Christmas markets in France: our top 7 picks

Located 45 minutes from Paris in the heart of the Champagne region, Reims is pulling out all the stops in the run-up to Christmas. Nestling at the foot of the splendid Notre-Dame Cathedral, its Christmas market is home to 150 chalets, all showcasing craft, decorative and gourmet products. It's also the 3rd biggest market in France. The whole family can take advantage of the opportunity to visit the Enchanted Forest, which is a dream come true for children. There's Father Christmas, of course, a little train and sumptuous decorations with automatons in a warm atmosphere.

Reims Christmas Market 
from 27 November to 27 December 2024

As well as the light and sound show and the Christmas workshop, the Mulhouse Christmas market has a special feature: its Christmas fabric. As a spearhead of the textile industry, the Alsatian town creates its own Christmas fabric every year, which is unique in France. And this year, the town is celebrating its 800th anniversary with a fresco tracing the history of the town from the building of the ramparts in 1224 to the industrial revolution. Nearly 10km of fabric will be used to decorate the town's facades, streets and chalets. Off to Mulhouse!

Mulhouse Christmas Market
22 November to 27 December 2024

It's off to the heart of the medieval town of Sarlat, in the Dordogne Valley. This year, no fewer than 70 chalets will gather on the Place de la Grande Rigaudie in the pure tradition of local produce, with the added bonus of a good-natured atmosphere. On the programme: an ice-skating rink, concerts, dance shows, parades, culinary specialities and, above all, Périgord specialities to savour, local crafts... To quench your thirst, head to the Place Bistronomique of the Christmas market. Here you'll find some of the best Christmas beers in the region.

Sarlat Christmas Market
from 4 to 31 December 2024

Over the years, the Arras Christmas Market in the Hauts-de-France region has established itself as one of the most emblematic Christmas markets in France, attracting almost a million visitors. This year, the Grand-Place and Place des Héros in particular will be home to some 140 craft chalets for all ages. Other Christmas attractions in Arras include a new ice rink around the Grand'Place and other Christmas markets in different parts of the town, such as Parc du Rietz and Place Lanvin. You'll also be able to pick out the best gourmet products and concoct your ideal Christmas Eve menu, including foie gras with champagne, cognac and chocolate.

The Arras Christmas Market
From 29 November to 29 December 2024

What better place to warm your heart than the City of Light. During the festive season, from the Eiffel Tower to Galeries Lafayette, the streets of central Paris are decked out in their finest illuminations to create a fascinating spectacle. In Paris, Christmas markets come in all shapes and sizes. You'll be enchanted by the warm atmosphere and festive decorations of the wooden chalets that take pride of place in the French capital (Jardins des Tuileries, parvis de l'Hôtel de Ville, Montmartre, La Villette, St Germain des Prés...). The Notre-Dame de Paris Christmas market is a must this year, as the cathedral reopens in December.

And don't forget to put on your ice skates to enjoy the glide under the glass roof of the Grand Palais, or take a trip on a bateau-mouche and discover the countless illuminations of Paris from a different angle? 

At the Metz Christmas Market, which welcomes over 2 million visitors every year, you can enjoy the warm Christmas atmosphere that takes over the historic squares in the city centre. Wooden chalets, fascinating illuminations, delicious regional produce, all in a setting straight out of the Middle Ages. And don't forget to take a ride on the Ferris wheel, sail down the Moselle on Santa's floating sleigh and visit Santa's Village.

The Metz Christmas Market
22 November to 30 December 2024

Pompe à huile, nougat, calisson, candied fruit... There's nothing like a gourmet stroll through the aisles of the 13 desserts market in Aix-en-Provence, just opposite the Rotonde fountain, to immerse yourself in this purely Provençal tradition. There's another local craft to be discovered nearby, on the aptly named Esplanade Cézanne, that of the santonniers de Provence, who exhibit their creations at a santon fair well worth a visit. And for even more Christmas gift ideas, head up the Cours Mirabeau, where some fifty Christmas market stalls are set up. Three ways to discover the traditions of Christmas in Provence.

Christmas in Aix-en-Provence 
Foire aux santons: from 15 November to 31 December 2024
13 desserts market: 14 to 24 December 2024 
Christmas Market: 15 November to 31 December 2024