Christmas

What is ideal calendar donation for French firefighters and postal workers?

There is no set price for the calendars, which are sold in workers’ spare time

Covid-19: What is latest situation in France ahead of Christmas?

Santé Publique France revealed new figures in its latest update

Major French Christmas market to open this winter despite blaze

Opening date has been pushed back one week

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How much do people in France spend on Christmas on average?

The Christmas meal and gifts are the largest expenses, with almost 50% worried about cost

Major fire breaks out at one of France’s most popular Christmas markets

The cause of the blaze has yet to be officially determined

Firefighters, postal workers, rubbish collectors: Alert on calendar scams in France

Many professions offer calendars at this time of year - but not all sellers who visit your home are genuine

PHOTOS: French town uses horses to collect old Christmas trees

A horse-drawn carriage picks up the trees which are then recycled and turned into mulch to use as protection from weeds

Bin, forest? How to dispose of your Christmas tree legally in France

Be aware that there can be tough fines for fly-tipping and even worse for dumping it in a forest

SING ALONG: French Christmas classic carols

Wondering what your French neighbours are singing? Check out these translations and sing along to the French version of Jingle Bells, Silent Night, and more

Watch out for this scam parcel text in run up to Christmas in France

Gendarmerie are warning people to stay alert to this common Chronopost scam

Festive French phrases and words for the Christmas period

Joyeux Noël tout le monde - your vocabulary guide to get you through the festive season

Where are homes most at risk of burglary in France?

Plus: tips to help avoid being a victim over Christmas holiday period

These Christmas tree bags in France can help with more than housework

Charity bags fund services for disadvantaged children across world, as well as help disabled workers in France

The French village with more than 500 Christmas nativity scenes

The hill-top Provencal village of Lucéram has become famous for having the most festive crèches in France

Day 12 French regional Christmas specialities: Seafood platter

Oysters are unavoidable - but there are many other options too

Broaden your Christmas vocabulary with these festive French phrases

If you are ready to move on from the basic ‘Joyeux Noël!’ take a look at these yuletide expressions

Rise in respiratory infections continues in France

Three more regions are now at ‘pre-epidemic’ stage for flu and wastewater samples are showing a 24% rise in the presence of the Covid virus

Day 7 of French regional Christmas specialities: Pain d’épices

Pain d’épices is another Christmas staple of the Alsace region. A small village famously hosts one of the most famous gingerbread houses, and even a gingerbread museum

Meet the French designer already working on Christmas wrapping 2024

We go behind the scenes to find out how gift wrap designers predict trends, colours and patterns in advance - just like fashion

Day 6 of French regional Christmas specialities: Vin chaud

Many European countries have a version of this, often made with local alcohol or spices, and Alsatians too have their own twist, including a white wine version

Day 5 of French regional Christmas specialities: Treize desserts

There used to be no ‘set’ amount of desserts until the early 20th century, although people from Provence still choose 13 desserts from a selection of 55

What is Saint Nicholas Day celebrated in France on December 6?

Areas of France dedicate a day to the saint who inspired Santa Claus

France’s ‘Christmas bonus’: Who is eligible and how does it work?

The annual payments are set to begin next month. We explain who is eligible, how it will be paid, and how the amount is calculated

Day 4 of French regional Christmas specialities: Chapon farci

Chapon farci are often associated with Bresse, an area overlapping two regions, and where there is a myriad of stuffing options

Day 1 of French regional Christmas specialities: Crépinettes

This south-west and Savoie favourite is often eaten in an unexpected combination with oysters, a traditional dish on Christmas meal tables in France

Day 2 of French regional Christmas specialities: Bredeles of Alsace

Bredeles are a Christmas staple of eastern France but many people do not wait for the festive season to bake them

PHOTOS: Seven beautiful Christmas markets in France

There are few better ways to get in the festive spirit

Children in France can write to Father Christmas via La Poste

Letters can be sent up until December 20 and each will receive a response

Christmas TGV and other train tickets now on sale in France

Site crashes as travellers try to book early to get the best fares before prices jump

Cart horses collect Christmas trees and ‘bring joy’ across France

Around 200 towns use horse-drawn carts to collect recycling, take children to school or senior citizens to market

Eight ideas for what to do with your old Christmas tree in France

Leaving your tree on the pavement without authorisation is illegal. Here are some suggestions of what to do with your ‘sapin’ instead

New Year in France: What will the traffic be like this weekend?

Children will return to school from their Christmas holidays on Tuesday, meaning that many families will be travelling home from trips this weekend

Aix-en-Provence: the refined city full of French Christmas tradition

Watch santons figures being made, sample the sweet calissons or travel back to the 1960’s in elegant Aix

Brittany town painstakingly recreated in miniature by dedicated couple

What started as a helping hand to enhance the local church’s nativity scene became a monumental project involving 50 people

Heavy rain and flooding alerts for eastern France ahead of Christmas

Savoie and Haute-Savoie are under an orange warning, while much of northern France are on yellow alerts for strong winds. What will Christmas weekend look like?

Did you know? Strasbourg was France’s first Christmas market

Strasbourg has been known as 'The Christmas Capital' for nearly thirty years and for many years after its debut in the early 16th century, it was the only one of its kind

Gardening in France: French history and care of Christmas trees

’Tis the season for 'sapin' tales, with gardening on hold during the darkest month in France we turn to magic and mystery

France rail strikes: Two in five TGV trains cancelled this weekend

SNCF will meet with unions to try to avert another strike on New Year’s weekend. We explain how compensation will work for those affected

From spit cake to elf shoes... a Tour de France by Christmas desserts

How many have you tried?

