Discover Northern France's best Christmas markets - less than 90 minutes from Calais!

The Christmas markets of Europe attract millions of visitors from around the world every year, who are drawn to the beautiful fairytale villages and wrap themselves in the fabulously festive atmosphere. Thousands of tourists from the UK cross the Channel to experience the magic, and DFDS invites you to join us onboard and head over to some of France’s most beautiful (and underrated) Christmas markets.

The Christmas market in Le Touquet has everything you'd expect from this stylish yet family friendly resort, and the pine trees that surround it add a thoroughly Christmassy feel to this beautiful seaside town. It's safe to say that the town goes all out for the Christmas period!

The Christmas market is declared officially open with the Christmas lights switch on, followed by a fabulous fireworks display over the Channel where the whole town gathers along the promenade and the beach to marvel at the display above, beautifully reflected on the glittering surface of the water.

The market and its wooden chalets take over the town, selling hand-made gifts, artisanal crafts and locally produced food and drink for you to add to your dinner table at Christmas, including cheese, wine and sweets. There are also festive favourites like roast chestnuts and mulled cider on sale for you to enjoy as you explore the market.

Enjoy the ice-skating rinks and romantic horse drawn carriage rides and get a good spot for the captivating Christmas parade with decorated floats and spectacular festive performances. It's a true winter wonderland for kids, who will love exploring the illuminated trail in the Enchanted Forest and posting their letters to Santa. There are also shows, games, and rides especially for little ones to enjoy.

Le Touquet has a thriving jazz scene throughout the year, welcoming cool cats from across the world, and at Christmas Le Touquet holds one of the key events in the jazz calendar, Jazz à Noël, which has been a staple of the Christmas celebrations in Le Touquet and draws thousands of jazz fans every year. Previous guests have included such renowned jazz singers as Melody Gardot, Madeleine Peyroux, and Stacey Kent in a celebration of jazz in all its forms.

Don't Miss: Don't forget to explore the fabulous Art-Deco and Belle Époque era villas that are dotted along the seafront and throughout the town - they are especially beautiful lit up for Christmas, so pop by the Le Touquet tourist office to pick up a guide.

Widely regarded as one of the prettiest Christmas markets in France, thanks in part to its incredible architecture dating back to medieval times, Béthune is perfect for visitors looking to escape the busier nearby cities of Amiens and Lille for a more peaceful but no less festive Christmas market.

Explore the chalets and stalls selling the usual Christmas gifts, food and crafts from the local area and from around the world, and enjoy the varied entertainment, attractions and events on offer. Get into the festive spirit with the concerts and musical performances of Christmas favourites by gospel choirs, hip-hop groups and jazz bands that take place on weekends, with Santa himself singing the blues.

The rides, which include a carousel, Christmas train and Ferris wheel, are open every day for visitors to enjoy, and kids can have fun in the inflatable play area, enjoy stories and magic shows, and take part in workshops to create their own baubles to hang on the tree. Make sure you get a photo with Santa before he heads back to the North Pole!

The church of Saint-Vaast holds events for everyone to get involved in, including a bike tour of Béthune’s bell towers, light shows projected onto the façade of the church, and a workshop where people can write Christmas cards that are sent to people in need.

Don't Miss: The 6th December is the feast day of St Nicholas, better known as Santa Claus. On this special day visitors to the markets are rewarded with a most unusual sight - Santa Claus abseiling down Béthune's UNESCO World Heritage belfry!

The Christmas Village in Arras’ Grand Place is one of the biggest in the Hauts de France region. 2022’s market outdid previous years with a longer route spread over five locations and nearly double the number of stalls, up from 60 in 2021 to over 110 in 2022.

The Grand Place is the heart of the Christmas village, at its centre an 80ft high fully illuminated Christmas tree accompanied by a vintage carousel. Combined with the glittering lights and extravagant decorations the already stunning square becomes even more wondrous as the Christmas celebrations begin. Arras is famed for its exquisite architecture, and the Christmas lights and decoration only add to the beauty of the city in scenes that look like they belong in a Christmas fairytale. The belfry of the Grand Place and the facades of the buildings overlooking the square are illuminated with a spectacular light show.

The village continues across the city, with Santa’s house, rides such as carousels, toboggans and a Ferris wheel, and an ice rink for visitors of all to enjoy. With the Christmas village spread over much of the city it is no surprise that there is a packed events schedule spanning the duration of the market, with live music performances, dances, and shows.

Pick up some extra special food for your Christmas dinner, as the area is renowned for its beer and cheese. You won't have trouble finding delicious local produce, from the aromatic Sablé de Wissant cheese to the craft beers of the numerous local breweries. And you can't forget to sample some of the delicious vin chaud while exploring the market!

Don’t Miss: The opening ceremony of the Christmas village begins the festivities with a procession through the town by musicians, dancers and acrobats dressed in colourful costumes. Make sure you get a good spot!

Sail into Christmas and visit some of France’s best Christmas markets with DFDS. DFDS offers up to 30 crossings per day on its Dover to Calais service, with day trip fares starting at £39 return for a car and four people. Browse a selection of fragrances, cosmetics and electronics in DFDS’ duty-free shops and save up to 50 per cent off UK high-street prices. 

Upgrade your ticket to include access to the exclusive Premium Lounge with complimentary hot and cold drinks and snacks from £12 per person. Add Priority Boarding to be one of the first to board and disembark the ferry from £10 per car each way. 

For more information or to book visit www.dfds.com

Michelle Ulyatt / Adam Toombs / Karen Bayfield

Roch PR Ltd

T: +44 1304 272509

E: dfdsteam@rochpr.com

DFDS provides ferry and transport services in and around Europe, generating annual revenues of EUR 2.3 bn.

DFDS delivers high reliability to more than 10,000 freight customers through ferry and port terminal services and transport and logistics solutions.

For more than five million passengers, it provides safe overnight and short sea ferry services.

Our 12,000 employees are located on ships and in offices across 20 countries. DFDS was founded in 1866, is headquartered in Copenhagen, and listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen.

In the UK, DFDS operates passenger ferry services on routes from Dover to Calais, Dover to Dunkirk, Newcastle to Amsterdam and Newhaven to Dieppe.

DFDS has been named ‘Europe’s Leading Ferry Operator’ for 11 years running (2012-2022), as well as the ‘World’s Leading Ferry Operator’ for the last 12 years (2011-22).

DFDS currently operates up to 54 sailings a day between Dover and Calais and Dunkirk. DFDS also offers two daily sailings between Newcastle and Amsterdam. In addition, the UK network includes a passenger and freight service between Newhaven and Dieppe, which has four daily sailings and is owned by Transmanche Ferries.

For further information about DFDS, or to find out about the latest sailing times, fares and offers across all routes from the UK, visit www.dfds.com.