Christmas markets in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
The South adds its Mediterranean touch to Christmas traditions. Marseille, Nice and Aix-en-Provence host markets where you find santons, olive oil and nougat rather than mulled wine and bredele. Christmas in the sunshine (sometimes).
Markets in the region (23)
Opens in 36 days
Marseille Christmas Market
Marseille
From 14 November to 3 January 2027
Worth the weekend
Opens in 35 days
Aix-en-Provence Christmas Market
Aix-en-Provence
From 13 November to 31 December 2026
Worth the weekend
Dates to be confirmed
Nice Christmas Market
Nice
Worth the weekend
Dates to be confirmed
Toulon Christmas Market
Toulon
Worth the weekend
Dates to be confirmed
Cannes Christmas Market
Cannes
Day out
Dates to be confirmed
Avignon Christmas Market
Avignon
Day out
Dates to be confirmed
Antibes Christmas Market
Antibes
Day out
Opens in 56 days
Gap Christmas Market
Gap
From 4 to 24 December 2026
Local favourite
Dates to be confirmed
Hyères Christmas Market
Hyères
Day out
Dates to be confirmed
Salon-de-Provence Christmas Market
Salon-de-Provence
Day out
Dates to be confirmed
Aubagne Christmas Market
Aubagne
Local favourite
Opens in 58 days
Draguignan Christmas Market
Draguignan
From 6 December to 3 January 2027
Local favourite
Dates to be confirmed
Cagnes-sur-Mer Christmas Market
Cagnes-sur-Mer
Local favourite
Dates to be confirmed
Carpentras Christmas Market
Carpentras
Local favourite
Dates to be confirmed
Cavaillon Christmas Market
Cavaillon
Local favourite
Dates to be confirmed
Grasse Christmas Market
Grasse
Local favourite
Dates to be confirmed
Martigues Christmas Market
Martigues
Local favourite
Dates to be confirmed
Arles Christmas Market
Arles
Local favourite
Dates to be confirmed
Menton Christmas Market
Menton
Local favourite
Dates to be confirmed
Fréjus Christmas Market
Fréjus
Day out
Opens in 63 days
Digne-les-Bains Christmas Market
Digne-les-Bains
From 11 to 24 December 2026
Local favourite
Dates to be confirmed
Istres Christmas Market
Istres
Local favourite
Dates to be confirmed
Manosque Christmas Market
Manosque
Local favourite
Regional specialities
Provençal santons, Aix calissons, Marseille navettes, black and white nougat, olive oil, fougasse, Provençal mulled wine (made with rosé), the 13 desserts.
Christmas traditions
The 13 Christmas desserts are a Provençal tradition nobody skips. The nativity scene with santons (painted clay figurines) has a place in every home. Marseille's santon fair, on the Vieux-Port, dates back to the 18th century.
The South in lights. Far from the classic image of snowy Alsatian markets, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur has a Christmas tradition of its own: painted clay santons, the thirteen desserts, orange-blossom navettes. The mild climate lets you wander all day without shivering, under the decorated plane trees.
The signature markets
The Aix-en-Provence market, on the Cours Mirabeau, is the most emblematic. Sixty chalets under the plane trees, a santon fair running alongside (fifty santon makers), and the Mediterranean climate as a bonus. Marseille has held its santon market on the Canebière since the 18th century, with an ice rink at the Vieux-Port. Smaller towns such as Arles and Avignon offer intimate markets in the heart of their medieval heritage.
Specialities to try
Provençal cooking takes on winter colours. Calissons from Aix, orange-blossom navettes, oreillettes (fritters), orange fougasse, white and black nougat. And of course the thirteen desserts, a tradition found nowhere else: pompe à l'huile, dried fruit and nuts (the four “beggars”), nougats, dates, fruit jellies. The mulled wine is often made with a light rosé rather than a full-bodied red.
Practical tip
Aix and Marseille are 30 minutes apart by TER, ideal for two markets in one day. With the mild climate, off-peak hours matter less than in the North: you can wander from morning to evening in comfort. Just avoid Tuesdays in Aix (traditional market day, when the town is busier still).
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