French Christmas Markets
Type: Short Trips and Festivals
Starts: Paris, France
End: Paris, France
French delights. Mulled wine. Medieval buildings. Twinkling lights. Nowhere does Christmas quite like France, and this is your chance to see why. In just 7 days, you’ll see Château de Chambord in all its festive glory. Visit a champagne house. Try steaming wine in Strasbourg. Stroll the cobblestoned streets of Reims & so much more. Come witness the most wonderful time of the year in the most wonderful way possible.
Trip Duration: 7 Days
Package Overview
French delights. Mulled wine. Medieval buildings. Twinkling lights. Nowhere does Christmas quite like France, and this is your chance to see why. In just 7 days, you’ll see Château de Chambord in all its festive glory. Visit a champagne house. Try steaming wine in Strasbourg. Stroll the cobblestoned streets of Reims & so much more. Come witness the most wonderful time of the year in the most wonderful way possible.
Routing
Trip Duration: 7 Days
Day Wise Itinerary
Day 1 - Paris
We’ll kick off our cheerful celebrations here in the sparkling City of Love. You’ll be greeted with festive displays in every nook and cranny. Tonight, we’ll cruise over the Seine to see Paris in all its glory. But not before grabbing dinner. Just you, your crew, and buzzin’ good vibes.- Accomodation: Ibis Paris Porte D'Orleans Hotel (or similar)
- Meals: Dinner
- Location Visited: Paris,
Day 2 - Paris
No better way to get into the Christmas spirit than by smelling like cinnamon & pine (and everything nice). This morning, we’ll visit a French perfumery. Then, you’ve got free time to check out all the pretty markets here. We'll regroup this evening to visit the most spectacular theatre in all of Paris - and she'll be beautifully decorated this time of the year.- Accomodation: Ibis Paris Porte D'Orleans Hotel (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast
- Location Visited: Paris,
Day 3 - Paris to Tours
We’ll leave the twinkling lights of Paris to find ourselves in France’s breathtaking Loire Valley. This evening is reserved for tasting your way through Tours’ Christmas markets. Oh, and we're staying right in the centre of town. So, explore as late as you like!- Accomodation: Ibis Tours Centre Gare (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast
- Location Visited: Paris, Tours,
Day 4 - Tours to Beaune via Dijon
After a short n’ sweet stay in Tours, we’ll take the eastern road to Dijon where even more medieval charm (and mustard) awaits us. First things first - your Trip Manager will show you all the highlights of town. Wondering what to do with your free time? Just follow the owl symbols etched into the walls of the most famous monuments here.In the late afternoon, we'll drive down to Beaune. Drop your bags at the hotel of this beautiful walled town before we head out for dinner at a local restaurant.- Accomodation: Greet Hotel Beaune
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Location Visited: Tours, Dijon, Beaune,
Day 5 - Beaune to Metz via Colmar & Strasbourg
Goodbye Beaune. Today we’re visiting two of the most famous Christmas markets in Europe!On our first stop today, you’ll be greeted with vibrant Christmas markets & cobblestoned streets. You have some free time to take it all in before we head off to stop two. You guessed it - even more Christmas markets await us here. You’ll have the chance to join for a festive food walking tour to explore Strasbourg’s unique French-German cuisine. Bellies full, and souls satisfied - we’ll get cosy at our hotel in Metz.- Accomodation: Campanile Metz Talange (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast
- Location Visited: Beaune, Colmar, Strasbourg, Metz,
Day 6 - Metz to Reims via Champagne Region
Morning, sleeping beauties! If you can pull yourself outta your cosy, cosy bed - we have a bubbly day ahead of us.Christmas in France is incomplete without champagne. Luckily, we’re right here in its hometown, where you’ll have the chance to try the fizzy goodness at a classic champagne house. Dreamy Reims is where we’ll have our final round of Christmas markets exploration. Stroll the streets with your Trip Manager on an orientation tour before joining us for a warm & wholesome farewell dinner.- Accomodation: Appart City Confort Reims Centre (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast
- Location Visited: Metz, Champagne Region, Reims,
Day 7 - Reims to Paris
It might be our final day out here. But we promise, these 7 days of France’s festive charm will stay with you forever. If you’re hitching a ride with us to Paris, hop on for one last coach journey of this trip. And that’s it for now, folks. After a week of French food & festivities, it’s time to say au revoir. Don’t worry, there are plenty more merry destinations to explore. Maybe Germany's markets next time?- Accomodation:
- Meals: Breakfast
- Location Visited: Reims, Paris,
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 2 Dinner (D)
- 6 Breakfast (B)
Included Experience
- Paris: What could be better than sailing down the Seine with the Contiki crew, taking in all the chic Paris landmarks? Sign us up!
- Paris: Your chance to learn the art of fragrance at a Parisian perfume house. You know it makes scents! (soz).
- Tours: We'll tour the Christmas markets in Tour where you'll have the chance to pick up delicious goodies. Trust us, your taste buds will thank you.
- Dijon: Your Trip Manager will show you around the beautiful town of Dijon - the capital of the Duchy of Burgundy. Expect lots of art and architecture from the Renaissance & medieval eras.
- Colmar: Welcome to one of the most popular Christmas markets in Europe! We'll stroll by the canals and check out the illuminated markets in town.
- Reims: If you were a French royal, you'd be crowned right here in Reims. Today, we'll check out the medieval architecture of this town. Plus, your Trip Manager will tell you all about the pivotal role it played during Roman times and WW1.
