Montpellier Christmas Market 2024: Hivernales Winter Event

As a former resident of Montpellier, I know first-hand how its beautiful centre square comes alive during winter. Visiting in winter is ideal, as you often enjoy clear blue skies. Even better is planning your visit to coincide with Hivernales, Montpellier’s Christmas market.

Read on for confirmed dates for 2024, opening hours and local specialties.

Montpellier Christmas Market 2024

Dates and Location – Confirmed

Montpellier Christmas Market dates: 23rd November to 24th December 2024 (confirmed).
Location: ~~Esplanade Charles de Gaulle~~ Place Royale du Peyrou.
Opening times:
Monday to Thursday: 10am to 9pm.
Friday and Saturday: 10am to 10pm.
Christmas Eve: 10am to 6pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Admission: Free.
Christmas lights: Yes, switch on date: 30th November (unconfirmed).
Santa: No, but there is Peyrou’s Fairies and Santa’s Mailbox.
Ice skating: Yes, at Place de la Comedie.
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten-free: Yes, but limited.
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, but not recommended.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion.
Reason to visit: The cool, crisp air of the South of France in winter. Great activities for kids.
Recommended tour: You might like this popular food and wine tour.
Specialities: Truffles from Uzès; Montpellier-style roasted chestnuts, gourmet baguettes sandwiches.
Where to stay: Hôtel Richer De Belleval is a highly-rated hotel 7-minutes from the event.

Convenient Hotels

Montpellier’s historic city centre is the best location to base yourself for a short visit. Its narrow streets have a lot to offer, with cafes, boutique stores, gourmet markets, bars and intimate restaurants throughout the area.

Given its excellent reviews and proximity to Hivernales, I think Hôtel Richer De Belleval is the best place to stay.

Event Location

Recommended Tours

Some of Montpellier’s most renowned sites and attractions include the historic Place de la Comédie, the Aqueduc Saint-Clément and the unusual Place de l’Europe in the Antigone district.

You can visit these on your own or with a guided city tour. Alternatively, you might fancy taking a food tour. As Montpellier is known for its excellent food and wine, this food and wine tour is a great introduction to the regional specialties.

If you’re looking for additional destinations to add to your itinerary, check out my French Christmas Markets List.

What to Expect

The event normally transforms the Esplanade Charles de Gaulle into a winter wonderland. However, last year, Hivernales took place at Place Royale du Peyrou. We’re yet to hear if it will return to the Esplanade this year.

At the market stalls, you’ll find a selection of unique crafts, from artisanal soaps to handmade jewellery and local food specialties from the surrounding Languedoc-Roussillon region.

Regional Specialties

Bûche de Noël: A classic seasonal dessert in France, the bûche de Noël or Yule log is a sponge cake roll, traditionally filled with chocolate buttercream and covered in chocolate ganache to resemble a log.
Confit de Canard: This dish is a hallmark of French cuisine. It is made by slowly cooking duck in its own fat until it becomes incredibly tender. Confit de canard is typically served with potatoes cooked in the residual duck fat.
Raclette: Originating from the Alps, raclette refers to both the semi-hard cheese and a dish. The cheese is melted and scraped onto boiled potatoes, charcuterie, and pickles. It’s hugely popular at winter markets.
Gratin Dauphinois: This dish hails from southeastern France. It’s a casserole of sliced potatoes baked in milk and cream. It’s often served as a side dish and is a hearty vegetarian option.
Oysters: In France, oysters are often enjoyed at Christmas, served raw on the half shell with a squeeze of lemon. You can often find them sold on the street in front of traditional restaurants.
Tarte Tatin: A quintessentially French dessert, tarte tatin is a caramelised upside-down apple tart.

At the Food Stalls

Vin Chaud: Known in English as mulled wine, vin chaud is a warm, spiced red wine infused with cinnamon, cloves, and star anise.
Churros: While not French, these sweet treats are commonly found at winter markets, including in Montpellier.
Crêpes and Galettes: Crêpes are a popular street and market food. Typically filled with sweet toppings like Nutella, bananas, and cream, there are also savoury galettes with cheese, ham or eggs.
Pommes d’Amour: Known as “apples of love”, pommes d’amour are candied apples, a favourite treat for children and adults alike.
Marrons Chauds: Roasted chestnuts are a quintessential winter snack. They are roasted over open fires or in special barrel roasters, lending them a smoky, sweet, and nutty flavour. They are typically served in paper cones.

What to Buy

Handcrafted Jewellery: Local artisans often have stalls displaying their work, which ranges from delicate earrings to statement necklaces.
Locally Produced Wine: Languedoc-Roussillon, the region surrounding Montpellier, is one of the largest wine-producing regions in France. Rosé is particularly popular in this region.
Olive Oil and Tapenades: Montpellier is in a region renowned for its olive oil production. Stalls at the market often sell high-quality, locally-produced olive oil alongside delicious tapenades.
Artisanal Soap: The market sells a variety of artisanal soaps, often made with locally sourced ingredients such as lavender, honey, and olive oil. Savon de Marseille is a great choice.
Languedoc Textiles: The Languedoc region has a long history of textile production. Stalls sell traditional Languedoc textiles, from tablecloths and napkins to scarves and bags.
Artisanal Sweets and Chocolates: These range from traditional French sweets like nougat and calissons (almond paste sweets) to artisanal chocolates, all beautifully packaged and perfect for gifting.

Sustainability

Renewable Energy: While in Montpellier, consider choosing a hotel that uses renewable energy sources, which is one of the most effective ways to reduce emissions.
Food Waste: When enjoying culinary specialties, take action to avoid food waste when ordering.
Ethical Consumption: Be mindful of your purchases at the market, considering what you really need and what gifts would be appreciated over the longer term.
Food Choices: Prioritise lower-impact foods like vegetarian and plant-based options that are locally sourced.
Transport: Montpellier has an efficient and eco-friendly tram system, making exploring the city easy without a car. Montpellier is known for its pedestrianised streets in the historic centre, making exploring by walking or cycling enjoyable and safe.

If you would like to leave a review, comment below.

—

Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research.