The best Christmas markets in north France are just a short ferry ride across the English Channel, then there’s a great choice in the region from Lille down to Le Touquet. You can just do a short day trip to the nearest, but if it’s possible it’s much more fun to stay over. Take your car, visit any of the best Christmas markets in north France, eat a good meal and stay overnight. Then come home packed with goodies.  
Please Note: Hotel prices are from the low season, but that suits a Christmas Market trip!

Amiens christmas market with huge transparent twinkling bauble with people inside
Amiens Christmas Market Amiens OT ©ot Amiens Métropole

Here you’ll find details on the markets, dates, how to get there and that all-important detail…where to stay.

Amiens in Picardy

Front facade of Amiens cathedral looking up at illuminated figures in bright colours at night
Amiens Cathedral © C Riedel/Amiens Tourism

Amiens has France’s largest Gothic cathedral. At Christmas it is transformed by its spectacular son-et-lumière show. It makes the perfect backdrop to the annual market.

Amiens’ Christmas market is big with over 130 chalets selling food, drink and gifts from all over France, but also from further afield and places like Canada and India. There are special Christmas-themed rides for children (don’t miss the train), and a Big Wheel for the older ones. It takes place in the center of the city in Place Gambetta and the surrounding streets.

Amiens Market Dates: Nov 27-Dec 29, 2024 from 10:30am (except Monday morning) to 7:30pm (9pm Fridays and Saturdays).

More about Amiens

How to get to Amiens from the UK

By car: Take a ferry from Dover to Calais. It’s around a 1 hour 45 minute drive from Calais to Amiens (157 km/98 miles). There are tolls on the road.
By train: Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Lille Europe. Transfer from Lille Europe station to Gare de Lille Flandres (8-minute walk). Trains leave from Gare de Lille Flandres to Amiens regularly throughout the day. A ticket costs from £20 and the journey takes from 1 hour 18 minutes (direct).
OR take Eurostar from London St Pancras, Ebbsfleet or Ashford to Calais Fréthun (1 hour 1 minute). Regular trains take you to Calais Ville (9 minutes from around £2.50). Trains leave from Calais Ville to Amiens about every 3 hours throughout the day. A ticket costs from £26 and the journey takes from 1 hour 35 minutes.

Where to Stay in Amiens

Hôtel Le Prieuré et La Résidence is a chic 3-star hotel in two different buildings. The main 3-star hotel is in a former residence of a canon of the cathedral. It’s right in the old centre of town, has a range of 12 beautifully decorated rooms from the saintly and traditional to the funky and modern.
Rates: Double/twin room from €73. Breakfast €12.50.

Hôtel Le Prieuré et La Résidence in Amiens

Hôtel Le Prieuré et La Résidence
17 Rue Porion
80000 Amiens
Tel: +33 (0)3 22 71 16 71
Website

The 5-star Hôtel Marotte is at the top end of the range, and well worth the money. Set in a Flemish-style former house, this boutique hotel is now an Art Deco lover’s dream. It’s right in the action, has a wine and Champagne bar and tea room, and a spa. There’s a separate modern extension with spectacular huge suites.  
Rates: Double/Twin from €295.

Balcony outside looking through big panelled windows at Hotel Marotte Amiens
Hôtel Marotte in Amiens

Hôtel Marotte
3 Rue Marotte
80000 Amiens
Tel: +33 (0)3 60 12 50 00
Website

Arras

Arras christmas market nightime in main square with fake glittering xmas tree and town hall lit up behind and stalls in front
Arras Christmas Market © Arras Tourisme

If you can, come when St Nicholas abseils down the belfry on 6 December. There are bands playing on Fridays.

Arras Christmas Market information

Arras Market Dates: Nov 29-Dec 29, 2024

More about Arras

How to get to Arras from the UK

Best by train: Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Lille Europe. Transfer from Lille Europe station to Gare de Lille Flandres (an 8-minute walk). Trains leave from Gare de Lille Flandres to Arras regularly throughout the day. A ticket costs from £10.42 and the journey takes from 37 minutes (direct).
By car: Take a DFDS ferry from Dover to Calais. It’s around a 1 hour 10 minute drive from Calais to Arras (109 km/68 miles). There are tolls on the road. From Dover it’s about a 2 hour 30 minute trip.

