Glittering chalets, festive Christmas trees, fairy-tale castles, magical parades and mouth-watering traditions... In France, Christmas is a time for joyous celebrations, food and light. From November onwards, the festive events and illuminations set the mood and bring a sparkle to the eyes of young and old alike.
#1 - Christmas markets
From the end of November to the end of December 2024
Four weeks before Christmas, as part of the Advent tradition, the squares of France's biggest towns and cities play host to pretty chalets, festive little stalls and festively decorated Christmas trees for Christmas markets filled with the scent of spices and mulled wine... The most famous? The one in Strasbourg in Alsace, one of the oldest in the world, created in 1570, where you can feast on ‘bredele’ or ‘manele’. The most picturesque? The Foire aux santons de Marseille, in Provence. It's impossible to list them all, but every Christmas market is an occasion for great festivities and entertainment, like the one on the Champs-Elysées in Paris or the Lantern Trail in Metz, Lorraine.
#2 - Christmas in the land of châteaux, in the Loire Valley
From 30 November 2024 to 5 January 2025
With their fairytale backdrops and magnificent parks, the châteaux of the Loire Valley lend themselves magnificently to end-of-year celebrations. Chambord, Chenonceau, Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau, Chinon, Langeais, Loches and Villandry are all decked out in their finest finery. Christmas tree displays, extraordinary plant creations, fantastic animals, gingerbread and sweets, illuminations and fun activities... The magic of Christmas powdered with gold and lights these beautiful royal residences to share festive moments out of time. It's magical!
#3 - Christmas lights in French cities
November-December 2024
France's towns and cities are so beautiful at night... Especially as the festive season approaches! The traditional Christmas illuminations are often complemented by artistic, scenic illuminations. In colour and in 3D, these lights follow the façades of the most beautiful monuments. In Lyon, during the Festival of Lights, as in Nancy, Rennes, Le Mans, Epernay and Marseille, the shows can be colourful and poetic. In Paris, the illumination of the Champs Elysées reaches new heights. The legendary Avenue Montaigne is just around the corner. And what about the window displays at Galeries Lafayette and Printemps on the Grands Boulevards, or those at Samaritaine or Le Bon Marché on the Left Bank? It's a magnificent fairytale that's renewed every year... even in the smallest villages, where nativity scenes keep the tradition alive.
Comité Champs-Élysées / Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann / Le Bon Marché Samaritaine / Comité Montaigne / Printemps Paris Haussmann
#4 - Christmas traditions in the French Overseas Territories
From the end of November to the end of December
Gone are the Christmas trees, gone is the snow! In the French Overseas Territories, the West Indies, Reunion Island, New Caledonia and Polynesia, palm trees, sunshine and Father Christmas in flip-flops change the atmosphere, but traditions are not forgotten. Christmas markets, night markets like those in Saint Denis de la Réunion or Papeete, illuminations and floral decorations bring Advent to life. In Martinique and Guadeloupe, Creole hymns and songs punctuate the festivities, with concerts and ‘chanté Nwel’ choirs often featuring exotic and joyful kakado nativity scenes.
Martinique Tourisme / Guadeloupe Tourisme / New Caledonia Tourisme / Tahiti Tourisme / La Réunion Tourime
#5 - Christmas in the theme parks
From late November to early January
Every year, Parc Astérix, Futuroscope and Disneyland Resort Paris compete in imagination and illuminations to offer their visitors an enchanted interlude. It's the perfect opportunity to inaugurate an attraction or to adorn it in glittering finery. During the four weekends before Christmas, parades, parades, villages of chalets and shows bring joy and stars to the eyes. The park aisles are filled with giant Christmas trees, festive decorations, surprise guests and XXL snacks to delight young and old alike...
Futuroscope: from 21 December 2024 to 5 January 2025
Disneyland Paris: from 9 November 2024 to 6 January 2025
Parc Astérix: from 21 December 2024 to 5 January 2025
By The editor
The editorial staff of France.fr follows the trends and news of destinations to bring you stories from France that reveal its innovations and traditions that make you long to (re) discover its territories.
