The 10 most popular Christmas markets in France

What if you let yourself be invaded by Christmas magic? Discover our selection of the most beautiful Christmas markets in France for a fairytale trip!

Oh, oh! The winter is there, the end of the year celebrations come closer and the magic of Christmas is settled everywhere in France. The streets relate to sparkling garlands, big red men take possession of the windows and fir trees grow on all sides.

In many cities, beautifully decorated temporary clusters are set up to marvel at small and large. We have prepared Christmas Market Guide by choosing the most beautiful of them. Ten destinations flowering the gingerbread and hot wine are presented to you. Which will seduce the child who sleeps in you?

1. Strasbourg

The Christmas market in Strasbourg is one of the largest in France. It consists of more than 300 chalets spread over thirteen sites in the Alsatian capital. In fact, it is the entire historic centre of Strasbourg (the Grande Île) that welcomes exhibitors!

Most visitors start with Christkindelsmärik (to your wishes) on Place Broglie before heading to the Advent market and its festive animations. The Alsace delights market on the terrace of the Palais Rohan will make Alsatian gastronomy enthusiasts happy. The children will enjoy the Gutenberg streets and Hallebardes that shine a thousand lights for the occasion. The splendid Christmas tree, Kléber Square, actually as much!

In the Grand’rue, under a sky illuminated by giant balls and sparkling chandeliers, you can taste the bredle . These Christmas cakes are traditionally made at the end of the year. Aromatized in a thousand ways, they are succulent!

2. Colmar

Decidedly the Alsatians love the holiday season and their Christmas markets. The pedestrian streets of Old Colmar shelter six from the end of November. Smaller than in Strasbourg, more traditional, probably also, Colmar’s Christmas market honours local crafts.

Here you can enjoy local products and treat your loved ones by buying finely crafted items. The houses designed by decorating architects fit perfectly with the typical doves alleys. From the church of the Dominicans to the building of the Koïfhus to the market of Place Jeanne d’Arc, the public will take its eyes, ears and... taste buds!

It is in the Little Venice and at the foot of the Cathedral that we will feast on spice bread. It is important to know that in Alsace-Lorraine, he often takes the appearance of a small Saint-Nicolas. It is the Germanic equivalent of Santa Claus. The adults will instead turn to a hot, scented wine, in the evenings of great cold. With moderation, of course!

3. Lyon

Welcome to Lyon in the second arrondissement in the heart of Carnot Square. 90 chalets, shops and various artisans make you live the magic of Christmas between the Saône and the Rhone. Fashion accessories, cosmetics, jewelry, decoration objects and of course toys await you there.

Located at the end of the Presqu’Île, Carnot Square is home to live shows and fair entertainment. The Christmas market in Lyon is focused on highlighting local heritage and benevolence. Santa welcomes solidarity and social associations that will be held in two chalets. A good point for the capital of Gauls!

To please and enjoy yourself, opt for the glazed maroon succulents that are produced in the region. This confectionery composed of a candied chestnut in a sugar syrup and iced with small and large ice cream sugar. Its particularly long and delicate garment makes it a choice to offer to all those you love.

4. Montpellier

Concilting the fairy of Christmas parties with sun and softness is possible in Montpellier. The city's Christmas market (Les Hivernales) is located right next to the beautiful fir in Place de la Comédie. It allows a hundred local merchants to discover exceptional products.

The little ones will surely prefer the calèche of Santa Claus that runs through the Christmas market and the Ecusson. They will be able to make photos with the latter and entrust them with their letters before they settle in the rides that pleasantly punctuate the course. The Languedoc crèche will be carried out by Jacques Prouget, a master of Sanonymous in Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert. A pure splendour!

The end of the year parties are the time to offer some guilty pleasures such as champagne or chocolate. More dietary: the oyster of Bouzigues, of course! It is produced nearby, at the pond of Thau, the Mediterranean capital of oyster farming. The conchyliculture parks produce a firm and melting variety with a small taste of hazelnut. A pure treat to consume (for once) without moderation.

5. Nice

Every winter, the streets of Vieux-Nice start to shine a thousand lights. Here again the sun and the temperatures are at the rendezvous. In the heart of the Côte-d’Azur, the Christmas market in Nice will be located on Place Masséna and in the Albert 1er garden. We find the traditional stands but also many surprises: snowy fir forest, ice rink... And the great wheel that allows to admire a breathtaking view of one of the most beautiful cities in the Mediterranean.

Unpublished sculptures will shine the eyes of a public every year more numerous. Participants will be able to meet Santa Claus who took his quarters at the Verdure Theatre. The children will be able to give them their gift list. If it is not present, a mailbox regularly recorded by its lutins will ensure the inside!

