Dreaming of a Noël in France?
This guide will help you explore the magical world of French Christmas, where every part of the country sparkles with holiday cheer.
For the French, Christmas, or noel, is both a family affair and a time for public celebration, a season that begins in early December and extends through the New Year, fêted with excitement and joy.
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How Christmas Is Celebrated in France
The Traditions
Christmas in France is full of delightful customs that pique the curiosity of French people and tourists alike. One fun tradition sees children placing their shoes by the fireplace on Christmas Eve, eagerly awaiting Père Noël, the French Father Christmas, to fill them with gifts while they sleep.
Equally charming is the art of crafting a nativity scene in the home. These crèches are often more than a simple manger scene, featuring santons—small, hand-painted terracotta figures depicting villagers and the Holy Family. Fairs, such as in Provence, sell santons ready for the season, turning the decoration of a crèche into a personal work of art, expressing your holiday flair.
Religious traditions
You may find out some fun facts about France through its Christmas traditions offers a unique glimpse into the cultural fabric of the country.
La Messe de Minuit
A traditional service, held on Christmas Eve, in churches and cathedrals throughout the country. The congregation sings carols – or Chants de Noël – and celebrates the birth of Christ. After the service, people may return home to eat, sleep, or open gifts.
Le réveillon
A late supper was enjoyed after the midnight mass. The meal is regionally variable but can include goose in Alsace, buckwheat cakes with crème fraîche in Brittany, or turkey and chestnuts in Burgundy. In Paris and the Ile-de-France region there will often be bûche de Noël, a Yule log cake.
Galette des Rois
A special cake, eaten on January 6, known as Epiphany, Three Kings’ Day or Kings’ Day. Hidden inside the tart is a fève, a small porcelain figure. To become King (or Queen) for a day, the person who finds the fève will wear a paper crown.
La fête de Saint Nicolas
Especially celebrated in the north of the country on December 6. In some villages, the day sees the switching on of Christmas lights or other festivities.
Top 10 things to do at Christmas in France
Paris Christmas Markets
Take your pick from more than a dozen Christmas markets dotted around the French capital, each with its own vibe, selling everything from international gifts to traditional French crafts and food – and a lot of gloriously tacky trinkets. Shopaholics, you've found your spiritual home...
When: Early December
Book in advance?: No
Top tip: Start at the biggest market in the Tuileries Garden, and marvel at some of the more artistic displays in Montmartre.
Alsace Wine Route Christmas Tours
The Alsace Wine Route is just as delightful during the festive season, with wine growers and cellars inviting visitors on special Christmas-themed tours. Sample some of the finest Alsace wines in a Christmassy atmosphere, with traditional decorations and local cuisine.
When: Early December.
Book in advance?: Yes
Top tip: Book early and be sure to try vin chaud – the Alsace take on mulled wine.
Strasbourg's Christkindelsmärik
Step into the heart of French Christmas at the self-styled 'Capital of Christmas'. Hundreds of stalls overflow with handcrafted products and local Alsatian treats. Get lost in the lights and ornaments, all under the shadow of Strasbourg's stunning gothic cathedral.
When: Late November
Book in advance?: No
Top tip: Check out the market's 'villages' within the main market, offering different crafts and food.
Montpellier’s Santa Claus Village
Montpellier goes all out in creating a magical atmosphere for the kids with Santa Claus Village, featuring an ice rink, Christmas workshops, and daily live shows. It's festive fun that the whole family – not just the kids – can enjoy.
When: Mid-December
Book in advance?: No
Top tip: Get involved: the daily activities are a lot of fun, and the nightly light show is a delight too.
Lyon's Fête des Lumières
Lyon's Festival of Lights is truly incredible, transforming the city into a canvas for light artists. Massive installations and projections light up the city's ancient buildings and rivers, and while it's nominally a celebration of the Virgin Mary, it's more an excuse for a massive party.
When: December 8
Book in advance?: No
Top tip: Follow the lights from the Place des Terreaux to the Basilica of Fourvière.
Nice Christmas Market
How do the Cote d'Azur celebrate Christmas, we hear you ponder. Wonder no more: Nice's Christmas market. Artisanal wooden-built stalls sell lovingly created products, and it wouldn't be a Christmas tourist attraction without a big ol' Ferris wheel, would it? The best view of the city's lights.
When: Early December
Book in advance?: No
Top tip: Treat yourself to some socca and vin chaud and walk up and down the Promenade des Anglais.
Santon Fairs in Provence
Santon fairs are a beautiful Provençal custom, where artisans display their hand-painted terracotta figurines, which are necessary for the regional nativity scenes. The fairs are a wonderful chance to discover local crafts and meet the artisans themselves.
When: Early December.
Book in advance?: No.
Top tip: Start a collection by buying different figures each year and build your own nativity set.
Champs-Élysées Illuminations
The illuminations of the Champs-Élysées, or “the most beautiful avenue in the world”, when it lights up with thousands of azure blue lights from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe, are simply magical. It’s one of Paris’s unmissable winter treats.
When: Late November.
Book in advance?: No.
Top tip: Visit after dark and follow up with a trip to the nearby Christmas markets.
Christmas at Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte
Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte opens its lavish doors for a Christmas-themed peek inside, with its baroque rooms decorated for the festive season. Themed tours, candle-lit rooms, and a light show in the grounds all deliver a magical Christmas mood.
When: Early December.
Book in advance?: Yes
Top tip: Wrap up warmly for the evening exploration of the gardens, which is not to be missed.
Disneyland Paris Christmas Season
Disneyland Paris becomes a winter wonderland, with Disney characters dressed for the season, Christmas parades, and an unforgettable firework display. The whole season is packed with special performances and attractions, perfect for kids and big kids alike.
When: Late November.
Book in advance?: Yes
Top tip: Book in advance and try to save energy for the night-time shows – they’re spectacular.
What to Eat at Christmas in France
When it comes to Christmas dinner, the French expect nothing less than a gourmet extravaganza. Exploring the range of famous French food at Christmas offers a true taste of culinary tradition.
Here's a selection of the treats you might encounter:
Réveillon Dinner: A meal served after midnight mass, typically with rich dishes like foie gras, shellfish, and turkey with chestnuts.
Bûche de Noël: A cake in the shape of a log, consisting of a rolled sponge filled with buttercream, is a must-have Christmas dessert.
Galette des Rois: Eaten in January for Epiphany, this puff pastry tart filled with frangipane (almond cream) is for sharing with family or friends – whoever gets the feve (a small figurine hidden inside) becomes king for the day.
Seafood Platters: In regions such as Brittany and Normandy, platters of oysters, scallops, and other shellfish are common at dinners through the festive season.
Foie Gras: Often an element of the Réveillon meal, this gourmet rich duck or goose liver is sometimes served on toast, the richness cut by something light and sweet, like fig jam.
FAQ
Which is the most Christmassy place in France?
Strasbourg is particularly famous for its festive feel, especially during Christmas market season.
Can US green card holders travel to France without a visa?
Whether a US green card holder can travel to France without a visa depends on the holder's nationality, as a Schengen visa is still required for many.
What is a typical French Christmas dinner?
A multi-course joy fest, including oysters, often foie gras, turkey stuffed with chestnuts, and Bûche de Noël.
Why is Christmas called Noël in French?
From the French translation of natalis – 'birth'. The event is marking the birth of Christ.
Summary
A holiday in France captures all the magic of Christmas, from twinkling lights, to bustling markets, to sumptuous culinary customs
Whether you're perusing ancient stalls or diving first into a Réveillon banquet, a French festive season is something truly special.