It’s official: the 🎄 Christmas season is kicking off this weekend au Pays du Mont-Blanc !
The ❄️ snow has begun to fall and settle up high, ❄️ the mountain lakes are beginning to freeze, and not too far from the Pays du Mont-Blanc, 🎁 Villages & 🎄 Marchés de Noël have begun to appear in the centre of bigger towns and villages ( 🇨🇭 Geneva, Montreux, Lausanne ), bringing warming winter magic: mulled wine and 🥨 pretzels, 🎆 beautiful illuminations, sometimes a chance to do some ⛸ ice-skating and some Christmas shopping too . . .
The larger markets in big towns and cities set up from mid-November, and some last into January . . . and we’ll soon have our own selection of ephemeral 🎄 Marchés de Noël & Villages de Noël au Pays du Mont-Blanc ( from early December ), with lots of artisanal and gastronomic goods made au Pays du Mont-Blanc.
I can’t list all of the Christmas markets in this article, but I’ve aimed to mention some of the most atmospheric ones, as well as our Pays du Mont-Blanc ones.
Head over to the MBFF homepage for further Christmas articles . . .
Colour code for listings
Pays du Mont-Blanc
Chamonix Valley (Chamonix, Argentière, Les Houches & Servoz) and Vallorcine
Passy, Plateau d’Assy & environs
Sallanches, Combloux, Cordon & Domancy
Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, Le Fayet, Saint-Nicolas de Véroce, Bionnassay & environs
Megève, Praz-sur-Arly & environs
Les Contamines-Montjoie & environs
🇫🇷 Further France
🇨🇭 Switzerland
🇮🇹 Italy
🎄 CHRISTMAS MARKETS au Pays du Mont-Blanc ( and further afield ) in chronological order . . .
You’ll find some of 🎄 the bigger Christmas markets set up from the end of November !
🇨🇭 ( GENEVA, Quai du Mont-Blanc ) Noël au Quai – from 16th November ⇒ 24th December 2023
This Christmas market has had various incarnations : it started life in the Parc des Bastions, and then headed lakeside with a location in the Jardin Anglais, and now it is setting up along the Quai du Mont-Blanc !
🎄 The Quai du Mont-Blanc will this year it will be infused with 🌟 some extra magic: artisans selling their wares, warming vin chaud, street food from around the world, the Chalet à Fondue . . . and ⭐ Le Christmas Pub, with drinks from around the world! / and for the little ones: the 🌟 La Yourte des Enfants, with workshops, storytelling and more, and a carrousel!
❤ coup de cœur – MBFF visited Noël aux Bastions ( the 2019 version of this event ) just before Christmas in 2019, and had a lovely day: superb food huts ( we travelled the world: Argentina, Iran, Mexico . . . ), FREE ice-skating access, a brilliant new playground in the Parc des Bastions . . .
⏰ when? for animations scheduled, see programme;
website & FB page
🇨🇭 ( LAUSANNE ) Bô Noël – from 16th November ⇒ 31st December 2023
🎄 Lausanne’s Bô Noël is the ensemble of the🎄 Marchés de Noël de Lausanne and a Village des Enfants: children’s workshops and more on Esplanade de la Cathédrale ( see here );
❤ coup de cœur – MBFF has headed to Lausanne a couple of times now to experience 🎄 Bô Noêl . . . once we arrived to a magical flurry of snowflakes! There was a very festive spirit, the lights were stunning and the food markets were lovely ( I was in food paradise when I discovered a Latin American stall . . . memories ) . . . we even discovered some children’s workshops, glowing swings and Santa too!
🗺 where? several locations in Lausanne;
⏰ when? see here / SHUT Christmas Day;
✨ don’t miss : La Grande Roue in the Place du Château;
website & FB page
🇨🇭 ( MONTREUX, Lac Léman ) Montreux-Noël – from 23rd November ⇒ 24th December 2023
🎄 Montreux-Noël stretches from the lakeside of Lac Léman, up to 🎅 Santa’s grotto in Rochers-de-Naye ( at 2042m altitude, you can reach this by cobble train! ), and across to Noël au Château de Chillon too . . .
The Montreux section of the event is a destination for the whole family, with:
- a large🎄Christmas market along the quai ( 150 chalets, decorated and lit along the lakeside: artisan wares, food, vin chaud, ideas for presents );
- the fantastic 🎡 Big Wheel;
- le Village des Bûcherons;
- 🎅 Santa, who with his sledge and reindeer, makes an appearance each evening above your heads at 17h, 18h and 19h;
good to know – the market does get very busy in the evenings, so do take due care with children and pushchairs! (personally, I would not have enjoyed an evening visit with a pushchair; with small children, I’d opt for a baby-carrier!)
🗺 where? for parking & transport information, see here;
[ ⇒ read about the MBFF experience here ]
website & FB page
🇫🇷 ( MENTHON, Lac d’Annecy ) Le Château du Père Noël – from 17th November 2023 ⇒ 6th January 2024
This year is the third edition of the 🎄🏰 Château du Père-Noël, set in the sparkling hilltop grounds of the 🏰 Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard, with its views over Lac d’Annecy . . . this castle is magical even without a Christmas event . . . and so with one, it ✨ sparkles even more!
you’ll find: a Christmas market, food stalls, spectacles & animations, beautiful illuminations, NEW for 2023 a treasure hunt, a patinoire, and also the l’atelier du Père Noël workshops for children ( reserve online ) . . .
