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A Magical Christmas in France: Traditions, Lights, and Festive Joy
France is a beautiful country which has a great amount of history, vibrant culture and a charming atmosphere that transforms the country into a winter wonderland during Christmas in France. Wherever you go, you will see lots of sparkling lights all over the streets, and every market will offer tasty treats. The experience will be absolutely out of this world. Whether you are in the romantic city of Paris, wandering around in Alsace or just enjoying the countryside, the spirit of the holiday will be optimum. Hence, today, we will be talking about what you can expect during Christmas in France.
Also, if you need any information about France Visa from UK, we will give you all the information before the end of this blog.
Christmas Traditions in France
The traditions of Christmas in France are a mix of customs which are ingrained in religion and practices that have been done from the day France culture started. It is a beautiful time where all the families come together to celebrate. You will see that most of them will be emphasizing on sharing warmth and festivity.
Advent and Decorations
Usually, the holiday season starts with Advent. Most of the families always keep Advent calendars and wreaths. Candles and twilights are main highlights for decorations on homes. In some places, you will also find some nativity scenes called creches. Santons represents village life which are actually miniature figurines.
Christmas Eve and Midnight Mass
Christmas Eve is a major highlight of these celebrations. All the families gather to have a special dinner. Everyone attends Midnight mass after that. This mass is a very deep emotional part of the holiday for many, many French families, which basically combines spirituality with tradition.
Festive Cuisine
The celebration of Christmas in France is never complete with the preparation of exquisite food. And the French are known all over the world for their culinary mastery. This means there is no exception for the festive meals.
Le Reveillon
One of the traditional Christmas Eve feasts is Le Reveillon. Different regions has their unique way of preparing the dishes. It mostly includes:
- Foie Gras: It is a local delicacy that is made from the liver of duck or goose liver.
- Oysters and Seafood: There will be common platters of fresh shellfish and crustaceans.
- Turkey with Chestnuts: This classic main course is served in most of the French homes.
- Buche de Noel: This is quite a delicious yule log-shaped cake which is often decorated with the motifs of festivals.
Regional Delicacies
As we mentioned, different regions prepare their own unique Christmas dishes. For example:
- In Alsace, Bredele is prepared, which is basically a type of Christmas cookie. Another popular dish is Kigelhopf, which is a sweet bread.
- In Provence, you get the Les Treize Desserts which is actually a tradition of serving 13 deserts. This is done to symbolize Christ and the apostles.
Best Christmas Markets in France
Marches de Noel or markets during Christmas in France is a major hallmark of the great holiday season in France. You get a variety of items, such as handcrafted goods, festive entertainment and local delicacies.
Strasbourg – The Capital of Christmas
One of the oldest and most famous markets in the entire Europe is the Strasbourg Christmas Market. It is mainly located in Alsace. You will get a lot of wooden chalets that will sell everything starting from ornaments to mulled wine.
Paris markets
Well, Paris, the capital city of Light, absolutely dazzles with plenty of Christmas markets. You should definitely visit the La Defense and the Tuileries Garden. The atmosphere will be absolutely magical, and you can even take your kids and family members to ice skating rinks and have tasty gourmet treats.
Lille, Colmar, and Beyond
There are even other notable markets available, such as Lille’s cozy market, the picturesque market background in Colmar and the fascinating light-themed stalls in Lyon.
Famous Light Displays
The light displays during Christmas in France are absolutely spectacular. Most of the cities and towns invest a lot of effort and money in creating magical illuminations to attract visitors from all over the world.
Paris – The City of Light
If you go to the Champs – Elysees you will see it glowing with thousands of lights. And another spectacle is watching the Eiffel tower which adds another extra sparkle. Most of the department stores like Galeries Lafayette and Printemps will kee stunning window displays that will interest both children and adults.
Lyon’s Festival of Lights
The Fete des Lumieres, also known as the Festival of Lights, is hosted in Lyon every year. It is a great event where the streets, landmarks and buildings are completely illuminated with lively colors.
Small Town Charm
You even have amazing light displays in the smaller towns like Montbeliard and Annecy that include the festive warmth and charm.
Winter Activities
Christmas in France is also not just about markets and food. There are also different kinds of activities to enjoy.
