It's “the Strasbourg of the Mediterranean”: this Christmas market is the largest in the south of France

It is a mega Christmas village in the south of France, with an atmosphere worthy of Strasbourg at 20°C!

Wooden chalets, large decorated fir trees, carousels, illuminations… The Christmas market season is open! While the two largest Christmas markets in France are located in Strasbourg and Île-de-France – with the famous Christmas Village on Parvis de La Défense – the largest Christmas villages are not only reserved for large cities. In the south of France, there is a town of much more modest size that does not have to blush with its 150 chalets and its unusual activities on almost 7 hectares.

Nearly 1.6 million visitors flock to its sunny aisles each year to enjoy a magical program that combines tradition and innovation. “Come and enjoy a unique experience in the heart of the largest Christmas market in the South of France,” says the town hall of this rural town located by the sea, which is home to only a few 6,000 inhabitants. From the ice floe to the forest of large bubbles passing through an enchanted labyrinth, we discover animations each more surprising than the last… There is no doubt, this mega-Christmas village installed in a park is literally off the beaten track. 

It's a whole dazzling world of lights and music that takes place in the heart of majestic winter decorations, touching your child's heart. Welcome to the Barcarès Christmas Village! For its 25th edition, this Christmas village located in the Pyrénées-Orientales has seen things on a grand scale. Nearly one more hectare has been added to install his “World of the Ice Floe” made of polar bears and giant penguins at the entrance to the park, as well as an invasion of automatons in a forest of 20 igloo-shaped bubbles recreating fairy-tale Christmas scenes.

Add to this the must-see entertainment: a 1,500 m2 ice rink, a 55-metre Ferris wheel and the “largest Christmas tree in Occitanie”, as well as activities for young and old: from the squad track to the ice museum, including the virtual descent in an animated sleigh, the little train and the old-fashioned rides. As for entertainment, visitors are entitled to an ice show, a puppet show, a musical comedy, parades and fanfares and children have the chance to meet Santa Claus in his house. Of course, we are spoiled for choice to satisfy our hunger with a multitude of vendors selling sweets and local specialties.

As you will have understood, the Christmas village of Barcarès is not only gigantic, it offers a different experience from the Christmas markets traditional traditions that excel in Alsace. “The Christmas Village of Barcarès has become a highlight of the end of the year in the South of France. It can and must become that of the entire urban community Perpignan-Méditerranée Métropole" estimated the mayor of Barcarès. See you at the Jardins du Lydia until January 5, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Count 5 euros online and 7 euros on site (free for children under 5).