Ready for the most wonderful time of the year in France? Christmas is an enchanting time when the best attractions of Paris and France transform into the most festive winter wonderlands. During the holiday season, you’ll spot Christmas lights and trees in every cities and towns in the country. You’ll also find enchanting Christmas markets taking centre-stage in historic districts. The purpose of this article is to explain what makes Christmas in France the merriest time of year leading up to New Year’s Eve. This page includes a wide array of information about how Christmas is celebrated in true French style! Follow the links on this page to enter into a French winter wonderland… ??
What is Christmas in France like?
Christmas in France is made special with the multitude of Christmas illuminations and traditions found throughout the country.
From the end of November, the cities of France transform into a magical wonderland with all the Christmas lights.
In Paris or in Alsace, this is time for “ooh” and “ahh” at the Christmas light displays and festive markets.
People travel near and far to see the Eiffel Tower sparkling at night. They make sure not to miss the dazzling Christmas lights in the prestigious avenue des Champs-Elysées.
Some of the festive attractions we can’t wait to see in Paris are the animated window displays of department stores Printemps and Galeries Lafayette.
Christmas Windows of Printemps Haussmann in 2016 © French Moments
Why is Christmas important in France?
Christmas is a big event for the nation which is diversely celebrated whether you are in Paris, in Normandy or in Provence.
- People in the Alsace region festoon their homes with elaborate Christmas decorations.
- In Provence, it is tradition to serve 13 desserts on Christmas’ Eve.
- In the Alps of Savoie, you may taste a delicious cheese-based dish such as fondue or raclette.
First of all, Christmas is a religious celebration that remembers the birth of Jesus-Christ in Bethlehem.
The Nativity scene inside the cathedral of Strasbourg © French Moments
Then a great number of traditions have emerged such as the Advent wreaths and calendars, a great dinner on Christmas’ Eve, presents and gifts, without forgetting Christmas trees!
There are many stunning Christmas trees throughout France, but the ones of Strasbourg and Nancy are among the prettiest I’ve ever seen. Adorned in glowing lights, the twinkling Christmas trees are highlights that stand out during the festive season.
I may be a bit biased, but nothing quite compares to Christmas time in Alsace. This is why you’ll find a lot of information and photos on this blog dedicated to this region in north-east France.
If you enjoy Christmas and everything that comes with it, Alsace is the place to be. There are Christmas decorations all over the cities and villages, and countless Christmas markets which attracts masses of visitors daily.
The characters of Christmas
Finally a number of characters have been created in the imagination of our forefathers…
The list is rather long if you take account of the regional characters: Saint-Nicolas, Père Fouettard, Christkindle, Hans Trapp, Tante Airie, Père Chalande… The recent addition to the list is Santa Claus, known as Père Noël in France.
How do you say ‘Christmas in France’ in French?
► CHRISTMAS is NOËL in French [pronounced no-well]
► CHRISTMAS IN FRANCE is NOËL EN FRANCE in French
Download our English-French and French-English glossary about Christmas.
Our pages on CHRISTMAS MARKETS
Béthune Christmas Market
In the North of France, not far from the Belgian border, the town of Béthune…
Discover the Sélestat Christmas Market
Located between Strasbourg and Colmar, the historic town of Sélestat is an important landmark in…
Discover the Alsatian Christmas market in Gare de l’Est
Stuck in Paris and can’t visit Alsace this Christmas? No worries, Alsace comes to you!…
Grenoble Christmas Market
Since its creation in 1994, the Christmas markets of Grenoble has become one of the most…
Discover the Basel Christmas Market in Switzerland
On the border of France, the Swiss city of Basel (or Basle) hosts Switzerland’s largest Christmas…
A Discovery Guide to the Strasbourg Christmas Market
The Strasbourg Christmas market is the oldest in France, and also the most famous Christmas…
10 Destinations for a Christmas Trip in Alsace-Lorraine
During 12 days in November and December 2018 we criss-crossed the regions of Lorraine and…
Why we dreamt about the Obernai Christmas Market
Ideally situated in the foothills of the Vosges, along the scenic Alsace Wine Route lies historic Obernai. As Christmas…
Paris La Défense Christmas Market
The Christmas market of La Défense is arguably the largest in the Paris region. The cluster of its…
Riquewihr Christmas Market
Listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France, Riquewihr is surrounded by the vineyards of…
Rouen Christmas Market
As soon as France’s second largest fair (Foire Saint-Romain) closes its doors, another popular event…
Dijon Christmas Market
Enjoy an “extraordinary Christmas” in Dijon, the historic capital of Burgundy! If you fancy a…
Lille Christmas Market
Lille Christmas Market is wonderfully set in the busy shopping district of the city and…
What makes the Ribeauvillé Christmas Market special
A joyous medieval atmosphere awaits all who come to Ribeauvillé! Open on two weekends during Advent, the…
5 Christmas Markets on the Alsace Wine Route
The Alsace Wine Route is a scenic itinerary that criss-crosses the Alsatian vineyards from Marlenheim…
Discover the Mulhouse Christmas Market in Alsace
You’ve been to the Strasbourg and Colmar Christmas markets. And you’re looking for another fantastic…
Discover the enchanting Colmar Christmas Market
In Colmar, the Christmas celebrations from Advent to Epiphany give the Alsatian town a special…
Éguisheim Christmas Market
Éguisheim, the birthplace of the Alsatian vineyards, was chosen as the French’s most beautiful villages…
Thann Christmas Market
The little town of Thann is situated at the foot of the Vosges mountains and…
Montbéliard Christmas Market
Every year during Advent, the German-style Montbéliard Christmas market is held to the delight of the…
Discover the Provins Medieval Christmas Market
I have two favourite sites when it comes to Christmas in the Seine-et-Marne département. These…
Where to find the Paris Christmas Markets?