Where to Stay in Arras

Check into what was once a 17th-century Jesuit monastery. Gone is the austerity; in its place the Hôtel de l’Univers offers 38 large, prettily decorated rooms just a few minutes away from the main action. It has a restaurant, and is family friendly.
Rates:  Doubles inc breakfast from €95.

Hôtel de l’Univers
13 & 5 Place de la Croix-Rouge
62000 Arras
Tel: +33 (0)3 21 71 34 01
Website

Béthune

Aerial view of Bethune Christmas market with tall belfry above square with carousel and lit chalets and people
Béthune Christmas market in the main square

Béthune is another one of those places that you normally pass by. But stop there and you’ll say ‘Wow; why haven’t I been here before?’ Most of the centre was destroyed in World War I. But standing in the square and looking at the 14th-century belfry, still extraordinarily intact after surviving the destruction, you wouldn’t know. The pretty houses around the square are a wonderful mix of baroque, Art Deco and…’what period is that one’ style?

So a visit to the Christmas market is doubly worthwhile. Over 50 chalets sell all the goodies you could want; there’s a carousel, big Big Wheel, sparkly Christmas tree, childrens section, special train and large covered ice rink.

Béthune Market Dates: Nov 29-Dec 29, 2024

More about Béthune and its market

How to get to Béthune from the UK

By car: Take a ferry from Dover to Calais. It’s around a 56 minute drive from Calais to Béthune (82 km/50 miles). There are tolls on the road. From Dover it’s about a 2 hour 25 minute trip.
By train: Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Lille Europe (1hr 22 mins). Transfer from Lille Europe station to Gare de Lille Flandres (an 8-minute walk). Trains leave from Gare de Lille Flandres to Béthune regularly throughout the day. A ticket costs from £4.50 and the journey takes from 26 minutes (direct).

Where to Stay in Béthune

Le Vieux Beffroi is simply decorated and good value. And it is just steps away from the main square. It has a restaurant and bar.
Rates: Double/Twin room from €67. Breakfast €9.90.

Le Vieux Beffroi
48 Grand’Place
62190 Béthune
Tel: +33 (0)3 21 68 15 00
Website

Boulogne-sur-Mer

The Christmas market might only be one weekend in December, but it’s such a great market and such a great city that I thoroughly recommend you go here for your Christmas shopping.

The market is held in the delightful vielle ville  (old town) which many visitors miss. Rue de Lille in full of chalets selling local delicacies (don’t miss the herrings!) and lovely gifts. There’s plenty of street theatre going on as well with elves cavorting (in the nicest possible way), and knights on wooden hobby horses entertaining you and the family. At the end of the rue de Lille stands the great, rather bombastic cathedral. The priest who had it built wanted something like St Peter’s in Rome; there’s nothing wrong with ambition.

View along crowded street with coloured lights in the air and dome of Boulogne church in background Christmas Market
Christmas Market in Boulogne-sur-Mer @OTBCO

Boulogne-sur-Mer Market Dates: Dec 13-15, 2024

More about Boulogne-sur-Mer

How to get to Boulogne-sur-Mer from the UK

By car: Take the ferry from Dover to Calais. It’s around a 35 minute drive from Calais to Boulogne (35 km/22 miles). From Dover to Boulogne it’s around a 1 hour 50 minute trip by Eurotunnel and it’s about a 2 hour 10 minutes by ferry.
By train: Take Eurostar from London St Pancras to Calais Fréthun (1 hour 1 minute). Regular trains take you to Calais Ville (9 minutes from around £2.50). Trains leave from Calais Ville to Boulogne regularly throughout the day. A ticket costs from £7.50 and the journey takes from 22 minutes.

Where to Stay in Boulogne-sur-Mer

To be near the market in the old town (and the château, museum, gardens, restaurants etc.,) and for a really interesting and pretty place to stay, try the upmarket L’Enclos de l’Evêché. The bed and breakfast has 3 bedrooms, all delightfully decorated in different styles. There’s a bar and a good breakfast.
Rates: Double/Twin rooms from €100 inc breakfast.

L'enclos de leveche boulogne sur mer bedroom Desvres with blue and white wallpaper and large bed
L’Enclos de Leveche in Boulogne, the Desvres room

L’Enclos de l’Evêché
6 Rue de Pressy
62200 Boulogne-sur-Mer
Tel: +33 (0)3 91 90 05 90
Website

For a really great experience, check into the 4-star, 35-roomed La Matelote. It’s on the seafront and right opposite Nausicaá – the excellent Centre National de la Mer. Rooms are comfortable though some can be on the small side. For the best, book a room with a terrace looking out to sea. There’s a Michelin-starred restaurant with excellent set menus (very good indeed), and a spa with swimming pool. It’s family owned and it shows with the friendly welcome.
Rates: Double/Twin room from €125.

