Top List Paris
Browse every guide
France Things to Do Christmas Markets

The 12 Best Christmas Markets in France (2026)

Updated November 2026 · 12 picks

The best Christmas markets in France in 2026 are Strasbourg's Christkindelsmärik (November 27 to December 24), Colmar's markets in the old town and Little Venice, the Alsace villages of Kaysersberg, Riquewihr and Eguisheim, Reims below its cathedral, and Lille's Christmas village. Lyon, Nice, Bordeaux and Avignon also have well-loved markets.

Alsace is France's Christmas heartland: Strasbourg's market is the oldest in the country, Colmar's is the most picturesque, and the wine villages between them are decorated like storybooks. A week in Alsace in early December covers Strasbourg, Colmar and three or four villages by train and bus or car. Elsewhere, Reims, Lille and Lyon run big city markets, and the south has its own tradition of santons (painted clay crib figures). Dates below are as announced for 2026; most markets open from late morning to evening, and village markets are often open only from Thursday to Sunday, so check before you go.

1. Strasbourg Christkindelsmärik — Grande Île, Strasbourg

The oldest and biggest Christmas market in France, since 1570.

Best for First-timers · Families · Couples

Strasbourg's market has run since 1570 and now spreads over eight sites on and around the Grande Île, from the original Christkindelsmärik on Place Broglie to the Cathedral, the Grand Sapin on Place Kléber and the canals of Petite France. The official dates are November 27 to December 24, 2026.

It is the one to choose if you only visit one. See our full guide to the Strasbourg markets.

Good to know: Stay overnight and visit the markets after dark; weekdays are much calmer.

Place Broglie, 67000 Strasbourg

Google Maps Website

2. Colmar Christmas Markets — Old Town and Little Venice, Colmar

Several markets in a fairytale old town of half-timbered houses and canals.

Best for Couples · Photography · Families

Colmar's markets are spread across the old town — Place Jeanne d'Arc, the Place de l'Ancienne Douane and the Place des Dominicains — with a children's market in Little Venice and a gourmet market. Reported 2026 dates run from November 23 to late December, with the gourmet market until January 3.

The illuminated half-timbered houses and canals make it the prettiest Christmas town in France.

Good to know: Base yourself in Colmar for the Alsace villages, which are 15–25 minutes away.

Place de l'Ancienne Douane, 68000 Colmar

Google Maps

3. Kaysersberg Christmas Market — Kaysersberg, Alsace

A medieval wine village with a castle-crowned Christmas market.

Best for Couples · Photography

Kaysersberg, below its ruined castle, holds its market in the Cour de l'Arsenal and around the Sainte-Croix church, with crafts and local food in a setting of half-timbered houses and a fortified bridge. Its 2026 dates are reported as November 27 to December 20.

It is one of the most authentic village markets, popular with day-trippers from Colmar.

Good to know: Go on a weekday; village markets get very crowded at weekends.

Cour de l'Arsenal, 68240 Kaysersberg-Vignoble

Google Maps

4. Riquewihr Christmas Market — Riquewihr, Alsace

A walled wine village on the Alsace Wine Route, glowing for Christmas.

Best for Couples · Families

Riquewihr is a walled medieval village among vineyards, and its Christmas market fills the main street and squares with chalets. The village's own page lists the market from November 27 to December 20, 2026.

The Christmas shops that open year-round here add to the atmosphere.

Good to know: Combine with Kaysersberg on the same day; they are a few minutes apart.

Rue du Général de Gaulle, 68340 Riquewihr

Google Maps

5. Eguisheim Christmas Market — Eguisheim, Alsace

A circular village of concentric lanes, decorated for Christmas.

Best for Couples · Photography

Eguisheim's houses are arranged in rings around its castle, and in December its lanes and squares fill with decorations and a small Christmas market, running from late November to late December in 2026.

It is just outside Colmar and one of the most photogenic villages in Alsace.

Good to know: Walk the concentric lanes before dusk, then see them lit up.

Place du Château Saint-Léon, 68420 Eguisheim

Google Maps

6. Reims Christmas Market — Reims, Champagne

A big market near the cathedral city's Roman gate, with Champagne on tap.

Best for Couples · Day trips

Reims's market runs on the Hautes Promenades and the esplanade of the Porte de Mars, the city's Roman arch, with chalets of food, drink and gifts. Its 2026 dates are reported as November 25 to December 27.

Combine it with the Gothic cathedral and a Champagne cellar tour; Reims is 45 minutes from Paris by TGV.

Good to know: Book a Champagne house visit for the same day.

Esplanade de la Porte de Mars, 51100 Reims

Google Maps

7. Lille Christmas Village — Place Rihour, Lille

A cozy Flemish-style Christmas village with a big wheel on the Grand Place.

