Christmas markets and events start in France in earnest from around mid-November, giving you well over a month to get into the festive spirit. Christmas river cruises – along one of the great French waterways – are a superb way to enjoy festive events in France. Almost every city, town and village along your route will be celebrating the most magical time of year.
Dotted up and down the great rivers of France, you’ll discover Christmas markets, sparkling lights, shop windows bedecked in festive glory, traditional music, the world-famous crèches nativity scenes and of course, typical food and drink. But while the Christmas river cruises in France share a festive theme, they couldn’t be more different in scenery and each has its own unique attractions.
You may fancy seeing Paris live up to its reputation as the world’s City of Light. Experiencing Europe’s largest Christmas market in Strasbourg complete with some warming mulled wine might top your wishlist. Checking out traditional santons in Provence while you see if you can eat the Thirteen Desserts could be a bucket list item. Or toasting the festive season with a glass (or two) of Saint-Émilion, Sauternes and while you’re there, Cognac too.
Tempted? Then read on for some fabulous festive inspiration for the best Christmas river cruises in France.
Seine Christmas River Cruises
Cruising along the Seine during the festive season takes in two of the biggest Christmas events in France. Not only will you experience the famous market at Rouen but get to see the renowned lights in Paris and if you time your trip for the end of the year (and feel brave), take a traditional New Year’s dip.
Paris highlights
Paris at Christmas needs no introduction. The City of Love and Lights pulls out all the stops from mid-November to early January to offer a spectacle of sparkle and magic. While your Seine river cruise is moored in the capital don’t miss the following:
Christmas markets – Paris has several with the largest taking place on the Champs-Elysées, around Notre Dame and in Saint Germain des Prés.
Christmas lights – the city puts on one of the world’s most dazzling shows at Christmas with the brightest on the Champs-Elysées. But don’t miss the chandelier lights on Faubourg Saint-Honoré, designed by the world-famous crystal maker, Baccarat, and the high-tech display on Boulevard Haussman, customisable via an app on your smartphone.
Christmas windows – the displays at Galleries Lafayette, Printemps and Bon Marché rank among the most spectacular anywhere at Christmas. And be sure to step inside for more festive sparkle and light.
Festive Mickey et al – perfect for the younger members in your party (and not so young too!), Christmas at Disneyland Paris puts is a display to remember. All the characters dress in festive outfits and there are Hollywood-style decorations and trees across the theme park. Perfect to end the old year or start the new one wishing upon a star.
Other Seine Christmas river cruise must-sees
Rouen – the square around Rouen Cathedral, the famous subject of Monet paintings, plays host to around 80 stalls during the city’s renowned Christmas market. Try the traditional potato and onion tartiflette with some mulled wine after you’ve ridden the big wheel for the best views of the Cathedral and market, or taken a turn on outdoor ice rink. If you’re there in early December, catch the Grande Parade de Noel as it cavalcades its way through the city.
Étretat – Seine river cruises tend to start or end at Honfleur on the Normandy coast giving you the chance to explore the beaches and cliffs nearby. If you’re in the area for New Year’s Day, take a side trip up to Étretat to see (or even join) the traditional dip in the North Sea. The water’s rarely warmer than 5 degrees so a refreshing start to the year comes guaranteed!
Book your Seine Christmas river cruise now!
Saône-Rhône Christmas River Cruises
Take a festive river cruise on the Saône and Rhône to combine some of the world’s greatest wine at Burgundy (to select that perfect red for Christmas Day lunch) and foodie treats at France’s gastro capital with the delights of Provence. It might be difficult to picture this part of southern France in chilly festive mode, but even in the bright sunshine, the locals celebrate Christmas with real gusto.
Saône and Rhône highlights at Christmas
Fêtes du Sapin in Saulieu – many of Europe’s Christmas trees come from the Morvan and in honour of this, Saulieu celebrates a festival during early December. A giant tree decorates the area around the Saint-Andoche Basilica where there are stalls and entertainment. Mulled wine and Burgundy infusions keep the cold at bay.
Lyon – make this your main stop to stock up on treats for your festive feast at the many food markets in the city. And plan your Christmas river cruise to coincide with the Fête des Lumières during the first weekend in December when all the important buildings in the city sparkle in true Christmas spirit.
Aix-en-Provence – the signature Provence town runs a Christmas crèche market with stalls selling figurines and accessories for nativity scenes. Just a short distance away is the lovely Isle-sur-la-Sorgue whose Festival of Lights might be smaller than Lyon’s but is just as lovely.
Carpentras – this village to the east of Avignon celebrates the performing arts at its “Unusual Christmas” festival. During three weeks, around 30 companies from France and Europe put on shows and performances throughout the village with the biggest on 21 December.
Santons – you can’t miss the elaborate clay figures, originally created to represent characters in the nativity, but now include everyone from daily life. Find them in Christmas markets in Provence where they’re a popular gift – don’t miss the local favourite, Le Ravi (the village idiot).
Treize Desserts – traditionally served on Christmas Eve and symbolising the Last Supper as well as prosperity for the year to come, this Provençal dish is well worth seeking out on one of these Christmas river cruises. Consisting of a baker’s dozen of dishes, dried fruits and nuts make up the main ingredients along with pastries, crystallised fruit and sweet bread. Make finishing all 13 your culinary challenge!
Tempted by a Saône-Rhône Christmas river cruise? Book yours now.
Rhine Christmas River Cruises
Of all the Christmas river cruises in our list, the journey down the Rhine perhaps provides the most festive experience. With snow-capped mountains on the horizon, cool temperatures, fairy tale castles and some of the best Christmas markets in Europe, a Rhine river cruise guarantees to get you into the Christmas spirit. It’s also the most international of the cruises, popping in and out of four countries as it makes its way from Basel to Amsterdam.
