Christmas markets 2026: Cannes, Nice, Monaco by private chauffeur

From late November to early January, Cannes, Nice and Monaco each set up their own Christmas village: wooden chalets, seasonal food, festive lights, and an ice rink in Cannes. They make lovely outings, often in the evening when the lights are on, and sometimes in a different town from the one you are staying in.

This guide brings together the official dates for the 2026–2027 season, the opening hours that matter and the simplest way to get there without hunting for a parking space or driving yourself.

The 2026–2027 dates

Nice: Place Masséna and the Jardin Albert 1er

According to Côte d’Azur France Tourisme, the Nice Christmas village is open every day from November 25, 2026 to January 3, 2027, in the Jardin Albert 1er and on Place Masséna. It brings together more than 60 chalets selling Christmas goods, crafts and food, with free entry. To make a day of it, see our Nice page.

Cannes: Allées de la Liberté and the Palm Beach

“Noël à Cannes” (Christmas in Cannes) runs from Friday, November 27, 2026 to Sunday, January 3, 2027. The Christmas village on the Allées de la Liberté and the Cours Félix-Faure has 66 chalets of craftspeople, designers and food specialties, and a 360 m² natural-ice rink. It closes at 9 pm Monday to Thursday and on Sundays, and at 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

A few dates worth noting in the programme: the illuminated parade on Wednesday, December 23, from 5:30 pm, and the New Year’s Eve fireworks at midnight on December 31 over the bay of Cannes, preceded by a drone show. A 32-metre Christmas tree stands in front of the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès.

On the Croisette, the Palm Beach also hosts a Christmas village, free to enter, from December 3, 2026 to January 3, 2027, from 3 pm to 10 pm: Wednesday to Sunday until December 16, then every day from December 17.

Monaco: Port Hercule

The 2026 Christmas village of the Mairie de Monaco, themed “La Forêt enchantée” (The Enchanted Forest), is set up at Port Hercule, on the Quai Albert 1er, from Friday, December 4, 2026 (from 4 pm) to Sunday, January 3, 2027. According to its rules, it is open from 11 am to 10:30 pm, and until 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Two exceptions: on December 24 it closes at 7:30 pm; on December 31 it stays open until 2:30 am. See also our Monaco page.

Planning your evening

Check the day’s opening hours. The official sites note that hours may change: a quick look before you leave avoids a disappointment.
Arrive before closing time. In Monaco, the entrances close half an hour before the village does; keep that in mind if you are coming late.
Choose one town per evening, or two if you have the time. Tell us your plans when you book: we set the pick-up time and the time for the ride back.
Combine it with dinner. A Christmas village early in the evening, then a restaurant: the chauffeur drops you off, then picks you up at the agreed time.
On December 24 and 31, Monaco’s opening hours are different. For New Year’s Eve, see also our guide Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Our advice
Give us the exact address of your hotel or villa, and your preferred pick-up and return times: we confirm a fixed price in writing before you book.

With the family during the school holidays

In France, the 2026 Christmas school holidays run from Saturday, December 19, 2026 to Monday, January 4, 2027, when classes resume. An ideal time to go as a family.

With children, the car becomes a place to rest between two visits. Child seats are provided on request: give the children’s ages when you book. For a family or a group of friends, the Mercedes V-Class seats up to 7 passengers. To find out more, read our guide to child car seats in Cannes.

Round trip or chauffeur on standby

A scheduled round trip. The chauffeur drops you off at the agreed time, then comes back to pick you up at the time set for the return.
A chauffeur on standby. The chauffeur stays with you for a number of hours agreed in advance: the most flexible option for visiting two towns, or a village and a dinner.

Three vehicle categories:

Executive (Mercedes E-Class or EQE): up to 3 passengers.
Van (Mercedes V-Class): up to 7 passengers.
Luxury (Mercedes S-Class or BMW i7, the latter 100% electric).

The price is fixed per vehicle and confirmed in writing before you book, with VAT, tolls and parking included. A night supplement of €15 per transfer applies between 10 pm and 7 am. We can be reached 24/7, and payment in cryptocurrency (BTC, ETH, stablecoins) is accepted.

Planning an evening at a Christmas village?

Send us the date, the town and the number of passengers: we confirm a fixed price in writing before you book.

Book my chauffeur →

Frequently asked questions

Do the Christmas villages charge for entry?

According to the official sources, entry is free in Nice and in Cannes (the Allées de la Liberté village and the Palm Beach village). In Cannes, the ice rink costs €5, and it is free for children aged 4 to 10 in the morning, from 10 am to 1 pm. In Monaco, there is a security check at the entrance.

Can we visit two villages in the same evening?

Yes, as long as you plan it when you book. Having the chauffeur on standby is the simplest option: the chauffeur stays with you for the agreed number of hours.

Do you provide child seats?

Yes, on request. Give the children’s ages when you book.

How is the price set, and how can we pay?

The price is fixed per vehicle and confirmed in writing before you book, with VAT, tolls and parking included. A night supplement of €15 per transfer applies between 10 pm and 7 am. Payment in cryptocurrency (BTC, ETH, stablecoins) is accepted: mention it in your request.

Official sources

Plan your Christmas evenings

Nice, Cannes or Monaco: send us your plans and we confirm a fixed price.

Book my chauffeur → +33 9 71 18 53 08