France is an amazing destination can be visited all year round but in December it takes on a unique charm of its own. From snow-capped mountains and alpine ski that run to the Mediterranean sun. France in December is bound to impress and delight all its visitors if you are up with warm jackets and cosy scarves. So where to spend your December holidays in France? Check out the best places to visit in France in December are both in France mainland and beyond.

Paris – The City Of Love

Paris is a magical place in all seasons although some travellers take advantage of all the city has to offer in December. Apart from the off-season attractions, winter in Paris has wonderful food & wine festivals and other awesome events like the Lights Festival at Jardin des Plantes or Le Festival du Merveilleux at Musée des Arts Forains. Discover Paris in its festive season, as Christmas markets and Christmas trees can be spotted in every corner of the city. The capital glows with twinkling lights and decorations and rightly called “The City of Lights“.

You can also visit this place in January or February when there’s no crowd. You can go for lonely walks along the Seine’s banks along with a coffee break at a Parisian café before you check out top attractions of Paris with almost no lines. The views of the city from the Eiffel Tower or Montparnasse Tower is amazing and also take day trips to Château de Versailles or Château de Chantilly. Paris under snow is so beautiful will make you take a walk around the city and admire the major highlights covered with a blanket of snow.

Marseille – A Taste of Provence

Without a doubt, Marseille is one of the less explored cities in France. Historically this port city sees a lot of cruise ship passengers during summer, the locals complain that the city is ugly as the tourists don’t spend more than a day here. You can get affordable bouillabaisse lunch, the classic French dish from this region, and then get back to the cruise. Marseille is in the south of France and the weather throughout December is still warm, so it’s a must-visit for those visiting in December. Jeans and a light jacket is all you will need as the winter kicks off in December. Preoccupied with Christmas traditions Marseille includes 13 authentic desserts that locals have on their tables and the majority of them served on streets.

In Marseille food always has a traditional route, as there it boasts numerous authentic French Provencal dishes. It’s warm enough that you can sit out on a patio wrapped on a blanket, sipping local wine and eating in the best restaurants. There’s no reservation required as there’s going to be no crowd. If you are interested in some local sports you can go to watch sports like petanque, which is similar to bocce in Italy, which can be played on outdoor courts. A trip down to the scenic old port is definitely worth it.

Cannes – For a Warmer Winter

Cannes has a fair share of snow and freezing temperatures with low precipitation and temperatures up to 14 degrees Celsius in December. You can escape the winter and enjoy the beautiful French Riviera and Cannes. The atmosphere won’t be as lively as in summer but still has restaurants and shops open as there are locals and ex-pats living in Cannes. The best part is it will be off-season and very few tourists visit the city.

The best things to do in Cannes is to go around the marina watching luxury yachts. You can also walk up in the old town area on cobblestoned alleys and walk up to the old watchtower. You can get an impressive view of the city and the marina from the watchtower. This is the place for all shopaholics as you can find lots of local designer shops as well as international brands on one shopping street. You can either fly to this place directly or take trains that are connected to this place from other countries.

Lyon – The Festival of Lights Awaits

Lyon is one best place to visit in France during winter and there so many ways to enjoy winter here. From visiting museums and main sights to silk shops Lyon is the best place to travel to. The coldest season starts with the Festival of Lights, one of the most famous winter festivals in France. The locals celebrate Fête des Lumières festival for Virgin Mary by lighting candles in their windows during winter.

Even though the festival’s essence is still the same turning it to a Festival of Lights making it the main tourist attraction. The buildings, streets, and parks are lit up all over the city. The city has a magical atmosphere with numerous light installations. Lyon is also an ideal place to discover French cuisine and fell in love with it. Lyon is the gastronomic capital of France. This is a city with numerous restaurants where food making it a way of life. You can join a food tour and discover Lyon’s secret cuisine. Don’t forget to visit endless gastronomic restaurants or bistros.

French Alps in Europe — Image credits: Google Images

French Alps – The Best of Winter Sports

Being one of the best winter getaways in France with snow-capped peaks, charming old towns, and endless ski slopes. Apart from obvious ski and snowboard activities, those who don’t ski can enjoy other adventure activities, like ice skating or ice climbing. There’s plenty of time for you to relax in the French ski resorts of the Alps.

Reasons outnumbered for you to kick-start your bookings to this paradise. France in December will be a delightful experience filled with adventure, luxury and tasteful experiences. We at Pickyourtrail make sure our best travel experience in crafting your France tour packages with lots of excitement. Start planning and Happy travelling!