If there’s one time of year when France turns up the charm, it’s Christmas! Even the croissants seem a little jollier! That is why we invite you on a journey that brings you the best of the season: Paris sparkling like it dressed up just for you, Champagne cellars offering bubbles with extra cheer, and the charming Alsace villages that look as if they auditioned to be the set of every holiday movie ever made.
You will wander through illuminated streets, taste your way across regions, and step into towns where the façades wear more decorations than your Christmas tree. Between the food, the wine, and the fairy-tale scenery, this French holiday itinerary proves that winter travel can be one of the most enchanting (and delicious) times to explore France!
Days 1 & 2: Paris, The City of Lights
Your journey begins in Paris, which is more theatrical than ever! After settling into your hotel, step into a world of grand boulevards that glow softly under elegant illumination. This city is always magical, but the Paris Christmas lights, the decorated windows, and the gentle buzz of the holiday season make it all the more enchanting!
The next morning, explore Paris with a more local touch. Begin at the Tuileries Christmas Market, a favorite among Parisians for its artisanal stalls, mulled wine, and seasonal treats. In the evening, unwind on a gentle Seine river cruise. As you glide beneath the bridges, Paris’s lights shimmer on the water, representing a beautifully Parisian start to your journey.
Day 3: On To Champagne Country Charm
Make your way toward the Champagne region! A comfortable train ride carries you out of Paris, passing winter fields and quiet villages until you reach Reims, where your rental car awaits to begin your Christmas road trip in France. From here, it’s a short and scenic drive to Épernay, an elegant small town surrounded by vineyards resting under the cool December air.
The atmosphere shifts into wide avenues lined with grand mansions, discreet champagne houses, and a calm rhythm. Follow the tree-lined Avenue de Champagne, with its wrought-iron gates and cellar entrances, and begin your Champagne experience with a visit to one of the town’s renowned Champagne cellars. Walk through vast underground corridors carved from chalk, lined with thousands of bottles aging in perfect silence. A guided tasting introduces you to the region’s signature styles: dry, delicate, and full of festive sparkle.
Day 4: Reims, The Historic Heart Of Champagne
This morning brings you to Reims, leading you straight into a place that has crowned French kings for centuries. Begin your visit at the magnificent Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims, its soaring façade even more striking in the crisp winter light. Inside Reims Cathedral, feel the holidays in the stained-glass windows, where the light glows in soft blues and reds that feel almost festive at this time of year.
From here, explore the charming streets around Place du Forum, where cafés spill warm light onto cobblestone lanes. Stop for a classic regional treat such as biscuits roses de Reims, the delicate pink biscuits often enjoyed with a bubbly glass of champagne.
Day 5: Discovering Verzenay & Châlons-en-Champagne
Set off toward the picturesque village of Verzenay, surrounded by sweeping vineyards that stretch across gentle hills. Make your way to the Phare de Verzenay, the region’s famous lighthouse overlooking the sea of vineyards. From its panoramic viewpoint, you can enjoy one of the most impressive vistas in the Champagne region!
Continue to Châlons-en-Champagne, a graceful town known for its calm canals and elegant historic architecture. Visit the impressive Saint-Étienne Cathedral, whose soaring interior and luminous stained-glass windows offer a beautiful glimpse into the region’s heritage. Then take a leisurely walk along the waterfront, where reflections of half-timbered houses ripple gently in the water.
Day 6: Colmar, Alsace’s Storybook Village
Begin your journey east toward Alsace in a scenic drive that shifts into the atmospheric foothills of the Vosges Mountains. The landscape becomes like a storybook, with colorful villages and timber-framed houses. Stop in Metz, a city known for its golden Jaumont stone and elegant architecture. Take time to admire the exterior of the magnificent Saint-Étienne Cathedral, and have a short walk through the historic center, revealing graceful squares, stylish boutiques, and glimpses of the Moselle River weaving through the city.
Arrive in the enchanting Colmar, your base for the next days. Join a Colmar Christmas tour to explore the charming old town, learn about local traditions, and wander through narrow lanes lined with half-timbered houses. Then make your way to Little Venice, where canals reflect the colorful façades and seasonal decorations in a picture-perfect scene!
