Avignon Christmas Market

Beneath the ramparts of the city of the Popes, winter takes on a colour of its own. The Avignon Christmas market does not sit on a single square: it spreads across the whole walled centre, between Place Saint-Jean-le-Vieux and the shadow of the Palais des Papes, keeping that Provençal tone everywhere, between santons and thirteen desserts. Hand-painted santons, pink papalines, thirteen desserts on the stalls: this is a southern Christmas, mild even when the mistral blows.

A market scattered across the city, centred on Place Saint-Jean-le-Vieux

The main market, organised by the federation of traders and artisans, sets up on Place Saint-Jean-le-Vieux, a short walk from Place Pie. The wooden chalets line up the creations of local artisans, from Marseille soap to pottery and Provençal fabrics. You nibble standing up, glass in hand, on the way up towards the Horloge.

All around, the city turns into a trail. On Place de l'Horloge, the Enchanted Forest and Santa's chalet await the children. On Place Pie, a big Christmas tree and a mini Ferris wheel provide the illuminated landmark. On Place des Corps-Saints, a carousel and a mini farm complete the walk, while the santon makers' market takes up residence by the Église des Célestins. This is a Christmas you walk more than you visit.

The 2025-2026 edition was built around the theme of the “Curieux Noël”, with urban staging by Anooki and a fireworks show on the Rhône in late December. For 2026, the dates have not yet been published: the city renews the same window every year, from late November to late December. To be confirmed on the official website once the programme is out.

The real taste of Avignon Christmas market: santons and thirteen desserts

Here, the sweet treats have an accent. The papaline d'Avignon, a little pink chocolate ball filled with Origan du Comtat liqueur, pays tribute to the Popes and their palace: its pale coat recalls the cardinals' robes. You come across it on the confectioners' stalls, often slipped in among the thirteen desserts.

The Provençal thirteen desserts, precisely, are everywhere at Christmas time: the four “beggars” (figs, almonds, walnuts, raisins), pompe à l'huile, black and white nougat, candied fruit from Apt, dates. A few kilometres away, the calissons of Aix and nougat remind you that the whole region plays the same sweet tune. To warm up between two chalets, mulled wine remains the local reflex. If you want to make it again at home, we keep a good mulled wine recipe up our sleeve.

On the craft side, the santon makers' market is worth the detour. The Provençal santon, the clay figurine that populates the nativity scene, is chosen one at a time and collected year after year. It is the truest souvenir to bring home from Avignon.

Practical information: access, opening hours and parking

The market is right in the walled centre, which settles the question of transport: Avignon TGV station is linked to the Centre station in a few minutes by regular shuttles, and from there everything is on foot. By car, better to aim for the car parks on the edge of the centre. During certain periods over the festive season, the city makes on-street parking free and runs a free little train on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Opening hours are around 10am-7.30pm, with late openings until 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Allow half a day to complete the trail without rushing, more if you combine it with the Palais des Papes and the Pont Saint-Bénézet, both a few streets away. Entry to the market is free.

Avignon makes an ideal base for exploring Provence. Within an hour, you can carry on to Aix-en-Provence Christmas market, the Marseille santon fair, or push on to the coast for Nice Christmas market.