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Ah, Christmas in France – a magical time filled with twinkling lights, delicious cuisine, and charming traditions. If you're considering spending the festive season abroad, France is a fantastic choice for a Christmas holiday. In this blog, we'll explore why you should spend Christmas in France, delve into the enchanting Christmas traditions, and reveal the 10 best places to celebrate Christmas in France.
Why You Should Spend Christmas in France
- Festive Atmosphere: France exudes an irresistible charm during Christmas. The cities and villages are adorned with sparkling lights, making every corner look like a scene from a fairy tale.
- Magical Markets: Although the UK is spoiled for choice with Christmas markets, the French take them to a whole new level. When celebrating Christmas in France, explore the vibrant French Christmas markets that pop up across the country. Sip on mulled wine, shop for unique Christmas gifts, and immerse yourself in the festive spirit.
- Stunning Decorations: French cities, particularly Paris, go all out with their Christmas decorations. The Eiffel Tower and Champs-Élysées are illuminated in a dazzling display of lights.
What do French people eat at Christmas?
Everyone knows the French love their food and at Christmas it's no different. To celebrate the most magical time of the year, the French pull out all the stops with some of these mouthwatering treats:
- Foie Gras: A luxurious and controversial delicacy, foie gras is often served as an appetizer. It's a creamy pâté made from the liver of specially fattened ducks or geese.
- Oysters: Oysters are a Christmas staple in many French households, especially in coastal regions. They are typically enjoyed fresh with a squeeze of lemon.
- Bûche de Noël: The Yule log cake, known as "Bûche de Noël," is a must-have dessert. It's a decadent, rolled sponge cake filled with cream and adorned with chocolate or buttercream to resemble a log.
- Chapon: Roast capon, or "chapon," is a festive alternative to turkey or chicken. It's a specially fattened rooster known for its tender and flavorful meat.
- Galette des Rois: Although traditionally associated with Epiphany (January 6th), the Galette des Rois is often enjoyed throughout Christmas. It's a puff pastry tart filled with almond cream, and a hidden figurine is placed inside. The person who finds the figurine is crowned the king or queen for the day.
- Fruits de Mer: Seafood lovers will relish platters of fresh seafood, including shrimp, crab, and lobster, served with tangy sauces.
- Raclette or Fondue: In the Alps and other mountainous regions, it's common to enjoy a hearty meal of raclette or fondue, featuring melted cheese served with an array of accompaniments like potatoes, charcuterie, and pickles.
- Champagne and Fine Wines: No Christmas in France is complete without exceptional wine. Champagne is a favourite for toasting, while various regions offer their own superb wines to pair with the feast.
- 13 Desserts of Provence: In the Provence region, it's customary to serve 13 different desserts, symbolising Jesus and the 12 apostles. These desserts often include nuts, dried fruits, nougat, and various sweets.
- Calissons: These almond-shaped treats made from ground almonds and candied melon are a delightful treat often served during Christmas in the South of France.
Indulging in these delectable French Christmas dishes is an integral part of the French Christmas experience. Whether you're enjoying a festive feast in a family home or dining out at a traditional French restaurant, you're sure to savour the rich flavours and culinary traditions that make Christmas in France truly special.
Now that we've covered French Christmas traditions and French delicacies at Christmas, let's uncover where you should go in France this December.
The 10 Best Places to Celebrate Christmas in France
1. Paris
Nearest airport: Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
The City of Lights becomes even more enchanting during the Christmas holidays. Paris adorns itself with sparkling lights and festive decorations, creating an atmosphere of pure magic. Climb the Eiffel Tower or simply stop by to take pictures of its beautiful Christmas lights before wandering up the Champs-Élysées, where you'll see Christmas trees and Christmas market stalls. Enjoy ice skating at the open-air rinks in front of iconic landmarks like the Hôtel de Ville and the Trocadéro Gardens. Paris also offers a wide range of Christmas markets, including the ones at La Défense and Montmartre, where you can find unique Christmas gifts, artisanal treats, and mulled wine.
2. Strasbourg
Nearest airport: Strasbourg Airport (SXB)
Known as the "Capital of Christmas," Strasbourg boasts the oldest and most famous Christmas market in France. The Strasbourg Christmas Market dates back to the 16th century and features over 300 chalet-style stalls scattered throughout the city. Explore the Cathedral Square, Place Kléber, and the medieval district known as La Petite France, all beautifully decorated with festive lights and decorations. Be sure to try the traditional Alsatian treats like bredele (Christmas cookies) and mulled wine while visiting this enchanting market.
3. Colmar
Nearest airport: Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg Airport (BSL/MLH/EAP)
Experience a fairytale-like Christmas in Colmar, a picturesque French town where every street is adorned with unique and intricate decorations. Colmar's Christmas market is spread across multiple locations, each with its own theme and charm. Explore the Old Town with its timber-framed houses, visit the Unterlinden Museum, and don't miss the Little Venice district with its charming canals, all beautifully illuminated during the holiday season. Colmar is one of the most famous French Christmas towns.
