Spending Christmas or New Year as a group of 10 or 12 in the Vosges needs early planning: accommodation is booked well in advance, and travel, meals and skiing require tighter organisation than an ordinary weekend. Here are the points to settle, with what the official sources say for the 2026-2027 season.
The dates to know
According to Service-Public.gouv.fr, the 2026 Christmas holidays run, in metropolitan France, from Saturday 19 December 2026 to Monday 4 January 2027, with the same dates for all zones. A stay that covers 24 and 31 December therefore falls in the middle of the French school holidays: decide early. Our article on the ski opening in La Bresse for 2026-2027 covers the resort calendar.
The Christmas village, for the evening outing
The tourist office listing describes a Christmas village on the Place du Champtel, at the foot of the tree, with producers’ and craftspeople’s chalets and free entertainment. The calendar shown runs from 4 December 2026 to 4 January 2027, with Friday to Sunday openings in December, then every day from 21 December. Check the listing before fixing an outing: exact days may change. Our guide to the La Bresse Christmas market details the activities.
For 10 or 12 people, a single outing early in the evening, with a meeting point agreed beforehand, avoids losing children in the crowd. The programme for 31 December does not appear in the sources consulted: ask the tourist office (+33 3 29 25 41 29).
The La Bresse guide, winter 2026-2027 edition
Opening dates, official pass prices, school holidays and good addresses, in a free PDF updated on 24 October 2026.
Your details are used only to process this request. Privacy policy (in French).
Free PDF, no newsletter sign-up.
Getting there: vehicle equipment
From 1 November to 31 March, an equipment obligation applies in the communes designated by the prefecture. The State services page for the Vosges includes La Bresse in its list (last update shown: 4 November 2022). For a light vehicle: four winter tyres, or chains or snow socks allowing at least two drive wheels to be fitted, with studded tyres exempt. Service-Public.gouv.fr published a reminder on 20 October 2026 for the period from 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027, specifying that only tyres marked 3PMSF count as anti-skid equipment. In a convoy of cars, each driver checks their equipment before leaving; see our article on winter tyres in La Bresse.
The Route des Crêtes: plan another route
In a press release published on 7 November 2025, the Collectivité européenne d’Alsace announced, for winter 2025-2026, the closure of the Route des Crêtes (the ridge road) and its access roads, from Uffholtz to the Col des Bagenelles, from Monday 17 November 2025 at 16:00. It states that this closure takes place on a fixed date every year and that the road is due to reopen in early April, depending on traffic and weather conditions. The closure aims to preserve safety and to allow skiing or hiking on the road. For the date of the next closure, see our article on the annual closure of the Route des Crêtes. If your route goes through the Alsace side, check the itinerary proposed by your navigation app.
Skiing over the holidays as a group
The ski area operator offers the Tribu offer: an extra 10% off when buying at least 3 passes of the same duration at the same time, including at least one adult and one child under 17, excluding season passes. It does not apply to student passes and can be combined with other promotions except “bon plan ski” and early booking. A 10% discount on sledging evenings is also attached to it. Validity dates do not appear on the offer page: check that it covers your ski days.
To organise a full week for 12, read our article on a ski week in La Bresse for 12 people.
Cooking and eating for twelve
For a festive meal, do not count on a standard kitchen: before booking, ask about the size of the oven, the number of hobs and the tableware available. A menu with a slow-cooked dish (roast, stew) and desserts prepared the day before limits the work on the evening itself.
A house linked to this guide
This guide is linked to a large six-bedroom house in La Bresse, currently being finalised. We mention it so that you can compare with full knowledge. The house now has a website: the owners give the sleeping arrangements, rates and conditions on request, before any stay is confirmed: the house’s website
The La Bresse guide, winter 2026-2027 edition
Opening dates, official pass prices, school holidays and good addresses, in a free PDF updated on 24 October 2026.
Your details are used only to process this request. Privacy policy (in French).
Free PDF, no newsletter sign-up.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dates of the 2026 Christmas school holidays in France?
According to Service-Public.gouv.fr, the 2026 Christmas holidays run, in metropolitan France, from Saturday 19 December 2026 to Monday 4 January 2027, with the same dates for all zones.
Is the Christmas village in La Bresse paid?
The tourist office listing states free entry for the Christmas village on the Place du Champtel. The opening periods shown run from 4 December 2026 to 4 January 2027: re-read the listing for the exact days.