Restaurant terrace of la matelote Boulogne exterior looking towards the sea with set tables
La Matelote

La Matelote
80 blvd Ste-Beuve
62200 Boulogne-sur-Mer
Tel: +33 (0)3 21 30 33 33
Website

Calais

Night with lit up Christmas trees of a forest in foreground and illuminated Town Hall in background
The Pine Forest at Calais Christmas Market @ Fred Colllier/Calais

Calais enjoys Christmas and does it very well. The Christmas Village takes over the large Place d’Armes and from 25 November, there’s also a forest of Christmas trees and a Nativity Creche to see.

There’s a Christmas letterbox open from the start of December (and Santa will answer!). There are all the usual jolly stalls, plus a 1900s 2-tier carousel and a skating rink you can whizz around. There are plenty of carol concerts, late openings in the shops and special offers.

Calais mechanical dragon is huge with people riding on its back
The Calais Dragon

If you’re in Calais don’t miss the great Calais Dragon as he huffs and puffs his way around town. He can take up to 50 passengers and lives on the Calais seafront so you often see him as you come in by ferry.

Calais Christmas Market Dates: Dec 1-30, 2024

More in my Guide to Calais

More about Calais and the Christmas Market

How to get to Calais from the UK

It couldn’t be easier.
By car: Take the ferry from Dover to Calais or for speed take Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais.
By train: Take Eurostar from London St Pancras to Calais Fréthun (1 hour 1 minute). Regular trains take you to Calais Ville (9 minutes from around £2.50).

Where to Stay in Calais

The 3-star Hôtel Meurice is one of Calais’ two rather splendid old-fashioned hotels. It’s next to the very good Fine Arts Museum, and has been welcoming guests (many of them British) since 1771. Its large rooms are pleasantly decorated; there’s a good restaurant and a bar which is distinctly British and club-like. It’s a 10-minute walk from the train station.
Rates: Double/Twin room from €79. Breakfast from €8.

Hôtel Meurice
5-7 Rue Edmond Roche
62100 Calais
Tel: +33 3 21 34 57 03
Website

Hôtel Métropole is another of those old-fashioned hotels that offer no surprises but comfort and good value. 40 rooms are well-sized; there’s a bar and the breakfast really satisfies. It’s a 5-6 minute walk from the train station and central Calais.
Rates: Double/Twin rooms from €79.

Hôtel Métropole
45 quai du Rhinbr
62100 Calais
Tel: +33 (0)3 21 97 54 00
Website

For a good, modern option go for the Ibis Styles Calais Centre. It’s in central rue Royale, has good, simply decorated rooms and a jolly breakfast area. It’s about 6 minutes from the train station and in the same street as one of my favourite Calais restaurants, Histoire Ancienne (at number 20). Children 15 and under stay free with an adult.
Rates: Double/Twin from €78, breakfast included.

Bright orange and white colours in bedroom in Ibis Stules Calais Centre
Ibis Styles Calais Centre

Ibis Styles Calais Centre
46 Rue Royale
62100 Calais
Tel: +33 3 21 97 45 00
Website

Dunkirk

Chistmas candle of snowman with face,hat, scarf against background of lights
Christmas Candle Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

Dunkirk (Dunkerque) is a small town well worth visiting, quite apart from the World War II Operation Dynamo sites. Their Christmas market opens in Place de la République, Place Jean Bart, and Place Charles Valentin. 50 chalets with good gifts; a big wheel, a Christmas forest complete with elves of course, a free ice rink and a whole lot of extra events. Santa Claus arrives in style to be welcomed to his castle (the town hall) at 5.45pm on 6 December (TBC).

Dunkirk Christmas Market Dates: Nov 27-Dec 27,2024

More about Dunkirk

How to get to Dunkirk from the UK


By car: Take the ferry from Dover to Dunkirk. The ferry takes one hour.
By train: Take Eurostar from London St Pancras to Calais Fréthun (1 hour 1 minute). Regular trains take you to Calais Ville (9 minutes from around £2.50). Trains go to Dunkirk but there are not many direct train (from 35 minutes). Otherwise you will have to change and it takes around 1 hr 45 minutes.

