Holiday Magic: Christmas Markets in the Côte d’Azur and Monaco

 

The Christmas markets in the Côte d'Azur bring a festive charm to the Mediterranean coast, blending Provençal traditions with holiday cheer.

From Saint Tropez to Menton, these markets sparkle with illuminated chalets offering handcrafted gifts, gourmet treats, and regional specialties like socca and nougat. At some locations, visitors can enjoy ice-skating rinks, live music, and Santa's grottos against the backdrop of the glittering sea.

Each market, whether nestled in historic town squares or along palm-lined promenades, exudes a unique blend of coastal elegance and holiday magic, making it a delightful destination for the season.

Saint Tropez

Location: Place des Lices

Dates: December 7, 2024 to January 5, 2025

A variety of seaside chalets at the port showcase gifts, food, and unique services, accompanied by visits from Santa and dazzling fireworks.

Cannes

Location: Allées de la Liberté and Cours Félix Faure

Dates: November 30, 2024 to January 5, 2025

Cannes blends glamour with festive cheer through its charming chalets offering gifts, gourmet treats, and free entertainment, including concerts and children's shows. Highlights like the ice rink, Santa’s chalet, and the Grand Parade—complete with light fairies and elves—add a magical touch to the holiday season.

Antibes

Location: Esplanade des Pêcheurs and Pinède Gould

Dates: November 30, 2024 to January 5, 2025

Set against the backdrop of the sea, Antibes features a traditional market with wooden chalets, an educational farm, and an ice rink. Adding a cultural flair to the celebrations, a musical show inspired by The Mysterious Cities of Gold will be performed at the Anthéa Theater on December 14.

Mougins

Location: City center

Dates: December 1, 2024 and January 5, 2025

Calling all food lovers! Mougins celebrates the holiday season with a focus on gastronomy, featuring a Christmas log competition and a festive market (December 13-15) showcasing creations from local artisans and producers. An ice rink, live concerts, and Santa’s house ensure fun for all ages.

Nice

Location: Jardin Albert 1er and Place Masséna

Dates: November 28, 2024 to January 1, 2025

The Nice Christmas Market, one of the largest in the region, features 60 chalets offering artisanal products, festive decorations, and culinary delights like churros and socca. A dedicated dining area invites visitors to savor mulled wine or pancakes while enjoying the enchanting holiday lights. Children's activities and a Ferris wheel further enhance the festive experience.

Monaco

Location: Port Hercule

Dates: December 6, 2024 to January 7, 2025

Monaco transforms its port into an elegant Christmas village overlooking the sea. Wooden chalets feature high-end goods, handcrafted jewelry, and international culinary delights. The port's ice rink serves as a centerpiece, joined by a Ferris wheel and children’s games. Festive illuminations across the Principality add to the event's enchanting splendor.

Menton

Location: Mail du Bastion

Dates: December 7, 2024 to January 5, 2025

The Menton Christmas Market features 35 charming chalets, along with an ice rink, amusement rides, festive entertainment, and Santa visits throughout the holiday season.


Other, smaller locations in the region also contribute to the holiday spirit so no matter where you visit you are sure to experience Christmas French Riviera style.

Increased Train Service to Launch for the Côte d’Azur and Monaco

 

Consider it a Christmas bonus. As mentioned back in September 2024, expanded train services are about to begin in the region starting on December 15th 2024.

 

Much to the relief of locals and undoubtedly tourists, many of whom have faced frustration and stress while trying to catch a train during peak hours—especially during the crowded summer months, when train cars are often packed to capacity.

Starting December 15th, TER trains on the Nice-Ventimiglia line will operate every 15 minutes between 6 AM and 10 PM. This enhancement, highlighted by the PACA Region in a recent interview, stems largely from the introduction of competition in the TER network. It is further supported by SNCF's reliability commitments to the regional authorities, promising even greater improvements.

 

With the introduction of competition in the TER network, the South Region and SNCF Voyageurs Sud Azur are advancing efforts to enhance and modernize regional transportation. Starting December 15, travelers along the Riviera will enjoy modern, comfortable trains running every 15 minutes between 6 AM and 10 PM on the Les Arcs–St Raphaël–Cannes–Antibes–Nice, Grasse–Cannes, and Nice–Ventimiglia lines.

The schedule changes introduced on December 15 do not require new trains. However, to accommodate the ongoing rise in passenger demand on this route, additional trains will be deployed to boost capacity.

 

Since spring 2024, the Region has been renting additional trains to meet demand. By the end of 2027, these rented trains will be replaced by two new high-capacity train sets. Discussions regarding their financing are underway with the Principality of Monaco, which recently announced the purchase of two new TER trains scheduled for delivery by late 2027.

