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If you want to treat yourself to a 100% Christmas and cozy getaway, we invite you to cross the border in your motorhome and enjoy Christmas in the south of France.

The medieval villages, the rugged nature, the gastronomy and its tradition at this time of year make it a tourist attraction that will leave you wanting more.

Stay with us and you will discover that it is not necessary to be in Alsace at Christmas or Black Forest at Christmas to enjoy an authentic Christmas market. We propose a short, but intense, route through the south of France that you can stretch as long as your vacation allows.

Let's start, grab the wheel that we are going to prepare this trip in a camper, caravan or motorhome!

And if you want more motorhome routes through France, be sure to check out this post on our blog – we have more than 20!

Things to keep in mind before traveling this route through the South of France in a motorhome In Christmas

To travel to France today, all you need is your valid ID card or passport.

In addition, for medical matters you must carry your valid European Health Insurance Card , although you should know that in France there is a medical co-payment for foreigners in most cases.

Therefore, and based on the experiences of several colleagues, we decided to always carry travel medical insurance , which, given its low cost (2 euros per day), provides peace of mind. We always use Iati Escapadas insurance, designed for family trips in motorhomes or campervans. Besides medical insurance, it even includes accident insurance for pets and a small amount of theft coverage for the interior of the motorhome.

For the price, it's truly worth it, especially with Covid still around. We're offering a 5% discount on the insurance we mentioned, no strings attached, in case you'd like to get a better quote. And if you purchase it through this link, you'll be supporting our blog. Rest assured, we recommend it because we use it ourselves, and it's currently the best travel insurance on the market for motorhome owners, and it's very affordable.

And now, we are already on the road, our route awaits us!

Video of a 4-day Christmas route through the South of France in a motorhome

9-day route through the South of France at Christmas in a motorhome

Barcarès

Your first stop is in Le Barcarès, a beautiful French town and commune dedicated to fishing and tourism, which at Christmas becomes one of the largest markets in the south of France, just 2 hours from Barcelona.

The so-called Village Noöel is a 20.000 m2 space where every year, a Christmas village is recreated with a spectacular staging and countless attractions including Ferris wheels, carousels and skating rinks.

The Christmas park will open its doors this year from November 24 to January 8, 2023. Tickets can only be purchased in the park itself and the price is subject to whether or not you want to skate inside the park. In this way, admission without the skating option is free for all children under 11 years of age and, for those over that age, it costs €2 or €5 depending on the day of the week you go, weekdays or weekends. week or holiday. If, on the other hand, you want to use the skating rink, it will amount to €10 or €13 per person. Also, you should know that once inside you also have to pay for practically everything, attractions or purchases you make.

We recommend not stopping at the first places you find in the venue to get tickets, since they are usually the ones that accumulate the most queues. Instead, approach those closest to the front door. The park's hours are from 11:02 in the morning to 00:XNUMX in the morning and, of course, the best time to visit it is when it starts to get dark and highlights all the fabulous lighting of the park.

Park and spend the night in a motorhome in Le Bacarès at Christmas

You can always park in one of the free parking lots, just a 5-minute walk from the venue, although overnight stays are not permitted. For overnight stays, there are a few options. There's Aire Camping Le Barcarès , a paid area located in the marina with lighting, amenities, and ample space and peace and quiet. There's also a sandy parking lot near the port and the beach, but it doesn't offer services. From both of these locations, you can reach Village Noël by taking bus number 10. Finally, there's Camping Naia Village , but it's not convenient without your own vehicle, as there's no public transport from there.

What we recommend is to park in one of the car parks in le Village for your visit and then move to the Bacarés motorhome area for the night, it will surely be the most practical.

Although if you don't mind walking, you can go directly to the area and take a walk of almost 30 minutes to the Village or wait for the little train that runs on weekends and passes in front of the area, although it stops running at night soon and surely It will not go very well for you, as it did for us.

Narbonne

Your next destination is 40 minutes away, in the beautiful Roman and medieval city of Narbonne. The historic center of this city is divided in two by the Canal de la Robine , a 32-km-long branch of the Canal du Midi.

North of the Canal de la Robine , in the Place du Ville de l'Hôtel, stands the Archbishop's Palace , now the city hall and home to the Art and Archaeology Museums. Also to the left is the Gilles Aycelin Tower , a 13th-century tower built upon the remains of the Gallo-Roman wall that once encircled the city (adorned with a huge red ribbon at Christmas). To the right is the Saint Martial Tower , which leads to the Passage de l'Ancre and, through it, to the Cour de la Madeleine , from where the old and new parts of the Archbishop's Palace can be seen.

