Christmas markets in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
From the Alpine peaks to the volcanoes of the Auvergne, this vast region offers markets in spectacular settings. Annecy and its lake, Lyon and its Fête des Lumières, Grenoble and its mountains: the natural backdrops lift the whole experience.
Markets in the region (17)
Opens in 49 days
Annecy Christmas Market
Annecy
From 27 November to 27 December 2026
Worth the weekend
Opens in 42 days
Lyon Christmas Market
Lyon
From 20 November to 24 December 2026
Worth the weekend
Opens in 42 days
Grenoble Christmas Market
Grenoble
From 20 November to 24 December 2026
Worth the weekend
Opens in 49 days
Clermont-Ferrand Christmas Market
Clermont-Ferrand
From 27 November to 27 December 2026
Worth the weekend
Dates to be confirmed
Valence Christmas Market
Valence
Day out
Dates to be confirmed
Saint-Étienne Christmas Market
Saint-Étienne
Local favourite
Opens in 73 days
Megève Christmas Market
Megève
From 21 to 31 December 2026
Local favourite
Dates to be confirmed
Le Puy-en-Velay Christmas Market
Le Puy-en-Velay
Local favourite
Dates to be confirmed
Vichy Christmas Market
Vichy
Day out
Dates to be confirmed
Montélimar Christmas Market
Montélimar
Local favourite
Opens in 49 days
Chambéry Christmas Market
Chambéry
From 27 November to 3 January 2027
Local favourite
Dates to be confirmed
Chamonix Christmas Market
Chamonix
Local favourite
Dates to be confirmed
Évian-les-Bains Christmas Market
Évian-les-Bains
Local favourite
Dates to be confirmed
Bourg-en-Bresse Christmas Market
Bourg-en-Bresse
Day out
Opens in 48 days
Thonon-les-Bains Christmas Market
Thonon-les-Bains
From 26 November to 3 January 2027
Day out
Dates to be confirmed
Aix-les-Bains Christmas Market
Aix-les-Bains
Day out
Dates to be confirmed
Roanne Christmas Market
Roanne
Local favourite
Christmas parks and activities (2)
Paid admission, shows and lights: Christmas outings that aren't markets. The full selection
Regional specialities
Raclette and Savoyard fondue, Saint-Marcellin, crozets, tartiflette, Lyon pink pralines, Montélimar nougat, Ardèche chestnuts.
Christmas traditions
Lyon's Fête des Lumières (8 December) stems from a Marian tradition: the people of Lyon place small candles in their windows. Annecy creates a unique Venetian-style setting around its lake every year.
From Lyon to the Alpine summits, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes brings together renowned food, mountain traditions and Christmas markets at every altitude. This large south-eastern region packs in rare variety: an old gastronomic capital, medieval towns, ski-resort villages and iconic lakeshores.
The signature markets
The Lyon market, on Place Carnot, is the biggest. Its particularity: it coincides with the Fête des Lumières from 5 to 8 December, one of the largest light festivals in Europe. More intimate, the Annecy market enjoys a superb setting between the half-timbered old town, the Thiou canal and the Alpine lake. The village of Pérouges hosted a genuine market for several years, but there is no 2026 edition and the organiser has announced no date for its return.
Specialities to try
The region covers a wide culinary range. On the Lyon side: pike quenelles, saucisson brioché, bugnes (Lyon's fried pastries), chocolate papillotes (invented here in the 19th century), mulled wine made with Côtes-du-Rhône. On the Savoie side: mature reblochon, beaufort, tomme, raclette served in a cone, génépi and Chartreuse liqueur. Together they make a food destination without equal in France.
Practical tip
If you are aiming for the Fête des Lumières (5-8 December), book your accommodation as early as September: every hotel in Lyon fills up within a few weeks. For Annecy, aim for a weekday in mid-December to enjoy the lake without the crowds from Geneva. The region is very well served by TGV from Paris (Lyon in 2h, Annecy in 3h45).
Where to stay in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Check availability with our partners