10 Things To Do In France For Christmas

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1. Attend a Carol Concert in Paris

In the lead-up to Christmas, some of Paris’ most evocative venues host holiday performances. A week before Christmas, classical concerts are held in the churches of Saint-Germain des Prés, Saint-Sulpice, Saint-Ephrem, Saint-Eustache, and La Madeleine.

Sainte-Chapelle, however, takes the cake as the most stunning, with concerts happening every day from the 22nd to the 31st of December (excluding Christmas Day). Over 600 square meters of wall space in this Gothic chapel is devoted to 16 enormous stained glass windows. It’s enchanted when the sun shines through the windows and illuminates the musicians playing inside.

2. Visit The Fair In Paris

The Musee des Arts Forains features a nostalgic fairground collection for a trip back in time. The only way to see this private collection of fairground attractions and stalls, some of which date back to 1850, is on a guided tour. However, for one week at year’s end (December 26–January 23), it hosts the Festival du Merveilleux (admission €18.80 for adults and €12.80 for children). If you’re looking for a unique post-Christmas attraction, Musee des Arts Forains is a must-visit.

See the displays, try classic rides, and enjoy shows by jugglers, magicians, musicians, dancers, and puppeteers.

3. Admire The Christmas Lights in the French Capital

During the holiday season, Paris transforms into a magical wonderland of lights, sparkles, and glitter. Even though it seems like every street and alleyway is decked out for the holidays, some are undoubtedly more spectacular than others.

The Champs-Elysées is undoubtedly the most well-known of these streets. Wrapped around its four hundred trees are more than a million lights, making for a breathtaking scene that begs to be seen and experienced every Christmas season.

There’s also the sparkling Avenue Montaigne and the village of Bercy, which transforms into a genuine Christmas Village. Take a stroll around the elegant Place Vendôme, the glitzy Boulevard Hausmann, or any other dazzling streets in the city.

Take a 90-minute guided tour of the highlights of Paris’s Christmas light displays in an open-top bus if you want a hassle-free way to view the best of the best.

To book this tour click here.

4. Spend Christmas Day in one of the museums in Paris

Although it may not come as a surprise to learn that there are not a significant number of museums open on Christmas Day in Paris, there are a few that will be open and are worthwhile to visit. The Louvre, the Musee d’Orsay, and the Pompidou will all be closed that day.

The following is a list of museums that have, in years gone by, been open on Christmas Day. But before you turn up on December 25, you should check the museum’s website to see if any special events are planned.

Institut du Monde Arabe (1 Rue des Fossés-Saint-Bernard, Place Mohammed-V 75005)

The only day the museum of Arab artifacts is closed is Monday. Therefore you can visit any time of year. The beautiful edifice designed by Jean Nouvel and constructed in 1987 on the banks of the Seine is a must-see attraction. The rooftop patio, located on the 9th level, offers spectacular views of Paris’s landmarks, such as the iconic Notre Dame.

Musée d’Art et d’Histoire du Judaïsme (71 Rue du Temple 75003)

Except on Mondays, visitors can explore the MAHJ, a museum dedicated to Jewish history. It tells the story of the Jews of Europe and North Africa from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, highlighting their rich cultural heritage. On most holidays, the museum is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Musée Jacquemart-André (58 Boulevard Haussmann 75008)

The Musée Jacquemart-André is housed in a splendid 19th-century townhouse on Boulevard Haussmann in the 8th. Museum founders Édouard André and Nélie Jacquemart turned their home into a public venue so the public could see their personal art collection. It’s always open, including on holidays like Christmas and New Year’s.

To book this tour click here.

5. Go Ice Skating Amongst Twinkling Holiday Lights

Even though France has plenty of permanent ice skating rinks, it’s fantastic to see how temporary rinks are built and transformed into installations just for the winter holidays. Your family and friends will never forget your time together at one of these ice skating rinks.

Watch the skaters who are out to show off their talents, or give it a shot when you’re feeling confident enough to do so. If you want ice skating while in Paris, one of the best places to do so is the Champ de Mars rink.

