Where to go · CHRISTMAS WALKING TOURS IN FRANCE
Good christmas walking tours in France fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 5 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Follow a French, English, or Spanish-speaking guide through Strasbourg’s illuminated squares and seven Christmas markets. You’ll hear local holiday traditions, see artisan stalls, and have time to spot bretzels, spaetzle, crepes, and gifts. The two-hour walk ends with mulled wine or hot juice. Groups are limited to 10 people.
“Our guide was a excellent he made the experience 🥰”
Walk through central Paris with a local guide such as Walid, Lou, Juliette, or Emily. The two-hour route links Rue Montorgueil, Galerie Vivienne, Palais-Royal, the Tuileries Christmas market, Place Vendôme, and Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, with hot chocolate or mulled wine included.
“Oh boy, it was freezing, but Walid took us to some great places. The lights were spectacular and we were able to buy from the oldest bakery in Paris (delicious!). He even took us to a small Christmas Market at the end. Great tour!”
Meet your guide at Saint-Sulpice for a three-hour Christmas food walk through Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Sample seasonal sweets, hot-spiced wine, nougat, candied nuts, and chocolate, then finish with tea or coffee in a Parisian tearoom. Guides including Roberto, Sabine, Aniko, and Stefani have led this intimate experience.
“Fantastic tour, completely different to what I thought it would be, I was expecting to go around Christmas Markets and see Christmas decorations, food etc - the tour was teaching you about Christmas traditions through Europe and tasting of the food and the meaning behind that actual piece of food, eg a special Christmas chestnut sweet.”
Walk Strasbourg’s Christmas market for 90 minutes with a local guide and a group capped at 15 people. You’ll meet at Place Gutenberg, visit the cathedral area and Christkindelsmärik, then finish beneath Place Kléber’s great Christmas tree. Guides such as Catalina and Dean have led history-focused tours, though food, drinks, transport, and cathedral entry cost extra.
“Our guide gave us more than a trip to the Christmas markets ! He took us for a historical detour of the city highlights and we were the only 2 tourists with him. Itwas his first day at the walking tour but as he was dealing with segway tours earlier, he packed a lot of info into the walking tour!!!”
Walk from Rue Étienne Marcel to Place de la Concorde with a local guide, stopping at Galerie Vivienne, Palais-Royal, Tuileries Garden, Place Vendôme, and La Madeleine. Small groups of six or fewer keep the evening personal. You’ll hear French holiday traditions, visit churches, and enjoy hot chocolate or mulled wine with a seasonal sweet.
“Ruben was by far the best tour leader we have ever had in all our entire visits and travels - he is literally 5/5 with the knowledge, information and presentation.”
Pick a market, a sleigh, a stage or a river.
