2026 Christmas holidays from December 19 to January 4. When to book your rental to get the best price, which week to choose between Christmas and New Year's, how much to budget by region, and what to check before you commit
The 2026 Christmas holidays run from Saturday, December 19, 2026, to Monday, January 4, 2027, for all three school zones simultaneously. Seventeen days, a surge in demand for the same dates, and a simple rule that many discover too late: the best booking window is between September and October, before year-end prices spike. Here is how to choose your week, destination, and accommodation, and what to check before paying a single cent.
The schedule was set by a decree published in the Official Journal in October 2025. The holidays run from Saturday, December 19, 2026, to Monday, January 4, 2027, with classes resuming on the morning of January 4. Students who do not have classes on Saturdays are released on the evening of Friday, December 18.
Important note: all three zones are on break at the same time. Unlike the winter or spring breaks, there is no staggering. All of France's schools are on holiday simultaneously, which naturally concentrates demand.
And this year, the calendar works out particularly well. Christmas and New Year's Day both fall on a Friday, which divides the period into two perfectly clean weeks: from Saturday, December 19 to Saturday, December 26, and then from Saturday, December 26 to Saturday, January 2. For a one-week stay, the timing is ideal, with no wasted nights at either end.
The optimal window is right now, meaning between September and early November.
The mechanism is simple. In September and October, supply is still high and rates remain close to base prices. As December approaches, the best-located properties are snapped up, and the remaining ones see their prices climb due to scarcity. Waiting until December means choosing from what others didn't want, often at a higher price.
Three booking profiles emerge. If you are looking for a large house to get the whole family together, book now: these properties are limited and go fast. If you are looking for standard accommodation for two to four people, you still have until the end of October. If you are completely flexible with your dates and destination, opportunities sometimes pop up in December, but it’s a gamble.
A fair warning: last-minute booking works better for less touristy destinations than for mountain resorts or cities with Christmas markets, where availability tightens up very early.
This is the distinction most guides ignore, and it makes a big difference.
Christmas week (December 19 to 26) is traditionally more family-oriented and, paradoxically, a bit more accessible. Many households spend the 24th and 25th with relatives rather than in a rental. Demand exists, but it is less intense, especially during the first few days (December 19, 20, 21), which are often the easiest to book during the entire period.
New Year's week (December 26 to January 2) is much more competitive. This is the week for trips with friends, organized parties, and mountain getaways. Prices are higher, minimum stay requirements are often longer, and cancellation policies are stricter.
Practical takeaway: if you are on a tight budget, prioritize Christmas week. If you have your heart set on New Year's, book without delay and be prepared to pay more.
An interesting option for the most flexible: the period from January 2 to 4, at the very end of the holidays, is often very quiet and inexpensive. Ideal for a two or three-night getaway before heading back to work.
The differences are real, and they don't always follow intuition.
For properties listed on Driing, the median nightly rates are as follows: around €75 in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, €80 in Occitanie and in the Grand Est, €84 in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, €85 in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, €91 in Centre-Val de Loire and €95 in Normandy.
These medians are annual benchmarks, not holiday rates: expect a price increase during the season, which will be more pronounced in mountain resorts and around major cities with Christmas markets.
Two cost-saving strategies remain available. Move thirty kilometers away : staying outside of a resort or tourist town often drops the price by 20 to 30% while providing nearly identical access. Booking directly, without commissions, also saves an average of about 17% compared to standard platforms. To compare offers effectively, our guide on hidden fees in vacation rentals details all the extra costs to include in your calculations.
This winter's trends confirm a desire for calm, well-being, and less crowded places, with a strong appeal for secluded accommodations in the mountains or by the sea. Four main options are emerging.
The mountains remain the go-to for the holidays, but they are also the most competitive. Secondary ranges (Vosges, Jura, Massif Central, Pyrenees, Southern Alps) offer snow and atmosphere at prices that cannot be compared to the major Alpine resorts. Book these first, as availability runs out quickly.
Cities with Christmas markets, especially in Alsace, see very high demand over a short period, generally from late November to late December. Stay on the outskirts or in a neighboring village rather than in the city center: the savings are substantial and access remains easy.
The cozy countryside is the most available and affordable option. A character home, a fireplace, a large table: this is often where the best family celebrations happen, far from the tourist hustle. It is also the most flexible option for last-minute bookings.
The sunny south attracts those who prefer to escape the cold. The Mediterranean coast and the Provençal hinterland are quiet in December, rates are reasonable outside of New Year's Eve, and the winter light is stunning.
If you are still undecided on a destination, check out our ideas for off-season destinations remain largely valid in December, as the off-season logic remains the same.
Summer vacation rentals and holiday rentals are judged by different criteria.
Heating comes before everything else. A poorly insulated house can turn your stay into an ordeal, and the heating bill might be charged to you if it isn't included. Explicitly ask what is covered.
The kitchen becomes the heart of the home. During the holidays, you'll be cooking, often for a large group. Check the size of the oven, the number of burners, whether there is a dishwasher, and the actual seating capacity of the table—not just the number of beds.