The Passage de l'Ancre , adorned with Christmas trees of different colors throughout its length, is identified by having an anchor on the door, as its name indicates, since in the Middle Ages, it was the ideal location for the fish market because of its temperature and because it was a place sheltered from the sun.

In front of the Town Hall, you can see a section of the Roman road Via Domitia , the first Roman road built in Gaul with the mission of facilitating the transport of Roman legions from Italy to the Hispanic provinces and Transalpine Gaul itself.

Narbonne and its elegance

You can also visit the third tallest cathedral in France, the Cathedral of Saint-Just-et-Saint-Pasteur , a magnificent Gothic monument, though unfinished because its construction could not be continued due to the presence of the Roman walls. And speaking of Narbonne's Roman past, you can't miss the Horreum , underground galleries dating back to the 1st century BC, believed to have served as food storage and which are now the only remaining Roman structure in the city. Also, be sure to visit the Place du Forum , the city's ancient Roman forum, which contains a replica of the fountain that stood there in the 17th century.

South of the Canal de la Robine, the Pont des Marchants stands out , which once carried the Villa Domitia and consisted of seven arches. The Place des Quatre Fontane (Square of the Four Fountains) , a central point of the old medieval town, is now home to inviting restaurants and charming local shops. The Maison des Trois Nourrices (House of the Three Nuns) is one of the most important examples of Renaissance private architecture, and the Basilica of Saint Paul (with Romanesque and Gothic influences), built on an old Paleochristian cemetery, and Notre Dame de Lamourguier , a beautiful example of Gothic architecture and home to the Lapidary Museum, are also noteworthy. Finally, you can stroll through Les Halles, the city's iconic covered market, whose building dates from the early 20th century.

Christmas market

It is located on both banks of the canal and consists of 25 wooden huts where they sell food, churros, wine and chocolate, as well as clothing, Christmas objects and handicrafts. The market also offers varied attractions for both children and adults and is available from December 7 to January 5, from 10am to 19pm. Quite a sight to see the Place du Capitole full.

An extra tip to take advantage of to eat at "Les Grands Buffets" in Narbonne, although you must book weeks in advance.

Narbonne by motorhome

The reality is that Narbonne is not a very good place to park and spend the night in a motorhome. There are no areas or campsites and in most of the car parks there other colleagues describe motorhome thefts. For this reason, I advise you, like us, to stop to see the city in one of the car parks in the city with movement and in sight and go to spend the night elsewhere.

Béziers at Christmas

A gem in the south of France, Béziers transforms into a magical setting during the Christmas season. With its historic charm and vibrant traditions, Béziers becomes an unmissable destination for those who wish to experience Christmas in an authentically French environment.

Before arriving in Béziers, we visited Sigean in a motorhome , a good plan if you are traveling with children and it's on the way.

Here we guide you through what you can't miss and how to make the most of your visit.

What to see in Béziers at Christmas

Christmas Market
The heart of Christmas in Béziers beats in its Christmas Market. Located on Allées Paul Riquet, this market is a charming mix of wooden stalls offering everything from local crafts to culinary delights. You cannot miss trying vin chaud (mulled wine), a traditional drink that will warm you on the cold December nights.

Saint-Nazaire Cathedral
The Saint-Nazaire Cathedral, with its imposing Gothic architecture, is illuminated with festive decorations. A walk here is not only a visual delight but also a journey through the history of Béziers. During Christmas, it often hosts concerts and choirs that resonate with festive melodies.

Les Allées Paul Riquet
The Allées Paul Riquet, one of the main avenues in Béziers, is dressed up with Christmas lights and decorations. Walking through here is like walking through a Christmas story, with festive music and the bustle of locals and visitors enjoying the season.

Old Bridge
The Old Bridge (Pont Vieux) over the Orb River offers one of the most iconic views of Béziers. During Christmas, its outline lights up, creating a wonderful spectacle that reflects the magic of the season in the calm waters of the river.

Béziers by motorhome

Béziers is easily accessible by motorhome, boasting a superb motorhome area with all services (for a fee) and video surveillance. Once there, most attractions are within walking distance; a 20-minute walk will take you to the Christmas Market and the Poets' Garden.