These new trains will enhance the ability to manage the high influx of passengers during peak hours. They will enable the use of reinforced trains, including multiple unit operations, where several connected trains are controlled by a single driver.

 

In August 2024, the TER cancellation rate in the Riviera rail sector dropped significantly to 5.2%, compared to 9.3% in 2023. The South Region, as the organizing authority, has demanded stronger measures from SNCF to further improve service reliability. For 2025, SNCF has pledged to reduce cancellations to 0.25% and achieve 98.5% punctuality. Stricter penalties will be enforced for failing to meet these targets.

 

 

The Christmas Season Begins in Monaco

Over the weekend the Christmas season began in the Principality of Monaco.

On November 30, Prince Albert II, Princess Charlene, and their children, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, marked the beginning of the holiday season by attending the season’s first light show at the Place du Casino. The event was also graced by Stéphane Valeri, President of the Société des Bains de Mer (SBM), Didier Guillaume, Minister of State, and several other prominent Monegasque figures.

“At precisely 6:36 p.m. on Saturday evening, the magic began on the Place du Casino, with a cascading illumination of the historic heart of Monaco, under the eyes of the Princely Family, guests of the SBM and passers-by,” states a recent press release by the SBM.

 

This holiday season, Monte-Carlo's end-of-year celebrations are centered around the enchanting theme of "Magical Christmas Moments." The theme will be featured across all SBM establishments until January 5, 2025.

An 18-meter-high fir tree glittered with thousands of lights, setting the stage for a mesmerizing sound and light show projected onto the façade of the Monte-Carlo Casino. Attention then shifted to five giant Christmas baubles, each adorned with decorations representing magical Christmas moments such as Advent, tree trimming, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.

The Princely Family and Monegasque officials explored the enchanting installations before the evening concluded with a second dazzling light show, accompanied by musical reinterpretations of beloved Christmas classics.

The Magical Christmas Moments sound and light show is open to the public until January 5, 2025. From December 6 to 20, the show will run on Fridays and Saturdays, every hour from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and from December 21 onward, it will take place every evening. A special New Year’s Eve countdown with music is planned for December 31. Additional festivities, including Christmas pop-ups and festive dining menus, are also part of SBM’s holiday offerings.

Photos credit: Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer

World AIDS Day 2024 with Fight AIDS Monaco

Yesterday, a large gathering of community members came together to support H.S.H. Princess Stéphanie's charity, Fight AIDS Monaco, now marking its 20th anniversary. The occasion featured the unveiling of memorial quilts created by charity members to honor those who lost their lives to AIDS, in observance of World AIDS Day.

The event, held at the Oceanographic Museum, welcomed the presence of Princess Stéphanie, her daughter Camille Gottlieb, and Monegasque dignitaries as Fight AIDS Monaco unveiled its memorial quilts for the 13th consecutive year.

 

Both poignant and heartfelt, the quilts serve as a powerful reminder of the devastating impact of AIDS. On Friday, the association presented 8 of its 14 meticulously crafted pieces, each requiring an average of 170 hours to complete.

The quilts, considered symbols of hope, draw inspiration from the AIDS Memorial Quilt movement, which began in San Francisco in 1985. This initiative honors those who have lost their lives to AIDS by creating panels of painted fabric. Christophe Glasser, Director of Fight AIDS Monaco, highlighted this connection in his speech.

 

Fight AIDS Monaco is a non-profit NGO founded by H.S.H. Princess Stephanie in July 2004.

Faced with psychological, and financial distress along with isolation. S.A.S. Princess Stephanie has seen people living with HIV, in the face of discrimination that many suffer daily, and in the face of their acute, often hidden, internalized health and well-being. With that, Princess Stephanie has committed herself to and with them in this struggle for life and dignity.

As the honorable Princess Stephanie has stated, “I join all those who are fighting HIV in their own lives, I encourage everyone to be screened, to protect themselves, and to thank anyone who devotes their time, their money to the mobilization of AIDS.”

From previous experiences, this event is reflective in memory of those who have passed due to HIV/AIDS complications, yet also filled with compassion and love as a supportive community along with the strength and hope that we must do all we can to bring more awareness and raise funds with the hope to eradicate this disease that can affect anyone. And this year, World AIDS Day felt no different.

The Fight AIDS Monaco non-profit organization works with board members, a small but important team of employees, and many volunteers, all of whom share their time, along with Princess Stephanie to help put the word out about AIDS awareness, and prevention and to raise funds for the charity through various events in and around Monaco annually.

Fight AIDS Monaco is funded by a grant from the Government of Monaco but mainly from private donations. To donate, please contact: Fight AIDS Monaco

Photo/Video Credits:

Frédéric Nebinger
Frédéric Pacorel
Monaco Tribune