The 2026 Christmas market calendar
The season opens with the Advent markets from 14 November and peaks on the first two weekends of December. Here is a selection of markets in southern and central Ardèche, and in the neighbouring Drôme provençale, listed by weekend.
Weekend of 14 – 15 November
| Dates | Village | From the Mas |
|---|---|---|
| 14 – 15 Nov | Lavilledieu (Advent market) | ≈ 10 min |
| 15 Nov | Saint-Étienne-de-Fontbellon (village fair, Christmas market and chestnut roast) | ≈ 20 min |
Weekend of 28 – 29 November
| Dates | Village | From the Mas |
|---|---|---|
| 29 Nov | Lentillères (traditional market) | ≈ 30 min |
| 28 Nov | Grospierres | ≈ 40 min |
| 28 Nov | Le Pouzin (indoors) | ≈ 40 min |
| 29 Nov | Vagnas (crafts market) | ≈ 45 min |
| 28 – 29 Nov | Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux (Drôme) | ≈ 55 min |
| 28 – 29 Nov | Taulignan (medieval market, Drôme) | ≈ 1 h 10 |
Weekend of 5 – 6 December
| Dates | Village | From the Mas |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Dec | Vals-les-Bains | ≈ 25 min |
| 6 Dec | Saint-Thomé | ≈ 30 min |
| 6 Dec | Vallon-Pont-d’Arc | ≈ 40 min |
| 5 – 6 Dec | Espeluche (28th crafts market, Drôme) | ≈ 45 min |
| 6 Dec | Valgorge | ≈ 55 min |
Weekend of 12 – 13 December
| Dates | Village | From the Mas |
|---|---|---|
| 13 Dec | Saint-Privat | ≈ 20 min |
| 12 Dec | Cruas | ≈ 40 min |
| 11 – 24 Dec | Montélimar (Place des Clercs, every day) | ≈ 40 min |
Weekend of 19 – 20 December
| Dates | Village | From the Mas |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Dec | Chomérac | ≈ 30 min |
| 19 – 20 Dec | Gras | ≈ 45 min |
Approximate driving times from the Mas, in Lussas. Dates are those announced by the organisers: village markets are often run by local associations, so it is worth checking times and location with the town hall or tourist office before setting off.
Which ones to choose from the Mas?
The closest is Lavilledieu, ten minutes away, which opens the season in mid-November with its Advent market. The first weekend of December is the richest: Vals-les-Bains on the Saturday, a spa town with Belle Époque façades, then Saint-Thomé on the Sunday, a hilltop village above the Escoutay that pairs well with a walk around Alba-la-Romaine. For a day out, the medieval market in Taulignan, in the Drôme provençale, has real charm. And if you are after the atmosphere of a large market, Montélimar is open every day from 11 December.
The rest of the day, the season does the work: the trails of the Coiron plateau, stone villages with no one around, the truffle markets that begin in December. More ideas in our guide to what to do in Ardèche in winter.
A Christmas before Christmas
On the 24th and 25th of December, everyone is with their parents, their in-laws, their children. So more and more families and groups of friends treat themselves to their own Christmas, a weekend or two earlier: the cousins you never see all together, old university friends, brothers and sisters with their children. A weekend with no calendar to negotiate.
The Mas lends itself to this kind of reunion. Eight suites, one large table for fifteen, several lounges so everyone finds their own corner. Saturday at a Christmas market, in the evening a dinner prepared by a private chef at the house, Sunday with no alarm clock. Nobody cooks for fifteen, nobody does the washing-up.
From November to March, outside school holidays, the Mas is on low-season rates: €860 a night for the whole house, which is under €60 per person for fifteen guests. Details on the rates and availability page.
And for teams
Late November and early December is also the season for year-end retreats: a leadership team taking stock, a team planning the year ahead away from the office. The Mas can also be booked exclusively during the week. Everything is on the events and retreats page.
Your questions about the Christmas markets
When are the Christmas markets in Ardèche in 2026?
The first ones open on the weekend of 14 and 15 November, with the Advent market in Lavilledieu. The season continues every weekend until 19 and 20 December. The busiest weekends are 28-29 November and 5-6 December.
Which Christmas market is closest to Aubenas and Lussas?
The Advent market in Lavilledieu, on 14 and 15 November, about ten minutes from Lussas. Next come Saint-Privat (13 December), Vals-les-Bains (5 December) and Saint-Thomé (6 December), all less than half an hour away.
Is there a large Christmas market near the Ardèche?
Montélimar, about forty minutes from the Mas, holds its market on Place des Clercs from 11 to 24 December, every day. It is the largest in the area.
Where can a group stay for the Christmas markets?
Le Mas de Louise is a family house with 8 suites in Lussas, at the foot of the Coiron plateau. It is rented exclusively, for up to 15 guests, with a 2-night minimum. Lavilledieu, Saint-Privat, Vals-les-Bains and Saint-Thomé are all less than 30 minutes’ drive.
Practical
- Christmas markets
- From 14 November to 20 December 2026, almost every weekend
- The closest
- Lavilledieu, 14 and 15 November, 10 min from the Mas
- The largest
- Montélimar, 11 to 24 December, 40 min away
- Booking
- Exclusive hire only, up to 15 guests, 2-night minimum
- Read also
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What to do in Ardèche in winter
A family Christmas, with nothing to manage
To plan your stay, see our availability and rates, or contact Louise directly.