Christmas in France?

[thursdays child]

Hi all. I have been toying with the idea of having next Christmas in France. We have spent many weeks, since owning a caravan,in France. As is obvious we really like it! However we have no experience of Christmas there. Any information would be very helpful. We have NEVER been away from family for the Christmas holidays so it might not be such a good idea after all!!1

What does the team think???????????

Thursdays Child (TC)

 

[ValA.]

We came back from France on 16th December - and found a lovely Christmassy atmosphere everywhere - but I think caravanning there might be different to having Christmas in your caravan here in Britain.

For one thing you'll find very few sites open - and probably little in the way of special festivities - although perhaps some sites put on christmas 'specials'. There were certainly a lot of people on the Val d'Aleth site near Rennes les Bains - probably 50% of the pitches were occupied - but these may be people overnighting there on the way down into Spain.

We've toyed with the idea of 'doing' Christmas over there - but now have the key to a friend's house and could 'Christmas' there, which might be better if you had the four inches of snow we had near Carcassone, and a long walk to the toilet block for a shower!

I'm not one for cold weather caravanning, though. I prefer a long balmy evening sitting outside with a glass of wine. I know some people love it though! I personally can't stand damp towels drying all over the place - and this would be a major drawback for me. However, it was lovely sitting in our friend's house, with a huge log fire burning, chestnuts roasting, and mulled wine. (And with dry towels in the airing cupboard). I'd certainly give it a try, but be prepared to hunt for the right sort of site with the facilities you need!

 

[thursdays child]

Yes Val,I can see your point and maybe the dream is better than the reality. We are not sun worshipers but I HATE THE WET.I was carried away by thought of France being a Catholic country and perhaps a little less commercialised.I am not too interested in bright flashing lights and such.The idea of going to Midnight Mass with lots of other like minded folk is just a romantic notion!!I would love to hear the choir in Notre Dame in Paris.OH WELL!!

Thursdays Child

 

[JeffinSpain]

Yes Val,I can see your point and maybe the dream is better than the reality. We are not sun worshipers but I HATE THE WET.I was carried away by thought of France being a Catholic country and perhaps a little less commercialised.I am not too interested in bright flashing lights and such.The idea of going to Midnight Mass with lots of other like minded folk is just a romantic notion!!I would love to hear the choir in Notre Dame in Paris.OH WELL!!

Thursdays Child

Hi TC, If you want a great Christmass, come to Spain, It's still very much a Catholic country and generally Christmass is warm and sunny, well worth the extra effort, the Spanish know how to party, so don't forget to book early.

Jeff.

 

[ValA.]

The comment about Spain is probaby spot on! Caravanning, but in the south of Spain, and probably still warm enough to make damp towels not such a problem!!!

Christmas in France appears to be less commercialised, but with decorated trees at the entrance to, and exit from, almost every small village, carols in the main squares and streets of the large towns (often in English) and still things like ice rinks, and Christmas markets. Even the small hilltop village near our friend's house had a little Christmas market, with the local ladies selling their wares (food, crafts, biscuits, mulled wine, and the usual tombolas and so on). Much more like a school fair than avid commercialism!

I wouldn't know about Midnight mass - the last time we went was more than thirty years ago before my sons were born, when it was a bit of a tradition to leave our local and walk across to the local Catholic church - where the celebrations were joyous and very inclusive of the mainly non-Catholic crowd who joined in.

In another post on another forum I described how, when we had a picnic in Riez in Provence, we sat outside a nunnery, in a lovely sunny field - and listened to the sisters chanting in the little open chapel. It really was the most magical experience, and still typing about it makes the hairs on the back of my neck tingle! There really is something about religious music, when well done and done without hypocrisy, which can be life-enhancing.

 

[thursdays child]

Yes it sounds as if Spain would be an option for us. Val, my sister had a similar experience when she heard the nuns singing in Notre Dame in Paris and she also reacted as you describe.I was appalled at the disabled beggars outside when I visited,they should be cared for by the church in my view if genuine.I remember going to mass on Christmas Eve and everyone coming out being so peaceful and content with each other. Perhaps that is what I am trying to re-discover.I always preferred the mass in latin as you could go into a church ANYWHERE in the world and take a full part.

Thursdays Child

 

[NickinFrance]

Christmas in France is very much a family affair with families meeting up at someone's house, as someone said it's much less commercialised than the UK, so outside of major towns & cities you are unlikely to find any organised events.

December 26th is a normal working day.

In our area of Brittany most of the Christmas markets are held a few weeks before Christmas.