Noël en Velay
Christmas market, ice rink and festive activities in Le Puy-en-Velay
About Noël en Velay
Noël en Velay is the major winter event in Le Puy-en-Velay, organized annually by the City in partnership with the Agglomeration's Office of Commerce and Crafts. From late November to early January, the Place du Breuil hosts a Christmas village with about forty artisan and restaurateur chalets, an outdoor ice rink, and a Ferris wheel offering panoramic views of the city. For over a month, dozens of free activities punctuate the festivities: parades of giant mascots, street shows, concerts, carriage rides, creative workshops for children, and visits from Santa Claus. The event has become a must-see for year-end celebrations in Haute-Loire.
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Noël en Velay: The Magic of the Holidays in the Heart of Le Puy-en-Velay
Every winter, the city of Le Puy-en-Velay adorns itself with its most beautiful lights for Noël en Velay, a large-scale festive event that transforms the city center into a true Christmas village. Organized by the City of Le Puy-en-Velay in collaboration with the Office of Commerce and Crafts of the Agglomeration, this event has become over the years an unmissable rendezvous for the inhabitants of Haute-Loire and visiting tourists.
The Christmas Village on Place du Breuil
The heart of Noël en Velay beats on the Place du Breuil, one of the largest squares in Le Puy-en-Velay. Around forty chalets are set up here, divided between creator chalets offering local crafts, original gift ideas, and unique creations, and restaurateur chalets offering gourmet specialties, mulled wine, crepes, and other seasonal delights. The creator chalets are open daily from 12 PM to 7 PM, while the restaurateur chalets welcome visitors from 12 PM to 9 PM, with late openings until 10 PM on certain Fridays and Saturdays in December.
The Christmas Ice Rink
A star attraction of the event, the outdoor ice rink is set up every year on the Place du Breuil for the delight of young and old alike. Open from late November to early January, it offers various time slots: during school terms from 12 PM to 8 PM on weekdays and from 10 AM to 8 PM on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, then daily from 10 AM to 8 PM during holidays. Late openings until 10 PM are organized on several Fridays and Saturdays in December. Prices are affordable: €6 in the morning (10 AM-1 PM) and €7 in the afternoon and evening (1 PM-8 PM or 10 PM). Helmets and knee pads are lent free of charge for children, and gloves are mandatory (available for €4 on site).
The Ferris Wheel and Attractions
Since recent editions, a Ferris wheel has complemented the attractions of the Christmas village, offering visitors a unique viewpoint over the illuminated city, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the statue of the Virgin Mary. This installation enhances the magical character of the event and allows visitors to discover the exceptional heritage of Le Puy-en-Velay from a new perspective.
Activities for the Whole Family
Noël en Velay also features a rich program of free activities offered by the City. The event's launch is marked by an inaugural parade from Place du Plot, with a batucada, giant mascots, and soap bubble shows. Throughout the period, street performances, concerts, creative workshops, and free carriage rides (departing from Place du Plot) animate the city center. Santa Claus makes appearances on several days in the streets, distributing candy and smiles to children. The city's cultural institutions—the Ateliers des Arts, the Municipal Library, and the Musée Crozatier—also participate in the program with special workshops and events.
An Event Rooted in the Territory
Noël en Velay is fully integrated into the commercial and tourist dynamics of Le Puy-en-Velay. The event contributes to the attractiveness of the city center during the winter season and highlights the know-how of local artisans and the regional products of Haute-Loire. Beyond the Christmas market, the shops in the city center join in the celebration with decorated windows and special events, making the entire city a Christmas setting at the foot of its UNESCO World Heritage monuments.
Noël en Velay — edition 2026
2025-2026 edition of Noël en Velay in Le Puy-en-Velay. From November 29, 2025, to January 4, 2026, the Place du Breuil hosts the Christmas village with about forty artisan and restaurateur chalets, the outdoor ice rink, a Ferris wheel, and numerous free festive activities for the whole family.
Noël en Velay 2025-2026
The 2025-2026 edition of Noël en Velay runs from November 29, 2025, to January 4, 2026, on the Place du Breuil in Le Puy-en-Velay. The Christmas village returns with its share of novelties and must-haves to illuminate the end-of-year holidays in Haute-Loire.
