Christmas in Barcelona is wonderful, but there is nothing like escaping to the south of France, with its humid climate, green vineyards and dense forests to enjoy an authentic Christmas getaway. You probably already know Le Barcarès, the famous Christmas village, but what you may not know is that there are a handful of municipalities near the French border that organize their own Christmas events.
From nativity displays to markets, Christmas fairs and Christmas villages, to medieval castles that illuminate their walls with Christmas lights. A few kilometers from Barcelona (about two hours by car almost always) hides a whole Christmas world that is worth taking into account for a getaway this Christmas.
Therefore, we give you a list of eight markets, fairs and Christmas villages in the south of France for a getaway this holiday season.
Table Of Contents
- Le Barcarès: the fantasy Christmas village two hours from Barcelona
- Perpignan: Christmas and craft market.
- Argelès-sur-Mer: Gastronomic and craft market.
- Carcassonne: a Christmas market in an incredible medieval village.
- Prats-de-Mollo: Exhibition of Nativity Scenes.
- El Soler: Nativity Scenes Route
- Ceret: Chinese lantern festival.
- Collioure: Christmas lights illuminating the ramparts.
Le Barcarès: the fantasy Christmas village two hours from Barcelona
Le Barcarès has quickly become an impressive attraction that draws more than 1.5 million visitors each year. This space of more than 5 hectares offers an ice rink, craft markets and spectacular lighting that creates a magical atmosphere. Despite a fire that affected part of the park in November, the fair opened its doors again this Christmas 2024 looking to become again one of the stars of Christmas in France as well as in Barcelona and Catalonia.
How to get there: From Barcelona, take the AP-7 freeway by car (approximately 2.5 hours). By public transport, go by train to Perpignan and, from there, a local bus to Le Barcarès.
📍Le Barcarès, France.
📅From November 23 to January 5.
Perpignan: Christmas and craft market.
The city of Perpignan also signs up for Christmas with a market that stands out for its local crafts and typical gastronomy. As a good French craft market, everything is full of stalls decorated with regional products, ideal for Christmas gifts, while the streets are illuminated with festive decorations that invite you to stroll and enjoy the atmosphere.
How to get there: By car, take the AP-7 freeway north (about 2 hours from Barcelona). By train, you can arrive directly from Barcelona with Renfe-SNCF in about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
📍Perpignan, France.
📅From December 1 to December 31.
Argelès-sur-Mer: Gastronomic and craft market.
Argelès-sur-Mer is a French coastal town with a very interesting history, as it welcomed Republican refugees during the Civil War. At Christmas, it also offers a Christmas market that combines the best of local gastronomy with artisanal products. Visitors can sample regional specialties while exploring stalls displaying everything from Christmas decorations to handmade toys.
How to get there: Just a 20-minute drive from Perpignan on the D914. By public transport, you can take a bus from Perpignan train station.
📍Argelès-sur-Mer, France.
📅From December 15 to December 24.
Carcassonne: a Christmas market in an incredible medieval village.
Carcassonne is famous for its stunning medieval town, which turns into a real fairytale setting at Christmas. Its Christmas market offers handcrafted products, lights and shows that recreate the medieval atmosphere of this unique place. The walled city of Carcassonne is ideal for strolling among its stalls, enjoying Christmas music and, of course, marveling at its night views.
How to get there: From Barcelona, you can take a high-speed train (TGV) that connects the city directly to Carcassonne in about 2 hours and 30 minutes. By car, it takes about 3 hours via the AP-7 and the A61.
📅 December 2 to January 5.
📍 Carcassonne, France.
Prats-de-Mollo: Exhibition of Nativity Scenes.
The picturesque village of Prats-de-Mollo, in the heart of Catalunya Nord, hosts an exhibition of traditional and creative nativity scenes with different Christmas scenes that are displayed at various points in the village, offering a cultural and festive tour for visitors.
How to get there: From Barcelona, take the AP-7 to Figueres, then the N-260 and the D115 to Prats-de-Mollo (about 2 hours and 40 minutes by car).
📍Prats-de-Mollo, France.
📅From December 10 to January 6.
El Soler: Nativity Scenes Route
El Soler also proposes a crib route that allows visitors to discover various representations of the birth of Jesus, made with different materials and styles, an ideal activity for families wishing to immerse themselves in the French Christmas tradition.
How to get there: 15 minutes by car from Perpignan, on the D916 road. By public transport, buses are available from Perpignan train station.
📍El Soler, France.
📅December 12 to January 2.
Ceret: Chinese lantern festival.
This year, Ceret presents a novelty: a Chinese lantern festival installed in the gardens of the castle of Aubiry. With nearly 3,000 lanterns, this display celebrates 60 years of Franco-Chinese friendship and offers an impressive visual spectacle combining culture and festivity.
📍 Ceret, France.
📅From December 1 to February 16.
Collioure: Christmas lights illuminating the ramparts.
The charming village of Collioure, with its beautiful waterfront location, dresses up for Christmas with a traditional market full of artisanal products, festive decorations and cozy atmosphere. During the holidays, lights illuminate the town and tourists can enjoy concerts and activities for the whole family.
How to get there: From Barcelona, take the AP-7 highway by car, driving south for approximately 2 hours. You can also take a direct train from Barcelona to Collioure, with a journey time of about 2 hours.
📅 December 8 to January 7.
📍 Collioure, France.