where canals run past small houses and cafés, and visit the Maison de Jules Verne if you want a literary break. In summer the Hortillonnages floating gardens are the star, but they are quiet in winter. Try macarons d'Amiens and the savoury ficelle picarde, a ham-and-mushroom pancake. On 24 December the last trains leave at about 18:49 for Lille and Arras and 21:40 for Paris-Nord, so check the timetable if you plan to return that evening.

22Rouen

A Normandy market on the cathedral forecourt, called Rouen Givrée.

2026 dates: 25 November to 27 December 2026. The market generally closes on 28 December.
Hours: Mon 14:00 to 20:00, Tue to Fri 11:00 to 20:00, Sat 10:00 to 21:00, Sun 10:00 to 20:00. Hours for 24 and 25 Dec were not published.
Known for: About 50 chalets on the Notre-Dame cathedral forecourt, and a family area called the Refuge Givré on Place Saint-Sever.
Eat and buy: Normandy cider, calvados, Camembert, duck à la rouennaise.
Entry and crowds: Free. Moderate crowds.
Getting there: About 1h15 by train from Paris Saint-Lazare.
Stay nearby: Old town near the Gros-Horloge.

Things to do in Rouen

Rouen Givrée, the city's frosted Christmas, puts about 50 chalets on the forecourt of the Gothic cathedral that Monet painted again and again. The market sits among half-timbered streets, so a visit to it fits a day of sightseeing. Walk along the Rue du Gros-Horloge, pass under the ornate astronomical clock, and see the spot where Joan of Arc was burned, now marked by a modern church and a historic site. Then return to the market for cider and local food.

Family activities centre on the Refuge Givré on Place Saint-Sever, which has automatons, an enchanted forest and workshops. A Grande Parade takes over the streets on the first Saturday of December. The programme also includes concerts, DJ afternoons and an ugly Christmas sweater championship, which keeps the tone lighter than some traditional markets. Hours run from 11:00 to 20:00 on weekdays and to 21:00 on Saturdays, with a late start on Monday at 14:00.

Normandy gives you a different menu. Try cider and calvados, a slice of Camembert, and a plate of duck à la rouennaise if you want a sit-down meal. The market stays open until 27 December, which helps for trips after Christmas, but you should check the hours for 24 and 25 December, which had not been published. The train from Paris Saint-Lazare takes about 1h15, so Rouen suits a day trip or a night away.

23Reims

Champagne country, a lit-up cathedral and about 150 chalets.

2026 dates: Wednesday 25 November to Sunday 27 December 2026.
Hours: 25 Nov to 20 Dec: Mon 14:00 to 20:00, Tue to Thu 11:30 to 21:00, Fri 11:30 to 22:00, Sat 10:00 to 22:00, Sun 10:00 to 20:00. Christmas Eve 11:00 to 18:00. Closed 25 Dec. 26 Dec 10:00 to 22:00.
Known for: About 150 chalets on the Hautes Promenades and the Porte de Mars esplanade, and a free light show on the cathedral called Regalia.
Eat and buy: Champagne, biscuits roses, Reims ham, local charcuterie.
Entry and crowds: Free. Moderate crowds.
Getting there: About 45 minutes by TGV from Paris Gare de l'Est.
Stay nearby: Reims centre, near the cathedral and the station.

Things to do in Reims

Reims puts a large market, a great cathedral and Champagne into one short trip. About 150 chalets stand on the Hautes Promenades and by the Porte de Mars, a Roman arch, with a village of artisans, a boutique of local makers, a children's train and the Village des Oursons. The market is free to enter, and a full day here costs less than in Paris. Because the TGV takes about 45 minutes, you can arrive in the morning and still be home that evening.

After dark, the cathedral becomes the show. Regalia is a free light projection of about 10 minutes that starts at 20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays until 3 January 2027, though it was listed as skipped on 12 December. The building is where French kings were crowned, and the facade is covered in carved figures that the projection brings to life. Inside, the stained glass includes windows by Marc Chagall in the apse, and the Palais du Tau next door holds treasures from the coronations.

Champagne is the local reason to linger. Houses such as Taittinger, Veuve Clicquot, Pommery and Ruinart offer cellar tours, and booking ahead is wise in December. At the market, look for a glass of Champagne, the pink biscuits that are traditionally dipped in it, and Reims ham. The market closes at 18:00 on 24 December and is shut on 25 December, but reopens on 26 December from 10:00 to 22:00, so a weekend after Christmas is possible.

24Troyes

A half-timbered old town and a market of 26 wooden chalets.

2026 dates: Listed as 27 November to 27 December 2026, but the 2026 edition was not confirmed when checked.
Hours: Sun to Thu 11:00 to 19:30, Fri and Sat 11:00 to 21:30. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day close at 18:00.
Known for: 26 wooden chalets and nearly 50 exhibitors at the Forum de l'Hôtel de Ville, including Champagne producers.
Eat and buy: Andouillette de Troyes, Chaource cheese, Champagne.
Entry and crowds: Free. Moderate crowds.
Getting there: About 1h30 by train from Paris Gare de l'Est. The station is about 10 minutes from the market.
Stay nearby: Old town.

Things to do in Troyes

Troyes is a town of tilted half-timbered houses, and the old centre has the shape of a champagne cork. The market is small, with 26 wooden chalets and nearly 50 exhibitors on the Forum de l'Hôtel de Ville, but the setting does the work. Champagne producers are among the stallholders, so you can taste before you buy. The station is about a 10-minute walk away, which makes the town an easy day trip from Paris.

