9 Best Places to Visit in France in Winter

Paris is a majestic city no matter the time of year, but in winter, thin sheets of snow and crisp air create an ethereal glow. The holiday season sings, an ice-skating rink decorates the Champs Elysees, and fairy lights shimmer along streets filled with the smell of fresh pine.

You will find the charming ambiance of the City of Lights everywhere, from the historic streets of Montmartre to cozy cafes in and around Paris’ best places to visit. Christmas concerts, Midnight Mass, boutique stores, and elaborate confections are the order of the day in Paris in winter.

Winter Highlights: Christmas markets • Cozy bistros • Old-fashioned hot chocolate • Ice skating • Christmas concerts • Eiffel Tower • Louvre Museum

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Combine the rich and hearty traditions of French culinary mastery with historic architecture dating back to ancient Rome in Lyon. The Festival of Lights illuminates the cold nights to bring a vibrant glow to the buildings, streets, and squares.

From the Musee des Beaux-Arts to the cobblestone streets of Old Town, gourmet restaurants that demonstrate culinary art to grand lifestyle wrapped in simple pleasures, Lyon is a feast in winter.

Winter Highlights: Festival of Lights • Haute cuisine • Michelin-starred restaurants • Cooking classes • Roman ruins • Musee des Beaux-Arts

This historical region, one of France’s best places to visit, immerses you in a winter wonderland, where storybook villages turn childhood dreams into reality.

Wandering small towns and villages in the cold weather, with possible snowfall, turns discovery into fantasy, especially when holiday charm exudes from decorations accentuating pastel-colored homes.

Christmas trees, sweet shops brimming with the aromas of cinnamon and chocolate, Christmas markets in hidden squares surrounded by medieval architecture, and famous wine trails embody the quintessential reasons to visit France in winter.

Winter Highlights: Colmar • Obernai • Eguisheim • Kaysersberg • Ribeauvillé • Strasbourg

Marseille is one of the most overlooked cities in France, but provides a great introduction to the seaside wonders of French tradition and cuisine. Unlike the northern regions, the Mediterranean setting offers a warmer escape during the holiday season and Christmas customs include celebrating with 13 desserts, often on display by vendors across the city.

Food is at the heart of culture in the port city, resulting in plenty of cafes and restaurants that punctuate the historical streets of the Old Port with aromas of bouillabaisse and panisse.

Winter Highlights: French Provencal dishes • Old Port • Local wine • Food vendors

Annecy in winter, one of France’s most romantic places, is picturesque, its glassy lake reflective and its marketplace overflowing with joy. The holiday season and beyond erupt with charm across Old Town and along the quiet canals that divide the royal residence and historic churches.

The Christmas markets fill with aromas of seasonal fruits, local cheeses, and the robust spices of mulled wine. Carnival takes center stage in February and hearty alpine food provides comfort after a day of skiing or snowboarding. With fairytale charm and outdoor adventures, Annecy has the best opportunities for every type of winter traveler.

Winter Highlights: Ski • Seasonal food •Christmas markets • Old Town • Canals

Chateaux, forests dusted with snow, and fairytale castles that emerge from the banks of gentle rivers create the enchanting ambiance of the Loire Valley in winter.

The holiday season offers a festive celebration across the towns and villas, with musical entertainment, costumed performers, and decorations turning elaborate gardens into Christmas masterpieces.

You could visit the final resting place of Leonardo da Vinci or the most-visited chateau in France after Versailles.

Winter Highlights: Christmas markets • Christmas concerts • Chateau Royal d’Amboise • Château de Chambord • Holiday decorations

The French Alps in winter can be an adventurer's dream or a cozy, snow-filled escape. December to February is peak season for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, downhill skiing, and more.

The heavy blankets of snow create a haven for winter activities, resulting in plenty of luxurious accommodations and Michelin-starred restaurants. Peek into the glamorous lives of Western Europeans or relax with a hot drink overlooking the snow-white expanse for a classic winter experience.

Winter Highlights: Skiing • Snowshoeing • Snowboarding • Ice rappelling • Ice climbing • Megeve • Chamonix • Grenoble

Lille’s allure during winter stems from its indoor attractions and lively Christmas market. With traditional Flemish touches and a thrilling ambiance, the city becomes a playground for art lovers, winter enthusiasts, and gourmands.

Find chocolate sauce dripping over waffles and storybook castles bordering a historic square. Traditional cheeses, satisfying desserts, and the Musée de l’Hospice Comtesse, one of France’s best museums, highlight the city’s diversity in winter.

Winter Highlights: Christmas market • Regional cuisine • Rue de Gand Vieux-Lille • Palais des Beaux-Arts • Musée du Louvre-Lens

With over 350 buildings designated UNESCO World Heritage sites, a magnificent cathedral that’s part of the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage trail, and the opulence of the Grand Theatre, winter accentuates Bordeaux’s luxuries.

Numerous Christmas markets celebrate the holiday season with festive style and rich, eponymous wines provide comfort in the cold air. Between December and February, there are fewer crowds, but myriad festivals at which to enjoy the vineyards’ bounty.

Winter Highlights: Christmas markets • Wine festivals • Regional cuisine • Grand Theatre • Cathedrale Saint-Andre

France in December is an iconic destination, with legendary cuisine, sensational scenery, and cities that boast medieval lanes and glamorous museums. From the Eiffel Tower in Paris to the storybook villages of Alsace, the snowcapped alpine peaks to delicious wines, France is a destination guaranteed to surprise and delight.

Our France tours can inspire your personalized tour, while our France travel guide can immerse you in the diverse flavors of your trip. You can also explore more seasonal travel ideas with our winter vacation ideas.