A fireplace or wood stove changes the atmosphere. If the property has one, ask if firewood is provided and if you are actually allowed to use it, as this is not always the case.
Access is twice as important in winter. Mountain roads, steep driveways, snow removal, and mandatory equipment: ask these questions in advance, not the day before you leave.
The extras make all the difference. About one in ten properties listed on Driing features a hot tub or wellness area, and more than nine out of ten offer parking, which matters when you arrive fully loaded in the middle of winter.
The holidays account for the most expensive bookings of the year, which means the stakes are higher if something goes wrong.
Read the cancellation policy, and pay attention to the specific wording used. A payment made at the time of booking can be classified as a deposit or a down payment, and the consequences of cancellation differ significantly. With a deposit (arrhes), the traveler who cancels loses the amount, and the owner who cancels must pay back double. With a down payment (acompte), the commitment is binding for both parties. Our guide on deposits vs. down payments for vacation rentals covers this in detail.
Check your insurance. Vacation liability coverage is often already included in your home insurance policy, but coverage limits and durations vary. Our guide on vacation rental insurance covers everything you need to know.
Verify the listing's legitimacy. High-demand periods also attract fake listings. Verify the owner's identity and the existence of the property before making any payments, as detailed in our guide on how to spot a trustworthy listing.
Confirm practical details in writing. Arrival times on December 24th or 31st, evening key handovers, tourist taxes, security deposit amounts, and heating costs. These points can be settled in five minutes via message and prevent any misunderstandings.
During a period when prices soar, the absence of commission fees makes a bigger impact.
Booking directly with the owner, without service fees, saves you an average of about 17%. On a holiday stay costing €1,200, that’s over €200 that stays in your vacation budget.
But the advantage isn't just financial. When booking direct, you are communicating with someone who knows their property and their region. This is the person who can tell you if the access road is passable in case of snow, which restaurant is open on December 25th, or if firewood is provided. These are all details that no standardized listing page contains.
That is the principle behind Driing : a connection platform where every host's identity and property ownership are verified via documentation before listing. You contact the owner directly through the listing form or their contact details, then agree on the terms and payment together. No commission is added to your stay.
What are the dates for the 2026 Christmas holidays?
From Saturday, December 19, 2026, to Monday, January 4, 2027, for all three school zones simultaneously. Classes resume on the morning of January 4.
When should I book my holiday rental?
The ideal window is between September and early November, before year-end price hikes. For a large house or a ski resort stay, book as early as September.
Is it better to book for Christmas week or New Year's week?
Christmas week, from December 19 to 26, is generally less crowded and more affordable. New Year's week sees higher demand, with steeper prices and often longer minimum stay requirements.
How much does a holiday rental cost?
Median prices, excluding seasonal surcharges, range from €75 to €95 per night depending on the region. Expect an increase during this period, which is more pronounced in mountain resorts and cities with Christmas markets.
Is it still possible to find a rental in December?
Yes, but options are limited and prices are higher. Last-minute bookings work best in the countryside and less touristy regions, but are much harder to find in mountain areas or major festive cities.
What should I check for in a winter rental?
The heating system and whether it's included in the price, kitchen equipment, the actual size of the dining table, accessibility in case of snow, and the availability of firewood if the property has a fireplace.
Can I cancel a holiday booking?
This depends on the contract terms and whether the payment is considered a deposit or a down payment. There is no 14-day cooling-off period for fixed-date accommodation bookings.
How can I save money on holiday rentals?
Look for properties thirty kilometers away from high-demand areas, choose Christmas week over New Year's week, and book directly to avoid commissions.
The 2026 Christmas holidays run from December 19 to January 4 for all zones, which concentrates demand into a short period. Three decisions will determine your budget.
Book now, between September and early November, before prices rise. Choose the right week, as the week of Christmas is significantly more affordable than the week of New Year's. Look a little further afield from the most popular areas, even if it means driving an extra twenty minutes.
Add in booking directly to avoid commissions, and the difference compared to a last-minute booking on a standard platform can easily amount to hundreds of euros.
Find your holiday rental on Driing, directly with verified hosts, all over France and with no commission on your stay.
This article is provided for informational purposes. Rates, availability, and cancellation policies vary by host and period: check each detail with the owner before booking.
Order setting the 2026-2027 school calendar, published in the Official Journal in October 2025: Christmas holidays from Saturday, December 19, 2026, to Monday, January 4, 2027, for zones A, B, and C.
Sector analysis on year-end 2026 bookings: optimal booking period is between September and October, before year-end price hikes.
Research data on Christmas 2026 stays: increase in small group stays, average duration of five days, sharp rise in searches for two travelers, and strong interest in secluded mountain or seaside accommodations.
Winter 2026-2027 travel trends: focus on wellness, slow travel, and less crowded destinations.
Driing internal data: 408 properties listed across 341 municipalities, regional median prices between €75 and €95 per night, approximately 11% featuring wellness facilities, and over 90% offering parking (September 2026).
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