💶 price: FREE to visit, except visits of the castle, ice-skating and workshops;
⏰ when? 11h or 12h ( market ) and 16h ( activities ) until 23h;
website & FB page
🇫🇷 ( LYON ) Marché de de Noël de Lyon – from 24th November ⇒ 24th December 2023
Lyon is particularly atmospheric at Christmastime, and the🎄 Marché de Noël de Lyon ( the largest in the area ) is lively, taking over Place Carnot . . . there are about 80 stands selling artisan goods and food.
🗺 where? Place Carnot ( métro Perrache );
❤ coup de cœur – MBFF headed to Lyon for a weekend in late November a few years ago, and managed to fit in a visit to the Christmas market, a walking tour of Vieux Lyon, and also a visit to the beautiful village of Pérouges ( lots of Christmas magic throughout the city, but sooo COLD . . . do wrap up warmly, as the winter wind bites in Lyon and Pérouges ! );
website & FB page
good to know : over the weekend 7th to 9th December 2023 is the Fête des Lumières in Lyon ( the public transport is very busy over this festival, so aim to walk! ) :
🇫🇷 ( ANNECY ) Noël des Alpes : marchés de Noël – from 25th November 2023 ⇒ 6th January 2024
At different sites around Annecy . . . and illuminations in the old town too !
FB page
🇨🇭 ( VEVEY, Lac Léman ) Vevey Noël : le Village de Noël – 25th November ⇒ 31st December 2023
Montreux’s little brother, and home once to Charlie Chaplin, Vevey also has a Christmas market, with workshops for children . . .
🗺 where? place Scanavin;
website & FB page
🇮🇹 ( AOSTA, ITALY ) Mercatino di Natale ( Marché Vert de Noël ) – from 25th November 2023 ⇒ 7th January 2024
( REMEMBER that the Mont-Blanc tunnel remains shut until mid-December ! )
The🎄 Mercatino di Natale ( Marché Vert de Noël ) is a Christmas market & village set near the Roman archaeological site of Aosta – what an impressive location!
🗺 where? piazzi Roncas, Caveri and Giovanni XXIII ( cathedral );
⏰ when? every day from 11h until 20h or 22h ( weekends ) and from 15h until 20h on Christmas Day and 1st January 2024;
good to know: cheap access to the Roman ruins during the Aosta Christmas market !
website
[ good to know: if you head to Aosta for its Christmas market, there is a wonderful playground in the streets behind the Roman theatre! ]
🇫🇷 ( THONON ) « Thonon les Féeriques » – 30th November 2023 ⇒ 7th January 2024
Thonon les Féeriques is back again this year : a patinoire de 300m2 en glace naturelle, a fôret enchantée, spectacle son & lumières sur l’hôtel de ville . . .
website & FB page
🇨🇭 ( NYON ) Marché de Noël de Nyon – 1st ⇒ 24th December 2023
Little chalets selling artisan goods and food from the region, within the castle square . . .
website
🇨🇭 ( MORGES ) Marché de Noël au Château Morges – from 6th ⇒ 10th AND from 13th ⇒ 17th December 2023
We visited this small Christmas market a couple of years ago, and had a lovely afternoon meandering and looking at our snow-capped mountains from the other side of the lake ! It’s a great opportunity to wander around the castle !
website & FB page
🇫🇷 ( ANNEMASSE ) « Bonjour l’Hiver »: Marché de Noël – from 6th ⇒ 24th December 2023
🎄 « Bonjour l’Hiver » is Annemasse’s Christmas event – as well as events for the whole family, there is a 🎄 Marché de Noël (30+ stands), spectacles de la rue ( 27è Festival des Arts de la Rue ) and a small ⛸ ice-skating rink;
website
🇨🇭 ( MARTIGNY ) Marché de Noël du Bourg – from 8th ⇒ 10th December 2023
FB page
🇨🇭 ( GRUYÈRES ) Marché de Noël de Gruyères – from 8th ⇒ 10th December AND 15th ⇒ 17th December 2023
🏰 Gruyères is a chocolate-box quaint, cobble-stoned medieval village with a crowning castle . . . and so Christmas here is even more magical! There is a 🎄 Christmas market and much, much more . . . an advent calendar in the windows of the medieval town, concerts and processions, a Quête de Chocolat, a Christmas exhibition in the castle, midnight mass.