4. Lyon
Nearest airport: Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS)
Lyon's Festival of Lights (Fête des Lumières) transforms the city into a spectacle of light and art during Christmas. This four-day Christmas event showcases stunning light installations, 3D projections, and artistic performances throughout the city's streets, squares, and buildings. Visit Place Bellecour, Parc de la Tête d'Or, and the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière for some of the most impressive light displays. Lyon's Christmas markets offer a variety of crafts, gourmet food, and regional products. Be sure to try the local specialties like boudin blanc (white sausage) and praline pastries while enjoying the dazzling lights of Lyon.
5. Nice
Nearest airport: Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE)
Escape to the French Riviera for a Mediterranean Christmas in Nice, known for its pleasant weather and festive promenades. The city's Promenade des Anglais comes alive with shimmering Christmas lights and decorations. The Christmas market in the heart of Nice sells Provençal products, crafts, and artisanal goods and don't miss the chance to take a spin on the Ferris wheel at Place Masséna for a fantastic view of the festivities. Nice also hosts an outdoor ice skating rink, providing a unique opportunity to skate with the Mediterranean Sea as your backdrop. Enjoy local dishes like socca (chickpea pancake) and tourte aux blettes (chard pie) at the Christmas market, creating a perfect blend of tradition and Mediterranean charm.
6. Bordeaux
Nearest airport: Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (BOD)
Bordeaux, a city synonymous with wine, adds a touch of elegance to Christmas. Beyond the festive Christmas market at Place Pey Berland, explore Bordeaux's stunning architecture, including the Place de la Bourse with its mesmerising Water Mirror. Visit renowned vineyards in the nearby Bordeaux wine region for tastings and tours. Savour gourmet dining experiences in Michelin-starred restaurants, accompanied by Bordeaux's world-class wines. Bordeaux's blend of culture, wine, and elegance makes it a sophisticated destination for Christmas in France.
7. Lille
Nearest airport: Lille Airport (LIL)
Lille's Christmas market, one of the largest in France, is just the beginning of its festive charm. The city's Flemish architecture and welcoming ambiance create a magical atmosphere. Beyond the Grand Place's holiday stalls, explore the picturesque Vieille Bourse and the charming district of Vieux-Lille. Enjoy regional specialities like carbonnade flamande (beef stew) and waffles in cosy brasseries.
8. Marseille
Nearest airport: Marseille Provence Airport (MRS)Marseille, bathed in Mediterranean sunshine, offers a Provençal twist on Christmas. The Old Port comes alive with dazzling lights and decorations. Explore the Christmas market at Cours Estienne d'Orves, showcasing Provençal crafts and local products. Discover traditional nativity scenes, and santons, displayed throughout the city and sample bouillabaisse and navettes while taking in the festive sea breeze. Marseille's blend of Mediterranean charm and Provençal traditions creates a warm and inviting Christmas destination.
9. Rouen
Nearest airport: Rouen Airport (URO)
Rouen, known for its medieval architecture, offers a historical Christmas experience. Beyond the festive market, explore the city's Gothic cathedrals, including the famous Rouen Cathedral that inspired Monet's paintings. Visit the Place du Vieux-Marché, where Joan of Arc was executed, and the Joan of Arc Museum to learn about her life. Rouen's cobblestone streets, illuminated for Christmas, create a unique historical ambience. Sample local dishes like duck confit and apple tart in charming restaurants. Rouen's historical significance and picturesque setting make it a romantic Christmas destination.
10. Annecy
Nearest airport: Annecy Mont-Blanc Airport (NCY) (or Geneva Airport, GVA)
Annecy, the Venice of the Alps, is honestly worth a visit anytime but at Christmas, you really feel like you're in a fairytale. Thanks to its small size, it's not as touristic or commercial as other famous Christmas destinations like London or Vienna, which immediately makes for a more intimate and authentic Christmas holiday. Spend your time in Annecy at Christmas by:
- Wandering the cobbled streets
- Having a mulled wine beside the lake
- Hiking in the mountains
- Trying traditional local foods at the Annecy Christmas market
- Shopping at the Jardins de l'Europe's Christmas Village
At night, take a romantic boat tour on the canals that are lit up beautifully at Christmas and enjoy raclette or tartiflette in cosy Savoyard restaurants afterwards. Annecy's blend of Alpine tradition and stunning nature makes it a cosy getaway for Christmas in France that's particularly nice for couples.
Where Will You Celebrate Christmas in France?
In summary, spending Christmas in France gives you a new perspective on how you normally view Christmas. With new foods to try and traditions to join in on, take this as your chance to spend Christmas abroad this year. From Paris to Strasbourg and Colmar, and the artistic spectacle of Lyon's Festival of Lights, each Christmas destination in France brings its own unique magic. Consider our flight vouchers as the perfect Christmas gift to encourage your loved ones to shake things up this Christmas by spending it in France.
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