Free events fill the programme. Five themed parades with Belle Époque and steampunk costumes pass through the streets, there are free concerts on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, and children can post a letter to Père Noël or ride the carousel. Between events, walk the narrow lanes, look into the Cathedral of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, famed for its stained glass, and browse the factory outlets that Troyes is known for.

Eat the local specialties. Andouillette de Troyes is a coarse tripe sausage that divides opinion, Chaource is a soft cheese with a mild tang, and the Champagne region gives you reason to order a glass at lunch. The 2026 edition had not been confirmed when this page was updated, so check the tourist office site for the final dates. On 24 and 25 December the market closes at 18:00, and hours are generally 11:00 to 19:30 on most days and to 21:30 on Friday and Saturday.

Christmas markets in Lorraine and Franche-Comté

These eastern cities sit beyond the busiest Alsace routes and give a calmer view of Christmas in France. None had 2026 dates published when checked, so the 2025 dates are given as a guide.

25Metz

A lantern trail and a market in a golden-stone old town.

2026 dates: Not published when checked. The 2025 edition ran 21 November to 30 December.
Known for: The Sentier des Lanternes, a lantern trail through the old town, and market squares in the centre.
Eat and buy: Mirabelle plum products, local biscuits, mulled wine.
Entry and crowds: Free. Moderate crowds.
Getting there: About 1h30 by TGV from Paris.
Stay nearby: Old town near Place Saint-Louis.

Things to do in Metz

Metz is a pleasant surprise for anyone who thinks of Christmas in France as Alsace only. The old town is built from golden Jaumont stone, and in December its squares fill with chalets, lights and decorations. The market spreads between several central squares, so you move on foot between small groups of stalls, with a calmer feel than you will find in Strasbourg. The city also stages a lantern trail, the Sentier des Lanternes, which turns a walk through the old town into an evening route lit by hand-made lanterns.

The cathedral is the highlight. The Cathedral of Saint-Étienne has some of the largest areas of stained glass in France, including windows by Marc Chagall, and the light at the end of the day is soft and warm. Visit before the market opens, then browse the chalets for Lorraine specialities. The region is known for mirabelle plums, so look for jams, tarts and the eau-de-vie made from the fruit. A stop at the Centre Pompidou-Metz gives you a modern art break if you want shelter from the cold.

Metz is useful as a base for the east, with direct trains to Nancy and Strasbourg. The market in 2025 ran from 21 November to 30 December, so you can reasonably expect a similar window, but confirm the 2026 dates before you book. The TGV from Paris takes about 1h30, and prices for hotels are lower than in Alsace. It is a good choice for a quieter weekend and for travellers who like architecture more than crowds.

26Nancy

A market near the grand Place Stanislas and a Saint-Nicolas tradition.

2026 dates: Not published when checked. The 2025 edition ran 21 November to 28 December.
Known for: Elegant UNESCO-listed squares and the Saint-Nicolas celebrations around 6 December.
Eat and buy: Macarons de Nancy, bergamote sweets, mirabelle, Lorraine tarts.
Entry and crowds: Free. Busier on the Saint-Nicolas weekend.
Getting there: About 1h30 by TGV from Paris.
Stay nearby: City centre near Place Stanislas.

Things to do in Nancy

Nancy is a city of grand squares. Place Stanislas, Place de la Carrière and Place d'Alliance form a UNESCO World Heritage ensemble, with gilded gates and fountains that glow at night. The Christmas market sits close to the old town, in the area around Place Saint-Epvre and Place Charles III, and the lighting of the main squares makes an evening walk worth doing even if you buy nothing. The 2025 market ran from 21 November to 28 December, so expect a similar span in 2026.

The key date is Saint-Nicolas. Lorraine is the home of Saint Nicholas in France, and Nancy holds its main parade on the weekend closest to 6 December, with floats, bands and children on their parents' shoulders. If you plan to come, book a hotel early, since it is the busiest weekend of the season. At other times the market is calm. Look for macarons de Nancy, a local almond biscuit, and bergamote sweets, a citrus boiled sweet that is a regional signature.

Between visits, walk through the Art Nouveau district and stop at the Brasserie Excelsior, a good place for a warm meal. The Musée de l'École de Nancy shows local glass and furniture from the early 20th century, and the Museum of Fine Arts sits on Place Stanislas itself. Nancy sits close to Metz, so it works well as part of a two-city trip. The train from Paris takes about 1h30, and a regional train links the two cities in under an hour.

27Montbéliard

A Franche-Comté market with a Lutheran past and a fairy called Tante Arie.

2026 dates: Not published when checked. The 2025 edition ran 22 November to 24 December.
Known for: Tante Arie, a gift-bringing fairy from local tradition, and a long-running Christmas lights display.
Eat and buy: Saucisse de Montbéliard, Christmas biscuits, local beer.
Entry and crowds: Free. Fewer international visitors than Alsace.
Getting there: About 2h30 from Paris by TGV plus a local connection. Close to Mulhouse and Belfort.
Stay nearby: Montbéliard centre.