The Christmas Village
About forty chalets host artisan creators and restaurateurs on the Place du Breuil. The creator chalets are open daily from 12 PM to 7 PM, offering local crafts, Christmas decorations, jewelry, toys, and gift ideas. The restaurateur chalets serve their festive specialties daily from 12 PM to 9 PM: mulled wine, hot chocolate, crepes, tartiflette, and seasonal delicacies.
The Ice Rink
The outdoor ice rink returns to the Place du Breuil. Outside school holidays: open from 12 PM to 8 PM on weekdays and from 10 AM to 8 PM on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. During holidays: daily from 10 AM to 8 PM. Late openings until 10 PM are scheduled for Fridays and Saturdays, November 29, December 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, and 26-27. Prices: €6 in the morning, €7 in the afternoon/evening.
The Ferris Wheel
A recent addition, the Ferris wheel offers an exceptional panorama of the illuminated Le Puy-en-Velay, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Corneille rock, and the statue of the Virgin Mary.
Activities
Numerous free activities punctuate the festive season: street shows, concerts, creative workshops for children, carriage rides, and visits from Santa Claus. The City, the Ateliers des Arts, the Municipal Library, and the Musée Crozatier offer a rich and varied program for the whole family.
Highlights Noël en Velay 2026
- Christmas village from November 29, 2025, to January 4, 2026, on Place du Breuil
- About forty creator and restaurateur chalets
- Outdoor ice rink with late openings until 10 PM
- Ferris wheel with panoramic views of the illuminated city
- Late openings on Fridays and Saturdays in December
- Free activities for the whole family
- Carriage rides and Santa Claus visits
- Exceptional closures: December 25 and January 1
Prices Noël en Velay 2026
Practical information — Noël en Velay
Practical Information
Dates and Period
Noël en Velay takes place annually from late November to early January, spanning approximately five weeks of festivities covering the entire holiday season. The opening usually occurs on the last weekend of November.
Location
The Christmas village (chalets, ice rink, Ferris wheel) is located on the Place du Breuil, in the heart of Le Puy-en-Velay. Activities also take place on the Place du Plot and in the streets of the city center.
Christmas Market Hours
- Creator Chalets: Daily from 12 PM to 7 PM
- Restaurateur Chalets: Daily from 12 PM to 9 PM
- Late Openings: Until 10 PM on certain Fridays and Saturdays in December
Ice Rink Hours
- Outside School Holidays: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 12 PM to 8 PM; Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday from 10 AM to 8 PM
- School Holidays: Daily from 10 AM to 8 PM
- Late Openings: Until 10 PM on certain Fridays and Saturdays in December
- Exceptional Closures: December 25 and January 1; early closing at 5 PM on December 24 and 31
Ice Rink Prices
- Morning (10 AM-1 PM): €6 for 1 hour of skating
- Afternoon/Evening (1 PM-8 PM or 10 PM): €7 for 1 hour of skating
- 10-Entry Pass: €63 instead of €70
- Mandatory Gloves: Available for €4 on site
- Helmets and Knee Pads: Lent free of charge for children
Activity Prices
The vast majority of activities (shows, concerts, carriage rides, Santa Claus visits) are free. Access to the Christmas market is free and open to all. The Ferris wheel and ice rink are subject to a charge.
Access
By Car: Le Puy-en-Velay is accessible via the N88 from Saint-Étienne (1h15) and Lyon (2h), via the A75 then the N102 from Clermont-Ferrand (2h). Parking available near Place du Breuil (Parking du Breuil, Parking Michelet).
By Train: Le Puy-en-Velay SNCF station, served from Lyon-Part-Dieu via Saint-Étienne and from Clermont-Ferrand. The station is a 10-minute walk from Place du Breuil.
Contact
Mairie du Puy-en-Velay: +33 4 71 04 07 40
Office de Tourisme du Puy-en-Velay: +33 4 71 09 38 41
Website: www.lepuyenvelay.fr
Tourist Website: www.lepuyenvelay-tourisme.fr
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Where does it take place — Noël en Velay
Place du Breuil
Place du Breuil, 43000 Le Puy-en-Velay