Where to Stay in Dunkirk

Try the good value, simple All Suites Apart Hôtel by the water. There are useful kitchenettes and good sized rooms.  
Rates: Double/Twin from €79. Breakfast €12.50.

All Suites Apart Hôtel
Quai Freycinet
1 Avenue de l’Université
59140 Dunkerque
Tel: +33 3 28 69 70 40
Website

Licques

Licques Turkey Parade with black turkeys being driven through the steets by people in costume
Licques Turkey Parade

You may not have heard of Licques. But this small town just 21 kms south of Calais rates pretty highly in French folklore at Christmas. For one weekend in mid December the town offers a great regional Christmas food market. So far, so good. What makes Licques stand out is the Fête de la Dinde. The turkey festival sees a gaggle of well-fed birds running through the town herded on Sunday morning by the Confrerie de Licques, the local bigwigs. It’s a competition for the best bird, and boy is it competitive. You’re offered a glass of the local liqueur, Licquoise, and you can then choose which bird you’re going to buy for the Christmas meal. The weekend ends with a dinner dance.

Licques Market and Turkey Parade Dates: Probably Dec 10 to 12, 2024 (Turkey parade on Dec 12).

More about Licques from the nearby Tourist Office

How to get to Licques


By car: You’ll have to take the car to Licques. Take the ferry from Dover to Calais or for speed take Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais. It’s around 21 kms (13 miles) and takes around 30 minutes.

Where to Stay in Licques

Either base yourself in Calais or try the bed and breakfast La Longère d’Ecottes. It’s a pretty house with a terrace and garden.
Rates: Double/Twin room €90 including breakfast.

La Longère d’Ecottes
573 Rue de Ferlinghem
62850 Licques
Tel: +33 (0)6 22 53 50 06
No Website

Lille

Christmas in Lille with part of big wheel lit up to left, pine branches in front and lit up town hall in background
Christmas in Lille

Lille is one of my favourite cities and I’m not alone. Its Christmas market in Place Rihour has around 90 wooden chalets selling gifts from around the world. There’s a big Big Wheel and a huge Christmas tree while festive lights twinkle all over Lille.

Lille Christmas Market Dates: Nov 20-Dec 29, 2024.

How to get to Lille from the UK


By car: Take the ferry from Dover to Calais. It’s around a 1 hr 20 minute drive from Calais to Lille (112 km/70 miles).
By train: Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Lille Europe (1hr 22 mins).

Where to Stay in Lille

The 3-star Hôtel de la Treille in the heart of old Lille was built in 1988 but is decorated in classic style. So you get modern comfort with old-fashioned elegance. It’s friendly and welcoming.
Rates: Double/Twin rooms from €115, breakfast included with more expensive options.

But please note: The hotel operates a 2-night only booking basis at busy times of the year.

confortable bar of Hotel de la Treille Lille with old fashioned sofa and chairs, mirror over fireplace
Hotel de la Treille Lille

Hôtel de la Treille
7-9 Place Louise de Bettignies
59000 Lille
Tel: + 33 3 20 55 45 46
Website

The Brueghel is a constant favourite. The hotel in a 19th-century Flemish-style building is tucked away down a side street. Rooms are simply but well decorated with antiques throughout, and it’s just 200 metres from the Grand Place.
Rates: Double/Twin rooms from €149. Breakfast from €12.

Hotel Brueghal Lille breakfast room with tables with fruit and paintings on walls
Brueghal Hotel breakfast room

The Brueghal
5 Parvis St-Maurice
59000 Lille
Tel: +33 (0)3 20 06 06 69
Website

Le Touquet Paris-Plage

Avenue of Christmas trees lit up leading down a green path to an old-fashioned building looking like a Swiss chalet
Le Touquet Christmas lights

Fashionable, stylish with a great history connected to Britain, Le Touquet Paris-Plage (to give it its formal name; most people just refer to Le Touquet), is a favourite seaside resort. Its a good place for presents and food. It takes place in the lovely covered market so you won’t have to worry about the weather.
There’s lots going on in Le Touquet, starting on the weekend of 25, 26 November with lights being turned on, a jazz band, fireworks and more. Father Christmas drives through the streets on certain days when you can give him your letters. Events, many at the weekends, continue to 1 January with a New Year swim. Here’s the programme.

