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Yes, December is a good time to visit France, if Christmas is what you are coming for. Strasbourg and Colmar have their Christmas markets, Paris puts up its lights, Chambord and Chenonceau decorate for the holidays, and the first ski resorts open in the Alps. Just pack warm clothes: the days are short (the sun sets around 5 p.m. in Paris) and it is chilly almost everywhere, except on the Mediterranean coast, where the winter sun is often out.
When you go within the month matters more than you might think. Before 19 December, you get the markets and the lights at normal prices. On that day the French school holidays begin: French families head for Alsace and the Alps, trains sell out and hotel prices jump.
Table Of Contents
- France in December at a glance
- Weather in France in December
- When to visit France in December: early, mid or late?
- Christmas and New Year’s Eve in France: 24, 25 and 31 December
- Where to go in France in December to avoid the cold and rain
- What to visit in France in December
- 5 tips for visiting France in December
- My 14-day France itinerary for December: Paris, Alsace and the Alps
- A shorter option: 7 days in Paris and the Loire castles
- What to pack for France in December
- FAQ: France in December
- Is December worth it? My verdict
France in December at a glance
| Topic | What to expect | My advice |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | Short days, damp and often cold | Pack for damp days rather than downpours, and plan outdoor visits early in the day |
| Crowds | Very busy in Alsace, much quieter in the rest of France | Book Alsace early, enjoy the calm everywhere else |
| Prices | Low to normal until 19 December, except in Alsace and the ski resorts; high everywhere during the Christmas holidays | Avoid the French Christmas holidays (19 December to 4 January) if budget matters |
| Countryside | Quieter, with fewer regular markets (Christmas markets aside); many sights close for the winter, except in the mountains and in Alsace | Check opening days and hours directly with each place before you go |
| Cities | Christmas lights everywhere, fewer tourists, a great season for museums | Save the museums and cafés for grey days, and the illuminations for the early evenings |
Weather in France in December
December in France is less about big storms than about short, grey and damp days. It is rarely pouring for hours, but the air is wet, the light fades early and the cold feels sharper than the thermometer suggests.
The figures below are broad planning benchmarks for daytime temperatures, the same ones used in the France in winter guide. They are not a forecast.
| Where | Typical afternoon | Sky | What it feels like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris and northern France | 6–9°C | ☁️🌧️ | Grey, damp and chilly; light snow is possible in the north |
| Lyon | 6–9°C | ☁️🌧️ | Similar to Paris, often misty |
| Strasbourg and Alsace | 4–7°C | ☁️❄️ | The coldest of the big destinations, with the odd snowy day |
| Nice and the Mediterranean | 12–15°C | ☀️⛅ | Milder, drier and usually sunnier |
| The mountains (Alps, Pyrenees) | Below freezing at altitude | ❄️❄️ | The resorts are normally well covered with snow |
In mid-December, the sun sets in Paris at around 4:55 p.m. Plan your outdoor visits for the morning and early afternoon, and keep the evenings for the Christmas lights.
For a month-by-month comparison, see the best time to visit France.
When to visit France in December: early, mid or late?
Early December: almost the full atmosphere, without the crowds
Early December can be a really good time to enjoy France. The Christmas atmosphere is starting, and the illuminations are already up in every city. If you plan to visit Alsace, a ski resort or the Loire castles with their Christmas lights, this is ideal: it is not too crowded and there is still availability.
The only downside is that the festive mood is not quite at 100% yet. But it is close.
Mid-December: the sweet spot
Mid-December is the perfect time if you want the Christmas atmosphere without the crowds and the high prices that come with it.
Late December: the best or the worst time
The end of December is holiday time. The French Christmas school holidays start, everyone goes back to their family, and many places close. It can be either the perfect time or the worst time to visit.
It is perfect because the festivities are at their peak. It is the worst because it gets really expensive: train tickets sell out fast and prices climb quickly.
Ski resorts over the Christmas holidays
If you want to ski over the Christmas holidays, many resorts, and most hotels, only accept bookings of at least five days or a full week, even in 4- and 5-star hotels. Prices rise quickly as places sell out, so book as early as you can.
Christmas and New Year’s Eve in France: 24, 25 and 31 December
If your trip covers the end of the month, these three dates will shape your days.
24 December (Christmas Eve): open, but in a rush
The 24th is not a public holiday: shops, markets and sights are open. But it is the day of last-minute shopping, with queues outside every bakery, butcher and cheese shop, and people carrying oysters and bûches de Noël (Christmas log cakes) through the streets. It is a unique atmosphere, and a fun one to see.
In France, Christmas is celebrated mostly on the evening of the 24th, with a long family dinner called the réveillon. So from late afternoon, shops close early, streets empty out, and many restaurants are closed. Those that open serve a special menu: book it well ahead.
25 December (Christmas Day): a public holiday
The 25th is one of the quietest days of the year. Most shops are closed, along with many restaurants, most Christmas markets and big museums such as the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay. Public transport runs on a reduced timetable. Plan your meals ahead and keep the day for a long walk. In Alsace, 26 December is a public holiday too.
