FrenchDuck’s databank
Christmas Market

In the east of France and to the east of Burgundy adjacent to Switzerland, the Ain is probably a little overlooked by most visitors.

With Bourg-en-Bresse as its principal town it is a region of gentle hills and river valleys - which is one of the hidden parts of France.

The departement includes Bugey and the wines of Bugey. These are VDQS wines (Vins Délimité de Qualité Superieure) - a classification between full Appellation Controllee and VIns de Pays. As such there are restrictions on grape varieties used and planting and harvesting techniques - and the grapes must be grown in the designated region. White wines from Chardonnay, Roussette; Rosé wines from Gamay and Poulsard; Reds from Gamay, Pinot and Mondeuse; and sparkling wines from Chardonnay. Seldom seen in the UK.
For an opportunity to taste some of these wines there is an open tasting in Lyon from 25-26 January 2008 - click here for more details
For more on the wines of Bugey see www.vinsdubugey.net
One of the highlights of the year is the celebration of the famous yellow corn-fed chickens from Bourg-en-Bresse - the Glorieuses de Bresse held every December shortly before Christmas (for 2008 it runs from 16-21 December 2008 - in the form of a market and other festivities held in Bourg-en-Bresse, Louhans, Pont de Vaux and Montrevel-en-Bresse - see www.glorieusesdebresse.com

More info - see the Ain Tourism Office

For an English run B&B in the region with a knowledgeable host and guide see B&B Burgundy

The weekend of 14-16 December 2007 there is the “Petit Marché du Gros Souper“, (Christmas market) in St Remy-de-Provence (13 Bouches-du-Rhone, Provence) where you can find the traditional ingredients for the your festive celebrations.
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At this time of the year, all of the shops are magnificently decorated, full of gifts and buzzing with activity.
Saint Remy de Provence is the home of a number of excellent santon makers, and first-rate producers of candied fruit, chocolates, biscuits, bread, cakes, honey, nougat and many other objects of delight, some of which are part of the symbolic Christmas thirteen desserts.

With strong links to Vicent Van Gogh and just 15 miles south of Avignon, St Remy is a lively and attractive Provencal town - close to the olive and grape vineyards of Les Baux de Provence and the Alpilles.
Recommended vineyard - Mas Sainte Berthe at Les Baux

Eurostar connections direct from London St Pancras International, Ebbsfleet. Ashford to Avignon:

For more info on the Christmas Market in St Remy-de-Provence CLICK HERE

Colmar (68 Haut-Rhin, Alsace) is one of the prettiest Alsatian towns in the heart of the vineyards, half-timbered buildings also known as a “little Venice” - and is an ideal setting for a Christmas market. It has one of the largest pedestrian-only areas and the whole area is bedecked with Christmas lights, decorated shop windows, Christmas stalls.

First of all there’s the ambiance of the Old Town, illuminated and decorated like a fairy tale : a historic setting made magical by the Christmas illuminations which, in this festive period, blend harmoniously with the wonderful lighting designed to enhance the town’s heritage, and lay a soothing aura of light over the centre of Colmar.
Town centre which is essentially pedestrian, comprises numerous architectural treasures such as monuments, churches, museums and alleys, built for the most imposing from Middle Age to 19th century. Do not miss to be amazed by the Maison Pfister, the Koïfhus, Unterlinden museum, Little Venice, the House of the Heads and Saint Martin Collegiate church.
The whole town is decorated like a dream to turn the old centre into a veritable open-air theatre where the warm Christmas mood envelops the heart of the town.

For 2007 the festivities run from 24 November to 31 December 2007 - for more info see www.ot-colmar.fr

Being on the border with Germany, Strasbourg (67 Bas-Rhin, Alsace) has a long tradition of Christmas markets running from 1570.

The atmosphere which reigns in Strasbourg is unique. It is especially in the late afternoon, just as night is falling, that the magic sets in, as if the city, suddenly conscious of scene. There are also many treats to feast ourselves on : sweets, mulled wine, doughnuts…

For good measure, a giant Christmas tree is planted in Place Kleber, there are concerts, giving you a chance to appreciate the beauty of the cathedral and the city’s churches, and a whole host of activities allowing you to discover the rich Alsatian traditions. As for the children, they will love the delightful boat ride through the city.

This year it runs from 24 November to 31 December 2007,
For more info see www.ot-strasbourg.com

Down on the Mediterranean coast, Christmas looks to be a bit incongruous to a northerner, but at Cassis (13 Bouches-du-Rhone) they have a Christmas Market (Marché de Noel) from 13-16 December 2007. More than 30 craftsmen and merchants (rigorously selected) offer the “Big Soup with 13 desserts, regional produce, mulled wine, champages, santons (carved Christmas figurines) and numerous ideas for gifts.
Music and wine complete a festive family atmosphere.
Throughout December there are displays of Christmas cribs and a Christmas Exhibition!

See www.ot-cassis.com

Grenoble (38 Isere, Rhone-Alpes) offers a magical Christmas experience 2- 24 December 2007 - held in the centre of the city in Place Victor Hugo and Place Grenette, there will be foie gras, chocolate, spiced bread, Christmas Tea, oysters, Christmas decorations, candles, flowers, Christmas trees, wooden toys, music box - and many little gifts for all the family!

