Christmas in Courchevel

Christmas in Courchevel

With so many families visiting the resort for the festive season, there is a real child like excitement as the big day draws ever closer, and usually there's an opportunity to spot the main man himself meeting and greeting people around the resort. 

When the streets lights are turned on, it's hard to ignore that Christmas is nearly here. You'll find Christmas markets, great après-ski and mulled wine events throughout the resort. Indulge in platters of seafood and oysters, foie gras and chocolate, all items you'll find on the Christmas table in France.

Christmas time in Courchevel means festive magic.  An enchanted week of parades, meet Santa and his musicians. Creative ateliers, workshops with an electric train, treasure hunts, torchlight descents, dance spectacles and so much more.

Meet Santa

On Monday 22 December, meet Santa and his elves at the office du Tourisme at Courchevel 1550 and on Monday 23 December meet him at Courchevel Moriond on the Place du Bachal. Time to give Santa your letters and enjoy a hot chocolate with him. From 16:00.

Christmas Day

Take a coffee and croissant with Santa and his elves in Courchevel La Praz. He'll be in the Alpinium lobby from 10:00 to 12:00. The elves are running a lamp workshop from 10:15.
Santa will then move on over to La Tania during the afternoon. From 16:00 you'll find him in the village and from 17:00 is a torchlit descent followed by a firework display.

To prepare you for your French Christmas, here are a few festive facts that make the French Santa Claus a little different:

• Rather than a red hat, Père Noël wears a red cloak with a hood trimmed in white fur - a small difference easily unnoticed.
• Children do not wake up to presents under the tree on Christmas morning, because traditionally Père Noël brings toys to good little boys and girls after evening Mass on Christmas Eve.
• Children do not leave milk and cookies for Papa Noël, but at the very least they'll leave him a glass of Calvados or wine.
• Children do not hang stockings, but rather leave their shoes and slippers out and if they have been good Père Noël will fill them with treats.
• Children in France behave around the holidays out of fear of Le Père Fouettard, who follows Père Noël to discipline naughty children.