One of the major attractions of the Nice Christmas market is the living crib on Rossetti Square. It is composed of twenty lively santons and represents a traditional village of the region. Shepherds, artisans, merchants and nobles are associated with it and illustrate the birth of Christ poetically.

6. Bordeaux

If you pass by the Bordeaux Opera and the Notre-Dame Church in December you will not be able to miss them. Every day from 10:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. the Tourny alleys are animating at the end of the year. However, the Christmas market in Bordeaux is particularly imposing. We move here as in a village divided into two parts: mouth (it’s good!) and craftsmen (it’s beautiful!).

An end of the market is reserved for a nursery, a fir forest and a Santa Claus chalet. On the other is a sublime carousel of wood horses. A large covered space is designed for children close to the catering area. They will have the opportunity to try a ski simulator, attend a clown show and participate in a great treasure hunt.

They taste all year round but are even better at Christmas: canelés, of course! These Bordeaux cakes with soft paste are scented with rum and vanilla. They derive their name from their characteristic shape, a small cylinder with ducks. They keep themselves very well: think about it when waking, the gesture will be (very) appreciated.

7. Metz

Back to the East of France to discover the Christmas market of Metz. It has recently been designated the third most beautiful European market! We should talk about it in the plural since it occupies several places in the city mosellane.

There is a pretty large wheel on the Place d’Armes and a gourmet village on the Place de la Comédie. An ice rink is located in the Republic. Dazzling light projections extend over the cathedral, the station and the Sainte-Croix square. Many exhibitors will make you live the magic of Christmas by deploying their know-how place Saint-Jacques. Don’t miss the great Christmas pyramid and the huge 15 m tall fir, a true king of festivities!

The city stands out by the quality of the decorations highlighted in the city centre. To convince you, take the "Lantern Trail" in the heart of Boufflers Square. Several dozen lanterns extend along a course dedicated to the discovery of Christmas traditions. The village of Casse-Noisette and the Lutins or the land of the Ice and its polar animals will amaze the whole family.

8. Nantes

On Place Royale de Nantes is the largest Christmas market in Western France every year. In the aisles, small and large vibrate with scents, illuminations and gourmet effluves. Puppet shows, acoustic concerts and the carousel of Place Félix-Fournier will be the opportunity to taste hot wine or hot chocolate. 80 exhibitors will make every effort to meet your needs for decorations, toys and culinary specialties.

Santa will necessarily be part of it. A walk to the lampions open to all will nicely embellish your passage. Know that in Nantes the Christmas market closes its doors later on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturday nights!

If it is crafted all year round, the dwarf berlingot lends itself well to Christmas parties. This multicolored confectionery developed in Nantes since the 19th century makes the happiness of small and large children. Here again, you can bring these lovely boxes of treats to those you love. There is little chance that they are still full after the New Year...

9. Toulouse

Toulouse offers a friendly Christmas market on the Capitole square. Here, the public walks between fir and immaculate chalets while enjoying churros, sweets and hot drinks. Particularly focused on defending local artisanal heritage, the market highlights many creators.

Clothing, jewellery, decoration, leather goods and so many other wonders are exhibited throughout December. Couteaux, table chimneys, glassware of art or perfumes are gifts of choice here. If the generosity is in the air of time at Christmas know that a cottage is dedicated to public utility associations. In addition, the entire course is accessible to people with reduced or visually impaired mobility.

In case of a small hollow, choose a succulent aligot: it is prepared on both sides of the market. This typical dish of the Aubrac is composed of potatoes, fresh tome from Laguiole, cream and garlic. This Occitania culinary specialty requires a spectacular turn of hand so that the preparation “learn” correctly. Our opinion? Accompanied by a sausage from Toulouse, it’s even better!

10. Marseille

The Good Mother overlooks the thirty craftsmen gathered on the quai de la Fraternité du Vieux-Port de Marseille. The Christmas market of the phocean city welcomes many visitors throughout the Advent period. They can buy perfumed Marseille soaps, anised biscuits, top-class ceramics and many toys and chocolates.

Animations will rhythm the month of December most often under a radiant sun. At night, it is on the Canebière side that we will admire the illuminations giving a party look to this beautiful city. The Christmas market in Marseille, faithful to the Provençal tradition, is a beautiful part of the typical nurseries of the region. The fair to the santons of Marseille stands a few steps away.

The santons of Provence are small clay figures, very colourful and dressed. They represent scenes and characters of the Nativity or inhabitants of Provencal villages. The dexterity of the santonniers of Provence was recently included in the inventory of the intangible cultural heritage in France. To understand why, we let you admire them!