For more info see www.grenoble-isere.info

Amiens (80 Somme, Picardie) claims to host the largest Christmas Market in Northern France 24 November - 29 December 2007. In addition to the stalls offering Christmas fayre, gifts, crafts etc, you could take advantage of the skating rink (patinoire).
Its also a chance to visit the impressive Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame which will be lit up every night.

For more info see www.marchedenoel-amiens.com

For the Christmas Market in Arras (62 Pas-de-Calais) which runs from 30 November - 24 December 2007 there is a touch of the Alps with a Swiss Festival being the highlight on Saturday 1 December - Swiss music, art, cheese will endow the Grand Place with a real alpine feel.
For the rest of the month there will be plenty of seasonal cheer and stalls to explore - Christmas decorations, wooden roses, stained glass, Laguiole knives, teddy bears, arts and crafts - gastronomic delights will include honey, foie gras, chutneys, regional specialties from the Auvergne and SW France, mulled apple juice, mulled cider, mulled wine, oysters and roast chestnuts - all within the setting of the impressive Grand Place in the centre of town. And less than an hour from Calais it could add a real touch of France to your (long) day trip or weekend - or a brief detour off the main route to Paris!
For more info see www.ot-arras.fr

The Chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte at Maincy (77 Seine-et-Marne, Ile de France) about 50km southeast of Paris, celebrates the Christmas season in style - sumptuous decor, giant christmas tree, crackling fire places and illuminations throughout the gardens!

Enchantment starts with a white christmas trees path leading towards the entrance of the chateau.
In the stately rooms, a new atmosphere is set up with sumptuous christmas decor and music.
kids will also have the possibility to rent costumes to visit the castle!
Then, the Wise Men will guide the visitor on the track of the Shepherd’ Star leading to the baroque crib created by Hilton McConnico.

The festivities run from 22 December 2007 until 6 January 2007 (closed 25 December and 1 January) For more info see www.vaux-le-vicomte.com

If you miss Christmas market in Lille (59 Nord) which closes on 24 December 2007 you can always try the New Year Market (Marche de l’An Neuf) which runs from 26 December to 6 January 2008. Held in the Place Rihour, the emphasis is on local crafts, but with all the decorations and the Carousel in the Grand Place still operating, the atmosphere should be really festive.
For moew info see www.marche-an-neuf.com

They take Christmas quite seriously in Eastern France, especially St Nicolas, whose feast day falls on 6 December.
In Nancy, capital of 54 Meurthe-et-Moselle, Lorraine the Christmas Market runs for a whole month from 24 November to 24 December 2007 - see www.ot-nancy.fr

Nancy tends to be a little off the beaten track for visitors from the UK but could be well worth a visit, as the historic 18th Century city centre’s buildings are recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Centre. An elegant city, with classic 18th century architecture and boulevards. Nancy is only 1 hour and 30 minutes from Paris with the new TGV Est. Previous journey time 2 hours 45 minutes.
You can book tickets online for Eurostar, TGV, TGV Est and any destination in France.

Boulogne-sur-Mer (62 Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais) celebrates Christmas well with a particular focus on Christmas foods.
On Saturday 1 December 2007 the St Niicholas parade through the town announces the arrival of the Christmas culminating with a firework display down at the port.
The following weekend (Sat 8th and Sun 9th December) the Christmas Market is held in the Old Town. The Old Town is well-worth visiting and is quite a surprise after the rather soulless modern town (well, 50s/60s) - and seeing as Boulogne’s weekly market is one of the better ones, then at Christmas it should be great. Music and fireworks complete the festive atmosphere.

Lille takes Christmas seriously with the city brightly decorated and a big ferris wheel in the main square,

With Christmas fast approaching, Lille is decked out in lights and colour. Around the market, the whole town is covered in a huge crown of garlands.

In the period just before Christmas, Lille is vibrating with colours and lights. The Chalets which make up the Christmas market are installed for a month on the Place Rihour, just 50 metres from the Grand’Place. The craftsmen and stallholders extend their warm welcome and look forward to putting forward their ideas for new and original gifts. Amongst the articles to temps you, there will be local produce, samplings, Christmas decorations, jewellery, toys…

A stone’s throw from the Christmas Market, the big wheel majestically turns on the Grand’Place and offers a fascinating view over the world of the city. And when you come back down to earth a glass of mulled wine will work its magic on you.

For more info see www.lilletourism.com

London - Lille by Eurostar in 100 minutes

A Christmas Market with a difference in Mulhouse (68 Haut-Rhin, Alsace) with the venue being the the Museum of Printed Textiles (Musée de l’Impression sur Etoffes), where a stunning array of scarves, shawls, hanging fabrics - with the addition of a mountain theme with farmers and craftsmen from the nearby Vosges mountains. The museum looks well worth a visit in any case, but at Christmas doubly so.

For more info see www.musee-impression.com or the Mulhouse Tourist Office