Rhine river cruise Christmas highlights
Basel – the Rhine river cruise departure city celebrates Christmas in style. Home to Switzerland’s largest Christmas market, Basel comes bedecked with lights, centred around the giant tree on Münsterplatz. Don’t miss the Christmas Pyramid, packed with food and Glühwein, or the advent window opened every day at the Basel Theatre at 5pm.
Strasbourg – the capital of Alsace also does Christmas markets like no other. The oldest in France and largest in Europe runs to over 300 stalls, set up around the cathedral. The city’s medieval buildings and narrow streets create the perfect festive atmosphere in the run-up to Christmas.
Speyer – one of Germany’s oldest cities hosts a Christmas market in the area around its spectacular Romanesque Cathedral. As well as traditional German produce, you’ll also find arts and crafts from Speyer’s eight twin towns around the world, including one in Rwanda. Don’t miss the curtain of ‘Bengal Fire’ projected on the Old Gate and accompanied by Christmas trumpets on 7th and 15th December.
Cologne – something of a foodie hotspot, Cologne makes a good place for stocking up on German wine and Christmas treats. The city also does Christmas markets very well and they include the Harbour Christmas Market on the banks of the Rhine. Don’t miss the giant tree in the cathedral square.
Amsterdam – the final port of call on Rhine Christmas river cruises takes Christmas very seriously. The internationally renowned Amsterdam Light Festival – when 30 artworks by top artists light up the canals and monuments – is one of the highlights. The Dutch capital also has its fair share of markets and you can get a dose of real winter chill at the Ice Village on Museumplein.
Check out our selection of Rhine Christmas river cruises available this year and then choose yours!
Bordeaux Christmas River Cruises
If fine wining and dining are your idea of a good Christmas, then a Bordeaux Christmas river cruise may be your perfect gift. While there’ll be no snow or ice, a cruise along the Garonne guarantees the perfect crisp temperatures for making the most of local wines, particularly the warming reds.
Bordeaux cruise highlights at Christmas
Your main port of call and the absolute highlight on the Christmas river cruise is the city of Bordeaux itself. With a picturesque location on the banks of the Garonne, Bordeaux’s numerous fine monuments come into their own with their festive illuminations. While you’re in town, don’t miss:
Christmas markets – based around the Allées des Tourny, the main market has dozens of stalls selling local produce and artisan items. Roast chestnuts, mulled local wine and crêpes sucrées will keep you going as you wander around. Bordeaux has several other Christmas markets including the funky one at Darwin on the east side of the river. Get your map of all the markets at the tourist office.
Bordeaux Tasting – you couldn’t visit without tasting the world famous Bordeaux wine and this weekend event offers the ideal occasion. Located in the lovely Place de la Bourse, this wine festival offers 100 Bordeaux wines to taste plus champagne and vins from other regions in France.
Lights on a bike – Bordeaux does Christmas lights very well – don’t miss them reflected into the Garonne. It’s also one of the most bike-friendly cities in France. Combine the two on Les Lumières de la Ville bike tour around the lights in mid-December.
Outside Bordeaux, other highlights on a Bordeaux Christmas river cruise include the Christmas market at Saint-Emilion, home to the prized wine. As well as a chance to sample the local elixir, you’ll be able to try the famous canalé treats, honey, and foie gras. One festive feast!
We have several Bordeaux Christmas cruises. Take a look and book yours now.
Loire Christmas River Cruises
Home to around 1,000 châteaux and some of the loveliest countryside in France, the Loire makes a great place to take a river cruise. This is especially true at Christmas when the area comes alive with light and festive cheer. Many châteaux bedeck themselves for the season and the main ports of call along the Christmas river cruises celebrate the festive in traditional style. And of course, you can raise a glass or two of sparkling Saumur while you get into the festive spirit.
Christmas in Nantes
The arrival and departure port for your Loire river cruise at Christmas, Nantes ranks among the finest cities in France. The former seat of the Dukes of Brittany has some of the brightest Christmas celebrations on the Loire with events taking place from late November into early January. Don’t miss the main Christmas market (the largest in the west of France) where 120 stalls in the Place Royale and Place du Commerce offer arts and crafts and local produce. L’Autre marché has an organic theme with sustainable gifts and produce.
Every two years (even numbered years), the city puts on the Lucia son et lumière show where art works light up the cathedral and museum façades. Every year, there’s an ice rink and a Christmas circus performing in front of the cathedral.
Other Loire Christmas river cruise highlights
Ancenis – as well as sampling the delicious local Muscadet (the perfect wine to accompany your Christmas starters), this ancient medieval town has a traditional Christmas market. In mid-December, it celebrates the Noël aux Lampions, a candlelit procession along the river complete with Santa in a kayak sleigh.
Angers – another medieval treasure on the Loire, Angers also does Christmas in style. Enjoy the market on Place du Ralliement, flanked by the magnificent Grand Theatre in full Christmas lights. And you can also skate your way round the rink on Place Lorraine before you sample the local Anjou, Muscadet and Saumur wines. Finish your day with a festive glass of Cointreau, also produced nearby.
Châteaux Christmas: Don’t miss the festive treats at several of the châteaux along the Loire. Chenonçeau gets into the spirit with roaring open fires, Christmas music, trees and decorations in its sumptuous rooms; Royal de Blois has a Christmas market and music in the chapel; and Chambord displays an avenue of Christmas trees, lit up against the château façade every evening.
See the Loire in all its splendour from the decks of Loire Princesse – enquire about the cruise today.
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