Best for Day trips · Families

Lille's Christmas village sets up on Place Rihour, with dozens of chalets selling Flemish and international specialties, and a Ferris wheel on the neighboring Grand Place. Its 2026 dates are reported as November 18 to December 30.

Lille is an hour from Paris by TGV and also easy from London and Brussels.

Good to know: Try a waffle from Méert on rue Esquermoise nearby.

Place Rihour, 59000 Lille

Google Maps

8. Lyon Christmas Market — Place Carnot, Lyon

A big city market by Perrache, ahead of the Fête des Lumières.

Best for Families · Foodies

Lyon's Christmas market fills Place Carnot near Perrache station with chalets of crafts, food and drink, from November 20 to December 24, 2026.

Time a visit for the Fête des Lumières (December 5–8, 2026), when light installations transform the whole city.

Good to know: Book accommodation early if you are visiting during the Fête des Lumières.

Place Carnot, 69002 Lyon

Google Maps

9. Nice Christmas Market — Jardin Albert Ier and Place Masséna, Nice

Christmas under the palm trees, with a market and rink in the center.

Best for Families · Couples

Nice's Christmas market spreads across the Jardin Albert Ier, the Promenade du Paillon and Place Masséna, from November 27, 2026 to January 3, 2027.

Mild weather and sea views make it a pleasant alternative to the cold northern markets.

Good to know: Walk from the market to the Promenade des Anglais for a winter sunset.

Jardin Albert Ier, 06000 Nice

Google Maps

10. Bordeaux Christmas Market — Place des Quinconces, Bordeaux

One of the largest markets in the southwest, on one of Europe's biggest squares.

Best for Families · Foodies

Bordeaux's market sets up on the vast Place des Quinconces from November 27 to December 27, 2026, with chalets of regional food, wine and gifts.

Combine it with the illuminated Place de la Bourse and the Miroir d'Eau nearby.

Good to know: Pair with a visit to the Cité du Vin by tram.

Place des Quinconces, 33000 Bordeaux

Google Maps

11. Marseille Foire aux Santons — Vieux-Port, Marseille

Provence's great fair of santons, the clay figures for Christmas cribs.

Best for Families · Culture

Marseille's Foire aux Santons on the Quai du Port is the oldest santon fair in Provence, with craftsmen selling the painted clay figures — shepherds, bakers, fishwives and the Holy Family — used in Provençal Christmas cribs. It runs from November 14, 2026 to January 3, 2027.

It is a distinctly Provençal alternative to the Alsace-style markets.

Good to know: Buy a few santons as gifts; they are made by local workshops.

Quai du Port, 13002 Marseille

Google Maps

12. Avignon Christmas Market — Place de l'Horloge, Avignon, Provence

A Provençal market in the square below the Palace of the Popes.

Best for Couples · Families

Avignon's Christmas market fills the Place de l'Horloge, a few steps from the Palais des Papes, from November 27, 2026 to January 2, 2027.

Combine it with the palace and the famous bridge for a winter day in Provence.

Good to know: Visit the Palais des Papes in the morning and the market at dusk.

Place de l'Horloge, 84000 Avignon

Google Maps

Frequently asked questions

What is the best Christmas market in France?

Strasbourg's, held since 1570 and spread over eight sites in 2026, is the most famous. Colmar is the prettiest, and Kaysersberg, Riquewihr and Eguisheim are the most charming village markets.

When do French Christmas markets open in 2026?

Most open in the second half of November and run until Christmas Eve or the end of December. Strasbourg runs from November 27 to December 24, Reims from November 25 to December 27, Lille from November 18 to December 30 and Lyon from November 20 to December 24.

How do I visit the Alsace Christmas markets without a car?

Base yourself in Strasbourg or Colmar: trains link the two in about 30 minutes, and buses and seasonal shuttles run to Kaysersberg, Riquewihr and Eguisheim. Check the regional transport timetables, as some village services are limited.

What should I buy at a French Christmas market?

Bredele (Alsatian Christmas cookies), pain d'épices, glass baubles, wooden toys and, in Provence, santons — painted clay figures for the Christmas crib.

Is Lyon's Fête des Lumières a Christmas market?

No. The Fête des Lumières is a festival of light installations across Lyon around December 8 (December 5–8 in 2026). Lyon's Christmas market is on Place Carnot.

Related lists

France · Wineries & Wine Tasting

The 11 Best Wineries in France (2026)

Read the list France · Villages

The 12 Best Villages in France (2026)

Read the list France · Ski Resorts

The 13 Best Ski Resorts in France (2026)

Read the list France · Museums

The 12 Best Museums in France (2026)

Read the list France · Historic Sites

The 11 Best Historic Sites in France (2026)

Read the list

More in France · More Christmas Markets across France · All Things to Do