10 Best Christmas Markets in France You Must Visit!
- SEEMA NANDE
- UPDATED Nov 20, 2018
- 1.6K Views
Opening in late November and continuing until a few days after the New Year, Christmas markets in France are one charming experience. Dressed warmly, sipping on some mulled wine as you enjoy the small joys of shopping for chocolates, caramels, and Christmas souvenirs, you will not want the night to cease!
The Christmas markets or les marchés de Noël (in French) are indeed one of the best places to go and stoke that merry glow. With a tradition dating back to roughly 1570, the Christmas markets started in Alsace and continue to illuminate large cities and small villages. While holiday markets have become increasingly popular worldwide as a tourist attraction, the Christmas markets in France are primarily geared to locals who cherish the festive tradition. So, we bring to you the best of Christmas markets in France 2018.
1. The Magic of Christmas Market
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Previously known as the Champs-Elysées Christmas market, it was cancelled last year and was majorly missed by festive revellers. But, this year in 2018 the Christmas market is back with a new name - the Magic of Christmas market and will be found at a new location - the Tuileries gardens that are in front of the Louvre. Paris needs no reason to visit, but the Christmas markets here are certainly good. Being one of the best Christmas markets in Paris, there are ice skating rinks, pop-up eateries serving oysters and champagne, one hundred cottages, and nightly appearances of Pre Noël that are big draws.
When: 24th November to 6th January 2019
Address: 113 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France
Timings: 10:30 am to 11:00 pm
2. Arras Christmas Market
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Enter a magical winter wonderland, as the whole square is transformed into one enchanting space! Come 30th November and more than 80 exhibitors set out their goods in the lovely wooden chalets that entice shoppers to browse and buy in a beautiful setting, until 24 December. You are ought to feel like a royal with red carpets laid for visitors to walk on. While there, let the delicious cooking smells, musical events, workshops, and twinkling lights take over you. Safe to call a foodie’s paradise. Happiness here lies in the Beauvais chocolate tuiles and Amiens macaroons! The locally made Angora sweaters are gorgeous too.
When: 30th November to 30th December 2018
Address: Grand'Place, 62000 Arras, France
Timings: 12:00 pm to 8:30 pm
3. Nice Christmas Market
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With just 60 chalets, the Nice Christmas Market may seem to be smaller, compared to other huge Christmas markets in France. But, sporting many rides and games, including a giant Ferris Wheel and an ice skating rink, the Nice Christmas Market does not fall short of entertainment. With a “tasting area”, it is a paradise for foodies. Kids will have a great time thanks to Santa being present in his Christmas workshop throughout the market hours.
When: 1st December to 31st December 2018
Address: 2-16 Avenue de Verdun, 06000 Nice, France
Time: 11:00 am to 8:00 pm
4. Lille Christmas Market
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Our list of Christmas markets in France is incomplete without mentioning the Lille Christmas market. Witness the exuberance of more than 80 colorful stalls selling local arts, crafts and regional food specialties such as Maroilles cheese, chicory pté, macaroons and babeluttes (soft caramels)! Marvelous architecture surround the market location, making for the perfect stroll spots post an exhaustive shopping session. The Grand Place for strolls and the Flemish-Renaissance Vieille Bourse for a ride on the 164feet-high Ferris wheel, as you marvel at the snow-covered miniature village at its foot, is indeed an experience one of its kind.
When: 23rd November to 30th December 2018
Address: Place Rihour, 59000 LILLE
Timings: 11:00 am to 08:00 pm
5. Amiens Christmas Market
Image source: wikipedia.org
Home to France’s largest Gothic cathedral (built 1220 to 1288), come Christmas and Amiens is beautifully lit until New Years’. One of the largest in northern France, the Christmas market is famed locally for the delightful craft goods and the most wonderful and tasty sweets such as Beauvais chocolate tuiles and Amiens macaroons. Sporting ‘A Winter Wonderland’ theme this year, the market is eagerly looked forward to. Take home some local Maroilles cheeses, ptés, smoked and potted eel, shrimp, duck and trout, praline and nougat mousse as well as crystal, glass, weavings, soaps, and other beauty products along with warm memories! With the free son et Lumiere show every evening at 7.00 pm on the walls of the magnificent gothic Notre Dame cathedral, this is one not to miss.
When: 24th November to 30th December 2018
Address: Rue de Noyon, Amiens
Timings: 10:30 am to 07:30 pm
Also check out:
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6. Caen Christmas Market
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As you wander through this magical market, you will spectate how international stalls fill the air with the smell of pain d'epices and warm wine. Your Christmas stocking is ought to fill here with everything from foie gras to nativity figurines. The Falaise with its castle where William the Conqueror was born (December 14th), is another good Christmas market in the same area.
When: 1st December to 31st December 2018
Address: The Place Saint-Sauveur, Caen
Timings: 10:30 am to 7:30 pm
7. Reims Christmas Market
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If you want to experience the best of pure yuletide joy and Christmas cheer, this is the place. Located in the Champagne region of France, the Reims Christmas market is definitely one of the best Christmas markets in France. The market is abuzz with lively winter sports at the dry ski slope and street performances from carollers, jazz bands, jugglers and organ grinders; yes, all things Christmasy! If you are a shopaholic, rejoice, as 145 little wooden chalets will be selling local crafts, as well as delicacies from the region. Of course, expect a lot of champagne!
When: 21st November to 28th December 2018
Address: Place d’Erlon, rue Condorcet, rue Marx Dormoy and rue Théodore Dubois
Timings: 10:30 am to 08:00 pm
8. Mulhouse
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Popular as a textile town, Mulhouse’s Christmas market is popular in its own way. Featuring half-timbered stalls offering high-quality products, exceptional fabric, and fine foods, the market is set in the heart of the historic center. You will get to experience here regional delicacies from the Alsace and the scent of cinnamon and mulled wine combined with the magical illuminations make this a shopping pleasure. The opening of the City Hall illuminated with to let the Christmas troubadours tell the most stories about the nativity, is especially why Mulhouse is on this list!
When: 24th November to 27th December 2018
Address: Place de la Réunion, 68100 Mulhouse
Time: 10:00 am to 08:00 pm
9. Marseille Christmas Market
As you explore the Marseille Christmas market which is popular for the Foire aux Santons - a celebration of santons (little saints), hand-painted and made of wood or clay, you are in for the time of your life. Most of the things here are a representation of the Nativity. As time evolved, the array of figurines expanded to include traditional tradespeople and characters such as bakers and boules players. What is most appealing, however, of this market is master santonniers coming to the Foire aux Santons to display and sell their handiwork.
When: November to December
Address: The Place Rihour. Marseille
Time: 10:30 am to 07:30 pm
10. Strasbourg Christmas Market
Image source: flickr.com/Anna & Michal
Last but the least, the gem of all the French Christmas Markets and the oldest one- The Strasbourg Christmas market. Tourists from all over the world come to experience this long-driven tradition. Also, considered to be the best European Christmas market or Christkindelsmärik, there are about 300 stands, a huge Christmas tree, and Alsatian food specialties to delight you. The Place de la Cathédrale in the medieval old town neighborhood is where the main happenings take place. But the market spills over to other locations throughout the city. This literally is "the place to go”!
When: 23rd November to 30th December 2018
Address: Spread throughout the city
Time: 10:30 am to 09:00 pm
While the above are the best ones, it would be unfair to not mention some other gorgeous ones in the North-East like Guebwiller, Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé, Saverne, Wissembourg, Besancon, Dijon, Nancy, Épinal. Promising you a Merry Christmas!
Featured image source: pixabay.com
