With children in tow, you do not choose a Christmas market the way you would as a couple. You need room to breathe, entertainment that is free or not too pricey, accessible toilets, ideally an ice rink or a carousel, and a route that does not drag on. Our pick of ten French markets that tick every box.
Our top 10 Christmas markets for children
1. Lille, the panoramic big wheel
Every year the Lille market on Place Rihour brings in a big wheel that rises 50 metres. Unbeatable views over Vieux-Lille and the Grand-Place. Vintage carousels, giant ice sculptures and a covered ice rink that is free for under-12s at certain times. Perfect for half a day with the kids.
2. Strasbourg, the full experience
Twelve different sites give Strasbourg a variety children love: a market for every age group, lights everywhere, the giant fir tree on Place Kléber and free street shows. Storytelling tours on Wednesdays and Saturdays are free if you book at the tourist office. Avoid weekends: the crush is hard on little ones.
3. Metz, the lantern trail
The big original touch at the Metz market is the Christmas lantern trail in the Jardin de l'Esplanade. A magical 250-metre walk with hundreds of glowing lanterns, giant mascots and tunnels of light to pass through. Free, pushchair-friendly, and mesmerising for children up to about 10.
4. Amiens, the biggest market in the North
With 130 chalets, the Amiens market plays on variety: a 30-metre big wheel, a free open-air ice rink for children, vintage carousels and Father Christmas's chalet open every day for the souvenir photo. The cathedral, lit up by a projection show, keeps the older ones spellbound.
5. Mulhouse, the market and the fabric
What makes the Mulhouse market special: every year Place de la Réunion is dressed in a different fabric chosen by a textile designer, as a nod to the local industry. Children mostly go for the carousels, the giant tree and Father Christmas's house right in the heart of the market. Activity prices are gentler than in Strasbourg.
6. Reims, light show and chalets
The video projection onto Reims cathedral is a free 25-minute show, repeated several times an evening. Children are transfixed. The market itself has an ice rink, a carousel and a Father Christmas house. Far less crowded than the Alsatian markets.
7. Paris, the Tuileries in festive mode
The Christmas market in the Tuileries gardens in Paris runs 600 metres with 100 chalets, a big wheel, vintage carousels and a large ice rink. Pricier than the provincial markets, but unbeatable for public transport access and children's activities. Entry is free; it is everything else that costs.
8. Montbéliard, the enchanted house
The Montbéliard market is built around its “Lumières de Noël” concept, with the staging on Place Saint-Martin redesigned every year. Father Christmas's house, set at the foot of the temple, welcomes children for a photo and a small gift. A calmer, Franche-Comté mood compared with Alsace.
9. Lyon, the Festival of Lights as a bonus
Every year, around 8 December, the Lyon market on Place Carnot gains the Fête des Lumières, a free event in which the whole city becomes a gallery of light. Children get a moment they will not forget. Father Christmas in his chalet and a face-painting stand round things off.
10. Marseille, the santon market
In Marseille, the Christmas market on the Canebière leans on Provençal tradition: santon figurines, the thirteen desserts, orange-blossom navette biscuits. For children, the main draw is the big carousel on Place Castellane and the Christmas village on the Old Port with its synthetic ice rink. The mild climate means you can enjoy it all outdoors without shivering.
Practical tips for visiting with the family
When to go?
On weekdays after school (4pm-7pm) or on Sunday mornings (10am-12pm), you will have space. Saturday afternoons are best avoided with very young children: the crowd thickens, pushchairs struggle to get through and the queues stretch out.
How much to budget?
| Activity | Average price |
|---|---|
| Vintage carousel (1 ride) | €3 to €4 |
| Big wheel | €6 to €8 adult / €4 to €5 child |
| Ice rink (skate hire included) | €5 to €8 |
| Photo with Father Christmas | Free to €10 |
| Mulled wine / hot chocolate | €3 to €5 |
| Crêpe or pretzel | €3 to €5 |
What to bring
- A lightweight umbrella-fold pushchair rather than an all-terrain one: cobbles are common and the passages narrow
- A baby carrier for under-18-months, far handier in a crush
- Hat, gloves, scarf: markets in the North and East often drop below freezing
- A small snack and a water bottle: it saves you from impulse buys at the stalls
Where to go next
Our full family guide explains how to organise a weekend with children: suitable accommodation, activities to pair with the markets, managing the timing. For the food side of things, have a look at our foodie markets selection too.