If you haven’t visited France in winter yet, you should fix this mistake. Noisy celebrations, carnivals and sales, this is not everything that this country will treat you with in the cold season. Trust us, winter holidays in France will become a real fairy tale if you choose one of these destinations.
Paris Disneyland
Every year Disneyland puts on parades, celebrations, and colorful performances before the holidays. New Year and Christmas are celebrated here on a grand scale: altogether festivals last for about three months. On New Year’s Eve, Disneyland treats its guests with a laser show and spectacular fireworks. If you want to visit this magical place but don’t know how to arrange it, we can help you organize and have a great holiday, you will find more information at the link.
It is better to come to Disneyland with kids. Every year Santa Claus visits it, communicates and takes pictures with the children, gives gifts and accepts wishes. From Nov 9th to Jan 7th Disneyland puts on Christmas evening shows. Tickets for the amusement park can be purchased here, and here you can search for a nice hotel nearby.
Choose a hotel near Disneyland Paris» READ MORE – Paris Disneyland: everything you need to know
Strasbourg
Since 1570 Strasbourg has been welcoming tourists in a friendly manner every year. From the end of November to the end of December, the most famous Christmas market in Europe is held here. At this time, the squares of the city are filled with numerous chalets, small wooden houses. There you can buy local delicacies and souvenirs, handicrafts, Christmas decorations and other holiday items. Here, for the first time, many tourists get acquainted with traditional Alsatian cuisine: food is cooked in the open air.
Every year in Strasbourg they choose a country that will become an honorary guest of the fair, acquaint local residents and tourists with their traditions and customs. You can find and book a hotel for a holiday in the capital of Christmas at this link.
Compare hotel deals in Strasbourg» READ MORE – 10 ways to celebrate Christmas in Strasbourg
Grenoble
The resorts of Grenoble are the best suited for a ski holiday, although there is more than enough entertainment beside skis. The snow season here starts in December and lasts until March. Some of the most interesting resorts include:
- Alpe d’Huez. It is famous for its invariably sunny weather, due to which it was called the «island of the sun». Here you will find the longest descent in Europe with a length of 16 km. You can choose a proper accommodation here, and all options in Grenoble are available here.
- La Grave. The resort is popular with thrill-seekers: the local slopes literally take your breath away! In addition, once a year, snowboarders from all over the world gather at this resort. You can find a great hotel in La Grave here.
» READ MORE – How to get from Lyon airport to Grenoble and other resorts
Lion
For the second century in a row, the people of Lyon annually celebrate the Festival of Lights. On December 8, thousands of lamps, lanterns and luminaries are lit on the streets of the city. Residents decorate window sills with candles, buildings are illuminated by spotlights, and the sky is illuminated by flashes of fireworks. You can enjoy this splendor for several days.
In December, not only local residents, but also tourists gather here, 3–4 million people come to admire the Festival of Light. Fortunately, there is enough «bread and circuses» for everyone: about 8 million candles are lit in the city, and almost 80 light shows are arranged. You can book a good hotel in Lyon here.
Compare hotels in Lyon» READ MORE – All you need to know about Lyon
Chamonix
Chamonix is the oldest resort in the French Alps, at the foot of Mont Blanc. These slopes are popular due to the perfect snow cover, a large number of tracks designed for both experienced skiers and beginners, and also because of its developed infrastructure.
Chamonix has everything for a full-fledged winter holiday: snow park, half-pipe, boardercross track, mogul slopes, cross-country skiing trails and marked hiking trails for walking in the mountains. Some entry-level trails are close to the hotels. This allows you to combine learning with visiting bars and restaurants, shopping and other entertainment. You can select and book accommodation for a holiday in Chamonix here.
» READ MORE – Chamonix: 10 ideas for a great vacation
Colmar
On the eve of Christmas, Colmar lights up. It’s impossible to count the number of light bulbs and spotlights illuminating the streets of the city. The local fairs, which are considered the brightest in Alsace, deserve special attention.