31 December (New Year’s Eve): parties and the Paris fireworks
The Saint-Sylvestre is the opposite of Christmas: Christmas is for family, New Year’s Eve is for friends, parties and going out. Restaurants serve special set menus, often expensive and booked out weeks ahead.
In Paris, the big event is on the Champs-Élysées: the avenue opens to the public from 7 p.m., a video mapping show lights up the Arc de Triomphe just before midnight, then comes the countdown and a fireworks display from the Arc de Triomphe (Paris tourist office). It is free, but hundreds of thousands of people attend: expect bag checks, no alcohol or glass inside the perimeter, closed metro stations nearby, and hours standing in the cold.
Note that 1 January is a public holiday again, with many places closed.
Where to go in France in December to avoid the cold and rain
If you want to enjoy France in December but you are not into cold, rain or snow, head for the Mediterranean coast. The Christmas atmosphere is still there (with the traditional santons, the little nativity figurines of Provence, for example), but warmer, drier and usually sunnier. To choose a town to stay in, see where to stay on the French Riviera.
What to visit in France in December
Paris in December: museums, cafés and Christmas lights
Paris is always a good choice. In December there are a few fewer tourists, and fewer Parisians too, since many of them go back to their families outside the city.
It is also a great season if you love culture and museums. There is something charming about spending a grey, rainy afternoon in a museum or sitting in a café. And of course, you can enjoy the Paris Christmas illuminations.
If it is your first trip, the guide on where to stay in Paris as a first-timer will help you pick the right neighbourhood.
Alsace Christmas markets: Strasbourg, Colmar and the wine villages
Christmas markets are spreading everywhere in France, and today most French cities have one. But for the most spectacular ones, Alsace is the place to go.
Strasbourg has the big one, spread across the historic centre. Colmar is smaller and even more picturesque, and the wine villages around it, such as Riquewihr, are just as festive at a gentler scale.
That success comes at a price: Alsace is very busy in December, and it is one of the few places in France where prices go up. Book your accommodation early, especially in Strasbourg and Colmar. To see how the region fits together, from the two old towns to the wine villages, have a look at this Alsace itinerary around Strasbourg and Colmar.
The Alsace markets do not all last until Christmas
Colmar’s six markets run from 23 November to 29 December 2026, but the villages stop earlier: Riquewihr closes on 20 December, and Kaysersberg only opens at weekends, the last one being 18 to 20 December. Strasbourg has not announced its 2026 dates yet; in recent years its market closed on 24 December. If the wine villages are part of your plan, go before 20 December.
Want Alsace at Christmas without the logistics?
A private five-day journey through Strasbourg, Colmar and the wine villages: hotels in both old towns, local guides and chauffeur-driven excursions. It is a starting point, rebuilt around your dates.
Christmas at the Loire castles: the special evenings
At Christmas, the Loire castles put on decorations and illuminations. Some of them also open for one special evening during the month. Here are the dates for December 2026 (official programme):
- Château de Villandry: Saturday 5 December
- Château royal d’Amboise: Friday 11 December
- Château d’Azay-le-Rideau: Saturday 12 December
- Forteresse royale de Chinon: Saturday 19 December
- Château de Chenonceau: Wednesday 23 December
- Château de Langeais: Saturday 26 December
- Cité royale de Loches: Tuesday 29 December
That does not mean the other castles have nothing special. Chambord, for example, also has its own illuminations and decorations.
Skiing in France in December: Alps, Pyrenees, Jura or Vosges?
France has several mountain ranges, and each one suits a different kind of traveller:
- Alps: the most famous, with bigger and more upmarket resorts. In my experience, you meet fewer families there than in the Jura or the Vosges. The resorts are also higher, so the snow can be more reliable.
- Jura and Vosges: much smaller, more family-oriented resorts.
- Pyrenees: somewhere between the two.
For most visitors, the Alps are the obvious name. For French people, it mostly depends on where they live: in Bordeaux and Toulouse, for example, most people ski in the Pyrenees rather than in the Alps.
So if your goal is simply to ski, see beautiful landscapes and have a good time, no range is better than another. It just depends on the kind of trip you want and where you have already been.
Disneyland Paris at Christmas
Of course, Disneyland Paris is a special place at Christmas, especially if you have children. Be careful, though: it can get really crowded, particularly during the French Christmas school holidays (19 December 2026 to 4 January 2027).
Lyon and the Fête des Lumières
The Fête des Lumières (Festival of Lights) is one of the most famous festivals in France, and it takes place in Lyon in December. In 2026, it runs from Saturday 5 to Tuesday 8 December (official dates). It is extremely crowded, but absolutely worth it.
Book Lyon months ahead for the Fête des Lumières
For the four nights of the festival, hotels in central Lyon sell out months in advance and prices climb sharply. The Lyon tourist office advises booking as early as you can, and I would aim for late summer. Book your dinners too: on those evenings, a table in Old Lyon is just as hard to find as a room.
5 tips for visiting France in December
- Book early, especially if you are coming during the French Christmas school holidays.