Things to do in Montbéliard

Montbéliard lies just south of Alsace, in Franche-Comté, and it offers a market with fewer international visitors and a different tradition of Christmas. In this Lutheran part of France, gifts do not come from Santa. They come from Tante Arie, Aunt Arie, a benevolent fairy who travels with a donkey, a legend linked to Countess Henriette of Montbéliard. You will see her figure in decorations and in the shops, and children write letters to her instead of to Père Noël.

The town centre is compact and walkable. The market spreads through the streets below the Château des Ducs de Wurtemberg, which overlooks the old town, and the lights display covers the historic streets. Stalls sell local crafts and food, and the most famous product is the saucisse de Montbéliard, a smoked pork sausage, which is grilled and served in bread at food stands. Add Christmas biscuits, gingerbread and local beer to complete the meal.

The region also has a car heritage. The Peugeot museum in nearby Sochaux, the Musée de l'Aventure Peugeot, is a good indoor option if the weather turns, and Belfort, with its lion and fortress, is a short ride away. The 2025 market ran from 22 November to 24 December, so expect a similar pattern, but check the 2026 dates before you book. The town is about 2h30 from Paris by TGV with a local connection, and about 30 minutes from Mulhouse, so you can combine it with Alsace.

Christmas markets in Lyon, the Alps and the south of France

The south does Christmas differently, with lights, clay figures, and a long table of desserts instead of gingerbread and mulled wine. Dates for most southern markets were not published when this page was updated, so each entry says what to check.

28Lyon and the Festival of Lights

Light installations across the city around 8 December, plus a classic Christmas market.

2026 dates: The Fête des Lumières is built around 8 December and usually lasts four days. Confirm the exact dates on the official site. The 2025 market ran 21 November to 24 December.
Known for: Light shows across the city, candles in windows and the Fourvière basilica above the old town.
Eat and buy: Pralines, papillotes, Lyonnaise specialities in a bouchon, local wine.
Entry and crowds: Free. Very crowded during the festival.
Getting there: About 2 hours by TGV from Paris.
Stay nearby: Book as early as possible if you plan to visit during the festival.

Things to do in Lyon

Lyon is where Christmas becomes a festival of light. The Fête des Lumières began as a thank-you to the Virgin, when residents placed candles in their windows, and it still happens: on the evening of 8 December, thousands of small candles glow in Lyon's windows, and the city commissions artists to light up squares, bridges and facades. The festival draws well over a million visitors, so expect crowds on the bridges and queues for the best installations. Walk the route from Place Bellecour through the Presqu'île and across the Saône into Vieux Lyon.

Away from the festival, the city runs a classic Christmas market at Place Carnot, with chalets for gifts and decorations, and a calmer feel than you will find during the lights. Ride the funicular up to the Fourvière basilica for a view of the whole city, then walk down through the Roman theatre area. In the Croix-Rousse district, explore the traboules, the covered passages that silk workers used to move goods, and enjoy the slower pace of the hill.

Food is the other reason to come. Eat in a bouchon, the traditional Lyonnaise restaurants, and try dishes like quenelles or a pork sausage with potatoes. In the shops, look for pralines, the pink sugared almonds that fill the local tarte, and papillotes, the wrapped sweets that are part of the season. Because the festival is so busy, book your hotel as soon as dates are published, and consider staying in Villeurbanne or near Part-Dieu for lower prices. Check the official site for the exact dates and the map of installations.

29Annecy

Canals, an old town and a snowy mountain backdrop.

2026 dates: Not published when checked. The previous season ran 22 November 2025 to 10 January 2026.
Known for: A market that wraps around the canals of the old town, with the Thiou river and mountains behind.
Eat and buy: Tartiflette, Reblochon cheese, hot spiced cider, mountain crafts.
Entry and crowds: Free. Busy on weekends.
Getting there: About 3b5 by direct TGV from Paris.
Stay nearby: Old town, or the lakefront.

Things to do in Annecy

Annecy is the most scenic market in this guide, and it earns its nickname of Venice of the Alps. The old town sits on the Thiou river, and the stalls line the canals, so the timber chalets double in the water at night. Snow-covered mountains rise behind the lake, and on a clear day the view from the old town is as good as any in France. The market's Noël des Alpes spirit shows in the food, which moves away from sausages toward mountain dishes.

Order a tartiflette, a baked dish of potatoes, bacon and melted Reblochon cheese, and warm up with hot spiced cider. Wander to the Palais de l'Isle, a small medieval prison on an island in the canal, and look up at the castle that overlooks the town. If you have time, walk along the lakeshore toward the Pâquier park and the Impérial Palace, or take a lake boat in fine weather. The lake is quiet in winter, but the light on the water in the late afternoon is the best of the day.

The previous season ran from 22 November 2025 to 10 January 2026, which is longer than many markets, so you can reasonably plan for a visit after Christmas, but confirm the 2026 dates. Annecy is far from Paris, about 3b5 by direct TGV, so make it part of a Lyon and Alps trip, or stay two nights. Weekends are busy in the old town, so go on a weekday, and book a hotel with a view if you can, since rooms in the centre sell out well in advance.

30Avignon

A market below the Palais des Papes, with Provençal traditions.

2026 dates: No dates found when checked. Confirm with the tourist office.
Known for: The Palais des Papes, the old walls and a Provençal Christmas tradition.
Eat and buy: Nougat, calissons, olive oil products, Côtes du Rhône wine.
Entry and crowds: Free. Moderate crowds.
Getting there: About 2b5 by TGV from Paris.
Stay nearby: Inside the walls.

