Thousands of lights adorn the Alpine villages as the festive season approaches. With wooden chalets, traditional decorations and the aroma of mulled wine and gingerbread, Christmas markets in the mountains offer a magical glimpse into local traditions. Each village has its own unique charm, with authentic crafts, entertainment for the whole family and breathtaking snow-covered views. Get ready for a journey into the heart of a winter wonderland…
Discover our most beautiful chalets for Christmas
Enjoy an authentic Christmas in the Alps
The charm of mountain villages
Christmas in the Alps is the perfect time to discover the unique charm of traditional mountain villages. In Samoëns, Combloux and Bonneval-sur-Arc, wooden and stone chalets, snow-covered streets and small historic churches create the perfect setting for this special time of year.
Here, the spirit of Christmas is expressed through simplicity and hospitality, far from the hustle and bustle of larger resorts. A stay in one of these authentic villages immerses you in the timeless magic of the festive season in the mountains.
The charm of Christmas decorations
Many Alpine villages are transformed into fairytale displays of lights during the festive season, with clusters of illuminated chalets dotted across the mountainside. These decorations give the villages a magical atmosphere that highlights the Christmas experience in the Alps.
For example, Megève boasts a huge illuminated Christmas tree in its central square, while Les Gets delights visitors of all ages with its decorations and Santa’s House. In La Clusaz, the sparkling streets and decorated shop windows all add to the festive spirit.
Local crafts in the spotlight
During your stay in the Alps, you will also have the opportunity to discover a rich variety of crafts. Market stalls are overflowing with Savoyard cheeses, smoked meats and mountain honey, as well as carved wooden pieces, handmade candles and soaps made from Alpine plants.
These local creations tell the story of the region’s artisans and producers and showcase their skills. Why not extend your stay by bringing back some of these souvenirs?
Flavours and specialities to discover at Christmas markets
Cheese, charcuterie, mulled wine and sweet treats
Farmers’ markets are the perfect places to try some of the area’s delicious produce. Among the best-known cheeses are Tomme de Savoie, Abondance and Beaufort, which are the perfect accompaniment to mountain meats such as diots, sausages and smoked ham.
During the festive season, spicy mulled wine is accompanied by sweet treats that delight the taste buds: bugnes (doughnuts), nougat, honey gingerbread and ‘croix de Savoie’ pastries. The Christmas market is a gourmet stop that should be an integral part of the Alpine experience in December.
Handmade products and local souvenirs
The Christmas markets in the Alps also showcase local crafts and a wide range of unique objects: knives, wood carvings, resin-scented candles and soaps made with plants from the mountain pastures.
You’ll also find traditional Christmas decorations, the perfect gift to take home for your friends. These handmade products reflect the skill and passion of mountain craftspeople.
Recipes you’ll want to taste and cook
As you stroll through the Christmas markets in the Alps, you will have the opportunity to taste the region’s iconic dishes. There’s nothing like enjoying a Savoyard tartiflette, a raclette, a croziflette with buckwheat pasta or a plate of diots after a walk!
Some stalls offer meal kits: cheeses for raclette, crozets, local herbs or fondue mixes. They make it easy to recreate the comforting flavours of the Alps at home and prolong your stay a little longer.
Top 7 Christmas markets in the French Alps
Menthon-Saint-Bernard: a medieval Christmas
From mid-November to early January, Menthon Castle invites visitors to enjoy the festive season in a medieval atmosphere. There are street performances, shows and tours of the castle, as well as workshops and treasure hunts for children, all in the enchanting setting of the “Château du Père Noël” (Santa’s Castle).
Chamonix: mountain traditions
The Chamonix Christmas market, which is set up on the Place du Triangle de l’Amitié, will give you a real insight into mountain traditions. Stalls in wooden huts sell local crafts, sweets, spices, and produce. Live music adds to the welcoming atmosphere, as does the big parade, and a night-time market.
La Clusaz: “Les Pestacles du Père Noël”
During this 10-day festival, La Clusaz is transformed into an enchanted kingdom for children, with street performances, musical shows and folk traditions. This street arts festival, the largest in the mountains, has been delighting visitors of all ages for more than 20 years.
