Where to go in France in December?

[Imabouttoexplode]

Please help me to narrow it down a bit. I'm currently going round in circles! We're going on holiday to France for Christmas. We can literally go anywhere but I can't decide between snow and mountains (I don't ski but love the scenery) or windswept beaches, south for milder weather or auverne or aquitane. We'll rent a self catering place rather than hotels. No children so it doesn't need to be child friendly. Not Paris but any suggestions would be gratefully received 🙈

If you're not going for the skiing I wouldn't do the Alps. Definitely Alsace - the villages are beautiful, you have Colmar and Strasbourg if the weather isn't great, hop over the border to Freiburg and the Black Forest, the Vosges with views to the Alps on a clear day. It's a lovely region. The food is made for winter, too

Ok! Bordeaux was chucked in by someone else as a random suggestion. Don't fancy it myself anyway.

Can I ask why France in December when it doesn't seem to suit what you want from a holiday?

You haven't booked anywhere so could go elsewhere for the watersports and beach walks (Canaries, Madeira?), or go to France at another time of year.

It does feel that you're more drawn to warmth! In which case I agree that even the South of France may not really tick the box in December.

I'd also add that if you ARE thinking of somewhere like Strasbourg or Colmar, you're best off booking as soon as you've made the decision as the Christmas markets are extremely popular and they are expensive places to visit at that time of year, as well as getting booked up well in advance.

Well, it doesn't strictly HAVE to be in France but it does have to be in Europe and accessible on a train and not too far from Paris AND we're taking the dog, so......

This makes my heart sing! I know it wouldn't look quite like this in December though! I like the cold and outdoors, whereas my oh likes sun, food n wine!

I've been to the Lac de Vouglans in August. It rained and the water was freezing!

I live in Lyon and it’s lovely at Christmas. Quiet, big Christmas markets up to the 24th, fantastic food. You can eat out a lot or treat yourself at Les Halles de Paul Bocuse and have a neutral meal at home. Seafood, foie gras, good wine. Not much shuts down so you can still find plenty to do. We’ve stayed home for several Christmas’s and it’s always a treat. Plus, you can nip off to the mountains for a couple of nights for raclette / fondue, it’s not far.

You could do Perpignan - fair chance of sun, and mountains (even skiing[ within a manageable distance.

I live in Bordeaux. Lots on at Christmas, including a market. Lots to see without the hordes of summer tourists. You can spend a day by the sea eating oysters, the mountains are a couple of hours away and you can visit St Emilion for the wine...

@Tolstory Aha! I'm off to Bordeaux soon and want to eat seafood. Is there anywhere to go that is not one of the tourist places? Or are they decent enough? A group of five very enthusiastic shellfish fans in need of a relaxing meal.

I would avoid the west coast around Bordeaux as it will inevitably be rainy and blown out. Annecy is lovely but again far too cold for watersports. How about Collioure. Good chance of some sun but also about 1 hr from Pyrenean ski resorts

Ooh yes please, a good restaurant for locals would be good, I like avoiding tourist ones too!!

Oh. You can see why I've not booked anywhere yet 😁I'm just ricocheting around from one unsuitable location to another.

It sounds like you both want different things, and at least one of you is going to struggle to get it full stop!

What are the most important things to you both?

As you've mentioned the pooch and you only have a week, I'd suggest Forest of Compiègne. You can find lovely wood cabins in the area, and France is wonderful with dogs. I've assumed you're driving to a degree because it's very difficult to get a dog across the channel and not be in a car. Lots of dog walks and good food and lakes too. Otherwise I'd go Lyon if you're a foodie.

Strasbourg for the Christmas markets. You could then do Colmar and take a quick trip to Freiburg and Europa Park which is fun at Christmas, with or without kids.

Story of our lives! He wants a luxury villa/cottage/cabin with a log fire, fast wifi and a big tv within walking distance of nice restaurants! He'd love to go somewhere warm but accepts it's not possible in France in December. Neither of us are particularly cultured and museums etc are wasted on us. We try but just end up sprinting round! I'm more outdoorsy and like mountains and lakes. The dog tries his best but is essentially a couch potato!!!

I'd go to Andernos - it's a fishing port so not heaving with tourists. Lots of fishing cabins with fresh oysters and seafood. If you walk right to the end of the jetty, the posh looking place on the left is great - more varied menu and excellent but anywhere is good - all very fresh!

On Bordeaux itself I'd go for L'Estocade on the right bank. Not the cheapest but glorious view and good food.

Current front runner!