The Christmas market of Colmar is striking with its scope. On the Dominican Square (place des Domincains) there is an illuminated church with stained glass windows, and next to it there are about 50 chalets. If you are traveling with children, visit the Little Venice area where you can buy sweets and wooden toys. Your kid can write a letter to Santa Claus in advance: during the walk he can put it in the Christmas mailbox.
For food and local crafts you should head to Place Joan of Arc, and for decorative and handicrafts, visit the Koifhus covered market. It sells everything from used books to paintings and jewelry. You can find suitable accommodation in this beautiful city here.
» READ MORE – Switzerland in Winter: route by train
Paris
New Year and February 14 are celebrated in Paris on a special scale, you can read more about it in our article. Those who find themselves in the capital of France on New Year’s Eve should visit Christmas markets, enjoy sweets and warm up with tart mulled wine. If you wish, you can go ice skating in front of the Paris City Hall or admire the city from the height of the Ferris wheel installed on the Place de la Concorde. On New Year’s Eve, restaurants and bars of the capital open their doors to guests and arrange interesting entertainment programs. However, most tourists prefer to celebrate the New Year on the Champs Elysees or at the Eiffel Tower.
» READ MORE – How to celebrate the New Year in Paris
Those who want to spend an unforgettable Valentine’s Day should go to the city center, to Montmartre, on February 14th. Here is the wall of love, on which the cherished three words are carved in all languages of the world. After that, you can visit the Pont des Arts bridge. On Valentine’s Day, it is especially crowded, but if you try, you will be able to squeeze through to the railing of the bridge and hang your «lock of love» there. In the evening, you should visit one of the oldest passages in the city, Galerie Vivienne. There you can buy souvenirs for friends, warm up in a cozy cafe or taste French wines in a bar.
You can find out about where to live in Paris for a vacation in our article, and all accommodation options in the city are available at this link.
Choose the best hotel in Paris» READ MORE – The traditions of Christmas in Paris
Menton
The Carnival or Lemon Festival in Menton is held in February. Moreover, the theme of the festival changes every year. During the carnival, groups of people pass through the streets. The parade procession is accompanied by dances and music, and the holiday ends with grandiose fireworks on the sea coast.
On the day of the festival, the city is decorated with citrus fruits. Statues covered with tons of lemons and oranges appear on the streets. A lot of vendors will offer you liquor, jam or preserves, citrus soaps or perfumes with an unusual aroma.
If you are looking for a winter holiday in Menton, you can book the accommodation here.
Compare hotel deals in MentonNice
Another carnival takes place in Nice. It starts on February 11 and lasts for two weeks. The program of the carnival includes concerts and fireworks, processions of giant puppets, painting of 120,000 square meters of plywood and famous flower fights. During the processions, live models in luxurious costumes walk along the Promenade des Anglais, throwing confetti and thousands of flowers into the crowd.
Every year, thousands of people from all over the world come to Nice to take part in the most joyful festival of spring, music, flowers and unlimited freedom. You can find a hotel for your holiday here.
Book a hotel in Nice» READ MORE – 10 things to do in Nice
Courchevel
Before the New Year holidays, Courchevel is decorated with a myriad of lights, bright bulbs and other New Year’s accessories. An exciting and eventful program is developed for the resort visitors: visit of Santa Claus, the Golden Woman of the Year contest, incredible snow balls, the descent of the Golden Serpent from heaven, the pyrotechnics festival, the Fire and Ice show and the ski circus.
Courchevel has become a prestigious and expensive resort thanks to its developed infrastructure and hundreds of kilometers of trails. During winter natural snow covers the slopes of all levels with an even layer. You can find good accommodation in this resort at the link.
Visiting France in winter will bring you vivid emotions and unforgettable impressions. Choose a preferable entertainment and hit the road!
We wish you a wonderful winter holiday!
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