December is a wonderful month to visit France, a time when the entire country is filled with seasonal delights. Ice skating rinks are set up in major cities, often coupled with Christmas markets that fill the streets and squares, drawing crowds who come to see, shop, eat and drink, and celebrate the Christmas season.
You will find that every major city has an annual Christmas market, which usually starts around November 20. Some stop just after Christmas; some run all of December; some continue to pass the new year. So wherever you travel, check out the website of your local tourist office before you go to see where and when these glorious extravagances are held for gift shopping and holiday events.
The ski season is already underway in the resorts of the Alps and Pyrenees, and many offer a wide range of winter sports, from skiing on the glacier to snowboarding and sledding to ice skating.
France Weather in December
The weather can be highly variable, depending on where you are. In Nice, on the Côte d’Azur, you can take a dip in the sea (if you’re sturdy or have a wetsuit) early in the morning, then drive to a resort like Isola 2000 for a day’s skiing. In other places, the days can be crisp and clear or completely wintry with storms and blizzards.
- Paris: 36 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius) high / 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius) low
- Bordeaux: 38 F (3 C) / 50 F (10 C)
- Lyon: 36 F (2 C) / 45 F (7 C)
- Nice: 49 F (9 C) / 53 F (12 C)
- Strasbourg: 30 F (-1 C) / 39 F (4 C)
France sees its share of rain in December, from an average of 16 wet days in Paris and Bordeaux to 15 in Strasbourg, 14 in Lyon and nine in Nice. However, snow isn’t such a big factor, as Strasbourg averages three days of snow and Paris and Lyon average two, while Bordeaux and Nice don’t get much or nothing.
What to pack
If you are traveling in France, you may need different types of clothing for different cities. But December is mostly cold, and even in the south of France you will find yourself cold at night and you will need a good jacket. It can be windy and it might as well snow. Don’t forget the following:
- A winter coat
- A light jacket for the day.
- Sweaters or cardigans (great for layering to keep warm)
- Scarf, hat and gloves
- Good umbrella
- Good walking shoes plus shoes for evening occasions
- A second bag for all the gifts you will buy
December events in France
There are so many events in the holiday season that you will find something wherever you are.
- The main events, such as the Lyon Festival of Lights around December 10 of each year, are famous; others are small, local and discreet affairs, like the celebrations in Falaise.
- Christmas markets are found all over France, from small towns to major cities. The main ones are in the north, with Strasbourg leading the way with a market that started centuries ago in 1570.
- France shines like a huge Christmas tree throughout December with light displays transforming many of the major cities. The French are extremely good at both lighting and light installations, and you’ll see some spectacular views.
- New Year’s Eve , December 31, is great news in France and you need to book a restaurant in advance, especially in big cities. All restaurants will serve a special menu, often very expensive, even in small restaurants. But dining on New Years Eve is a big public event and everyone joins in the celebrations.
- Skiing in France at Christmas is a wonderful sport. And the after-ski parties and activities are legendary. You are surrounded by like-minded people, so you are guaranteed a wonderful seasonal vacation at the resort of your choice.
- The French celebrate Christmas on December 24, so you can find closed restaurants and many shops with very restricted hours. But in the small towns and villages, you will always find the baker and the supermarket open on Christmas morning, as well as the local bars. However, they will all be closed on Christmas Day in the afternoon.
December Travel Tips
- Visit Popular Tourist Attractions At Will – December is a great month to visit France as there are no crowds and no waiting in most places. Shopping is great and restaurants are packed with locals, compared to tourists.
- Christmas markets are wonderful places to enjoy shopping and the entire vacation experience.
- Even a walk in December can be an adventure – many cities light up their buildings at Christmas, creating a very real fairy tale look.
- Take a day to explore attractions that you wouldn’t otherwise visit in Paris. There are many special events at the theme parks that are open.
- Prices are lower for both travel (particularly airfares) and hotels in December.
- Don’t let the cold of December keep you inside. Frost can make trees shine, and you see the contours of the field without being obscured by the trees.
