France in December

Christmas markets in Strasbourg and Colmar (book hotels months ahead); ski season opens mid-month.

• Paris and the north · Paris, Lille, Champagne, Normandy inlandcool

  Grey, damp winters; late spring and September are the sweet spot. Paris heatwaves hit 35–40 °C in July–August and most flats and small hotels lack air conditioning.

• Atlantic west · Brittany, Normandy coast, Bordeaux, Biarritzrainy

  Rain in any month; mild summers without much heat. The Basque coast is greener and wetter than people expect.

• Centre and east · Loire, Burgundy, Alsace, Lyon, Dordognecool

  Cold foggy winters and hot summers; Alsace Christmas markets make December busy despite the cold.

• Mediterranean south · Provence, Riviera, Languedoc, Corsicafine

  Dry and sunny; lavender blooms late June to mid-July. Mistral wind in the Rhône valley; autumn flash floods.

• Mountains · Chamonix, Annecy, Pyreneescool

  Skiing mid-December to April; hiking and lifts late June to early September. Many resorts close in May and November.

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Christmas big impact

  25 Dec

  Most shops and many restaurants close on the 25th; Christmas Eve dinner is the big family meal.

• Christmas and New Year

  Late Dec–early Jan · Paris

  Lights and markets; closures on 25 December and 1 January.

Crowds · France

Medium

Prices · France

Medium

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket
• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

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