The holiday season brings a magical air to towns large and small across France, and Christmas markets (Marchés de Noël) play a large part in this. With over 100 Christmas markets in France every year, you’ll find an abundance of chestnuts roasting and sleighbells ringing during this time of the year.
Continue reading to explore Christmas markets in France with somMailier Wine Club!
Pro Tip: This blog post pairs well our special offer on the Vouvray Brut Sparkling Wine to get in the festive mood.
What to Expect at Christmas Markets in France
Christmas market season in France usually begins in late November and lasts through December. The Marchés de Noël can be as short as one or two days or can last up to 6 weeks. Generally, the larger the location, the longer the market will last. These holiday destinations offer culinary experiences, shopping, and more.
When it comes to food at Christmas markets in France, you can be sure that you won’t leave hungry. Markets in different cities might have some different offerings. In general, though, you’ll find crêpes, churros, cannelés, gingerbread, and waffles at most French Christmas markets. Other typical foods include oysters (often with Champagne or white wine), lots of delicious French chocolate, incredible potato dishes, and Alpine cuisine, like raclette and roast suckling pig.
As far as refreshments go, vin chaud (the French mulled wine we talked about in a previous Christmas blog) is a staple at French Christmas markets. Hot apple cider and red, white, and sparkling wines can also be enjoyed as you walk between the stalls of most markets.
While you wander between the stalls at the market, breathing in the scent of the hot spiced wine and roasted chestnuts that wafts through the air, you can do some holiday shopping or participate in a variety of other activities. You’ll find all sorts of jewelry, decorations, toys, trinkets, and artwork that make fantastic Christmas gifts. Not taking a trip to France this winter? Don’t worry! You can still give someone an authentic gift from France with our boutique wine gift shipments. Ice skating, Ferris wheel rides, craft-making, singing, and dancing are just some of the activities that you can find in France’s various Christmas markets. However, each market is different, so be sure to do some research before getting your heart set on a certain activity!
Unique Christmas Markets in France
With so many Christmas markets in France happening each year, it would be impossible for us to create a list of the “best” ones to visit. Each market, big and small, has its own unique offerings. With that being said, here are a few notable Marchés de Noël:
- Strasbourg: The oldest and largest Christmas market in France
- Montbéliard: Famous for its Christmas lights
- Tuileries Garden: The biggest Christmas market in Paris
- Nice: Christmas on the French Riviera
- Grenoble: Christmas in the Alps
- Tiffauges: Inside a medieval castle
While you might not be able to take that trip to France this holiday season and visit these Christmas markets in person, you can always enjoy a taste of France with somMailier Wine Club!
Sip, Sip, Vouvray for the Holidays!
Twinkling Christmas lights call for wine that’s sparkling! For a limited time, we’re offering a special price on the exquisite Vouvray “Insolent” Brut Organic. This organic sparkling wine is perfect for holiday celebrations and can be enjoyed from aperitifs to dessert in addition to pike-perch and white butter, scampi, tempura, fish curry, fried chicken and fresh goat cheese. It also pairs with chocolate cake, fruit tarts and fruit salad. Get this incredible Loire Valley sparkling wine for as low as $22.25/bottle when you order it now.
Dreaming of a Wine Christmas
Send someone a taste of the magic of France this holiday season with somMailier’s gift shipments. Each somMailier Wine Gift Shipment Includes:
- A personalized gift note in the first shipment
- Your choice of 3, 6, or 12 bottles of exquisite French wine unavailable anywhere else in the US
- Your choice of red wine, white wine, or a mix of both red and white wine
- Wine cards that describe each wine, the region in France it comes from, stories about the wine and the winemaker, tasting notes, and pairing suggestions
With somMailier’s effortless delivery, you can also join our club for yourself and enjoy boutique French wine shipped to your front door quarterly or order some of your favorites.
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Order by December 13th to receive these incredible French wines in time for the holidays, and don’t forget about our special offer on Vouvray Brut Sparkling Wine or the exquisite Champagne Paul Michel Premier Cru for New Years!
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Want to learn more about French wine? We’re here to help! Why not check out our French wine club? Every three months we send direct to your door three, six, or twelve bottles of boutique French wines which have been carefully selected by wine experts in France along with detailed information about each wine and food pairing ideas to help you really discover French wine. And as if that wasn’t enough, we also have a wine club gift option for that special wine lover in your life! For the perfect last minute gift, send one of our digital gift cards.
We are also offering free shipping on 12-bottle orders within the continental US (including our 12-bottle Club Et Voila and Et Voila Gift options). We are also offering 50% off shipping of 12-bottle orders to Hawaii. Mix and match your favorites from our wine cellar, or stock up with 12 bottles of your favorite.
Julia is happy to help with any custom orders. Please reach out to her via email at julia@sommailier.com.
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