Things to do in Avignon

Avignon has a market with a different character from the north. Winters here are mild, the light is clear, and the old walled town glows gold in the evening. The Palais des Papes, the largest Gothic palace in Europe, is the centrepiece, and the squares around it host the market and seasonal lights. The 2026 dates had not been published when this page was updated, so check the tourist office, and expect a market that runs from late November to the end of December.

Provençal Christmas has its own symbols. Look for santons, the small clay nativity figures that families collect each year, and for a nativity scene set with local characters like the baker, the fishmonger and the shepherd. The table matters too, with the 13 desserts served after midnight mass, and you can buy nougat, fruit pastes and calissons from local confectioners. In the Halles, the covered market, you can build a picnic of cheese, olives and local bread.

Add a few sights. Walk the Rocher des Doms park for a view over the Rhône, see the remains of the Pont d'Avignon, and visit the Collection Lambert if you like contemporary art. Day trips reach Châteauneuf-du-Pape for wine tasting and the Luberon villages for a quiet drive. The TGV from Paris takes about 2b5, and the station is a short walk from the walls. Because the weather is mild, you can enjoy outdoor terraces at lunch, which is a pleasant change from the cold north.

31Aix-en-Provence: santons and the 13 desserts

A regional contrast to Alsace.

2026 dates: No dates found when checked. Confirm with the tourist office.
Known for: Provençal santons, the 13 Christmas desserts and the Cours Mirabeau.
Eat and buy: Calissons, nougat, pompe à l'huile, santons.
Entry and crowds: Free. Moderate crowds.
Getting there: About 3h10 by TGV from Paris.
Stay nearby: Old town.

Things to do in Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence shows how different a French Christmas can be. The streets are lined with plane trees, fountains run in the squares, and the markets focus on Provençal tradition. The main attraction is the santon, a small hand-painted terracotta figure that represents a villager in the nativity scene. Families collect them for generations, and santonniers sell them in markets and shops. Look for figures made by a recognised craftsperson, and ask where they were made. Aubagne, near Marseille, is the historic centre of the craft, and many makers there fire and paint their pieces locally.

The table is the second attraction. Provençal families serve the 13 desserts after midnight mass, a ritual that represents Christ and the 12 apostles. The list usually includes dried figs, raisins, almonds, walnuts, dark and white nougat, fresh fruit and the pompe à l'huile, a sweet olive-oil and orange-blossom bread. Tradition says you should tear the bread by hand, never cut it, or you risk bad luck in the year ahead. In Aix, buy calissons, the almond-and-melon sweets that are the city's best-known product.

Walk the Cours Mirabeau for the market and the cafés, see the cathedral and Cézanne's studio, and stop at the covered market for olives and cheese. A trip to Marseille for its santon fair is easy by train, and the old port is a good place to spend the afternoon. Dates for Aix were not found when this page was updated, so check the tourist office. The TGV from Paris takes about 3h10, and Aix works well as a base for Marseille and Avignon.

32Bordeaux

A wine-city market in the centre of town.

2026 dates: No dates found when checked. Confirm with the tourist office.
Known for: A Christmas market in the centre, the Place de la Bourse and the Miroir d'eau.
Eat and buy: Canelés, oysters, wine, foie gras.
Entry and crowds: Free. Moderate crowds.
Getting there: About 2 hours by TGV from Paris.
Stay nearby: Old town or near the Quinconces.

Things to do in Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a city of pale stone, wide quays and wine, and its December market fits that mood. The market sits in the centre of town, and the dates and exact site are set each autumn, so check the tourist office before you go. A Ferris wheel is often part of the winter fair on the Esplanade des Quinconces, one of the largest squares in Europe, but confirm that it will return. The streets around the Grand Théâtre and Place de la Comédie fill with lights and shoppers.

Walk to the Place de la Bourse, where the 18th-century facade reflects in the Miroir d'eau, the shallow mirror pool by the river. At night, the lights make the view one of the best in France. Spend time at the Cité du Vin, a museum on the northern quays with a tasting at the top, and eat a canelé, the small caramelised pastry that the city is known for. On the Marché des Capucins, a covered market, locals eat oysters with a glass of white wine.

Bordeaux makes a good base for the vineyards. Saint-Émilion, a medieval village, is about 40 minutes by train, and wine producers there offer tastings in December. The weather is mild, usually 5 to 10 degrees, so you can enjoy outdoor terraces. A TGV from Paris takes about two hours, which makes the city a feasible weekend trip. Choose it if you want a wine break after a few days in colder, more traditional markets.

33Sarlat-la-Canéda

A medieval limestone town focused on Périgord food.

2026 dates: No dates found when checked. Confirm with the tourist office.
Known for: Golden limestone streets and a market devoted to Périgord gastronomy.
Eat and buy: Duck confit, foie gras, black truffles, walnut liqueurs.
Entry and crowds: Free. Busy on Saturdays.
Getting there: Train to Sarlat station, then a walk. Check connections, as services are limited.
Stay nearby: Old town.

Things to do in Sarlat-la-Canéda

Sarlat sits in the Dordogne, far from the Alsace circuit, and it shows another side of French winter. The old town is built from honey-coloured limestone, with narrow lanes, turreted houses and covered passages that glow under lights in December. The Christmas market takes place in the old centre, and its focus is food. Stalls sell duck confit, foie gras, walnut liqueurs and, in winter, truffles from the nearby area.

