The Gros Souper
The traditional Christmas Eve supper of Provence, a meatless meal shared by the whole family before midnight.
Christmas 2026 & New Year 2027 · Èze, French Riviera
Luxury Christmas & New Year Villa Rental near Monaco
Spend the festive season in a private five-suite villa on the French Riviera: a pool and jacuzzi in 700 m² of gardens, winter sunshine, and Monaco's Christmas lights and New Year fireworks just ten minutes away.
- 5 suitesThe whole family under one roof
- 10 guestsTwo independent floors, each with its own kitchen
- 10 minTo Monaco's Christmas village and fireworks
- ConciergePrivate chef and transfers on request
The festive season, privately
Imagine Christmas morning in the winter sun, coffee on the terrace and the Mediterranean below. Villa Graziella, a luxury villa rental in Èze between Nice and Monaco, rents all year round, and the festive season is one of the most special times to stay.
Gather your family or friends under one roof, enjoy the gardens, the pool and the jacuzzi, cook a Christmas feast at home, and step out to the Riviera's festivities whenever you choose: Monaco's Christmas village, Nice's festive chalets and the midnight fireworks over Port Hercule.
Luxury Christmas villa rental
Your Christmas villa near Monaco
The festive season is about being together, without hotel corridors, set dining times or crowded lobbies. At Villa Graziella the whole estate is yours: presents opened at your own pace, a festive table for everyone, and long lunches in the winter sun.
- Five en-suite bedrooms for up to 10 guests: room for the whole family under one roof.
- Two independent floors: each with its own living room and kitchen, ideal for two families celebrating together.
- 700 m² of private gardens: with a pool and a secluded jacuzzi that can be heated on request in winter, a rare seasonal luxury.
- Christmas dinner, your way: cook a feast together in your own kitchen, or ask our concierge to arrange a private chef for Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve.
- Ten minutes from Monaco: and a short walk from Èze-sur-Mer station, with trains to Monaco and Nice.
- Ground-floor option: outside July and August, a ground-floor stay is available on request, ideal for couples and smaller groups, such as an anniversary or a romantic New Year.
Discover the villa, its gardens and what's included in your rental.
Where to stay for Christmas in Monaco
Close to Monaco, in a world of your own
Monaco is magical at Christmas, but it is small, and its hotels are in high demand over the holidays. Many seasoned visitors prefer a private base nearby, and step into the Principality for its festivities.
A hotel in Monaco
- Hotels in high demand over Christmas and New Year
- Separate rooms for each couple or family
- Set dining times and busy lobbies
- Car parks fill up on New Year's Eve
Villa Graziella in Èze
- The entire estate, exclusively yours
- Everyone together under one roof
- Two kitchens, private gardens, a pool and jacuzzi, and three parking spaces
- Monaco ten minutes away, and Nice, Villefranche and Cap Ferrat close by
10 minutes from the villa
Christmas in Monaco
Every December the Principality turns into a winter wonderland, an easy evening out from Villa Graziella by car or by train from Èze-sur-Mer.
- Christmas village at the port: chalets with festive treats and handmade gifts, a Ferris wheel, a carousel and rides for children, with performers and musical parades along the harbour.
- Ice rink: an open-air rink at the Stade nautique Rainier III, the harbour swimming pool turned skating rink for the winter.
- Illuminations: the whole Principality is lit up, from Fontvieille to Monte-Carlo, with a giant Christmas tree on the Place du Casino and light shows on the façade of the Casino.
The 2026 dates will be announced by the Mairie de Monaco. Last year the Christmas village ran from 5 December to 4 January, and the rink stayed open until 1 March.
Nice · 27 November 2026 – 3 January 2027 · About 30 minutes from the villa
Christmas in Nice
Nice's Village de Noël fills the Jardin Albert 1er and Place Masséna, open every day and free to enter.
- More than 60 chalets: Christmas gifts, decorations and local crafts.
- Festive food and drink: mulled wine, Christmas beers, charcuterie and cheese, socca, waffles, and an oyster and champagne bar.
- Make an evening of it: stroll on to the lights of the Promenade des Anglais and dinner in Vieux-Nice.
A taste of Provence
Provençal traditions at the villa
Christmas in the South of France has its own customs, and with your own kitchen and dining room, the villa is the perfect place to bring them to your table.
The 13 desserts
Dried fruits, nuts, nougat, fresh fruit and sweet breads: thirteen desserts laid out together, a Provençal Christmas classic.
The galette des rois
Epiphany brings the king cake. Whoever finds the hidden charm is king or queen for the day.
31 December
New Year's Eve on the Riviera
See the year out in Monaco's glamour, or in the privacy of your own villa, or both: Port Hercule is only ten minutes away.
- Port Hercule: in recent years the Mairie de Monaco has hosted a free party in the Christmas village, with DJs from 21:00 and fireworks at midnight over the harbour.
- Place du Casino: festive lights, decorations and the countdown in front of the Casino de Monte-Carlo.
- Gala dinners: the great hotels and restaurants of Monte-Carlo host New Year's Eve dinners and shows. They sell out early, so book well in advance.
- Or celebrate at the villa: a private dinner for your family and friends, cooked by you or by a private chef, a glass of champagne in the jacuzzi, and the New Year arriving under the stars.
The 2026 programme will be announced in December. Car parks in Monaco fill up early on New Year's Eve; the train from Èze-sur-Mer is an easy alternative.
Winter sunshine
Winter days from the villa
The Côte d'Azur is one of Europe's mildest winter destinations, with many bright, sunny days. Between festivities, spend slow mornings in the gardens and explore the coast without the crowds.
- Èze village: the medieval lanes and the Jardin Exotique d'Èze, open daily (except Christmas Day) with sweeping views over the sea.
