Our selection of the best Christmas destinations in France

From Strasbourg to Pointe-à-Pitre, there is no need to leave France to enjoy the magic of Christmas with your family... Here's a look at the cities that celebrate the traditional end-of-year festivities in light!

Strasbourg, in Alsace

Known and recognised as THE capital of Christmas, the Alsatian city dresses up for Christmas in its most beautiful clothes, and usually offers visitors the chance to discover the oldest Christmas market, the "Christkindelsmärik", on Place Broglie. All over the city, the smell of mulled wine and gingerbread emanates from the illuminated chalets throughout the month of December. If this year, Strasbourg aims to reduce its electricity consumption by 10% by reducing the number of illuminations, "sobriety but not austerity", insists the ecologist town hall, which intends to perpetuate the magic of the Christmas holidays.

Reims, in Champagne-Ardenne

The Christmas market in Reims is one of the biggest in France. It is usually held every year in front of the cathedral. The end of year period is the perfect time to discover regional specialities - what better way to enhance your festive meals than with champagne and pink biscuits?

Paris, in the Ile-de-France region

Every year, tens of thousands of visitors flock to the Champs-Elysées avenue, which is lit up at Christmas time, as are the windows of the department stores, which promise a magical stroll through the heart of the capital. At a time of energy crisis, restricted time slots will be set up this year, but there is no question of depriving families and lovers of the unforgettable moments to be experienced at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe!

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Aix-en-Provence, in the Bouches-du-Rhône

While Christmas is celebrated with great pomp everywhere in Provence, where the famous tradition of santons takes place, it is in Aix-en-Provence that one of the most beautiful markets of the region is found. You can discover the typical traditions of the region, such as the pastoral parade or the erection of life-size cots, and taste the 13 desserts - beggars, dates, nougats, oreillettes or even olive oil pumps.

Annecy, Haute-Savoie

TheAnnecy Christmas market will take placefrom November 2022 to January 2023 on the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville. The opportunity to taste gourmet products, discover regional crafts, and thus enjoy the magical atmosphere of the end-of-year festivities on the edge of the city's sumptuous lake.

Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe

How about celebrating Christmas under the coconut trees? In Guadeloupe, Christmas is a particularly important holiday, with families gathering to sing Christmas carols, known as "chanté Nwèl". On the evening of the 24th, Creole specialities such as Christmas ham, Creole black pudding or a delicious pork stew with spices are served. All this in a warm and friendly atmosphere!

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Moirans-en-Montagne, in the Jura

What better destination to celebrate Christmas than the capital of wooden toys? In the heart of the Haut-Jura regional nature park, near the superb Vouglans lake, Moirans-en-Montagne will amaze you with its mountain landscapes and its historical heritage. Don't miss the Toy Museum, between two descents of the surrounding ski slopes .

The Basque Country, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques

The festive season in Biarritz is the ideal time to contemplate the illuminations projected on the monuments of the seaside resort. In the Basque Country, Christmas would not be Christmas without Olentzero, a character with a face blackened by charcoal dust. Legend has it that he comes out of the forest before Christmas to distribute coal to the poorest people so that they do not suffer from the cold. Today, he can be seen offering sweets to children on his rounds in many Basque towns, including Biarritz.

Ajaccio, Corsica

On the island of beauty, discover the age-old traditions that punctuate the end-of-year celebrations in Corsica - the Rocchiu, the Christmas bonfire, the poor man's plate left at the table, "u piattu di u puvarettu", or the tradition of the seven vigils. If you like Christmas songs, don't miss the villa of Tino Rossi, who composed the famous "Little Father Christmas", in the Scudo pine forest.

Colmar, Alsace

Famous for its Christmas markets, the town of Colmar is celebrating the magic of Christmas with illuminations and other wall projections on the facades of the town's emblematic buildings. This is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the magical spirit of Christmas while biting into bredele and sipping a tasty mulled wine.

Lyon, in the Rhône

This year, the traditional Fête des lumières in Lyon will take place from 8 to 11 December 2022. As usual, Lyon's residents and shopkeepers will be bringing the Christmas spirit to life in the city, whether at the top of the Ferris wheel, on the open-air skating rink in Place Carnot or in many other key locations.