In the category of Christmas markets, I’m looking for the most unusual. Here, say goodbye to the wooden chalets and ice rinks, and step into a unique atmosphere, right in the heart of the rock. To discover this one-of-a-kind event, head to Doué-en-Anjou, specifically to the troglodyte site of the Arènes in Doué-la-Fontaine, a true archaeological gem, happening on December 6th and 7th.
A Christmas Six Feet Under
It’s in Maine-et-Loire, just a stone’s throw from Saumur, that every year there’s an absolutely unique event during the holiday season: the Doué-en-Anjou Christmas Market. This is a must-visit for fans of unusual experiences, as well as enthusiasts of sp&eacu.
te;léologie. For one delightful weekend, the underground arenas carved into the falun — a rock made up of various sizes of shell debris — transform into Santa Claus's workshop, welcoming dozens of artisans and creators (75 in total this year). Completely underground, stroll through the beautifully decorated aisles to enjoy this extraordinary event.Voir cette publication sur Instagram
A 2025 Year of Newness
And for this 28th edition, there's no way we're playing it safe! For 2 days, you can enjoy a magnificent and unprecedented set design imagined by the Sensorielle agency to plunge us into the magic of the Holidays. And for the first time, the market will be open at night on Saturday, with a show to top it off. Now, fair warning, an event like this is worth it, and to get there, you'll need to travel a bit since the caves are about 3 hours from Paris. But it could make a lovely early Christmas gift, don't you think? So let's remember to book our tickets in advance, because no tickets will be sold on-site on the day itself!
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Christmas Market in the Troglodyte Caves
Doué-en-Anjou (49700)
December 6th and 7th, 2025
Reservation required
More info