Christmas trees: popular varieties in France and what you should expect to pay
When to buy depends if you want a Nordmann fir, a Norway spruce, or an alternative
The Nordmann spruce (left) is more popular than the Norway fir (right) in France
JossK / Peter Turner Photography / Shutterstock
Christmas trees are on sale around France, with Nordmann firs the most popular over Norway spruces or artificial models. Here is how much they cost and where you can buy them.
Many families will have rushed to buy a Christmas tree last Saturday (November 29), however some shops started selling them mid-November.
In 2024, almost six out of every 10 'natural' Christmas trees in France were bought before December 10, according to a report published by market research group, Kantar, in affiliation with the French government.
The vast majority (78%) purchased Nordmann firs (abies nordmanniana) and Norway spruces (epicéas).
Other less common varieties include the blue Colorado spruce (epicéa bleu) or the Noble fir (sapin noble).
Some 11% purchased artificial trees.
Choosing a Christmas tree
Nordmann firs
Nordmann firs have dense foliage, strong branches and dark green needles, which are waxier than those of Norway spruces.
They are also more resistant to being moved indoors, and as such are popular with families who decorate early.
Their smell is less pronounced than Norway spruces, making them a good choice for people with allergies.
Their average price was €32.30 in 2024.
Norway spruces
Norway spruces are the ‘classic’ Christmas tree for many due to their pleasant smell and sparse, light green branches that are easy to decorate.
However, they lose their needles quickly once brought indoors. People looking to purchase a Norway spruce are typically advised to wait until mid-December to ensure that the tree still has some needles on it by Christmas.
Their average price was €24.90 in 2024.
Artificial trees
Alternatively, artificial trees, which can be reused every year, are available in all shapes, colours and sizes.
The average cost of an artificial tree was €46.50 in 2024 - a drop in price of just over €3 compared with 2023.
Purchasing a Christmas tree
Real trees can be purchased at garden centres, hypermarkets, many supermarkets, or directly at growers, while artificial trees can be found in hypermarkets, certain supermarkets or ordered online.
Note that some stores such as Ikea and Franprix offer a bon d'achat (voucher) in return for buying a natural tree. This means that some or all of the money spent on your Christmas tree can be spent to buy other products in the same store.
At the end of the festive season, some shopping centres and mairies open 'drop-off points' where trees can be disposed of or recycled.
Eight in every 10 natural Christmas trees in France were recycled in 2024.
