15 Best Christmas Markets In France In 2024 (+MAP!)

I’m a big Christmas Market fan, so when I moved to France I set out on a mission to visit all the best Christmas Markets in France.

France is a big country, with hundreds of cities and villages organizing Christmas Markets every December. 

While you can find Christmas Markets wherever you go in France, the ones in Alsace are the most popular for a reason.

You’re in for a treat from the iconic Strasbourg Christmas Market with more than 300 stalls to the unique Medieval Ribeauvillé Christmas Market!

Still, if you prefer milder winter temperatures, Nice also has a contestant for the best French Christmas Market!

Here are the best French Christmas markets!

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Strasbourg is nicknamed “The Capital of Christmas” and the city is home to the largest Christmas Market in France!

With over 300 stalls spread over many Christmas market locations, the cobblestone streets of Strasbourg transform into a Christmas Town each December.

The Old Town of Strasbourg with its colorful timbered houses looks like it came out of a Christmas storybook, especially La Petit France quarter. 

So, what can you do at the Strasbourg Christmas Market? As it is so big, the market offers a well-rounded experience! 

You can browse stalls for handmade Christmas ornaments and gifts, or enjoy traditional Alsatian cuisine, mulled wine, and pancakes on food stalls!  

Strasbourg is no doubt the most popular Christmas Market in France, so you can expect crowds, especially on the weekends.

If you are flexible with your travel dates, try visiting during the week for a more pleasant experience. 

Strasbourg Christmas Market closes on December 24, but you can visit other Christmas Markets in the area if you’re spending the holidays in the city!

When it comes to the best Christmas markets in Europe, deciding between Strasbourg and Colmar has always been hard. 

Both are magical, so why choose? Visit them both instead.

Visiting Colmar on a day trip from Strasbourg or even Paris is super easy! You can take a quick 30-minute train from the city center of Strasbourg and be in Colmar in no time.

Colmar city center is significantly smaller than Strasbourg, but that makes the Christmas Market even more cozy and magical. 

There are usually several markets scattered around the city center, which helps disperse the crowds.

Colmar truly looks like a Christmas fairytale, with every house decorated with Christmas ornaments and even stuffed bears!

One of the most iconic Instagram spots in Colmar is the Christmas tree in front of the pink house.

Ribeauvillé Christmas market is like no other market in France! Forget about endless stalls selling Christmas trinkets and gifts, Ribeauvillé transforms into a medieval fairytale.

Ribeauvillé is one of the most beautiful villages in France. When you walk the cobblestone streets and admire colorful timbered buildings, you’ll feel like you’re on the set of a medieval movie. 

So, what better to do than host a medieval Christmas market?

You’ll get to see people wearing medieval costumes, watch performances, and try medieval dishes and specialties. 

You can also easily visit Ribeauvillé without a car, by grabbing a Christmas shuttle from Colmar.

Riquewihr and their magical Christmas market are my favorite among the Alsatian villages.

The Christmas Market is held at the bottom of the village, but the whole town gets a Christmas makeover making for a perfect place to stroll around.

It’s unclear which Alsatian village inspired the village in the Beauty and the Beast cartoon, but Riquewihr has all the fairytale vibes you need!

Riquewihr is a very small village with limited parking. The best way to reach it is by shuttle from Colmar, which is perfect if you’re traveling in France without a car.

Voted the most beautiful village in France, Eguisheim should be on your French Christmas Market itinerary. 

Situated just a short drive from Colmar, and easily accessible by shuttle from the city, it makes for a perfect stop to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere. 

Just like other Alsatian villages, the Christmas Market in Eguisheim is more than just a place to buy Christmas decorations and drink mulled wine. 

The market focuses on Alsatian traditions, and they organize thematic evenings where you can join the Nightwach for a walk around the village and learn stories about the village and the region. 

Lille is one of the most underrated Christmas Market destinations in France, probably because it is so close to Belgium and its iconic Christmas Markets.

I visited Lille Christmas Market on Christmas Eve, so things were calming down quite a bit, but I loved it!

I’d argue that Lille is generally one of the most beautiful towns in France, and makes for the best alternative to Alsace Christmas Markets. 

The main market is next to Lille’s Grand Place, and there are also a Ferris wheel and carousel set up on the square.

Lille is full of picturesque cobblestone streets, so you can easily spend a day in Lille wandering the streets, looking for hidden gems!

Metz might not be one of the most popular places to visit in France, but it is certainly worth a stop if you’re on a Christmas Markets tour in France!

The city is situated approximately halfway between Paris and Strasbourg, making for a perfect pit stop if you’re driving.

The main Christmas Market is in the medieval place Saint-Louis, but there is also a large Christmas tree on Place du Général de Gaulle.

You can also go on The Illuminated Walk! This 10 km route takes you around Metz to discover the Christmas decorations and main historical landmarks. 

You can admire the view of the city on a Ferris wheel ride, and there is even an ice rink at Place de la République for ice skating enthusiasts! 

