It is not essential to go to Lapland or New York to experience magical end-of-year celebrations. The magic of Christmas can also be found without leaving the borders of France, as our country has cities with atmospheres and traditions to suit all tastes. We have selected 5 destinations for an unforgettable Christmas holiday in France.
If, for your family, the end-of-year holidays are synonymous with good meals and gastronomic specialties, it's to Lyon you must go for the Christmas holidays.
In the capital of French gastronomy, the cuisine is generous and authentic, especially during the holiday season. From the beginning of December, the city dresses up in magical lights for the Festival of Lights in Lyon: another great reason to visit during this time of year!
You can take advantage of your stay in Lyon to indulge in gourmet shopping at the Halles Paul Bocuse, the temple of Lyonnaise gastronomy. You can also choose the best chocolates in the Voisin shops, a benchmark artisan chocolatier in the city.
From the end of November, take the time to stroll through the Christmas market at Place Carnot to discover producers, artisans, and local businesses. About a hundred chalets offer Christmas decorations, handcrafted toys, gift ideas, and of course regional products such as candied chestnuts, gingerbread, foie gras, and wines and liqueurs.
To leave with an unforgettable memory of the capital of the Gones, take a seat on the big wheel at Place Bellecour and admire the city and its Christmas lights from 60 meters high!
It is impossible to establish the top 5 most beautiful destinations for Christmas holidays in France without mentioning the city of Strasbourg. The historical capital of Alsace has also self-proclaimed itself as the "Christmas capital."
With its very famous Christmas market held since 1570, its Grand Tree standing at 30 meters tall, and its Advent traditions, this city is the place to be for all those who want to spend the holidays in the purest tradition.
For a month, from November 24th to December 24th, the magic of Christmas is in full swing in the city, and you can stroll through the different markets while enjoying the decor and the scents of cinnamon and mulled wine! From this trip, you can bring back magnificent decorations for your Christmas tree and authentic bredele (small cookies traditionally enjoyed on the evening of December 24th).
If you dream of a white Christmas like in the song, you should look towards winter sports resorts for your Christmas holiday destination, and more specifically, at Alpe d'Huez.
This Alpine resort, located about sixty kilometers from Grenoble, is accessible by train to Grenoble and then by shuttle. Alpe d'Huez is a perfect destination to please the whole family as it is part of one of the largest ski areas in France with its 250 km of slopes.
Sports enthusiasts will have a field day, while others will enjoy the mountain setting and evenings by the fire. The younger ones will love tobogganing and playing in the snow... But the whole family will come together on Christmas Eve to watch the resort's Christmas fireworks display.
On December 25th, more than 350 instructors from the French Ski School will gather at Alpe d'Huez to present the public with the traditional Christmas torchlight descent.
For everyone looking for an off-the-beaten-path idea for the Christmas holidays, why not head to the seaside? The Atlantic coast offers multiple destinations to explore.
The city of La Rochelle in the Charente-Maritime department is nestled opposite the islands of Ré, Aix, and Oléron. It's an ideal destination to take a deep breath of iodized air and enjoy the Charentais specialties such as oysters, but also cognac and chocolates from the 7 Galions chocolate factory.
During the end-of-year festivities, the city center of La Rochelle becomes pedestrian on certain days and buses are free. Take the opportunity to leave your car behind and do your Christmas shopping in peace!
On-site, you can also book a guided tour at dusk to discover the city's history and anecdotes about it, go on a family treasure hunt with a geocaching route on your smartphone, and of course enjoy the activities of the Winter Village that sets up on Verdun square.
The last of the 5 destinations to discover for Christmas holidays in France is the town of Évian-les-Bains in Haute-Savoie. World-renowned as a spa town, Évian is also a pioneering city in terms of ecology. To experience eco-friendly holiday festivities, it is by the shores of Lake Geneva that you must go.
For about fifteen years, the Christmas village has been built with driftwood collected from the lake: it's the Village des Flottins! This free event open to everyone from 3 pm to 7 pm also stands out from other Christmas markets in France due to its non-commercial aspect. There is nothing for sale but everything to imagine with monumental sculptures, Christmas tales, and performances of mime or circus...
At this market, which is conscious of preserving the planet, light snacks are provided by local or organic sources, and the Christmas tree garlands shine thanks to the energy of a dynamo. You just have to hop on a bike and pedal! In Évian, as everywhere else, everyone needs to make a small effort so that the magic of Christmas can happen.
Author Audrey on 31 May 2023
Travel and Tourism : Hotel by region
Author Audrey on 17 November 2021
Travel and Tourism : Hotel by region