The best reason to visit is the produce. Sarlat has a long tradition of winter markets for fatted duck and goose, the marché au gras, which runs through the colder months, and in winter a truffle market runs alongside. Stand at a stall, taste a slice of foie gras on bread with a drop of walnut wine, and ask the producer how it is made. A hot dish of duck with potatoes fried in duck fat is the classic lunch in a nearby restaurant.

Beyond the market, visit the Lanterne des Morts, a medieval tower, and the cathedral, then walk to the viewpoint over the roofs. Day trips lead to the cliff-side village of La Roque-Gageac and the castles in the valley. Dates were not found when this page was updated, so check with the tourist office. Sarlat is quiet on weekdays, and Saturdays are busy, so plan your visit accordingly. Services by train are limited, so check connections, or rent a car in Brive or Bergerac.

34Le Barcarès

A seaside winter village on the Mediterranean coast.

2026 dates: No dates found when checked. Confirm with the town or the tourist office.
Known for: A winter village with festive chalets, ice sculptures and Catalan seafood snacks, beside the sea.
Eat and buy: Catalan seafood, churros, local wine.
Entry and crowds: Free to enter, with some paid attractions. Busy on weekends.
Getting there: TGV to Perpignan, then a local bus or taxi.
Stay nearby: Le Barcarès or Perpignan.

Things to do in Le Barcarès

Le Barcarès offers a Christmas by the sea, which is rare in France. The resort town sits on the Mediterranean coast of Roussillon, and in winter it adds a festive village to the beachfront. The format usually combines wooden chalets, ice sculptures and activities for children with the view of palm trees and the sea. Because the dates and programme change each year, check the town's site before you go.

Food is the draw. Catalan cooking uses seafood, anchovies and olive oil, and the market stalls follow that lead, with grilled fish, mussels and snacks. Warm up with a glass of local wine, and try the sweet bunyetes, the fried dough pastries of the region. Along the beachfront, a walk in winter light is pleasant, and the sea is often calm and bright on a clear day.

The area adds sights. The Lydia, a ship beached on the sand as a floating casino, is a local landmark, and the lagoon of Leucate nearby is a place to see flamingos in winter. Perpignan, the capital of Catalan France, is a short ride away and has its own markets and old streets. Use this stop if you want mild weather and a different atmosphere, and keep it for a trip that includes Perpignan or Collioure.

Hidden gem Christmas markets in France

Most guides stop at Strasbourg, Colmar and Paris. These are worth considering if you want fewer crowds. Each one links to its full entry above.

Eguisheim: a quiet circular village with pastel houses, open until 30 December.
Ribeauvillé: a costumed medieval market on two weekends.
Sélestat: the town with the oldest written Christmas tree record.
Thann: a small market where Santa abseils down a church tower.
Wissembourg: a night parade of Hans Trapp and Christkindel.
Roubaix: an eco-responsible market beside a museum in a former swimming pool.
Montbéliard: a large market with few international visitors.
Troyes and Amiens: historic centres with calmer markets.
Provins: a medieval Christmas market on 12 and 13 December 2026, with free admission.
Meisenthal: the glassworks village of the Christmas bauble.
Sarlat: Périgord food and truffles in a limestone old town.

Which French Christmas market is best for you?

Pick by the kind of trip you want.

Families

Colmar's Petite Venise, Lille's Ferris wheel, Amiens for parades and a train, and Paris for rides.

Couples

Colmar, Riquewihr and Annecy for lights and canals.

Food lovers

Strasbourg, Reims, Lyon and Sarlat for regional specialities.

Budget travellers

Mulhouse, Metz and Nancy, with free entry and a lower-cost base.

Photographers

Petite France at dusk, Eguisheim and Colmar's canals.

Short trips from Paris

Reims, Lille, Amiens and La Défense.

Over Christmas itself

Colmar is open on 25 December, and La Défense opens in the afternoon and evening.

Culture and history

Sélestat, Provins, Meisenthal and the Écomusée d'Alsace.

Alsace and Franche-Comté Christmas folklore

Most guides call the gift-bringer Father Christmas. In eastern France the story is richer, and knowing it makes the markets more fun.

Christkindel and Hans Trapp

In Alsace, children are not visited by one figure but by two. Christkindel is a young girl with a golden crown who stands for hope and light. Hans Trapp is a fur-clad bogeyman who carries a rod and punishes children who have misbehaved. He is based on a 15th-century knight, Hans von Trotha. The two appear together in the night parade at Wissembourg, held on the last Sunday of the market.

Tante Arie in Montbéliard

In Montbéliard, where the Lutheran tradition was strong, gifts come from Tante Arie, Aunt Arie, a kind fairy who travels with a donkey. The story is linked to Countess Henriette of Montbéliard, and you will see the character in shop windows and on decorations in town.

Père Noël escaladeur in Thann

In Thann, Santa does not arrive by sleigh. He abseils down the side of the collegiate church tower to hand out sweets to the children below, on two Sundays in December.

Saint-Nicolas and the mannele

In Alsace and Lorraine, Saint Nicholas has his own day on 6 December, with parades and gifts. The mannele or manala is a soft brioche shaped like a small person, eaten that day with hot chocolate. In Nancy, the Saint-Nicolas parade is the biggest event of the season.

Sélestat and the first Christmas tree

Sélestat's Humanist Library holds a register dated 21 December 1521 that records a payment linked to Christmas trees, and the town celebrates it with an exhibition each winter.