Day 7: Riquewihr & Ribeauvillé: Alsace At Its Most Enchanting
Today, you set out along the legendary Alsace Wine Route, a scenic ribbon of winding roads, winter vineyards, and the picture-perfect Christmas villages of Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé. Your first stop is Riquewihr, one of the route’s most beloved gems. Stroll through its cobblestone streets lined with colorful half-timbered houses, many dressed with festive touches that reflect centuries of local Christmas tradition.
Continue to nearby Ribeauvillé, a charming winemaking village framed by castle-topped hills. Its lively main street is the perfect place for a break at a traditional Alsace wine cellar, where you can enjoy a guided tasting of aromatic whites, from crisp Riesling to floral Gewürztraminer. The warmth of the cellar provides a cozy contrast to the winter air outside.
Day 8: Eguisheim, Circles of Color and Charm
Today, visit Eguisheim, often praised as one of France’s most beautiful villages! Built in concentric circles, its layout invites you to wander slowly, following narrow lanes lined with brightly painted half-timbered houses. In December, the façades wear their seasonal best: garlands, bows, stars, and handcrafted decorations. A highlight of the village’s deep connection to Christmas traditions!
As you stroll through the circular streets, stop to admire the stone fountains, flower-filled balconies (yes, even in winter!), and small artisan boutiques selling local crafts. The village’s peaceful rhythm makes it the perfect place to slow down and savor the atmosphere.
Day 9: A Castle Above The Winter Vineyards
Today, explore one of the most fascinating stretches of Alsace, beginning in Sélestat, a town rich in heritage and home to one of France’s oldest written mentions of the Christmas tree. Stroll through its elegant streets and admire the architecture shaped by centuries of cultural influences. The town’s warm winter atmosphere makes it an inviting introduction to the day.
From here, ascend toward the majestic Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg, proudly perched above the valley. Its towers and ramparts offer sweeping views over the Rhine Plain, the Black Forest, and the winter vineyards far below. Walking through its vast halls and fortified corridors feels like stepping into a medieval world, made even more dramatic by the crisp December air and soft seasonal light.
On your way to Strasbourg, stop by Obernai, a charming town wrapped in half-timbered houses. Wander through the old town, pausing at artisan boutiques and cozy cafés that glow warmly against the winter backdrop.
Day 10: Strasbourg, A Feast Of Culture And Flavors
Strasbourg, the cosmopolitan capital of Alsace, is where French elegance meets German charm in one of Europe’s most atmospheric cities. Begin your day wandering through the Grande Île, a UNESCO-listed island of canals, half-timbered houses, and graceful bridges. The towering Strasbourg Cathedral rises above it all, its intricate façade especially striking in the crisp winter light.
Then it’s time to dive into the city’s delicious side with a traditional food tour, the perfect way to understand Strasbourg’s blend of cultures. Follow your guide through historic streets to sample regional specialties: kougelhopf, bretzels, tarte flambée, and rich Munster cheese, each paired with stories that bring Alsace’s culinary heritage to life.
As evening falls, dive into the enchanting atmosphere of Strasbourg’s Christmas Market, one of the oldest and most magical Alsace Christmas markets. Wooden chalets fill the squares, lights drape the façades, and seasonal treats perfume the air, transforming the city into a glowing holiday village. Enjoy a warm, festive night in the heart of Alsace!
Days 11 & 12: Return to Paris & Farewell to France
Leave Strasbourg’s festive streets behind and board the high-speed train bound for Paris. The journey is comfortable and scenic, giving you time to reflect on the landscapes, flavors, and traditions you’ve experienced over the past days.
Arriving in Paris, you have time for one last gentle exploration. Instead of rushing to the major sights, head to the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood for an elegant, slower-paced Parisian moment. Settle into a historic café for a warm drink, or visit a small museum such as the Musée de l’Orangerie, home to Monet’s breathtaking Water Lilies.
On day 12, it’s time to catch your flight home! Take with you the sparkle of Champagne, the charm of Alsace, and a collection of festive memories (and perhaps some souvenirs) that will brighten the season!
A Journey Wrapped in Light!
From Paris’s glowing boulevards to Alsace’s storybook villages, this Christmas in France journey captures its most charming and delicious. Along the way, taste regional traditions, explore historic towns, and discover the quiet magic that winter brings to every corner of the country. If this adventure sparks your wanderlust, let it be the beginning of your own festive escape! France is ready to welcome you when the season shines brightest, and we are here to provide you with the support you might need to make it happen!
