A Magical Christmas Village to Explore in an Essonne Garden

For the past seven years, Vincent Costa Da Cunha has been turning his garden in Limours into a magical Christmas Village. Featuring a towering 7-meter tree and hundreds of twinkling lights, this free light and sound show invites visitors every evening throughout December 2025, from Monday to Sunday, from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Curious to see for ourselves, we visited his colorful, enchanting garden.

We went on a journey into the magical world created by Vincent Costa Da Cunha, a passionate family man from Limours in Essonne, and we were truly amazed! Every year, as winter begins, this forty-something transforms his home at 4 Glycines Street into a genuine Christmas Village that draws hundreds of visitors. This festive wonderland welcomes up to fifty people on weeknights and around 200 during the weekends. Some visitors don’t hesitate to drive over an hour to see this extraordinary display—and it’s easy to see why.

Christmas Garden in Video:

As soon as you cross the gate of this charming house, a little tucked away in the heart of town, you'll feel like you're transported to the North Pole. Polar bears, reindeer, a life-sized Santa Claus, an icy landscape with plush toys, and vintage automata restored by Vincent himself welcome visitors into this magical scene. The centerpiece? A 7-meter artificial Christmas tree standing proudly in the middle of the garden, encircled by a glowing, 3-meter arch. The house’s façade is completely decorated with twinkling string lights, creating a truly breathtaking spectacle.

How many pieces make up his Christmas village this year? The forty-something has no idea. "There are so many pieces that it's impossible to count," he chuckles. Vincent spent two months setting everything up, entirely on his own. "I did everything myself; it took me forever," he admits. It's no surprise, given that he's a dedicated Christmas enthusiast and a perfectionist. "I didn’t want everything to light up all at once, so visitors could have the chance to take in each scene. So I programmed the displays to turn on one after the other." You can imagine the enormous effort that takes—that's quite the undertaking!

What fuels this everlasting passion for Christmas?

Initially, Vincent Costa Da Cunha just wanted to bring some magic to his two children with his Christmas village. "We started with a few lights, then a friend who works at a shopping center gave me a Christmas tree," he recalls. But what began as a small project quickly grew beyond his expectations. In the early years, only a handful of visitors would stop by. Today, they welcome around fifty visitors during the week and approximately 200 each weekend.

Most visitors are regulars who return year after year, but there are also those who travel from afar. "Some drive over an hour just to see my decorations—that's incredibly flattering," says Vincent. And the feedback is unanimously positive, whether it's from children or their parents. Everyone is captivated by this that lights up the eyes of both young and old alike.

How do you go about visiting this Christmas Village?

This sound and light show comes alive every evening in December. The event takes place at 4 rue des Glycines in Limours, where visitors can explore this enchanted illuminated village accessible between 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.. Admission is free. Don't miss the chance to experience this charming initiative that truly deserves a visit.

A free carousel is available for children; just turn the timer to get it going. A quick tip: since most of the decorations run on 220V, keep a close eye on your kids throughout the visit to avoid any mishaps.

Santa Claus visits every Saturday!

Every Saturday from 6 to 7 p.m., Vincent hosts an even more enchanting event. Visitors are warmly welcomed with hot mulled wine to help them get into the holiday spirit, while Santa Claus himself hands out small gifts to children. This has become a must-visit for local families looking to enjoy a festive, friendly atmosphere. If you're searching for a free activity to experience the magic of Christmas in Essonne, don’t miss this gem — we highly recommend it.

There's Always a Way to Lend a Hand

A is available on-site for those who wish to support the continued success of this wonderful project. Donations help Vincent cover the costs of purchasing new decorations, the skyrocketing electricity consumption during December, as well as the rental of the storage unit needed to store all the equipment throughout the rest of the year. Of course, contributions are optional, but they enable this passionate individual to keep offering this beautiful, free spectacle to hundreds of amazed visitors each year.

In short, if you're after a free family outing that feels almost magical in Île-de-France, head over to Limours to explore the whimsical world of Vincent Costa Da Cunha. It's a true journey into the land of Santa Claus—without leaving Île-de-France—just a few kilometers from the Chevreuse Valley. Don't miss this gem during December to really get into the holiday spirit. So, why not go and explore his enchanting universe?