website
( Les PRAZ de CHAMONIX, Jardins de Talèfre ) Marché de Noël – Saturday 9th December 2023
( SALLANCHES, Place des Grenettes ) Marché des Créateurs – Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th December 2023
( COMBLOUX, Office de Tourisme ) Marché de Noël – Saturday 9th December 2023
( LE FAYET, Lovegood Café ) Marché de Noël artisans – Saturday 9th December 2023
🇫🇷 ( Samoëns ) Village de Noël de Samoëns – 9th & 10th December AND 16th & 17th AND 22nd⇒ 25th December 2023
Samoëns (elected Mon Plus Beau Village de Haute-Savoie in 2021) has a Village de Noël, with fifteen chalets setting up in the main square around La Grenette and in the main streets of the village. There are plenty of animations and parades, Santa’s sledge, a nativity scene, vin and chocolat chaud . . .
where? centre du village de Samoëns;
when? 16h to 18h or 19h;
website
🇫🇷 ( SAINT JEAN d’AULPS, Abbaye d’Aulps ) Le Marché de Noël de l’Abbaye d’Aulps – 9th & 10th December 2023
A Christmas market at the ruins of an old abbey . . .
FB page
( SERVOZ ) Marché de Noël – Sunday 10th December 2023
Artisan goods and a visit from Santa . . .
( CHAMONIX, Vert Lodge ) The Christmas Market – Sunday 10th December 2023
( SALLANCHES ) « Noël à Sallanches » : village de Noël – 15th December 2023 ⇒ 7th January 2024
As part of 🎄 « Noël à Sallanches » a 🎄Village de Noël sets up next to the ⛸ seasonal ice-skating rink at La Grenette – this is a lovely, atmospheric little Christmas market, with little wooden cabanes, selling vin chaud, 🥨 pretzels and ginger bread . . . and lots of animations for the whole family . . . also this year, un marché d’artisans créateurs – weekend 9th & 10th December;
🗺 where? La Grenette, Sallanches;
⏰ when? every day from 15h until 21h or 22h, and weekends from 10h;
website & FB page
( DOMANCY ) Marché de Noël – 15th ⇒ 17th & 22nd ⇒ 223rd December 2023
🇨🇭 ( CAROUGE ) « Carouge Magique » : Marché de Noël – Friday 15th ⇒ Sunday 17th December 2023
Carouge is a pretty town next to Geneva, with plenty of atmosphere !
As part of the winter event 🎄 Carouge Magique ( from 3rd December 2023 ), there will be a 🎄 Christmas market from Friday 15th ⇒ Sunday 17th December – the shops in Carouge are also open for business on 🗓 Sundays in December, with extra animations on these days.
( CHAMONIX, Place du Triangle de l’Amitié ) Village de Noël – 16th December 2023 ⇒ 7th January 2024
Little wooden chalets on la Place du Triangle de l’Amitié, selling artisan goods, local food products and Christmas gifts . . .
Le Parc Couttet and la Maison des Artistes will be reserved for children’s activities.
when ? from 11h until 20h;
website
( SALLANCHES, Galerie le President ) Marché des Artisans de Noël – 16th & 17th December 2023
🇫🇷 ( Ripaille Enchantée au Château de Ripaille ) – weekend 16th & 17th December 2023
Another pretty Christmas market in a castle . . .
website & FB page
( LES HOUCHES ) Noël aux Houches – 20th ⇒ 22nd December 2023
Small Christmas chalets from the local associations and plenty of festive food and drink and animations . . .
website
( PASSY, FJEP ) Village de Noël – Friday 22nd December 2023
( SAINT-GERVAIS MONT-BLANC ) Noël à Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc – weekend 23rd & 24th December 2023
An artisan market, déambulations and Santa Claus . . .
🗺 where? Promenade du Mont-Blanc, Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc;
⏰ when? Saturday 11h to 19h and Sunday 10h to 17h;
( LES CONTAMINES-MONTJOIE ) Marché de Noël – weekend 23rd & 24th December 2023
There is an annual 🎄 Marché de Noël in Les Contamines-Montjoie, with 30 artisan stands, hot chocolate, mulled wine, oyster tasting, folkloric dancing, Santa Claus photos;
🗺 where? l’Espace Animation des Contamines-Montjoie ( address: 74 chemin des Ecoles, Les Contamines-Montjoie );
⏰ when? 23rd December, 10h until 20h and & 24th December, 10h until 16h;
🇫🇷 ( SIXT-FER-à-CHEVAL ) Marché de Noël à Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval – Saturday 23rd December 2023
⏰ when? 15h until 21h;
🇫🇷🇨🇭🇩🇪 FURTHER AFIELD 🎄 CHRISTMAS MARKETS
If you decide to head off even further afield for a weekend of 🎄 Christmas market charm ( but not too far away! ), then here are some suggestions for some beautiful 🎄 Christmas markets in 🇫🇷 Alsace & Lorraine, in 🇨🇭 Further Switzerland, and in 🇩🇪 Germany :
🇫🇷🎄 ALSACE & LORRAINE: the lovely village of Riquewihr, nestled among the vineyards / the village of Kaysersberg / Colmar / Obernai / Éguishelm / Mulhouse / Strasbourg / Metz;
🇨🇭🎄 FURTHER SWITZERLAND: Lugano / Lucerne / Bern / Basel / Rapperswil / St. Gallen / Fribourg;
🇩🇪🎄 GERMANY: Konstanz / Freiburg;
Mont Blanc Family Fun 