A French Winter Wonderland: Village of Hirtzbach © French Moments
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Last Updated: 24 February 2021

For many, the words ‘Winter Wonderland’ refers to a popular American song played during the holiday season. As this year Christmas is looking like no other, I came up with some photos that create a wondrous Wintery atmosphere. Follow me on this journey to a French Winter Wonderland, from Paris to the Alps and Alsace. And let these winter holiday cards make you dream for future travels!

 

 

[lwptoc]

A journey in the French Winter Wonderland

Dreaming of a white Christmas in France?

You’ll find below a little selection of winter scenery spots.

I intentionally retouched these photos to recreate the most magical December scenery.

Can you remember the childlike joy you felt when the first snowflakes started falling?

Or do you recall strolling in festooned cities such as Paris, Strasbourg and Nancy, where the joyous atmosphere spread from streets to squares and from public parks to stunning monuments?

A French Winter Wonderland in Paris

Among these top winter scenery spots is the unmissable, unforgettable City of Lights: Paris!

Snowfalls in Paris are really exceptional so ‘real no-filter’ photos with snow at the Eiffel Tower or in Montmartre are really rare…

Winter in Paris © French Moments
A winter scene in Paris © French Moments
Winter in Paris © French Moments
Avenue de Breteuil, Paris © French Moments
Winter in Paris © French Moments
Square Rapp, Paris © French Moments
Winter in Paris © French Moments
Arc du Carrousel, Paris © French Moments
Winter in Paris © French Moments
A view from Montmartre, Paris © French Moments

A French Winter Wonderland in the Alps

The whole countryside of France may not be covered with a fairy-tale blanket of snow… but if you reach the Alps, you’re for a treat. The paradise for all snow-lovers (and not just for big fans of winter sports).

Chalet, village of Granier © French Moments
Chalet, village of Granier © French Moments
The village of Granier in Winter © French Moments
The village of Granier in Winter © French Moments
Winter in Granier © French Moments
Winter in Granier © French Moments
Granier Church Winter © French Moments
The church of Granier © French Moments
Granier © French Moments
Near Granier in Winter © French Moments
La Plagne Ski lifts © French Moments
Winter in La Plagne © French Moments
La Plagne (French Alps) © French Moments
La Plagne (French Alps) © French Moments
Thorens-Glières in the snow © French Moments
The village of Thorens-Glières near Annecy © French Moments
Bluffy, Haute-Savoie © French Moments
The village of Bluffy near Annecy © French Moments
A French Winter Wonderland in the Alps © French Moments
The Parmelan mountain near Annecy © French Moments
The castle of Menthon © French Moments
The castle of Menthon © French Moments
A French Winter Wonderland in the Alps © French Moments
The snowy landscape of Groisy near Annecy © French Moments
A French Winter Wonderland in the Alps © French Moments
Snow near Annecy © French Moments
A French Winter Wonderland in the Alps © French Moments
In the region of Annecy © French Moments
A French Winter Wonderland in the Alps © French Moments
Winter wonderland near Annecy © French Moments
A French Winter Wonderland in the Alps © French Moments
Groisy, region of Annecy © French Moments
Winter in the Alps © French Moments
Groisy, near Annecy © French Moments
A French Winter Wonderland in the Alps © French Moments
Night time near Annecy © French Moments
Annecy at Christmas © French Moments
The old town of Annecy © French Moments

A French Winter Wonderland in Lorraine

Nancy, the capital of the Dukes of Lorraine is home to grand festivities during the holiday season. They take the name of: Fêtes de Saint-Nicolas and celebrate the Patron saint of Lorraine.

The royal square of Place Stanislas is a jewel of neo-classical architecture with a hint of rococo.

A French Winter Wonderland: Nancy © French Moments
Place Stanislas, Nancy © French Moments
A French Winter Wonderland: Nancy © French Moments
A French Winter Wonderland: the gilded railings of Place Stanislas, Nancy © French Moments

A French Winter Wonderland in Alsace

Looking for the most Christmassy atmosphere in France? Look no further, Alsace has the real deal!

Let’s dream about a winter fairy-tale in Alsace with thousands of tiny lights and Christmas decorations… without having to visit Disneyland!

Winter Wonderland in Alsace © French Moments
The village of Carspach in the Sundgau (southern Alsace) © French Moments
Ferrette in Winter © French Moments
Ferrette in Winter © French Moments
A French Winter Wonderland: Village of Hirtzbach © French Moments
A French Winter Wonderland- the Village of Hirtzbach © French Moments
A French Winter Wonderland: Village of Hirtzbach © French Moments
The village of Hirtzbach © French Moments
A French Winter Wonderland: Chateau of Hirtzbach © French Moments
Chateau of Hirtzbach © French Moments
Wissembourg by night © French Moments
Wissembourg by night © French Moments
Winter in Alsace - Hirsingue © French Moments
Winter in Alsace – Hirsingue © French Moments
A French Winter Wonderland: Village of Hirtzbach © French Moments
The chapel of Hirtzbach © French Moments

The Winter Wonderland Song in French

One of my most favourite Christmas songs is Winter Wonderland. I like the image of a snowy Winter, especially at Christmas time.

Although the song does exist in French, the lyrics are somewhat different from those in English – including the title whose literal translation is “In the kingdom of the Winter Man”.

We owe the French lyrics to Lucien Brien, a French-Canadian songwriter-composer:

Au royaume du bonhomme hiver

Écoutez les clochettes
Du joyeux temps des fêtes
Annonçant la joie
Dans chaque cœur qui bat
Au royaume du bonhomme hiver

Sous la neige qui tombe
Le traîneau vagabonde
Semant tout autour
Des chansons d’amour
Au royaume du bonhomme hiver

Le voilà qui sourit sur la place
Son chapeau, sa canne et son foulard
Il semble nous dire d’un ton bonasse :
“Ne voyez-vous donc pas qu’il est tard ?”

Il dit vrai tout de même
Près du feu, je t’emmène
Allons nous chauffer dans l’intimité
Au royaume du bonhomme hiver

Le voilà qui sourit sur la place
Son chapeau, sa canne et son foulard
Il semble nous dire d’un ton bonasse :
“Ne voyez-vous donc pas qu’il est tard ?”

Il dit vrai tout de même
Près du feu, je t’emmène
Allons nous chauffer dans l’intimité
Au royaume du bonhomme hiver


Find out more!

Check out my article on the French Christmas Tradition [in English or in French!]

Christmas in Kaysersberg © French Moments
Kaysersberg at Christmas © French Moments

 

Gems of Paris by French Moments
About the author

Pierre is a French/Australian who is passionate about France and its culture. He grew up in France and Germany and has also lived in Australia and England. He has a background teaching French, Economics and Current Affairs, and holds a Master of Translating and Interpreting English-French with the degree of Master of International Relations, and a degree of Economics and Management. Pierre is the author of Discovery Courses and books about France.

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  1. Pierre, Joyeaux Noel mon Ami,
    Thank you for all the effort you go through to please your audiences all over the world.
    This is lovely. My favorite is a tough decision. But Square Rapp I have embraced in my real life.

  2. wow… all the pictures are magical… if I really have to pick some, my favorite would be Arc du Carousel, village of Granier and village of Hirtzbach. Very grateful for your articles and especially pictures. Merry Christmas to you and your family and hopefully a healthy New Year to all of us. Thank you!

  3. My favourite would have to be the snowy landscape of Groisy. That photo leads you into the future via a beautiful snowy adventure. Thanks Pierre.

  4. Merci Pierre de nous avoir offert ces belles photos, j’en adore tellement. Joyeaux Noel a toi et a ta famille. Jill Australia

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