- Coastal walks: the Nietzsche path between Èze village and the sea, or the paths around Cap Ferrat.
- Museums and markets: Nice's Cours Saleya market and the Riviera's art museums are perfect for a cooler day.
The question everyone asks
Is everything closed at Christmas?
No. The Riviera is lively over the festive season, and December is one of the most atmospheric times to visit. A few things are worth knowing:
- Open: the Christmas villages in Monaco and Nice, the Oceanographic Museum, Monaco's ice rink, most restaurants, markets and shops, and the coastal trains.
- Christmas Day and New Year's Day: many shops and some museums close, and trains run on a holiday timetable. Restaurants that open usually serve special menus, so book ahead.
- Seasonal closures: some beach restaurants and hotels close for the winter, and a few attractions use the quiet season for renovations. Check before you go.
- Short days: the sun sets around 5 pm in December, so plan outdoor visits for the morning and early afternoon.
An itinerary from the villa
A perfect festive day on the Riviera
Everything is close together on this stretch of coast, which is what makes Èze such a good base.
Èze village in the winter sun
Walk up to the medieval village and the Jardin Exotique d'Èze before the day-trippers arrive, or take the Nietzsche path.
Monaco's Christmas village
Ten minutes from the villa: the Christmas village on the harbour, the giant tree on Place du Casino and, for families, the Oceanographic Museum.
Nice's festive lights
The chalets of Place Masséna and a stroll along the Promenade des Anglais as the lights come on.
Home for dinner
Back to Villa Graziella for a long dinner together, and the jacuzzi under the winter stars.
Extend your stay
Stay into January
The Riviera's winter season continues after the holidays, with two of Monaco's biggest events later in January.
Epiphany
Bakeries fill with galettes des rois, the last sweet tradition of the festive season.
Monte Carlo Rally
The opening round of the World Rally Championship, starting and finishing in Monaco.
Read the guide →Monte-Carlo Circus Festival
The world's greatest circus artists compete for the Golden Clown under the big top in Fontvieille.
Read the guide →
Reserve with the villa
Why book direct with Villa Graziella
Booking directly with the estate, rather than through a booking platform, gives you the best value and a stay arranged around you.
No platform fees
Reserving directly with the villa means no intermediary booking or service fees.
Speak to the villa
Your questions are answered directly, from arrival times to the layout of the suites for your family.
A stay arranged around you
Airport transfers, a private chef for Christmas dinner and heating for the pool and jacuzzi can all be arranged with your booking.
Christmas & New Year
Your private Christmas on the Riviera
Five en-suite bedrooms on two floors, private gardens with a pool and jacuzzi, and Monaco's festivities ten minutes away. Holiday dates are limited: tell us your dates and we'll confirm availability and rates.
Frequently asked questions
Christmas & New Year at Villa Graziella: FAQ
Can I rent Villa Graziella over Christmas and New Year?
Villa Graziella rents all year round. Holiday dates are limited, so contact us with your dates and we'll confirm availability.
Is Villa Graziella suitable for two families?
Yes. The villa has five en-suite bedrooms for up to 10 guests over two independent floors, each with its own living room and kitchen, so two families can celebrate together while keeping their own space.
Can you arrange a private chef for Christmas dinner?
Yes. Our concierge can arrange a private chef for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or New Year's Eve, served in the villa or in the garden.
Can you arrange airport transfers?
Yes. Airport transfers and a driver can be arranged through our concierge. Nice Côte d'Azur Airport is about 30 minutes from the villa by car.
Why book directly instead of through a booking platform?
Booking directly with Villa Graziella means no platform fees, direct contact with the villa, and a stay arranged around your plans. Send us your dates.
Can the pool and jacuzzi be heated in winter?
Yes. In the cooler months the pool and jacuzzi can be heated on request, for an additional charge. Both sit in the villa's 700 m² of private gardens.
What is the minimum stay over Christmas and New Year?
In winter the minimum stay is three nights. Contact us with your dates and we'll confirm availability and rates for the festive season.
Where to stay for Christmas in Monaco?
Monaco is small and its hotels are in high demand over Christmas and New Year, so many visitors, couples and families alike, choose a private base nearby and visit Monaco for the festivities. Villa Graziella in Èze is ten minutes from Monaco, with the whole villa for families and groups, or a ground-floor stay on request for couples.
Is the French Riviera worth visiting at Christmas?
Yes. The climate is mild, the towns are beautifully lit, there are Christmas villages in Monaco and Nice, and the coast is far quieter than in summer.
When is the Nice Christmas market?
The Village de Noël in Nice runs from 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 in the Jardin Albert 1er and on Place Masséna, every day, with free entry.
When is the Monaco Christmas village?
It takes place every December on the harbour. The 2026 dates will be announced by the Mairie de Monaco; last year it ran from 5 December to 4 January.
Are there fireworks in Monaco on New Year's Eve?
In recent years Monaco has held a free New Year's Eve party at Port Hercule, with fireworks over the harbour at midnight. Check the 2026 programme in December.
What is the weather like on the Riviera in December?
Mild for the season, with many bright, sunny days and cooler evenings. Bring layers and a warm jacket for the evenings.
Sources & resources
Plan the details
- Village de Noël in NiceCôte d'Azur France Tourism Board
- Christmas in MonacoMairie de Monaco
- What's on in MonacoVisit Monaco
- The Côte d'Azur out of seasonVilla Graziella guide
- Rates & availabilityVilla Graziella
- Reservations and enquiriesContact Villa Graziella
Last updated: October 2026
This guide is published by Villa Graziella, a private luxury villa for holiday rental in Èze. Event dates and programmes are taken from published information and may change; please confirm with the organisers before travelling. Villa availability over the festive season is confirmed on request.