Christmas in Les Arcs

With so many families visiting Paradiski 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. When the streets lights are turned on it's hard to ignore that Christmas is nearly here.
Enjoy platters of seafood, oysters and foie gras - the standard Christmas foods served in France.

Father Christmas arrives in Les Arcs! 

Enjoy the spectacle of Noël, a show at the Salle La Coupole. Visit the village de Noël, enjoy ice sculptures, meet Father Christmas and enjoy concerts and animations. The village will be full of fun, there will be parades and festive activities throughout the Christmas week including torchlight descents.

In Bourg St. Maurice you'll find the Christmas market, races for children, Father Christmas and many fun events happening.

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 le 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.