As the holiday season approaches, the sunny Côte d’Azur is transforming into a winter wonderland, embracing the magic of Christmas with twinkling lights, festive markets, and even ice rinks – despite the region’s typically mild climate. Whether you’re a seasoned skater or just looking for a fun activity, here’s a guide to where you can lace up your skates and hit the ice on the French Riviera this December.

Though Monaco is replacing its traditional rink with the Village des Sports, Beausoleil is inviting visitors to glide across a 100sqm rink in the Place de la Libération from 7th December to 5th January.

Menton, known for its beautiful Mediterranean views, is offering a rink on the forecourt of the Jean-Cocteau Museum from 6th December to 5th January.

A 200sqm ice rink will open up on Juan-les-Pins’ Square Jacques Leonetti from 13th December to 5th January, while in Cannes, two rinks will be open to the public: one on the Allées de la Liberté and the other on Cours Félix-Faure. Both opened on 30th November and will continue until the first Sunday in January.

Just a short distance away, Mougins invites skaters to its rink on Cours des Arts from 21st December to 5th January, and Grasse is also joining in on the fun with its rink at Cours Honoré Cresp, open from 20th December to 5th January.

Biot won’t have skating, but it will feature a super-fun toboggan run for children to slide down from 21st to 30th December in the Place des Arcades.

Up in the mountains, Isola 2000 and Auron offer larger, snowy rink experiences at their ski resorts throughout the winter season.

For those in the Var, ice skating options are just as plentiful as in the Alpes-Maritimes.

Brignoles’ Square Saint-Louis will host its rink between 7th December and 5th January, while Draguignan’s rink in the Allées Azémar will be open from 13th December to 5th January.

Fréjus offers skating at Place Clémenceau from 7th December to 5th January, and Hyères opened its rink in Place Clémenceau on 29th November. Like many others, it will close on 5th January.

Toulon skaters can head to Place d’Armes from 6th December to 5th January, while Solliès-Pont will open its rink in Place Général-de-Gaulle from 18th December.

ECO RINKS

Some towns are embracing eco-friendly skating experiences.

Beaulieu-sur-Mer, for example, is hosting an ecological rink at Place Marinoni from 23rd December to 5th January, and Saint Tropez is offering a synthetic rink at Place du XVème Corps from 7th December to 5th January as part of an effort to reduce energy consumption while maintaining the festive cheer.

Whether you’re an ice skating enthusiast or simply want to experience the holiday charm of the Côte d’Azur, there’s no shortage of opportunities to enjoy the season’s festivities on the ice.

Read related:

Village des Sports to bring Christmastime adventure to Port Hercule

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Photo source: Ville de Cannes, Facebook