Christmas markets in Burgundy-Franche-Comté
Montbéliard and its Lumières de Noël, Dijon and its specialities, Besançon and its citadel: this region of food and heritage offers generous, authentic markets, far from mass tourism.
Markets in the region (8)
Opens in 44 days
Dijon Christmas Market
Dijon
From 22 November to 31 December 2026
Worth the weekend
Opens in 43 days
Montbéliard Christmas Market
Montbéliard
From 21 November to 24 December 2026
Worth the trip
Opens in 57 days
Beaune Christmas Markets
Beaune
From 5 to 13 December 2026
Day out
Dates to be confirmed
Auxerre Christmas Market
Auxerre
Local favourite
Dates to be confirmed
Nevers Christmas Market
Nevers
Local favourite
Dates to be confirmed
Belfort Christmas Market
Belfort
Day out
Dates to be confirmed
Besançon Christmas Market
Besançon
Day out
Dates to be confirmed
Chalon-sur-Saône Christmas Market
Chalon-sur-Saône
Local favourite
Regional specialities
Montbéliard sausage, comté, cancoillotte, Dijon gingerbread, Dijon mustard, Burgundy wine (hot Gevrey-Chambertin), snails, gougères.
Christmas traditions
The Franche-Comté tuyé (a tall smoking chimney) is sometimes recreated at the markets to smoke sausages and hams on the spot. The Burgundy vineyards celebrate the Saint-Vincent Tournante, a travelling wine festival that brightens the winter.
Prestigious vineyards, mature comté, medieval towns: Burgundy-Franche-Comté offers Christmas markets rooted in an outstanding wine and food tradition. From the Hospices de Beaune to the lights of Montbéliard, the region pairs elegance with authenticity.
The signature markets
The Montbéliard market (already listed on this site) is one of the best known in eastern France, with its Lumières de Noël concept and a guest country of honour each year. Beaune is worth the detour for its market in front of the Hospices, a historic monument with a glazed-tile roof. Dijon hosts a lively market on Place de la Libération, in front of the Palace of the Dukes. Besançon and Belfort round off the regional offer.
Specialities to try
On the Burgundy side: Dijon gingerbread (an institution since the Middle Ages), Dijon mustard, snails, boeuf bourguignon, Dijon cassis, Burgundy wines (Chablis, Gevrey, Meursault). On the Franche-Comté side: mature comté in every form, warm mont d'or eaten with a spoon, Morteau sausage, Jura vin jaune, Fougerolles kirsch. And mont d'or baked in its box remains the winter experience par excellence.
Practical tip
Beaune is 2 hours from Paris Gare de Lyon by TGV, Dijon 1h35, Montbéliard 2h15. If you like wine, combine Beaune (the Hospices) with a morning of tastings at the estates of the Côte de Beaune (Pommard, Volnay, Meursault). Beaune has plenty of charming hotels, but book early. The Franche-Comté climate is harsh in December, so bring a thick fleece.
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