Samoëns: a traditional Christmas market
Decorated with fir trees, garlands and twinkling lights, the “Christmas village” of Samoëns hosts an authentic Christmas market for both guests and locals. Visitors can wander among stalls selling local crafts, sample regional specialities and enjoy shows and workshops for the whole family.
Morzine: a village atmosphere
Every year, the village of Morzine comes alive during the festive season with parades, shows and light displays. The Tourist Office square becomes the heart of the festivities, welcoming Father Christmas in a warm and festive atmosphere that delights adults and children alike.
Évian-les-Bains: the fabulous village of the “Flottins”
For almost 20 years, Évian-les-Bains has been transformed each year into an artistic village made of driftwood, inhabited by imaginary people. Unlike the traditional Christmas markets, this fairytale village offers poetic encounters, storytelling and creative workshops in a unique setting that is also eco-friendly.
Megève: lights and luxury shopping
Christmas lights sparkle throughout the elegant resort of Megève, with its majestic 20-metre tree erected in the village square. Young visitors can meet Father Christmas, take part in creative workshops and sample Savoyard specialities. Don’t miss the Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the beginning of the season.
Celebrate Christmas in a traditional chalet
Why choose an OVO Network partner chalet?
Christmas is a precious time, so treat yourself to a special break with your loved ones. With their cosy atmosphere, OVO Network partner chalets are the ideal setting for an authentic festive celebration.
Let yourself be charmed by the atmosphere of an evening by the fire or in a bubbling hot tub, while the snow glistens outside. The view of the snow-capped peaks adds a magical and unforgettable touch to every shared moment.
OVO Network’s selection for the festive season
Villa Le Cep
Villa Le Cep could well become your private villa between lake and mountains for your next Christmas holiday with family or friends. With its wood-burning stove and bright interior, it adds a touch of cosiness to the Alpine winter.
This property can accommodate up to 12 guests and is just a few minutes from Lake Annecy and the medieval castle of Menthon. You will be perfectly located to enjoy the many seasonal festivities and explore the surrounding mountains.
Chalet Lodge Rodzina
This traditional chalet has been renovated to a high standard and can accommodate up to 14 guests. Built in unspoilt natural surroundings just 4.2km from La Clusaz, it also offers easy access to the ski slopes.
A true winter retreat, Chalet Lodge Rodzina has two heated balconies, underfloor heating throughout the property, and heated walls in all of the bathrooms. But perhaps the best way to beat the winter chill is with a soak in the outdoor hot tub!
Chalet Galata
Make wellbeing the focus of your Christmas in the Mont-Blanc region when you stay at this superb chalet near the centre of Combloux. It features a sauna, a hot tub and a home cinema, and even has a lift and underfloor heating.
Chalet Galata is a modern three-storey property with plenty of room for up to 12 guests in five bedrooms. Each room is tastefully decorated, including a family room with a double bed and two bunk beds.
Chalet 1786
Chalet 1786 offers modern, high-end facilities in a warm and bright Scandinavian-style setting, just 500 metres from the Espace Diamant ski slopes. Its peaceful location highlights the beauty of the Val d’Arly landscape.
Up to 11 guests can enjoy the added bonus of a heated indoor swimming pool and a particularly comfortable home cinema. This stylish accommodation promises to transform your Christmas holiday into a rejuvenating and sociable stay.
Advice: book early for the Christmas holidays
Booking your chalet early for the festive season means you are guaranteed a wider choice and better rates. The most popular properties, those with fireplaces and mountain views, are usually booked up by spring.
By planning ahead, you’ll find it easier to find the chalet that suits your needs, whether you’re travelling with family or friends. This means you can plan your Christmas celebrations in the mountains with peace of mind, and without any last-minute stress.
With shows, crafts, gourmet food and twinkling lights, each Christmas market in the Alps tells its own story. Whether you’re looking for local flavours, unique items or unforgettable memories, these markets offer an authentic and enchanting winter experience that will warm everyone’s heart.
Discover our best chalets for Christmas
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