What if Christmas became a story to listen to, read... and experience? This year,Fontenay-aux-Roses invites you to experience a Christmas inspired by local tales and legends, drawn from forgotten stories collected by Antoine Guillois at the beginning of the 20th century. These stories are being revived today in many different forms: shows, public readings, Christmas markets, illuminations, podcasts, and illustrations, to make the end of the year a collective, lively, and poetic experience, from December 3 to 25, 2025.
It all begins on Place du Général de Gaulle with the launch of the Christmas lights. A unifying moment punctuated by winter music, traditional delicacies, and the warmth of reunion. The town then continues with a series of events that celebrate creativity and emotion: an artists' Christmas market, a magical parade, neighborhood entertainment, as well as readings and concerts to delight young and old alike.
Atthe Espace Rosa Bonheur, the Artists' Christmas Market showcases local craftsmanship. You'll find jewelry, paintings, workshops, tastings, and music in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. In the heart of the city, shopkeepers also contribute to the magic with a Christmas window display competition, which you are invited to judge online.
On December 17, a grand parade starting at Château Sainte-Barbe will bring the city streets to life. Illuminated floats, dancers, a marching band, and festive parades will mark the opening of the Christmas Village in the central square. Until December 25, this village will become the place to be, with its chalets, rides, snacks, and themed entertainment.
Families, groups of friends, heritage enthusiasts, and children eager for magic will find something to feed their imagination in this program. If you are interested in local history, enjoy magical walks, or are simply looking for a warm and welcoming experience, this Christmas is for you. However, visitors looking for purely commercial celebrations or festive nightlife will find less to enjoy here: the emphasis here is on transmission, sharing, and local roots.
The community centers, from Paradis to Scarron, offer creative workshops, toy exchanges, face painting, meetings with Santa Claus, as well as a Christmas of solidarity punctuated by karaoke and shared meals. Choir concerts, public readings, and musical strolls transform every street corner into a lively, festive, and accessible stage.
Narrated by volunteers from the Lire et faire lire association, the tales collected by Antoine Guillois are brought to life in a series of podcasts broadcast throughout December. These stories— Le bûcheron de la Fosse Bazin(The Woodcutter of Fosse Bazin), La bête Farrigaude(The Beast Farrigaude), Les murmures de l'eau (The Murmurs of Water) and Les trésors de la Grande Rue (The Treasures of the Grande Rue)—blend into the everyday landscape and transform Fontenay into an open-air book.
The book illustrated by Adrien Bonnafous, available at the town hall, in the market chalets, or at participating retailers, extends this immersion with delicate drawings and a sensitive look at the area. These tales, adapted for all ages, allow you to discover familiar places in a new way and give new meaning to our traditions, far from the clichés of a static Christmas.
Through this program, Fontenay-aux-Roses celebrates a culture of connection: between generations, between residents, between memories and creation. The voices of children, local artists, volunteer storytellers, municipal services, and merchants all come together to make this December a time that is both intimate and communal.
With shows, artistic discoveries, readings by the fireside, and poetic entertainment, everything comes together to invite you to slow down, listen, and share. Whether you are passionate about ancient stories, a lover of local art, or simply looking for an authentic moment, this Christmas in Fontenay-aux-Roses offers an inspiring setting to get together and dream together.
Dates and Opening Time
From December 3, 2025 to December 25, 2025
Location
Fontenay aux Roses
fontenay aux roses
92260 Fontenay Aux Roses
Official website
www.fontenay-aux-roses.fr
