Deux Sevres
This is an area where the Anglo/American idea of Christmas is in its infancy. When we arrived there in 2001, there were virtually no Christmas lights anywhere, neither in homes nor in town centres or squares, no trees and not many Christmas-sy things in the shops. But by the time we got to our last Christmas 2007, it was becoming wonderfully festive. Lights, trees, competitions between neighbours for the biggest, brightest lights, and the most massive drain on the national grid!

Two really lovely events do spring to mind: the Christmas market/fairs in the picturesque town of Melle, Deux Sevres, and the lovely Christmas market at the small town of Chef Boutonne.

Traditional accordion music plays alongside Christmas carols in the large market square which sits in the shadow of Melle's three imposing churches, church of Saint-Hilaire being the most impressive. It's a quiet, rural French Christmas market, Santa Claus is around for most of the day and is happy to speak and dish out free gifts to English as well as French children. A lovely, uncommercialised Christmas market in a quaint setting.      - Rob Bullock

Chef Boutonne
The Christmas Market in the small market town that sits at the source of the Boutonne river in Deux Sevres is a tiny but wonderfully festive event. Normally it's held on a Saturday (Saturday being market day in Chef Boutonne) evening in early December. The square in the centre of town is decked out in fairy lights, there's a big tree in the middle and a small tent is erected to protect the musicians from the worst of the elements.

There are stalls and games for children, and Santa seems to be constantly taking breaks from entertaining the children to have a warming glass of wine at one of the local bars. You'll have exhausted the treats at this market in well under half an hour, but it's a nice way to work up an appetite for supper. A friendly, fun and enjoyable way to experience Christmas Deux Sevres style.      - Rob Bullock

Annecy Christmas markets
Marché de Noël d'Annecy

The local Christmas markets are a real treat in Annecy especially for the children. The setting - close to the mountains and famous lake add to the uniqueness of the festive season. The markets are located in the medieval part of town and the overall effect is quite magical. Combined with the extensive but subtle street Christmas lighting you can easily forget that the new year is just around the corner.

As in most markets in France the commercial aspect is relatively toned-down with an emphasis on handmade crafts, local foods and wines. The stalls are enclosed in mini wooden chalets which really add to the authentic look and feel.

The vin chaud is something I personally enjoy as coming from Australia, the idea of hot wine is a real novelty.      - David Giorgi

Strasbourg
The market in Strasbourg is huge and quite well known. The thing is to get away from the very commercial part and find the real "crafts" (woodwork); it's much smaller. Drinking some 'vin chaud' is a must.      - Anne Jacqueline

Oh, the Champs Elysées...
My Paris Christmas market vote goes to a newcomer. As far as I'm concerned, the bigger, sparklier and tackier the better. The Champs Elysées Christmas market, which started last year (between Franklin Roosevelt metro and Concorde), is blinding, in every way.      - Pauline Harris

Fontevraud
As part of our annual celebrations here in Fontevraud, on the 5 December, between 10h - 19h, the streets will be alive with Christmas music and there will be an overarching theme in celebration of the grape and the Loire Valley winegrowers, with plenty of opportunity for visitors to sample the finest wines.

All of the workshops, restaurants, cafes and shops will join together in celebration of the subject of wine and most places, including the l'abbaye Royale will have a wine-grower in situ ready to talk to visitors about the virtues of drinking wine.  Special Christmas themed foods and drinks will be available to purchase throughout the village and local tea-room, Chez Teresa will be offering a taste d'Angleterre with a Christmas theme to include traditional English style mince pies.      - Teresa Dolan

Turquant
Throughout the month of December within the troglodyte caves there will be illuminations and seasonal activity. Turquant has recently benefited from an injection of over EUR 2 million with many of its caves restored.

This is a village of artists boasting glass blowers, sculptures, a pomme tapée, creators of fashion accessories and a fabulous restaurant L'helianthe. There is also an antique arts restorer, Marc Boutfol who specialises in the restoration and replication of heraldic, byzantine and renaissance artefacts.

Local bar Bistroglo will be hosting special themed events and serving local brewed beers as well as wines and juices.  Check out the website for more information.       - Teresa Dolan

Montreuil-Bellay
We have been to the one in Montreuil-Bellay in the past and it is really rather charming with most of its medieval streets lined with market stalls of fresh produce, special crafts and Christmas gifts. There is food galore and the streets are scented with the smell of roasted chestnuts and fouée, and decorated with festive decorations and the trees threaded with fairy lights.       - Teresa Dolan

Doué-la-Fontaine

Doué-la-Fontaine also holds a Marché de Noël in the Arènes, the town’s ancient arena where the stands of artisans line the festively decorated caves. Musicians play festive melodies and food (including escargot) and drink is available, and of course the aromatic vin chaud which, as winter dawns, the French seem to have adopted with gusto.      - Teresa Dolan

Reims
Reims is a very historical town and site of the first French Christmas celebration in 496 A.D. Over 100 stalls with a lot of things going on, with champagne as well. www.reims-tourisme.com      - Steven Grover

 
Dijon
Smaller than both of the above but the town is lovely, has lots of regional delicacies like mustard, spice bread and lots of very good wine, here's a link.      - Steven Grover
 
Strasbourg
A bit further away but probably the most famous in France I spent a few days there a couple of years ago and this is a great one because the market is amazing and one of the oldest markets in France. The setting in front of the cathedral makes it very festive, plus the local food and wine suit the winter time perfectly. Check out the link at Noel Strasbourg.      - Steven Grover

From mid-November onwards 'marchés de Noël' take place all over the département and every weekend will provide a choice of events aimed at family enjoyment of Christmas.

Wares on offer will be from local 'producteurs', typically producers of wine, olive oil and other grape and olive products, meat, poultry and charcuterie, cheese generally from goats or sheep, jam, honey and conserves, bread and patisserie.

Increasingly some will be 'bio' (organic). This is standard fare throughout the year along with art and craft products - candles, soap from asses milk, dried lavender products, plus pottery, paintings, cards and decorations. Christmassy elements added may be mulled wine, special fare such as 'foie gras', or roast chestnuts and ideas for presents and decorations.

A local speciality in the Catalan part of le 66 is 'pessebres' - these are living cribs where local residents play the roles in the nativity scene and there may be traditional songs to accompany the pageant.      - Clare Gallaway

For those located in the UK, Expatica also recommends:

Lille Christmas Market
Lille Christmas Market is extremely popular with the British because of the Eurostar link. The Christmas Market in Lille takes place in the Place Rihour, which is full of stall-holders. The Eurostar journey to Lille Xmas Market takes as little as 80 minutes. Open From 19 Nov 2011 to 30 Dec 2011.

Updated by Teodora Todorova / Expatica

If you have a favourite Christmas market in France, leave a message below in our comment boxes.