Paris might not have the reputation as the most Christmassy place in France, but it is certainly worth visiting in the winter!

I spent 4 days in Paris during the advent time recently, and I loved how the city gets decorated for the holidays. 

Paris has that big city Christmas vibes, and I imagine that’s how Christmas in New York feels. People are buying gifts, streets are filled with people shopping, walking, and simply enjoying the winter holidays. 

As it is a big city, Paris has several Christmas markets to discover!

The main and the biggest one is in the Jardin des Tuileries. It is a commercial market, with over 50 stalls selling food and Christmas gifts, and it almost felt like an amusement park. 

If you’re traveling as a vegan in France, I didn’t see any vegan options when I was there. Luckily, there are many vegan restaurants around.

For a calmer atmosphere, consider smaller markets like the one in front of the Eiffel Tower or the one in front of the Hotel de Ville!

Situated about halfway between Paris and Metz, Reims makes for a perfect stop on a Christmas Market road trip or as a day trip from Paris!

The Christmas Market in Reims is one of the biggest in France, with over 100 stalls selling hand-crafted gifts, local delicacies, and fresh food. 

The main tourist attraction in Reims is the UNESCO-listed Cathedral of Notre Dame de Reims, and the Christmas Market is situated right on the square in front of the cathedral. 

Unlike most cities on this list, there is only one Christmas Market location here, but there is also a Christmas Fun Fair, which is basically a Christmas-themed amusement park.

Reims Christmas Market closes on 24 December, so plan your trip accordingly! 

Christmas Market in Nancy is also known as Saint Nicholas’s Village, with the main market organized on Place Charles III.

It is one of the rare French Christmas Markets that stay open until January, so it makes for the perfect place to end your Christmas Market tour! 

However, as it is marketed as Saint Nicholas Market, the main festivities are held on the weekend of 7 and 8 December. 

If you like Christmas markets but prefer to visit a sunny winter destination this year, Nice is the place for you!

One of the most beautiful French coastal towns is more than just a summer destination. In fact, I found it quite interesting to have a Christmas market on a sunny day by the beach. 

Nice Christmas Markets is held in several locations, and the main area is the park Jardin Albert 1er. 

You can browse the stalls with Christmas decorations and hand-crafted gifts, or enjoy traditional French cuisine with mulled wine at food stalls. 

The market is marketed more as a holiday market and a place to enjoy during the winter holidays, so it’s usually also open during the week between Christmas and New Year.

Amiens Christmas Market is another beautiful French Christmas Market that is mostly visited by local French tourists. 

This picturesque riverside town is situated about halfway between Paris and Lille, and it makes for a great day trip from Paris or a stop on your way to Lille. 

The Christmas Market takes place on the main square, and it features over 100 chalets with local products and Christmas gift ideas and decorations. 

I visited Toulouse Christmas Market on what was probably the hottest Christmas Market day I ever had – it was 19℃ in December!

Still, the city offered a unique Christmas atmosphere, and it wasn’t crowded at all.

The main Christmas Market is on Place du Capitol in the city center, but there is also a smaller market on Les Allees Jean Jaurès.

You can easily visit Toulouse in one day, stroll the cobblestone streets among the red-brick buildings, visit the churches, and enjoy the holiday atmosphere. 

Lyon is home to quite a unique Christmas Market experience, as it coincides with the famous Lyon Festival of Lights.

The Festival of Lights takes place from 5 to 8 December, so plan your trip on that weekend for the best experience.

If you visit Lyon on any other weekend in December, you can still explore several Christmas markets throughout the city. 

Another idea is to take a day trip to Annecy! Annecy Christmas Market takes place throughout December, and the city is very picturesque, especially when decorated for Christmas!

I’m not going to lie, when I moved from Strasbourg to Bordeaux, I was a bit disappointed by the Christmas atmosphere in Bordeaux. 

However, after spending 3 Christmas times in Bordeaux, I must say I was a bit harsh at first.

Christmas in Bordeaux is not as over the top as in the Alsace region. Still, the city gets a sparkly Christmas makeover and a charming Christmas Market to explore. 

This year the market is moving to a new, bigger location, so I’m excited to see what’s it going to look like!

The streets are illuminated with beautiful lights, the streets are filled with joyful chatter, and you can get mulled wine everywhere. 

Also, December in Bordeaux is quite mild, so you don’t have to worry about freezing! 

Best Christmas Markets In France MAP

FAQ:

Summary: Best Christmas Markets In France

France is well worth visiting during the Christmas season, with something happening throughout the country. 

The best French Christmas Markets are in Alsace, with Strasbourg and Colmar as the most popular destinations. 

However, smaller villages offer an even more Christmassy atmosphere, with cobblestone streets lined with decorated houses that look like gingerbread houses! 

As the most popular Christmas market destination in France, Alsace gets very busy, so you should also consider less-known places like Lille or Lyon. 

Paris is also magical in winter, with several Christmas Markets around the city!

You want to visit more local Christmas markets? Check out these:

• Guide to Tours Christmas Market
• Guide to Poitiers Christmas Market