French rail operator offers reassurance over Christmas travel strikes

At least two in three trains will be running, SNCF claims

‘Noël au balcon, Pâques au tison’: Our French expression of the week

As Christmas approaches, we look at a phrase that might come in handy if the weather stays mild

Travel strikes, face masks, wood heating aid: The week ahead in France

The European Court of Human Rights will also rule on whether Éric Zemmour’s 2017 conviction for inciting hatred based on religion undermined his freedom of expression

Christmas strikes, Paris-Madrid trains: 10 France travel updates

We also look at holiday traffic, a ferry company anniversary celebration and a decree allowing Father Christmas to fly over a French commune

'Peak' cold to hit France this weekend: what about Christmas?

Temperatures of -15C are expected in some areas on Saturday after a week of freezing weather, snow and ice

How to choose French wines to match classic British Christmas food

We explore the perfect pairings for turkey, salmon and Christmas pudding

Traditional French Christmas food and a very modern bûche de Noël

We look at why France is ‘top’ at festive fayre and the mandatory chocolate log gets a star chef makeover

Visit magical Marseille and swap snow for sun this Christmas

The vibrant Provençal city that offers 136 hours of December sunshine is full of festive spirit and a wonderful Christmas market

14 changes for residents and property owners in France December 2022

Key dates include an end to fuel rebates and the 4% electricity cap, aid for wood-fired homes and gadget repairs, Christmas bonuses and more

Fuel, Prime de Noël, Covid: 9 December 2022 dates to note in France

Key dates include an end to fuel rebates and the 4% electricity cap, aid for wood-fired homes and gadget repairs, Christmas bonuses, new mask recommendations and long-Covid help

UK Eurostar security workers to strike in lead-up to Christmas

Services are expected to be ‘severely affected’. The 100 staff members, who are employed by a private contractor, are calling for pay increases

When is Saint Nicholas Day and how is it celebrated in France?

Some areas of France remember the saint who inspired Santa Claus in December

Beware the Christmas firefighter calendar scam, say French police

Bogus door-to-door marketers don false costumes to sell fake calendars to an unsuspecting public

The deadlines for sending Christmas gifts to and from France

Royal Mail strikes mean you should send gifts between France and the UK well in advance this year. We also explain how long it takes to send packages to and from the US

Cost of Christmas trees up by 20%: how to find best option in France

The increasing cost is due to rising packaging and transport costs. However, some shops are offering discounts

French nursery looks after Christmas trees for next year

Trees can be returned, stored, and reused the following festive period

Children in France have until December 20 to write to Père Noël

Sixty years ago two postal workers’ independent actions sparked the tradition of replies being sent to children who write to Father Christmas. Letters in English are accepted

French cheesemakers bring out an advent calendar with 24 types to try

Each numbered door leads to a different cheese, with the Strasbourg-based makers promising a real tasting experience

SNCF opens ticket sales for Christmas train journeys around France

TGV Inoui and Intercités trains can be booked up to January 2, while Ouigo service reservations are open up to July 2023

Savoie: Christmas trees collected with help of horse-drawn carriages

The towns of Chambéry and Aix-les-Bains say it is an eco-friendly solution. Organisers say it provides entertainment too and is appreciated by locals

Covid France: record 180,000 new cases reported in 24 hours

The previous record of 104,611 daily cases had been set on Christmas Day

Covid France: 500,000 people set to spend Christmas in self-isolation

On average, more than 50,000 people are testing positive for Covid each day, all of whom should still be quarantining over Christmas

Risk of parcel theft increases in run up to Christmas in France

People who live in apartment blocks are most targeted with police calling for a change concerning who has access to master keys to unlock postboxes

Heartbreak for Britons kept out by Covid rules

Families were split and plans had to be remade when travel rules between France and the UK tightened last week. The rules are not the same in both directions and are more serious for some...

Omicron, boosters, child vaccines: Updates from French health minister

Olivier Véran estimates that by the New Year France will be seeing 100,000 Covid infections per day but that it will not necessarily bring a wave of hospitalisations due to vaccination

Covid and Christmas: French government's four tips for staying safe

Official advice for end-of-the-year events to limit the spread of Covid-19

Extreme cold for end of year in France? -10C in some predictions

Today is set to be the country’s coldest winter solstice in 15 years, and freezing air from Russia may extend these weather conditions up to New Year

French home’s huge Christmas decorations attract thousands of visitors

The 22-year-old creator of a winter wonderland – which took six weeks and €15,000 to create – says seeing children and parents ‘happy makes me even happier’

Health advisors call for New Year Covid restrictions in France

New Year celebrations pose a greater risk than Christmas gatherings of spreading Covid, le Conseil scientifique has said, as it suggests restrictions on larger events and parties

Can I travel from France to US for Christmas?

The US State Department put France on an amber travel alert in August

Positive signs for France-UK Christmas travel

Changes are coming in both the UK and France which should make it easier to make family visits across the Channel

Covid rules France: How many friends can come for Christmas?

The French government has promised that it will be possible to have Christmas as a family

Can our son in the UK visit us in France for Christmas?

Travel into France from EU countries (including the UK) has been allowed since the end of lockdown on December 15

France’s Christmas ‘bonus’ paid to two million households from today

The annual prime de Noël has been given to lower income households every December since 1998. The minimum amount is €152

‘High price of UK tests means no family Christmas visit this year’

Our family of five would have to fork out almost €500 in Covid tests at an already expensive time of year - sadly, it’s made us decide to cancel

Omicron, tests, guests: Official guidelines for Christmas in France

The Conseil scientifique recommends that people have smaller festive gatherings, air rooms regularly and think about taking a Covid test before seeing family and friends