On 1 October 2025, head to the SNCF Connect website or app for the opening of Christmas ticket sales. Book your upcoming journeys at the best prices for travel between 14 December 2025 and 7 January 2026
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The opening of the Christmas sales in practical terms
What happens when the sales open?
On 2 October, on SNCF Connect, you will be able to book your journeys for the festive season and plan your future train journeys in France and Europe. Make sure you're ready on the day. Tickets go fast!
What are the advantages of booking when sales open?
- You get to book the first tickets on sale at the best price.
- There's plenty of room, the trains aren't full yet, and you're more likely to be seated together when you're in a group.
- You can choose from all existing schedules.
- You can book your trip in advance.
Which journeys are available for booking?
Starting 1 October 2025, you’ll be able to book your tickets:
For France:
- TGV INOUI in France and INTERCITÉS: for travel until 7 January 2026
- TER: for travel within the next 3, 4 or 5 months, depending on the region
- OUIGO: for travel until 3 July 2026
For Europe:
- TGV INOUI Brussels, TGV INOUI Luxembourg–Paris, TGV INOUI Freiburg–Paris: for travel until 7 January 2026
- TGV Lyria, TGV INOUI France–Italy, TGV INOUI to Spain: for travel until 29 March 2026
- DB–SNCF in cooperation: tickets already available for travel until 30 March 2026; sales open on 1 October for journeys between 30 March and 1 April; from 2 October onwards, rolling sales open for travel until 3 July 2026
- EUROSTAR to the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany: for travel until 17 May 2026
Dates you need to know
The Christmas holidays begin on Saturday 21 December 2024 and end on Sunday 5 January 2025, for all zones in France.
Public holidays:
Christmas Day: Wednesday 25 December
New Year's Day: Wednesday 1 January
Our favourite dates
- Festival of Lights in Lyon: 5–8 December 2025
- Saint Nicholas celebrations in Nancy: 21 November 2025 – 4 January 2026
- Strasbourg Christmas Markets: 26 November – 24 December 2025
- Trans Musicales Festival in Rennes: 3–7 December 2025
- Habits de Lumière in Champagne: 12–14 December 2025
Top 5 good reasons to take the train at Christmas
For the magic of Christmas
Festival of Lights in Lyon
How could you miss Lyon’s iconic Festival of Lights? From 5 to 8 December 2025, the city lights up its monuments and landmarks. Don’t miss the illuminations on Place Bellecour, Parc de la Tête d’Or and Place Louis Pradel. A dazzling spectacle awaits!
>>Book my train tickets to Lyon
Habits de Lumière in Épernay
From 12 to 14 December 2025, the Champagne capital of Épernay invites you to a sparkling celebration of its heritage: illuminations, video mapping, live music and fireworks.
Food lovers are in for a treat on Saturday with Michelin-starred chefs teaming up with Champagne Houses, local winemakers and producers. On Sunday, enjoy a parade of 400 vintage cars.
>>Book my train tickets to Épernay
A Magical and Unique Christmas in Évian
In Évian, Haute-Savoie, on the shores of Lake Geneva, there’s no Christmas market but an extraordinary festive event: Le Fabuleux Village or the Legend of the Flottins.
Here, driftwood carried by the rivers into Lake Geneva is recovered and sculpted into whimsical characters—the Flottins—displayed throughout the town for three weeks. Hundreds of these figures, large and small, bring the streets to life. This free event features parades, storytelling for children and concerts.
>>Book my train tickets to Évian
Christmas at the Loire Châteaux
From 29 November 2025 to 4 January 2026, the Loire Valley’s châteaux—from Chambord to Azay-le-Rideau—are transformed with breathtaking Christmas decorations.
Picture immense Christmas trees adorned with thousands of sparkling ornaments, sugar sculptures with colourful treats, candlelit shadows, vast nativity scenes, sumptuous banquet tables, and enchanting forests.
Special “Christmas at the Châteaux” evenings (dates subject to confirmation):
- Villandry: Saturday 6 December
- Azay-le-Rideau: Saturday 13 December
- Royal Château of Amboise: Saturday 20 December
- Château de Chenonceau: Tuesday 23 December
- Royal Fortress of Chinon: Sunday 28 December
- Royal City of Loches: Monday 29 December
Chambord, Langeais, Chinon, Azay-le-Rideau and Chenonceau will also host festive activities throughout the season.
Theme Parks
Disneyland Paris
From 8 November 2025 to 6 January 2026, Disneyland Paris is dressed in its Christmas finery: decorations, lights, costumes and spectacular shows.
See the giant Christmas tree lit up several times a day, sing along with Disney characters in Let’s Sing Christmas!, and experience the festive parade. Each evening, Sleeping Beauty’s Castle becomes the star of a magical nighttime show with fireworks, fountains and illuminations.
>>Book my train tickets to Disneyland Paris via Marne-la-Vallée
Parc Astérix
From 20 December 2025 to 4 January 2026, Parc Astérix celebrates A Gaulish Christmas!
In addition to 40 attractions, enjoy a festive parade featuring comic-book heroes, an ice rink, and snowy sliding tracks in a covered village.
Magical December Weekends
Paris
At the Jardin des Tuileries Christmas market, skate on the ice rink, taste seasonal specialities, and enjoy a ride on the Ferris wheel overlooking Paris. From November to December, the department store windows (Galeries Lafayette, Printemps Haussmann, Le Bon Marché) dazzle with spectacular Christmas displays.
