christmas in france

we will be arriving in paris dec. 22 and are starting to plan our trip.... we know we want to visit the burgundy region, provence, and nice. we are thinking about where would be the best place to be on christmas eve and christmas. any suggestions?? does anyone know of any events, festivals, cool things happening in certain cities during the holidays. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

thanks

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I’m sure this response with generate an avalanche of criticism but here goes, I’ve lived in France for 16 years in what is a wonderful country that I am extremely happy in, so there I’m not anti French but

They have absolutely no idea how to celebrate Christmas it comes and goes and nothing happens. Apart from a day long meal with the family.

The best area of France I have experienced around the Christmas period is the Alsace in eastern France on the German border.

If I were spending Christmas here as a traveller I would look at Strasbourg.

Happy Christmas

http://www.alsace-noel.com/?lang=En

Alan

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hehe , i am french and i don%26#39;t feel offensed at all by Bengodog advice .. More : i totally agree!! Xmas is a familial celebration here and people stay in family , it is very different for new year , then there are parties everywhere .. and i totally confirm : in my opinion one of the best places where to be in that period is Alsace , with the Christmas markets : Strasbourg , Colmar , Kayserberg ..

In Paris , the best you can do , is to walk in the streets and watch at the illuminations on Champs Elysees , Tour Eiffel , Grands magasins ( Printemps, Galeries Lafayette )

In Provence you can see attractive nativity scenes ..

here is a link which can perhaps help you

enjoy your stay :)

avignon-et-provence.com/provence-local-produ…

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To answer your question about Xmas in France, I agree with everyone about Alsace being a great place to be but Provence is good too. Few perched villages there celebrate Xmas by re-inacting the birth of Jesus Christ on the streets and a midnight mass. Some of the towns that come to mind are, Les Baux de Provence, Seguret and Sablet. Check with the tourist office there but I heard the best one is in Les Baux and I think there are few hotels arond there that have specials for that period.

I lived in Burgundy for four years, there isn%26#39;t much going on there, Xmas is usaully spent %26quot;entre famille%26quot; as they say. One hotel that come to mind in les Baux is le mas d%26#39;Aigret, I know they will have some sort of special for Xmas, I have never stayed there so I cannot comment on the hotel itself.

I hope this is helpfull.

pinotnoir

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Good idea Givry ! I have been to Saint Rémy de Provence and Les Baux de Provence for Christmas and New Year Eve. Nothing special going on (as everyone says it is a family celebration, mostly for children), but a very happy and pleasant atmosphere and a very beautiful sunny weather. You will enjoy the Provence tradition, for example the 12 Christmas desserts, or the traditionnal cribs.

We stayed at this hotel in Eygalieres : http://www.masdupastre.com/

very cosy, very nice.

If you like trendy places you should go to this hotel in Saint Rémy : hotelinprovence.com/modules/…

beautiful garden

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Another vote for Alsace!

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