Le Touquet Christmas Market Dates: Nov 22, 2024-Jan 5, 2025

More about the Christmas market in Le Touquet.

Le Touquet-Paris-Plage renamed its airport in honour of Queen Elizabeth II. More on that here.

How to get to Le Touquet from the UK


By car: Take the ferry from Dover to Calais. Then take the autoroute to Le Touquet. Total time via ferry is 2 hours 31 minutes.
By train: Take Eurostar from London St Pancras to Lille Europe. The train from Lille-Europe to Etaples-Le Touquet takes 1 hr 19 minutes. Total time varies from 3 hours 4 minutes to 5 hours 25 minutes depending on time of train. Total cost from £59 to £165.

Where to Stay in Le Touquet

Le Westminster Hotel in Le Touquet showing long view or facade of red brick in Art Deco style
Le Westminster Hotel in Le Touquet

The splendid L’Hôtel Barrière Le Westminster takes you back to a bygone, elegant age. It’s been recently refurbished and is very splendid indeed. Behind its Art Deco façade, you’ll find a Spa Nuxe, Michelin-starred restaurant, Art Deco brasserie and indoor pool.
Rates: Double/Twin rooms from €245.

Le Westminster
Av du Verger
62520 Le Touquet-Paris-Plage
Tel: +33 (0)3 21 05 48 48
Website

The Bar at Le Manoir Hotel le Touquet showing two at bar with bartender making cocktails
The Bar at Le Manoir Hotel Le Touquet

Stay just outside the centre in the splendidly traditional golf hotel Le Manoir. It’s set in the leafy, forest-like part of Le Touquet, is very comfortable and near the excellent golf course. If you’re a golfer they have special packages.
Rates: Double/Twin rooms from €100.

Le Manoir
2170 Ave du Golf
62520 Le Touquet-Paris-Plage
Tel: +33 (0)3 21 06 28 28
Website

Saint-Omer

Saint-Omer Christmas market with cut out, lit up abstracts boxes in front of old church
Saint-Omer Christmas Market © Tourisme en Pays de Saint-Omer

Saint-Omer is a delightful town, known for its excellent food market. So this is a good place to visit at Christmas when the main square, Place Foch, gets covered in red carpet for the carousels, a big wheel and stalls selling mulled wine for parents. It’s a small market but particularly good for young children with special stalls like the one offering fishing for ducks. Find the artisan stalls on the smaller square, Place Victor Hugo.

Saint-Omer Christmas Market: Nov 29-Dec 31, 2024

Saint-Omer Tourist Office

How to Get to Saint-Omer


By car: Take the DFDS ferry from Dover to Calais. Then it’s a 40km/40min drive to Saint-Omer
By train: Take Eurostar from London St Pancras to Calais Fréthun (1 hour 1 minute). Regular trains take you to Calais Ville (9 minutes from around £2.50). Trains go to Saint-Omer from here taking 27 mins

Where to Stay in Saint-Omer

L'Industrie Restaurant and HOtel with large windows in three sections reflecting man walking past
L’Industrie Restaurant and Hotel

L’Industrie has just 6 rooms, located above a well-known and popular restaurant in the centre of Saint-Omer.

Rates: Double/Twin Rooms from €75; Breakfast €13.50.

L’Industrie
22 Rue Louis Martell
Saint-Omer
Tel: +33 (0)3 21 11 51 35
Website

Ibis Saint-Omer is a good hotel with a popular restaurant; it’s part of the Mercure chain.

Rates: Double/Twin from €95.

Ibis Saint-Omer
2-4 rue Henri Dupuis
Saint-Omer
Tel: +33 (0)3 21 93 11 11
Website

So which are your best Christmas markets in north France? Please do send me your comments, so I can add your favorites.

Check out my article on the Best Christmas Markets throughout France from the North to Avignon.

Hauts-de-France region has wonderful food, so wonderful in fact that it was awarded the 2023 European Gastronomy Award.

Best Restaurants in north France (not always the most expensive!)

Here’s the story of food in Hauts-de-France.

And if it helps…here’s a bit more information

How the French celebrate Christmas

Festive Christmas Food in France

Events in France in November 2024

Events in France in December 2023

Food Festivals in France

French Public Holidays

More about getting to France from the UK

Most of the towns have cheap hotels. Check the budget hotel chain options.

Arras christmas market skating rink with families on ice
Arras Christmas Market © Arras Tourisme

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