Ice Skating
In many parts of the cities, people set up temporary ice rinks. This is really a fun activity for families and friends. If you want to visit the most popular place, you should definitely go to the Hotel de Ville in Paris.
Skiing in the Alps
Those folks who are absolutely seriously seeking adventure, you get world class skiing and snowboarding in the French Alps. Most of the famous resorts are Chamonic and Courchevel, which give absolutely thrilling slopes along with the atmosphere of festivity.
Caroling and Concerts
The Christmas carol sessions are most common in many towns, along with the classical music concerts in the cathedrals. This really creates a peaceful and serene holiday atmosphere.
Family Activities
Christmas in France is also a special time, which creates a special place for family bonding. Most French people celebrate this holiday season to create the most lovable, unforgettable memories.
Crafting and Baking
Families even come together to bake cookies, participate in craft decorations and finally prepare for a big feast. Children also spend their share of effort by creating ornaments and writing letters to Father Christmas or Pere Noel.
Visiting Nativity Scenes
One of the most cherished traditions in Provence is to visit the creches. Some towns even organize the live play based on nativity with local participants.
New Year’s Celebrations
The season of Christmas in France also blends with the celebration of New Year. Saint Sylvestre is local name for it. New Year’s Eve is also celebrated lively with parties, fireworks and great grand meals.
Best Places to Celebrate Christmas in France
During Christmas in France, you will find every corner of France looming with celebrations. But there are a few destinations which absolutely stand out.
Alsace
Here, you will feel like you are stepping into the land of fairytale with the regions covered with half – timbered houses and snowy landscapes.
Paris
There is no question about Paris how it combines grandeur with festive cheer. Whether you are going shopping at the Champs -Elysees or visiting the notre- Dame’s nativity scene, there is everything for everyone in the city of Paris.
French Riviera
You will get a unique experience in the French Riviera due to its mild weather and coastal celebrations.
Christmas Shopping
During Christmas in France, the country becomes a shopping paradise for everyone. Right from the luxury brands which are available in Paris to the local artwork at the Christmas markets, you will surely find the perfect gifts for your loved ones.
Unique Finds
Most of the unique items are the Handmade ornaments, the lavender products from Provence, gourmet food items like chocolate and wine will be absolutely delightful presents.
Department Stores
The finest department stores like Printemps and Le Bon Marche absolutely offer great holiday collections and attractive decorations.
Planning your Trip
If you have decided to spend Christmas in France, then please keep these tips in mind:
- Book Early: This is a peak festive season when the hotels and tickets sell out very quickly.
- Pack Warm Clothing: Winters will be very chilly, mostly in the Northern and mountain regions.
- Learn Key Phrases: Learn a bit of key phrases in French so that you can interact with the locals. You can say Joyeux Noel for Merry Christmas.
Apply France Visa Appointment from UK through our Professional Assistance
Are you facing any difficulty getting a France visa UK to celebrate Christmas in France? If yes, then worry not. You can use our professional expertise at FRANCE VISIT UK. Just click on the Apply Online Tab. Continue towards filling in your details in the list of forms that appear. Make the payment online before submission. You will be contacted by our staff members immediately to discuss everything and book your France Visa appointment date. Thereby, your satisfaction with our service will be considered as on a top priority basis.
Conclusion
Hence to conclude, Christmas in France is a complete celebration of joy which brings the tradition and people together. Right from the famous markets to the tasty delicious feasts to the amazing sparkling lights and traditions, the experience will truly be unforgettable. So what you are waiting for, prepare yourself to celebrate this holiday season to feel enchanted. Create memories that surely last for a lifetime.
Faqs
You absolutely don’t have to worry as France has an excellent transportation network with trains, metro, car rentals and buses.
The Official currency of France is the Euro. Also credit and debit cards are widely accepted, especially Visa and master Card. However keep some cash in hand when you are going to the markets in rural areas.
It should take around 14 to 15 calendar days for your Visa to arrive. However there are instances when the Visa Centre can delay dispatching Visas due to unforeseen circumstances.
You can do it in one go after clicking apply online. Just get an additional online form by clicking on the plus sign and fill your family member’s details.