The Paris Christmas markets have their origins in Alsace where the tradition is very strong and part…
A Discovery Guide to the Annecy Christmas Market
The Annecy Christmas market is the most important event in town during Advent. Each year the festive…
Arras Christmas Market
The Arras Christmas Market has become one of the most important festive events organised in the North…
Discover the Kaysersberg Christmas Market in Alsace
Kaysersberg, the “Mountain of the Emperor”, certainly deserves its prestigious name. When the time of…
Discover the Metz Christmas Market in Lorraine
Of all the Christmas markets of France, the one in Metz ranks as one of the…
Discover the Reims Christmas Market
Ideally situated on the forecourt of the famous cathedral, the Reims Christmas market has become…
Our pages on CHRISTMAS IN ALSACE
Éguisheim Christmas Market
Éguisheim, the birthplace of the Alsatian vineyards, was chosen as the French’s most beautiful villages…
Discover the Mulhouse Christmas Market in Alsace
You’ve been to the Strasbourg and Colmar Christmas markets. And you’re looking for another fantastic…
Christmas Gastronomy of Alsace
The Christmas gastronomy of Alsace is much appreciated during the Holiday season. From Foie Gras to…
Discover the Alsatian Christmas market in Gare de l’Est
Stuck in Paris and can’t visit Alsace this Christmas? No worries, Alsace comes to you!…
Thann Christmas Market
The little town of Thann is situated at the foot of the Vosges mountains and…
5 Christmas Markets on the Alsace Wine Route
The Alsace Wine Route is a scenic itinerary that criss-crosses the Alsatian vineyards from Marlenheim…
Linzer Torte – Tarte de Linz
The Linzer Torte (or Tarte de Linz in French) is originally an Austrian cake often prepared…
Discover the Kaysersberg Christmas Market in Alsace
Kaysersberg, the “Mountain of the Emperor”, certainly deserves its prestigious name. When the time of…
What makes the Ribeauvillé Christmas Market special
A joyous medieval atmosphere awaits all who come to Ribeauvillé! Open on two weekends during Advent, the…
Leckerlis from Basle – Leckerlis de Bâle
Leckerlis are swiss little gingerbreads which come from Basle on the border of France and…
Discover the enchanting Colmar Christmas Market
In Colmar, the Christmas celebrations from Advent to Epiphany give the Alsatian town a special…
A Discovery Guide to the Strasbourg Christmas Market
The Strasbourg Christmas market is the oldest in France, and also the most famous Christmas…
Why we dreamt about the Obernai Christmas Market
Ideally situated in the foothills of the Vosges, along the scenic Alsace Wine Route lies historic Obernai. As Christmas…
Christmas in Guebwiller
The little town of Guebwiller is situated along the Alsace Wine Route at the foot…
Discover the Sélestat Christmas Market
Located between Strasbourg and Colmar, the historic town of Sélestat is an important landmark in…
Kugelhopf from Alsace
Kugelhopf, Kougelhof, Kouglof… there are many names to describe what is certainly Alsace’s most famous…
Riquewihr Christmas Market
Listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France, Riquewihr is surrounded by the vineyards of…
Our pages on CHRISTMAS IN LORRAINE
Why you should spend Christmas in Nancy
Christmas in Nancy is highlighted by the Saint Nicolas Day celebrations in the beginning of…
Discover the Metz Christmas Market in Lorraine
Of all the Christmas markets of France, the one in Metz ranks as one of the…
What are the Saint-Nicolas celebrations in Nancy
In France’s north-east, there are two main not-to-miss events in December: the Christmas market of Strasbourg…
Christmas in Lorraine: what to see!
Christmas in Lorraine consists of traditions centred around the character of St. Nicholas, locally known as…
Our pages on CHRISTMAS TREES
What are the Christmas Tree Types in France?
They are at least three best-selling Christmas Tree types in France: spruce, Nordmann and noble fir trees.…
What are the Christmas Tree Decorations in France?
With its bright lights and dazzling ornaments, the Christmas tree is one of the symbols…
The Top Traditions of the French Christmas Tree
Decorated with ornaments, glistening tinsel, blinking fairy lights and topped by a star, the French…
No Christmas tree in front of Notre-Dame Cathedral
Bad news for those who wished to wonder at the traditional Christmas tree in Paris. Following…
The Christmas Tree of Notre-Dame Cathedral
At sunset we went to the parvis of Notre-Dame cathedral to admire the Christmas tree…
Facts and Figures about Christmas Trees in France
For decades, getting a Christmas Tree has stayed a popular tradition in France. In fact, the…
Christmas in other blogs and websites!
Christmas in France – Haguenau, Alsace © French Moments
Why?Christmas
At whychristmas?com we answer your Christmas questions!
My Merry Christmas
The Internet’s Longest Ongoing Celebration of Christmas
Christmas in Alsace
The official page of Christmas in Alsace:
https://noel.tourisme-alsace.com/
Noël à Strasbourg
The official page of Christmas in Strasbourg:
https://www.noel.strasbourg.eu
Lyon Festival of Lights
The official page to the Festival of Lights in Lyon
http://www.fetedeslumieres.lyon.fr
French Christmas on Instagram
Join French Moments on Instagram for photos of Christmas in France:
https://www.instagram.com/frenchchristmas/