- Expect short days. The sun rises late and sets early, so if there are things you absolutely want to see in daylight, you need to be organised. The upside: you will see more of the Christmas illuminations.
- Expect damp rather than downpours. France in December is not only cold but also damp. Do not expect heavy rain, rather a few drops and a humid atmosphere. Pack accordingly.
- Check opening days and hours. They can be very different in winter. Even in very touristy places such as Provence, many sights close for the winter or change their hours a lot. During the Christmas holidays, many places close too, and they do not always update Google Maps.
- Do not over-plan. It is really tempting to visit Paris, the Alps and Alsace in 5 days, but I am telling you now: it is not possible, or you will miss a lot. Here is how to build a realistic France itinerary, and for a sense of what a trip like this costs, see the France travel budget guide.
My 14-day France itinerary for December: Paris, Alsace and the Alps
This is the route I would pick for a first December trip: two weeks, three very different atmospheres, and no backtracking. You land in Paris, travel east to Alsace, and finish in the mountains.
| Days | Base | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–4 | Paris | Museums, cafés and the Christmas illuminations, at your own pace |
| Days 5–9 | Colmar | Colmar’s Christmas markets, one day in the wine villages, one day in Strasbourg |
| Days 10–14 | An Alps resort | Skiing, or simply snowy landscapes and a slower end to the trip |
A few practical notes:
- Paris to Alsace: fast direct trains take roughly 1 hour 45 minutes from Paris to Strasbourg, and TGVs also serve Colmar. For fares and booking tips, see the guide to train travel in France.
- Colmar as your base: it keeps you close to the wine villages and within easy reach of Strasbourg for a day trip, without having to change hotels.
- Timing: this route works any time in December. Just know that during the French Christmas holidays (19 December to 4 January), prices rise a lot in Colmar and in the Alps, and many resorts then require stays of at least five days or a full week.
A shorter option: 7 days in Paris and the Loire castles
Only one week? Keep Paris and swap Alsace and the Alps for the Loire Valley. It is close to Paris, much quieter than Alsace in December, and the castles decorated for Christmas are a lovely sight.
| Days | Base | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | Paris | Museums, cafés and the Christmas illuminations |
| Days 4–7 | Amboise | Chenonceau, Amboise, Chambord and Villandry in their Christmas decorations, then back to Paris |
A few practical notes:
- Paris to the Loire: the TGV reaches Tours (Saint-Pierre-des-Corps) in about an hour, and Amboise is a short hop from there.
- Getting around: in winter, buses between the castles are rare. A car or a private driver makes the four days much easier, and either one can be booked as part of a private Loire Valley itinerary.
- Timing: mid-December works best. You are still before the school holidays, and in 2026 you can catch two of the special evenings on consecutive days: Amboise on Friday 11 December and Azay-le-Rideau on Saturday 12 December.
Want one of these routes built around your dates?
Tell us when you are travelling, how long you have and what matters to you, and we turn Paris, Alsace, the Loire or the Alps into a realistic day-by-day plan, with the right bases and transfers.
What to pack for France in December
What you pack depends a lot on where you are going: Paris and a ski resort are two very different trips.
Paris and the cities
Paris will be more wet and cold than properly freezing (around 6–9°C in the afternoon).
- A warm, waterproof jacket
- A compact umbrella
- Comfortable, waterproof walking shoes
- Layers you can take off inside museums, shops and cafés
Alsace and the Christmas markets
Alsace is the coldest of the big destinations (around 4–7°C in the afternoon), and you will spend your evenings standing outside at the markets.
- A proper warm coat
- A hat, gloves and a scarf
- Warm socks and shoes with a good grip, in case of snow or ice
The Alps and ski resorts
In the mountains, it is below freezing at altitude and the resorts are normally well covered with snow.
- Ski clothing: jacket, trousers, gloves, thermal layers
- Sunglasses and sun cream (the sun is strong at altitude, even in December)
- Snow boots for walking around the resort
FAQ: France in December
Is France cold in December? Does it snow?
Yes, most of France is cold and damp in December: expect around 6–9°C in the afternoon in Paris and Lyon, and 4–7°C in Strasbourg. Snow is possible in the north of France, and the mountains are normally well covered.
Where is the warmest place in France in December?
The Mediterranean coast. Around Nice, afternoons are typically 12–15°C, and the weather is drier and usually sunnier than in the rest of the country.
Is everything closed at Christmas in France?
Not everything. Shops are open on 24 December, but most close on 25 December and 1 January, both public holidays. Over the rest of the Christmas holidays, many places change their hours without updating Google Maps, so check directly before you go.
Is Paris crowded in December?
Less than usual. There are a few fewer tourists, and many Parisians leave to spend the holidays with their families. The exception is Disneyland Paris, which gets really crowded during the French Christmas school holidays.
Is December worth it? My verdict
December can be a really good time to visit France, especially if you love the Christmas atmosphere. And whether you prefer a dry climate or do not mind a wetter one, you can easily find the right destination in France: the Christmas markets of Alsace, the lights of Paris and Lyon, the snow of the Alps, or the mild Mediterranean coast.