How to buy local: crafts and gifts worth carrying home

Many chalets sell imports. A few habits help you find the real thing.

Ask who made it. A genuine artisan will tell you where and how the object was made, and most will be happy to talk.
Strasbourg's organisers select exhibitors, so look for stalls that say products are made in Alsace and for the small producers in the Irréductibles Petits Producteurs d'Alsace market on Square Louise-Weiss.
Meisenthal: each winter the glassworks releases one numbered designer bauble. Collectors buy them early in December, so go early in the season.
Mulhouse: buy a length of that year's L'Étoffe de Noël fabric. The 2026 print is by Vois là and costs about €19.50 per metre.
Provence: when you buy santons, look for hand-painted terracotta figures made in Provence and ask for the maker's name. Resin copies are cheaper and lighter, but they are not the craft.
Kaysersberg: the market is built around local makers, with most stalls from Alsace.
Roubaix: the sustainable market sells upcycled and recycled goods.

What to eat and drink at a French Christmas market

Regional specialities change from one market to the next. Use this list to order like a local.

Vin chaud: spiced red or white mulled wine. In Alsace, ask for the white version, made with a local dry white such as Pinot Blanc, Sylvaner or Riesling and spiced lightly. At Strasbourg's Quai des Délices it is made with white wine.
Vin chaud with a shot: at village markets you can ask for a schluck, a small measure of Kirsch (cherry) or mirabelle (plum) eau-de-vie, added to the hot wine for extra warmth.
Bredele: Alsatian butter cookies, sold by weight. Sélestat's Maison du Pain d'Alsace shows about 35 kinds.
Berawecka: a dense fruit bread of dried pears, figs and walnuts, sliced thin and eaten with local cheese such as Munster.
Tarte flambée (flammekueche): a thin flatbread with crème fraîche, onions and bacon.
Mannele or manala: a brioche shaped like a small person, eaten on 6 December with hot chocolate.
Pain d'épices and bretzels: French gingerbread and soft pretzels.
Raclette baguettes and munstiflette: melted cheese in bread, and a tartiflette made with Munster.
Roasted chestnuts and foie gras: a classic cold-weather snack and a popular gift.
Croustillons: in Lille and Arras, look for deep-fried dough balls with sugar, instead of churros.
Tartiflette and hot cider: the mountain choice at Annecy.
Pompe à l'huile and the 13 desserts: the Provençal Christmas table. Tear the bread by hand.

How the mug deposit (consigne) works

Your vin chaud usually comes in a reusable mug. You pay a deposit, typically €1 to €2, and get it back when you return the mug to any stall. You can also keep the mug as a souvenir. Carry coins for this, since small change is easier to use than a large note.

Rough pricesExpect vin chaud at roughly €4 to €6, a tarte flambée at roughly €8 to €12, and a bag of bredele at roughly €5 to €8. Prices are higher in Paris and in the busiest squares.

Which markets are open on 24, 25 and 26 December?

Many travellers assume markets run until New Year. Most do not. This table is based on the 2026 hours listed by tourist offices when this page was updated.

Market	24 Dec	25 Dec	26 Dec	Ends
Strasbourg	11:30 to 18:00	Closed	Closed	24 Dec
Colmar	11:00 to 17:00	10:00 to 20:00	10:00 to 20:00	29 Dec (gourmet market and wheel to 3 Jan)
Mulhouse	11:00 to 18:00	Closed	12:00 to 21:00	27 Dec
Sélestat	11:00 to 16:00	Closed	From 14:00	27 Dec
Eguisheim	Closed	Closed	Closed	30 Dec (reopens 27 Dec)
Kaysersberg and Riquewihr	Closed	Closed	Closed	20 Dec
Lille	To 18:00	Closed	Open	30 Dec
Reims	11:00 to 18:00	Closed	10:00 to 22:00	27 Dec
Amiens	To 17:00	Closed	Open	30 Dec
Arras	To 17:00	Closed	Open	27 Dec
Troyes	To 18:00	To 18:00	Open	27 Dec (unconfirmed)
La Défense, Paris	Plaza 11:00 to 18:00	Plaza 15:00 to 23:00	Open	31 Dec (Le Sommet to 3 Jan)
Tuileries, Paris	Closes about 19:30	Not published	Open	3 Jan 2027

The 24 December cliffAlsace markets close early on 24 December and most are closed on the 25th. If you travel that week, book Colmar, La Défense or the Tuileries for 25 December and plan other meals in a restaurant, since many are closed too.

How to beat the crowds, and when to take photographs

Timing matters more than any other choice you make.

Avoid December Saturday afternoons in Alsace. Roads and streets fill up.
Visit Strasbourg's Place Kléber around twilight on a weekday.
Explore village markets early in the morning, then move on before day-trippers arrive.
Go in the first week after opening, or the first days of December before the school holidays.

The blue hour window

Daylight photos can look flat against half-timbered houses, and true night can be too dark between the lights. The best window is the blue hour, about 45 minutes in December between roughly 16:45 and 17:30, when the sky turns deep blue while the fairy lights are already on. Stand on a bridge in Strasbourg or by the canal in Colmar and wait for it.

