Vauréal Christmas Market

Vauréal, the town of Cergy-Pontoise celebrates

Vauréal is a town in the Cergy-Pontoise urban community, a new town founded in the 1970s. Like its neighbors Cergy, Pontoise, Éragny, and Osny, it was born from the major urban planning project that restructured the north of the Val-d'Oise around the concept of a new town. Despite this recent construction context, Vauréal has developed its own identity and a dynamic associative and cultural fabric. Every December, its Christmas market at Mail Mendès-France illustrates this vitality with a large-scale festive event that brings together exhibitors and visitors from across the agglomeration.

Eighty-five exhibitors at the Mail

With its 85 exhibitors, the Vauréal Christmas market is one of the most well-stocked in the Val-d'Oise. This critical mass allows for a remarkably diverse range of artisanal and commercial offerings, capable of satisfying all tastes and budgets. Craftsmen display their expertise in jewelry, ceramics, wood carving, engraving, screen printing, embroidery, and textile creation. Local producers—market gardeners from Vexin, beekeepers from Val-d'Oise, artisan bakers and confectioners, winegrowers from the region—bring their specialties to fill the festive tables. Specialty merchants complete the offering with decorative items, fashion, and original gift ideas.

The Friday inauguration evening

Vauréal's tradition dictates that the market be inaugurated on Friday evening, creating a festive evening dedicated to adults and families who wish to enjoy the market in a more intimate atmosphere before the weekend crowds. On Friday, from 6 PM to 11 PM, the atmosphere is particularly conducive: the illuminations shine brightly, festive music fills the air, and hot drinks—spiced mulled wine, Norman hot cider, homemade hot chocolate—warm the first visitors settling in among the chalets. The first tastings of gourmet products create a friendly and relaxed atmosphere much appreciated by regulars.

Saturday: the magical village

Saturday, from 10 AM to 8 PM, is the peak day of the Vauréal market. The central square transforms into a magical Christmas village where local artisans, creators, merchants, and producers offer gifts and delicacies in an unparalleled festive atmosphere. Activities multiply throughout the day: street performances, acoustic concerts, creative workshops for children, parades of Christmas characters. Santa Claus makes several appearances to enchant the little visitors. Families linger around the gourmet stands, savoring raclette, tartiflette, hot crepes, and seasonal soup.

Sunday for families

Sunday, from 10 AM to 3 PM, is particularly dedicated to families with children. The calmer pace of Sunday morning allows time to chat with exhibitors, taste their products, and choose gifts in peace. Creative workshops for children are offered in short sessions to allow everyone to leave with their creation. The short duration of Sunday also creates a friendly sense of urgency that gives this last day of the market its particular rhythm.

Vauréal and the Oise in December

Vauréal benefits from a pleasant natural setting, with preserved green spaces between residential areas. The proximity of the Oise river and the wooded forests of the Val-d'Oise invites invigorating winter walks that ideally complement a visit to the market. The Cergy-Pontoise urban community, of which Vauréal is a member, offers a dense and varied Christmas festivities program throughout its territory, making the Advent period particularly rich in activities for residents.

Practical Information

By RER train: RER A, stop Cergy-le-Haut (then bus) or Cergy-Préfecture (15 min walk to Vauréal).

By car: A15, exit Cergy-Pontoise. N184 then D203. Free parking available at Mail Mendès-France.

Free entry to the market and all activities over the three days.