>>Book my train tickets to Paris
Metz
Take in panoramic views from Metz’s Ferris wheel, skate on the Place de la République rink, then cosy up in a local restaurant on Place de Chambre.
>>Book my train tickets to Metz
Rouen
The Rouen Givrée programme includes the grand Christmas parade! This 1h30 procession begins at Place Carnot, crosses both banks of the Seine, and winds through the historic city centre with dancers and illuminated floats. Dates to be confirmed.
>>Book my train tickets to Rouen
Nantes
Experience Christmas at the Nefs, when the Machines de l’Île gallery comes alive with lights and artistic performances. Dates to be confirmed.
>>Book my train tickets to Nantes
Deauville
Admire the Christmas lights on houses and shopfronts. On Place du Casino, discover a Jules Verne-inspired carousel, and don’t miss the miniature Christmas village displayed near the market square.
For the Christmas markets
Strasbourg Christmas Markets
Strasbourg is known as the Capital of Christmas, with markets offering a variety of festive atmospheres.
The celebrations take over the entire city. On Place Broglie, the historic Strasbourg Christmas market awaits, filled with stalls of decorations and crafts. You won’t be able to resist local gingerbread, chocolate-covered fruit skewers or a warm mulled wine.
On Place des Meuniers, Alsatian producers showcase their local specialities: foie gras from Alsace, Kochersberg snails, Climont jams and more.
>>Book my train tickets to Strasbourg
Must-Visit Christmas Markets
Sustainable, Zero-Waste Christmas Market in Roubaix
For the past 8 years, the Roubaix Christmas Market, in the Lille metropolitan area, has stood out for its eco-friendly approach. Exhibitors sell local, handmade, and recycled products. Even the decorations are reused from previous years. Single-use packaging is banned—reusable containers only!
>>Book my train tickets to Roubaix
Turckheim Christmas Market
In this Alsatian village, around twenty small wooden chalets host a magical world of elves. Built and decorated by local craftsmen, these chalets showcase unique regional creations. It’s the perfect place to find one-of-a-kind gift ideas while enjoying the charm of Alsace.
>>Book my train tickets to Turckheim
Marseille Santon Fair
With its Foire aux Santons, Marseille keeps Provençal traditions alive. From 18 November to 31 December 2023, on Place Charles de Gaulle, around thirty master santon-makers display and sell their handcrafted figurines. Feeling creative? Join a workshop to learn how these traditional figurines are made and take part in a piece of Provençal heritage.
To celebrate the New Year
In the Mountains
Les 2 Alpes
Easily accessible by shuttle from Grenoble station, Les 2 Alpes is the perfect winter sports resort for the festive season: a magical programme and a truly enchanting setting. Whether you feel like skiing, sledding, ice skating, snow mountain biking, dog sledding, or simply walking in the snow, there’s something for everyone.
Avoriaz
This trendy resort, accessible via TGV INOUI to Thonon-les-Bains or Cluses + shuttle, offers music festivals and a New Year’s Eve celebration like no other! Enjoy live concerts before watching the midnight fireworks light up the sky.
>>Book my train tickets to Thonon-les-Bains
Sleep in Unusual Places
Ever slept in a barrel?
If not, now’s the perfect time to try something unique and start the New Year in style.
Domaine de la Cour au Grip in Cabourg (Normandy)
Just a few kilometres from Cabourg, this estate lets you spend the night in old wine cellars and presses transformed into charming rooms.
>>Book my train tickets to Cabourg
Domaine de Treuscoat in Morlaix (Brittany)
Sleeping in a modern yurt is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This unusual accommodation includes modern appliances, dry toilets, and even a private Nordic bath to unwind. The estate also offers pony rides, bike rentals, and electric scooters.
To prepare for New Year's Eve
Seafood Platters
If you’d like to enjoy a seafood platter for your festive dinner, head to Brittany! For the best oysters, make your way to Cancale; for langoustines, Plouhinec is the place; and for prawns, go to Saint-Quay-Portrieux near Saint-Brieuc!
>>Book my train tickets to Saint-Brieuc
Add Some Sparkle
To bring bubbles to your celebrations, Reims or Épernay in Champagne is the perfect year-end weekend destination. Whether you prefer brut, rosé or blanc, you’ll find your favourite among the great Champagne houses*. Plus, don’t miss the chance to tour the impressive cellars built into former Roman quarries.
>>Book my train tickets to Reims
An Original Yule Log
For dessert, chef Vincent Merly reinvents the famous Aix-en-Provence calisson as a Christmas yule log. The calisson is topped with royal icing, while the bûche itself combines nuts, candied fruit, vanilla and nougat. A brand-new festive speciality from Aix-en-Provence!
>>Book my train tickets to Aix-en-Provence
*Excessive drinking is harmful to your health. Please drink responsibly.
To travel in Europe
Germany
In Germany, the Christmas markets keep historic traditions going. It’s a good opportunity to visit during the Christmas holidays.
The Frankfurt market is one of the oldest and biggest Christmas markets in Germany. You can sample local produce and typical dishes here.
The Karlsruhe Christmas Market brings the spirit of Christmas to the whole city, with an ice rink, an area reserved for roller skating and five curling rinks where you can have fun sweeping the ice to make the granite stone slide!