An inverted day trip from Strasbourg on a Saturday

Regional trains between Strasbourg and Colmar can be very full on December Saturdays. A smarter plan is to take an early train to Colmar before 9:00, take the Christmas shuttle to Kaysersberg or Ribeauvillé by about 10:30, and return to Strasbourg by about 16:00, which keeps you ahead of the commuter wave of day-trippers.

The honest downsidesExpect crowds, high prices at the busiest stalls, cold weather, early darkness (the sun sets before 17:00 in December) and closures on Christmas Day. None of these should stop you, but plan for them.

Practical tips most guides leave out

Small details decide whether the trip runs smoothly.

Carry cash. Many village chalets have weak mobile signal or card terminals with minimum spends, often €10 or more. Keep €1 and €2 coins for the mug deposit and €5 and €10 notes for pastries.
Plan for the Strasbourg security zone. Cars are banned on the Grande Île during opening hours and entrances at the bridges are checked. Some central tram stops can be closed or diverted in December, so check the city transport site before you rely on the tram, and allow 15 to 20 minutes on foot from the nearest open stop. Avoid tight train connections after a market visit.
Luggage. Station lockers in Strasbourg and Colmar can be full on busy December mornings. Look for a luggage-storage service near the station before you arrive, or ask your hotel to hold your bags after check-out.
Toilets. Historic villages have few public toilets, and queues can be long in the cold. Sit-down winstubs let customers use their facilities, so combine a coffee or a glass of wine with a break. Strasbourg has free public toilets across the Grande Île.
Footwear. Cobblestones are slippery in frost. Bring boots with grip.
Last trains. Check the last TER on the night you travel. In Strasbourg, on Friday and Saturday nights until mid-December, the last trains to Sélestat, Colmar and Mulhouse leave at 23:20, and on Sundays at 22:51.

How to get around: trains, shuttles and driving

Trains cover the big cities, and shuttle buses cover the villages.

By train

Paris to Strasbourg is about 1b5 on a direct TGV. From Strasbourg, regional TER trains reach Colmar in about 30 minutes and Mulhouse in a little longer. Reims is about 45 minutes from Paris, Arras about 50 and Lille about 1 hour. Book advance fares as soon as they open, and compare a France rail pass against point-to-point tickets if you plan several long trips.

Christmas shuttles in Alsace (Navettes de Noël)

During the festive season, shuttle buses link Colmar with Kaysersberg, Riquewihr, Eguisheim and Ribeauvillé. The 2026 fare listed for Riquewihr was about €17 per person per day from Colmar station, with free travel for children under 12 on a booked free ticket, and the Eguisheim shuttle runs to 20 December. They let you see several villages in a day without a rental car. Timetables and fares change each year, so check them before you go.

By car

A car gives you more freedom on the Alsace Wine Route, but parking is the main problem. Use the car parks on the edge of villages, such as the Parking du Vignoble in Riquewihr at about €4 for the first hour, or the park-and-ride at Strasbourg for about €4.20 a day including tram and bus. Avoid driving on Saturday afternoons.

Getting to France for the Christmas markets

Where you land decides which markets are easy.

From the UK: Eurostar runs from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord and to Lille, so Lille, Arras, Amiens and Roubaix are the simplest first stops.
From North America, Asia and Australia: fly into Paris Charles de Gaulle, which has its own TGV station for direct trains to Strasbourg, Reims, Lille and Lyon without crossing Paris.
For Colmar and Mulhouse: the airport at Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is closest, and Strasbourg has its own airport. Basel is about 20 minutes from Mulhouse by TER.
Rail passes: add up the long journeys before you buy a pass. For two or three TGV journeys, advance point-to-point tickets are often cheaper.

Where to stay and when to book

Rooms in the best-known towns sell out first.

Book hotels in Strasbourg and Colmar 4 to 6 months ahead. The best-value rooms go first.
If prices are high, stay in Mulhouse or Basel and take the 20-minute TER into the action.
For Lyon during the Festival of Lights, book as early as possible.
For Alsace village markets, base yourself in Colmar and use the shuttle.

Sample Christmas market itineraries

Choose a route that fits the days you have.

3 days in Alsace

Day 1Strasbourg: Place Kléber, Place Broglie, then Petite France at dusk.
Day 2Colmar: its six markets, then Petite Venise after dark.
Day 3Kaysersberg and Riquewihr by Christmas shuttle.

5 days: Paris and Alsace

Day 1Paris: the Tuileries market and a walk through the centre.
Day 2Paris: La Défense or Notre-Dame and Square René Viviani. Evening TGV to Strasbourg.
Day 3Strasbourg markets.
Day 4Colmar.
Day 5A village by shuttle, then return to Paris.

Multi-city rail route (7 days)

Days 1 and 2Paris.
Day 3Reims by TGV for the cathedral and Champagne.
Day 4Metz or Nancy.
Days 5 and 6Strasbourg and Colmar.
Day 7Mulhouse, then home or onward to Basel.

4 days in northern France by rail

Day 1Lille: Place Rihour, the Ferris wheel and Vieux-Lille.
Day 2Roubaix and La Piscine, then Lille at night.
Day 3Arras: the Grand'Place, the belfry and the Boves.
Day 4Amiens: the market, the cathedral light show and the Saint-Leu canals.

Lights and Provence (5 days)

Day 1Lyon: Place Carnot market, then the city's lights.
Day 2Lyon: Fourvière, Croix-Rousse and a bouchon dinner.
Day 3Avignon: the Palais des Papes and the Halles.
Day 4Aix-en-Provence: santons, calissons and the Cours Mirabeau.
Day 5Marseille or Bordeaux onward, depending on your route.