For a more local experience, we recommend taking your bikes and taking a route along the Canal du Midi to the Malpas Tunnel, passing through the Fonserans Locks, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In short, Béziers at Christmas is a destination that offers a unique mix of history, culture and festivity. Here is a summary table to help you plan your visit:

Carcassonne

Less than an hour away, the Christmas market of this wonderful medieval city, known as La Magie de Noël (The Magic of Christmas) , is set up from the beginning of December until after Three Kings Day in four different, though close, areas of the city: in Place Carnot , you'll find the most traditional Christmas market with around thirty stalls around the ice rink that surrounds the Neptune statue; the Portal des Jacobins hosts a small animal fair; Place Général de Gaulle is home to the Parc du Père Noël (Father Christmas Park), an amusement park for the whole family; and finally, in Place Eggenfeiden, inside the Halles Prosper Montagné pavilion , you can find numerous activities and inflatables.

But you haven't truly visited Carcassonne without seeing the Cité, the walled city, and visiting its castle, one of the most beautiful in France. It's best to buy your castle tickets in advance here.

In general, I recommend taking a guided tour of Carcassonne, so you don't miss anything and have it explained to you in Spanish.

Carcassone park and spend the night in a motorhome

You can park and stay overnight in an authorized parking area for buses and motorhomes. Although it has no services, it's a 15-minute walk from the Cité and is free from 20:00 PM to 08:00 AM. There's also an automated paid parking area (without electricity) that's part of the Cité Carcassonne campsite . It has 38 spaces and a waste disposal service (other campsite facilities are unavailable), which we consider the best option. If you're not staying overnight, you can try your luck and try to park near the Old Bridge, directly opposite the Hotel des Trois Couronnes . There's a wide street with free parking there.

Castres

Castres, a charming town in the south of France, dresses up for the Christmas season, offering a unique experience to its visitors. For us, it's one of the best Christmas markets and one of the most beautiful towns in the south of France at Christmastime.

With its Christmas market , historic architecture, and festivities, Castres transforms into an ideal destination to experience the Christmas spirit. Here's a guide on what to see and how to visit Castres at Christmas.

Christmas marketss

There are 2 Christmas markets in 2 of its main squares, and neither is small.

Castres' main Christmas Market is a central point of the celebrations. Located in Place Jean Jaurès , this market is a haven of joy and color. The decorated stalls sell everything from local crafts to typical regional culinary delights. While you explore, don't forget to try the vin chaud (mulled wine), a drink that will warm your soul on cold winter nights.

The Agout River and its Hanging Houses

One of Castres' most iconic sights is the houses perched above the Agout River. During Christmas, these picturesque houses and the river itself twinkle with festive lights, creating a magical atmosphere. At 18 pm, a beautiful Christmas light and sound show takes place . A stroll along the riverbank is the perfect way to enjoy the town and its unique architecture.

Goya Museum

The Goya Museum is another point of interest in Castres. Although not directly related to Christmas, it's a fantastic place to visit if you're interested in art and culture. The museum houses the largest collection of Spanish art in France, including works by Goya, making it a culturally enriching experience.

Saint Benedict's Cathedral

St. Benedict's Cathedral is another must-see. During Christmas, the cathedral is illuminated and often hosts Christmas events and concerts that resonate within its ancient walls, offering a unique spiritual and cultural experience.

Castres in atocaravan

Castres doesn't have a designated motorhome area or parking, but you can still park in one of the parking lots along the river. However, for overnight stays, we recommend Mazament or Albí, which have designated motorhome areas and offer safer, flatter, and quieter terrain. The town is compact, so many of its attractions are within easy walking distance of any point.

In short , Castres at Christmas offers a delightful experience with its Christmas market, beautiful architecture, and festive activities. Here's a summary table to help you plan your visit:

Albi

Albi, a picturesque city in the south of France, comes alive during the Christmas season, enveloped in a festive atmosphere that delights its visitors. Known for its stunning architecture and rich heritage, Albi transforms into a magical destination at Christmas. From its famous Christmas market to its historic monuments, here's how to enjoy the city during this special time of year.

Christmas Market

The Albi Christmas Market is a must-see. Located in Place du Vigan , this market is filled with wooden stalls displaying handcrafted goods, unique gifts, and culinary delights. While browsing the market, don't forget to enjoy a glass of mulled wine to warm your body and soul on cold winter nights.

