The most famous Christmas market in France has taken place in Strasbourg (Alsace)Â for ages. But now, when you travel in France in December, you can attend to these winter fairs in most big cities.
The Strasbourg Xmas market near the cathedral is famous for its wonderful cakes, ginger bread and cookies, as well as for carols and Nativity plays. It is open from November,  28th through December 31th.
This year, the Christmas market in Nice has a Russian theme. From December, 6th to January, 5th 2010,  there will be lots of lovely little chalet stalls, plus a nice skating rink on Place Massena. You can have a look to local art craft and of course santons shops
In Paris, there are several Christmas markets: one  is located on the Parvis de la Defense with a contrast between little chalets and big towers, another on the Champs Elysees, with a marvellous stand of ice sculptures. Others will open on December, 5th on boulevard Saint Germain and Place Saint Sulpice (6e ardt), another near Montmartre (Marché Abbesses), and finally  in La Villette (20e ardt) on an exotic theme. In all places, you can enjoy a drink of mulled wine “vin chaud” and purchase handicraft gifts.