Budget for 4 days (Paris to Alsace)

These are rough planning figures per person, assuming two people share a room. Check live prices before you book.

Item	Low	High
Paris to Strasbourg return, TGV	€60	€200
Regional trains and shuttles	€15	€40
Hotel, 3 nights (half a room)	€165	€330
Food and drink	€120	€240
Shopping and souvenirs	€50	€150
Total	€410	€960

Weather and what to pack

Alsace and the north are cold in December, often around freezing, with frost and the occasional snow. Paris is a little milder. Lyon and the Alps can be colder at night, while Provence, Bordeaux and the Mediterranean coast are milder than the north.

Warm waterproof coat
Thermal layers
Comfortable boots with grip for cobbles
Hat, scarf and gloves
Small bag for purchases
Cash in small coins and notes
Phone power bank
Printed train and hotel bookings

Map of the best Christmas markets in France

This pictorial map shows every major market town as a red pin, with the main roads and rail routes from Paris. The Alsace close-up below it shows how the Christmas shuttles from Colmar reach the wine villages.

Pictorial map of the main Christmas market towns, not to scale. Red pins mark market towns, orange lines are main roads from Paris and dashed grey lines are rail routes.

Alsace close-up: the Wine Route and the Christmas shuttles

Alsace close-up. The Christmas shuttle from Colmar reaches Eguisheim, Kaysersberg, Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé. Kaysersberg and Ribeauvillé open on set weekends only, and Wissembourg and Meisenthal lie further north.

Frequently asked questions about Christmas markets in France

Short answers to the questions travellers ask most.

When do Christmas markets in France start and end?

Most open in the second half of November and close on or just before 24 December. Some run longer, such as Colmar to 29 December, La Défense to 31 December and the Tuileries in Paris to early January. Confirm the dates for each town.

Which is the best Christmas market in France?

Strasbourg is best for scale and tradition, and Colmar for fairytale atmosphere. Smaller villages such as Riquewihr are best for a quieter, medieval feel.

Are French Christmas markets free?

Entry is free at almost all of them. You pay only for food, drinks, rides and shopping. The Écomusée d'Alsace, which charges entry, is one exception.

Is Strasbourg or Colmar better?

Strasbourg is bigger, with more food choice and a famous tree. Colmar is smaller and prettier to walk around, and it is open on 25 December. They are 30 minutes apart by train, so most visitors do both.

Is Paris good for Christmas markets?

Paris is good if you only have time for the capital. Its markets focus more on rides and shopping than on tradition, so Alsace feels more authentic. La Défense is the largest, with more than 300 chalets.

Do markets open on Christmas Day?

Most close on 25 December, and many close early on 24 December. Colmar is open from 10:00 to 20:00, and the La Défense plaza opens from 15:00 to 23:00. Check each market's official page for the year you travel.

Are French Christmas markets open after Christmas Day?

Some are. Colmar runs until 29 December, Eguisheim reopens on 27 December and runs to 30 December, Lille and Amiens run to 30 December, La Défense to 31 December and the Tuileries into January. Most others end on or before 24 December.

How do you get to the Alsace Christmas markets from Paris?

Take a direct TGV to Strasbourg in about 1b5, then a regional TER train to Colmar in about 30 minutes. Christmas shuttle buses link Colmar with the nearby villages.

Which Christmas markets can I reach without a car?

Strasbourg, Colmar, Mulhouse, Sélestat, Reims, Lille, Arras, Amiens, Rouen, Metz and Nancy are all reachable by train. In Alsace, the Christmas shuttles from Colmar reach Kaysersberg, Riquewihr, Eguisheim and Ribeauvillé.

How many days do I need for the Alsace Christmas markets?

Three days is a good minimum: one for Strasbourg, one for Colmar and one for the villages. With five days you can add Mulhouse, Sélestat or Thann at a slower pace.

Do I need cash at the markets?

Yes. Many stalls take cards, but small village chalets can have weak signal or minimum spends. Carry coins for the mug deposit and small notes for pastries.

What is the best time of day to photograph the Alsace markets?

Aim for the blue hour in December, about 45 minutes between roughly 16:45 and 17:30, when the sky is deep blue and the lights are already on.

Printable trip checklist

Tick these off before you travel.

Confirm 2026 dates on official sites
Book trains once fares open
Book hotels 4 to 6 months ahead
Check shuttle timetables
Plan weekday visits for big markets
Check 24 to 26 December opening hours
Pack warm layers and boots
Carry small change for stalls
Return your mug for the deposit
Check luggage storage near the station

Keep planning your France trip

Two of our wider France guides help you plan the rest of the trip.

15 Best Things to Do in France in 2026: Mont Saint-Michel, Provence, the Alps, Alsace and lesser-known spots, with sample itineraries.
15 Best Places to Visit in France: Giverny, Marseille, Corsica, the Alps, Normandy and the Loire Valley.

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Kalyan Panja

Kalyan Panja is a travel writer, photographer, and founder of Travtasy, exploring off-the-beaten-track destinations since 2006. His writing and photography have been featured by National Geographic, Lonely Planet, Google Travel, and Getty Images. Kalyan prefers road trips, EV corridors, mountain routes, and hotel stays across Asia, Europe, and North America to provide verified, first-hand travel guides.

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