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All throughout France this holiday season, Christmas markets bring communities together for rejoicing, shopping, visiting Santa (or 'Papa Noel') , sampling the local goods and listening to festive music. The following is just a short selection of the wonderful markets that await you.
Chartres (Centre)
Chartres puts on a great Christmas market with holiday lights adorning the town, chalets (or stalls) for local artisans displaying their wares, tasty treats of chocolate, chestnuts and cinnamon, the manger scene, a welcome parade for Santa Claus, ice skating and much more. Visit the Chartres tourist office website for more information at www.chartres-tourisme.com.
Strasbourg (Alsace)
The original "Christkindelsmärik" is in Strasbourg and dates back to 1570. It is dedicated to culinary delights and Christmas decorations and takes place at the Place Brogile. Numerous chalets are dotted throughout, offering |
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visitors a chance to experience an Alsatian Christmas through regional cuisine and wine, local art and festive games. Everyday leading up to Christmas Eve. The region of Alsace presents some of the most enchanting Christmas markets in all of France. For more information, visit the Alsace tourist boards Christmas-dedicated website at www.noel-alsacetourisme.com.
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Montbéliard (Franche-Comté)
Montbéliard is a veritable sea of lights during this most festive time of the year. One of the best Christmas markets in the area, Montbéliard offers a range of activities and attractions including pastry-making workshops for children, Christmas decorations and lights, chocolate tastings, sleigh rides, warm wine tastings and more. Finland is the honorary guest this year, so Finnish cuisine, heritage and art are added attractions. Click here for more information. |
Amiens (Picardie)
The largest Christmas market in northern France, the Amiens Christmas market offers caroling, shows, over 110 chalets in the city center, 500 merchants for all your holiday shopping needs, and more. Check in November for the theme for this year's market -- visit www.marchedenoel.fr (French only) or www.amiens.fr
Nancy (Lorraine)
In 2005, Nancy celebrated the 250th birthday of its beautiful Place Stanislas, and the Christmas Markets since have been even more special. A sound and light show will transform the square and the city into a festive urban milieu. There will also be 12 chalets set up, providing visitors with hearty drink, holiday treats and more in the square and along the rue Notre Dame. For more information, visit www.ot-nancy.fr. |
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Noisy le Grand (Ile-de-France)
After a ride in a horse-drawn carriage, you can listen to the children's choir singing carols and soak up the Yuletide atmosphere. This authentic, traditional Christmas market features a number of brightly decorated stalls, a nativity scene with live animals (a cow, donkeys, and sheep), and Santa's house. Local craftsmen and shopkeepers feature woolen scarves, wooden toys, glassware, decorations, and food and drink for sale. Click here for more information.
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Dijon (Burgundy)
The spirit of Christmas is literally in the air, with spices drifting on the breeze as the week-long Spice Festival takes place, filling the streets of Dijon with the aroma of baking gingerbread. Also, visitors can glide on ice at the ice skating rink at the place de la République. In front of the Palais des Ducs de Bourgogne there will be over 60 chalets offering regional products and tastings. Visit the Dijon tourist office for more information at www.ot-dijon.fr.
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Reims (Champagne)
Reims, the city of champagne in Champagne, heralds the festive season with 110 chalets installed at Place d'Erlon and along the Condorcet and Théodore Dubois streets. There will be numerous events held each weekend including parades, as well as orchestra and brass band concerts. You can also listen to live jazz performed every Wednesday and Friday afternoon. There will be a special visit with St. Nick on the 6 th of December, but Father Christmas welcomes the children every day in his chalet. For more information, visit the Reims tourist office website at www.reims-tourisme.com.
Montélimar (Rhône-Alpes) Discover the magic and delight of a provincial Christmas. Montélimar, capital of the nougat, hosts a warm, welcoming Christmas market. Stock up on local artwork and specialties to decorate and enhance your holiday dinner table, such as ceramics, candles, Montélimar nougat, foie gras, and tapenades. Complete your holiday shopping here with such great gift ideas as glass and wood works, jewelry and local fashions. For fun activities, take the kids to visit Santa and to drop their Christmas wish list in his giant box. Take them on a ride on the Christmas train and for a whirl on the carousel. There will also be educational workshops designed for children. Visit the Montélimar tourist office website (in French only) and/or the Rhône-Alpes website for more details: www.montelimar-tourisme.com - www.rhonealpes-tourisme.com
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Avignon (Provence)
Gifts, a wonderful nativity scene, delectable delights and more at the Avignon Christmas market. There will be musical performances, traditional folk dances and costumes, parades and games for all to enjoy. Preparations for the great dinner and 13 desserts! Read more about it by visiting the Avignon tourist office website at www.avignon-tourisme.com. |
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