Both permanent and temporary ice skating rinks may be found all across Paris. However, be on the lookout for the one-of-a-kind, temporary ones set close to places lit up in holiday splendor, as these will provide you and your loved ones with a memory you won’t soon forget.

6. Eat your fill of French Christmas treats!

One of the most well-received traditions in the world is the French Christmas meal. Depending on which region in France you choose to visit, there will be differences in cultural norms about food preparation. Therefore, your selection is pretty diverse. Plus, French cuisine has a well-deserved reputation for excellence.

French families place a high value on the traditional Christmas Eve feast, and the food in stores helps promote this tradition. In households across France, Christmas Eve is not complete without a family feast.

Escargot, scallops, and truffles will all be on the menu for the meal. At lunchtime on Christmas Day, it is traditional to enjoy a special meal, such as steak, coq au vin, vol-au-vent (bouchées à la reine), and many more.

7. Visit Strasbourg, the capital of Christmas

Strasbourg Christmas Market or Christkindelsmärik

You won’t believe how beautiful the Christmas celebrations can be until you visit Strasbourg, a destination not to be missed. And if you’re looking for a place to spend Christmas in France, you should consider coming here.

The streets and structures around Strasbourg, which can be found in the Alsace region of France, are adorned with a string of fairy lights, garlands of pine, and trinkets made of wood, among other things.

One of the largest and oldest Christmas markets in existence, the one in Strasbourg dates back more than four hundred years. These Christmas markets can be found right in the middle of the Gothic Cathedral and feature stalls designed in the style of wooden chalets as well as handcrafted Christmas ornaments.

To book this tour click here.

8. Take in the beauty of Morzine’s winter landscape.

The Morzine Christmas Market is another unique destination to spend Christmas in. After a snowfall, the Alpine village becomes a winter wonderland full of activities, from light shows and a Christmas market to seasonal workshops and ice sculpture classes. A pyrotechnic ballet is also performed in the mountains.

Located in the French Alps, close to the Swiss border. Morzine’s lifts start running in the winter. The city is lit with holiday cheer, and Santa Claus is on his way. France’s most stunning city is the perfect destination to celebrate the holiday season. Santa Crawls are a popular event in the city.

Anyone in a Santa suit can attend these events at no cost. Bars that host Xmas Carol Mega parties are a great place to start your holiday celebrations with friends and family. Visiting Morzine is an excellent chance to experience the classic and modern aspects of the French holiday.

9. Step inside a Christmasy Loire Valley Chateaux

The chateaux in the Loire Valley are stunning all year round. But at Christmas, many châteaux go out with their seasonal decor, adorning the inside and exterior. From Saturday, December 3rd, through Monday, January 2nd, several of the largest châteaux in the Loire region hosts special tours and events in the spirit of the holiday season.

When Christmas rolls around, the palaces of Blois, Chambord, Chaumont-sur-Loire, and Cheverny throw open their doors to the public. These four Loire Valley chateaux are close enough together that you may easily visit all of them in a single day.

You’ll be surrounded by beautifully decorated Christmas trees, wreaths, and holiday tables. The Loire Valley is beautiful this time of year, and it’s a blast for kids of all ages.

To book this tour click here.

10. Experience unique Christmas traditions in the Provence region

Following the Christmas supper, people in Provence have a peculiar custom of eating thirteen desserts—one for each of Christ and his twelve disciples. It’s important to note that regionally and among families, there are subtle differences in each dessert. Bûche de Nol, nougat (both white and black), calissons, pain d’épice, and the “four beggars” (almonds, raisins, dried figs, and nuts) are all staples.

Santons, little clay figures, are also commonly used in nativity settings. The name Santon means “small saint” in its etymological context. This year, from November 19th through December 31st, the city of Marseille will host the annual Foire aux Santons, an event dedicated to these antiques.

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Christine Rogador

Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries and lived in 4 continents in the last 10 years, including France. A self-proclaimed Francophile, I love everything France.