Christmas Markets 2025: A UK Traveller’s Guide to the Best Festive Breaks in France

Christmas Markets 2025: A UK Traveller’s Guide to the Best Festive Breaks in France

Planning a festive break? Here’s the UK traveller’s guide to France’s best Christmas markets in 2025, with key dates, travel tips and where to go for the ultimate winter getaway.

If you’re in the UK and dreaming of a festive getaway, France’s Christmas markets remain one of the easiest – and most magical – winter escapes. From Strasbourg’s world-famous Christkindelsmärik to cosy regional markets opening in mid-November, 2025 offers more variety, earlier dates, and better travel options than ever.

This round-up brings together the biggest, most atmospheric, and most accessible French Christmas markets for UK visitors, with practical travel tips and updated dates. Whether you’re crossing by ferry, Eurostar, or catching a flight, here’s where the Christmas spirit is already in full swing.

Why UK Travellers Love France’s Christmas Markets

France offers something many German and Belgian markets don’t: accessibility. From Portsmouth, Poole, Plymouth, Dover or London, you can be at a market within hours. And regions like Normandy, Brittany and Alsace now publish their dates earlier – making it much easier to plan a weekend break.

For cultural and historical depth, France has some of Europe’s oldest Christmas markets, many dating back 400+ years. And each region brings its own flavour: Alsace offers fairy-tale villages; Normandy blends food, crafts and light shows; Paris delivers elegance; and Brittany brings coastal charm.

1. Strasbourg – The Oldest and Most Famous Christmas Market in France

Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmärik is the crown jewel. Now in its 455th edition, the entire historic centre transforms into a glowing festive maze. New attractions for 2025 were revealed recently — see full details in our dedicated post: What’s new at Strasbourg’s Christmas Market 2025.

  • 2025 opening date: Friday 29 November
  • Best for: Traditional decorations, mulled wine, historic atmosphere
  • Getting there from UK: Eurostar to Paris, TGV to Strasbourg / flights from Manchester, London

2. Alsace Region Markets (Colmar, Kaysersberg, Ribeauvillé)

Alsace is unbeatable for atmosphere: timbered houses, glowing streets, and regional markets each with a theme. Full date list available here: All 2025 Alsace Christmas Market Dates.

  • 2025 dates: Mid-November to 30 December
  • Best for: Photogenic markets, food specialties, family trips
  • Travel: Basel or Strasbourg airports

3. Paris – Christmas Markets Across the Capital

Paris doesn’t have a single huge market, but dozens of smaller ones across the city: La Défense, Tuileries Garden, Montmartre and more. This is ideal for a weekend city break with Christmas shopping, cultural visits and winter lights.

  • 2025 dates: From 15 November (Tuileries) – early January
  • Best for: Mixed activities, Christmas shopping, family entertainment
  • Travel: Eurostar direct from London

4. Northern France – Perfect for Short Ferry Breaks

If you want the easiest and quickest route from the UK, northern France is unbeatable. Markets around Lille, Arras, Amiens and Rouen are close to the ferry ports and Eurotunnel.

Lille is known for its big wheel and Flemish charm.
Arras brings medieval atmosphere.
Rouen mixes markets with cathedral light shows.

  • 2025 dates: Late November – late December
  • Best for: Short breaks, first-timers, families
  • Travel: Dover–Calais, Folkestone–Calais (Eurotunnel), Newhaven–Dieppe

5. Brittany & Normandy – Coastal Markets + Easy UK Access

These markets are growing fast in popularity due to their strong local crafts, food stalls and ease of access for UK travellers. Many are ideal for travellers arriving via ferry — particularly via Saint-Malo, Caen, Cherbourg or Le Havre.

READ ALSO: First 2025 Christmas Market info for Seine-Saint-Denis.

  • 2025 dates: Mid-November – New Year
  • Best for: Crafts, regional food, shorter travel times
  • Travel: Brittany Ferries routes ideal (Caen, Cherbourg, Le Havre, St Malo)

6. The First Markets Opening — Early Season Highlights

Several French towns open extremely early (mid-November), including the first market near Strasbourg. See full story here: The First Christmas Market Opens 15 November.

Travel Tips for UK Visitors

  • Book ferries early — December weekends sell out fast
  • Travelling by car? Bring snow socks or winter tyres if heading to Alsace
  • Eurostar + TGV is often faster than flying to eastern France
  • Hotels in Strasbourg book up months in advance

If you’re crossing by sea, consider checking travel timings and prices using your site’s travel partner: Brittany Ferries.

Conclusion

With hundreds of markets running throughout November and December, France remains one of the best European destinations for UK travellers looking for a festive trip with charm, culture and brilliant food. Whether you prefer the big-city lights or the fairy-tale villages of Alsace, 2025 is shaping up to be one of the best Christmas seasons in years.