Saint Cecilia Cathedral

The Cathedral of Saint Cecilia , a jewel of Gothic architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is even more breathtaking during the Christmas season with its festive lighting. Exploring its interior is fascinating, revealing magnificent frescoes and a historic organ often used for Christmas concerts.

Toulouse-Lautrec Museum

For art lovers, the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum is a must-see. This museum houses the largest collection of works by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, the famous painter born in Albi. While not directly related to Christmas, it offers a welcome cultural break from the festivities.

Bridges of Albi

The bridges of Albi , especially the Pont Vieux and the Pont Neuf, are wonderful for strolling and enjoying the views of the Tarn River. During Christmas, the lights and decorations add a special touch to these walks, making each stroll a magical experience.

Local Gastronomy

The cuisine in Albi is another major attraction. Restaurants and market stalls offer traditional dishes and local specialties. Don't miss the chance to try foie gras , cassoulet , or the region's typical Christmas sweets.

How to Visit by motorhome Albi

Albi is accessible by motorhome, it has a large free motorhome area 30 minutes walk from the centre , with all necessary services except electricity.

In short , don't miss it! Albi at Christmas is a destination that offers a perfect combination of history, culture, and festivity. Below, we present a summary table for your visit:

Attractive	Description	Recommendation
Christmas Market	Booths with crafts and food	Don't miss the vin chaud
Saint Cecilia Cathedral	Illuminated Gothic architecture	Visit during a concert
Toulouse-Lautrec Museum	Works by a famous local painter	For art lovers
Bridges of Albi	Views of the River Tarn	Night walk with Christmas lights
Local Gastronomy	Regional delicacies	Try foie gras and cassoulet

Enjoy the magic and charm of Christmas in Albí, where every corner tells a story and every experience becomes a precious memory. Happy Holidays!

Toulouse at Christmas

Continuing our journey through the French countryside, in just over an hour you'll reach Toulouse. One of the largest cities in southern France, it's home to La Cité de l'Espace, a space museum and theme park dedicated to space exploration that's not to be missed. There you can visit life-size models of the Ariane 5 rocket , the Mir space station , and Soyuz spacecraft modules . It also features a 140-seat planetarium and numerous exhibits, some of them interactive. You can get tickets at the following link.

Furthermore, Toulouse is a beautiful city that deserves a visit. It's known as the Pink City. To make sure you don't miss anything, the best option is to take a Free Walking Tour of Toulouse . This free guided tour, where you tip at the end, will tell you all about its history and take you to see its must-see sights. However, if you prefer, there are themed guided tours and even bike tours that you can book here.

toulouse christmas market

But we came to Toulouse primarily for its Christmas market, which opens its doors in the Place du Capitole (right in the city center) from November 24th to December 26th. It's open from approximately 10:00 am to 20:30 pm, and can stay open until 22:00 pm on weekends. This market stands out from the rest because it features food products and crafts, rather than Christmas decorations. In addition, just behind the Capitole building, another park is set up for the youngest members of the family. Known as Voyage au país de Père Noël (Journey to Father Christmas's Land ), it's where children can meet Santa Claus on specific days and times.

Toulouse park and spend the night in a motorhome

For parking and overnight stays, you can use the motorhome parking area, without services, at Cité de l'Espace , from where you can take a bus to reach the city centre (approximately 5 km away).

The Montauban Lantern Festival at Christmas

Montauban is a town, located 1 hour from Toulouse, capital of the Tarn et Garonne department , where you can also do the route that we did through its beautiful villages.

In this town, from approximately December 15th to February 15th, the Magic Lantern Festival, featuring over 2.000 lanterns, takes place. Here you can enjoy the famous Lantern Festival , which will transport you to China itself, thanks to the collaboration of 80 Chinese artisans from Zigong.

For this event, it is best to purchase tickets in advance at https://lanternes.festik.net/ as they sell out quickly.

The Lanterns of Montauban by motorhome: park and spend the night

For parking and overnight stays, you can go to the motorhome area at the Montauban Canal port or to the parking lot they provide during the Festival.

And so far our proposal for Christmas! If you want to continue the route and discover more wonderful markets on these dates, keep us informed, we will be happy to read you in comments!

Another route through France at Christmas: down rhone

Another route through France at Christmas: Alsace at Christmas

Discover more than 20 routes through France by motorhome with this guide:

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