Vincennes Christmas Market

Vincennes en Fêtes: The Most Beautiful Christmas in Val-de-Marne

Every year in December, the town of Vincennes (94300) transforms into a magical Christmas destination, offering one of the most complete and enchanting Christmas markets and villages in the Val-de-Marne. Known for its medieval royal castle—one of the few royal castles in the Île-de-France region open to the public—Vincennes offers an exceptional historical setting for Christmas festivities.

The Christmas Village on Place Pierre-Sémard

The heart of the event is the Christmas Village set up on Place Pierre-Sémard, which opens its doors in mid-December and hosts about twenty wooden chalets offering a carefully selected range of artisanal and gastronomic products. You can find:

• Handcrafted decorations and designer items
• Jewelry and fashion accessories
• Local products: foie gras, cheeses, biscuits, jams
• Alsatian and Savoyard specialties (mulled wine, pretzels, tartiflette)
• Holiday chocolates and confectionery

Decorated fir trees and illuminations create a warm and magical atmosphere in the square, transformed into a true winter haven.

The Outdoor Ice Rink

One of the main attractions of the Vincennes Christmas Village is the outdoor ice rink located on the square. Open from mid-December to early January, it welcomes both children and adults for festive skating sessions. The outdoor ice rink, with the village illuminations as a backdrop, creates a typically winter postcard image.

Activities and Parades

The entertainment program at the Vincennes Christmas Village is particularly rich:

• Horse-drawn carriage rides: a unique and romantic experience
• Elf and Christmas character parades through the streets
• Christmas brass band animating the weekends
• Visits from Santa Claus for children
• Christmas Train on Place Jean-Spire-Lemaître from December 13th to January 4th (10 AM-7 PM)

The Night Market

The Christmas season begins in Vincennes with a night market organized at the end of November on Place Diderot, from 5 PM to 10 PM, allowing residents to start their Christmas shopping in an intimate and friendly atmosphere.

The Merchants' Market

The Vincennes merchants also organize their own Christmas market, usually in mid-December in the shopping streets (Rue du Midi, Rue Raymond-du-Temple), showcasing local shops and their gift selections.

Vincennes: Royal City, Festive Destination

Vincennes (55,000 inhabitants) benefits from a prime geographical location at the gates of Paris, with the Bois de Vincennes and its royal castle as major assets. The commercial vitality of its streets and the quality of its cultural facilities make it a prime destination for Advent festivities.