The Christmas market season is officially open! Like every year, many towns in France are transformed to welcome the Christmas season. Whether it’s discovering new skills, culinary specialities, traditions or entertainment for young and old, Christmas markets are places where conviviality and sharing reign supreme! If you’re not afraid of the cold, why not head off on an adventure and enjoy the magic of Christmas? CaraMaps reveals the best Christmas markets in France to visit by motorhome!
Strasbourg
It’s a must! It’s one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe and the best known in France, dating back to the Middle Ages. Every year, it attracts millions of tourists who come to admire its typically Alsatian decorations, its huge fir tree, and to sample the many specialities on offer in its wooden chalets!
🗓️ Dates : from November 24, to December 24, 2023
🔗 More informations here
🚐📍Where to park your motorhome in Strasbourg?
You can stay at Camping Indigo Strasbourg, widely recommended by our community of travelers for its pitches, services, and location allowing you to reach the city centre quickly. You can also opt for the Relais Elsau parking (chargeable), also appreciated for its location.
Colmar
The Colmar Christmas market is one of the best-known in the Alsace region and in France as a whole. Like the Strasbourg market, it attracts many curious visitors every year who want to discover Alsatian customs. There are not one, but six markets where you can wander around and enjoy the magic of Alsatian Christmas! Christmas biscuits, mulled wine and pretzels are yours for the taking!
🗓️ Dates: from 23 November to 29 December 2023
🔗 More information here
🚐📍Where to park your motorhome in Colmar?
During your trip to Colmar, you can head for the Colmar Service Area (for a fee), which will give you easy access to the Christmas markets. You can also park at the Orangerie Parking (⚠️ avoid weekends!).
Kaysersberg
Still in the beautiful Alsace region, 12 km from Colmar, lies the magnificent village of Kaysersberg, where the atmosphere is magical as the Christmas season approaches. Here you’ll discover preserved Alsatian traditions, local craftsmen and women, and be able to sample a host of Alsatian specialities in one of the many wooden chalets set up for the occasion!
🗓️ Dates: from 24 November 2023 to 19 December 2023
🔗 More information here
🚐📍Where to park your motorhome in Kaysersberg?
Passing through Kaysersberg? You can stop off at the Intermarché Kaysersberg parking, ideally placed for visiting the Christmas market. Another option is to park in the Kaysersberg-Vignoble service area (fee payable).
Reims
The Reims Christmas market is one of the biggest in France, with 150 chalets set up in the city centre. As well as sampling local specialities such as the famous champagne, you can take a ride on the Ferris wheel, which offers a great view of the centre of Reims. You can also watch the Regalia show, a staged retelling of the crazy day of the Corre d’un Roi!
🗓️ Dates: from 24 November to 24 December 2023
🔗 More information here
🚐📍Where to park your motorhome in Reims?
We recommend parking in the Reims parking (free), ideal to visit the city of Reims and accessing its Christmas market.
Metz
Voted the third most beautiful Christmas market in Europe in 2021, the Metz Christmas Market is one of the liveliest in France! With its 125 chalets spread across the five strategic squares in the city centre, you’ll have the chance to discover a whole host of specialities as you enjoy a totally unique and magical stroll!
🗓️ Dates: from 24 November to 24 December 2023
🔗 More information here
🚐📍Where to park your motorhome in Metz?
You can park in the Metz parking (chargeable), which is ideal for accessing the city centre. You also have the option of parking at the Metz Service Area (chargeable).
Montbéliard
You may not have realised it, but the Montbéliard Christmas market has acquired a European reputation thanks to its illuminations, which highlight the town’s architectural heritage and immerse us in a magical atmosphere. Around a hundred craftspeople are on hand to sell their wares, and there are plenty of activities for children too (merry-go-rounds, ice-skating rink, etc.), so there’s something for everyone!
🗓️ Dates: from 25 November to 24 December 2023
🔗 More information here
🚐📍Where to park your motorhome in Montbéliard?
When visiting Montbéliard, we recommend stopping off at the Montbéliard service area (free of charge), which is much appreciated by our travelers for its location and facilities.
Arras
In the north of France, the Arras Christmas market is a must-see, as it’s the biggest in the Hauts-de-France region! With its 155 typical Flemish Baroque-style chalets, you’ll have the chance to sample all sorts of specialities and discover handcrafted products.
🗓️ Dates: from 24 November to 30 December 2023
🔗 More information here
🚐📍Where to park your motorhome in Arras?
We recommend parking at the Arras service area (for a fee), much appreciated the travelling community for the quality of its pitches, the services on offer and its location close to the town centre. For free parking, you can use the Autocar Cité Nature parking.
Amiens
This Christmas market in Northern France rivals the best-known markets in Alsace! Around a hundred red chalets await you between Place Henri Goblet and Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, where you can discover local specialities! There’s also plenty of entertainment on offer for young and old alike!
🗓️ Dates: from 25 November to 30 December 2023
🔗 More information here
🚐📍Where to park your motorhome in Amiens?
Travelling to Amiens? You can park in the Amiens parking (free of charge), which is very practical for visiting the city centre. You can also park at Rivery parking (free).
Lyon
If you’re looking for a bright and tasty Christmas market, don’t wait any longer and discover Lyon’s Christmas market! The ideal time to visit the Lyon Christmas market is during the Fête des Lumières, which runs from 7 to 10 December 2023 and offers a unique spectacle of light and sound on the city’s various monuments. You’ll also be able to treat yourself to 100 chalets offering tasty local produce and original gifts!
🗓️ Dates: from 26 November to 24 December 2023
🔗 More information here
🚐📍Where to park your motorhome in Lyon?
You can stay at Camping Barolles, which is slightly out of the way but includes all the services you need for your motorhome! For a free option, you can head to Lyon parking!
Annecy
Every year at the end of the year, the beautiful town of Annecy organises the Alpine Christmas. The Venice of the Alps offers eight different markets, with 150 chalets and over 90 exhibitors. Here you can sample some of the most famous Savoyard specialities, such as tartiflette, diots au vin blanc and fondue. You can also take advantage of the ice rink, the town’s illuminations and pretty Lake Annecy!
🗓️ Dates: from 25 November to 6 January December 2024
🔗 More information here
🚐📍Where to park your motorhome in Annecy?
We suggest that you park either in the free Annecy parking, which has a view over the lake, or in the Annecy Parking, located close to the town centre.
Discover our special itinerary to the most beautiful Christmas markets in France!
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