For those who celebrate, the only thing better than Christmas is, perhaps, the lead-up to Christmas. The decorating, the bûches de Noël, the vin chaud and chocolat chaud. And, for children, one of the best parts of this grand procession leading up to the big day is the Advent calendar, filled with little pieces of cheap, chalky chocolate which still manage to offer a daily thrill. However, you don’t have to settle for that cheap stuff anymore. Instead, this year, get one of these very adult Advent calendars, all filled with French goodies to make you or a loved one feel pampered while battling through holiday shopping madness and dinner prep with the in-laws.
2024’s Best French Advent Calendars
1. L’Occitane en Provence Advent Calendar
Courtesy of L’Occitane.L’Occitane’s holiday collection brings the magic of Provence to life with two Advent Calendars: the Classic Advent Calendar ($83) and the Premium Advent Calendar ($144). Each one offers a curated selection of four full-size products, including the cult-favorite Immortelle Divine Cream, Shea Butter Hand Cream, and Almond Milk Concentrate, along with hair care essentials and more. Every day unveils a new treat for your beauty routine. This year’s calendars feature a hand-drawn design by Calicot Paris, inspired by Provençal landscapes filled with sparkling citrus and blooming flowers, setting the stage for a month of beauty and celebration.
Courtesy of Bonne Maman.
The 2024 Limited Edition Bonne Maman Advent Calendar is the perfect holiday treat, featuring 24 jars of unique flavors made with simple ingredients that evoke a homemade feel. This year’s edition introduces new flavors and showcases a beautifully drawn illustration of Santa’s gift train, adding a vintage touch to your Christmas décor. Ideal for gifting or indulging yourself, the calendar spreads joy with each day’s discovery.
The Kusmi Advent Calendar offers a whimsical journey into a fairytale world, and is perfect for tea lovers. Behind its 24 storybook-like panels, you’ll discover a delightful array of teas—flavored green, black, white, and herbal teas in fruity, floral, and spicy blends. Featuring favorites like Anastasia, Prince Vladimir, and AquaRosa, plus two mini tins of Tsarevna and Glögg Christmas blends, the calendar also includes a festive fir tree-shaped tea infuser and a gourmet jelly infused with Anastasia black tea.
Courtesy of Lancome.
Lancôme’s annual holiday offering is a luxurious beauty Advent Calendar, beautifully packaged in a stunning box adorned with starry night illustrations. The design captures the magic of Paris, featuring the iconic Eiffel Tower surrounded by a celestial array of angels, evoking the festive charm of the City of Lights. Inside, you’ll find 24 doors waiting to be opened, each revealing a Lancôme product. From best-selling makeup to iconic skincare and fragrances, this Advent Calendar is filled with coveted treasures that make every day of December a celebration.
Typology’s Advent Calendar is a minimalist’s dream, featuring a sleek new design by Erwan Bouroullec that doubles as a chic addition to your vanity. This limited edition calendar returns with a fresh look, offering 24 carefully selected products, including 15 full-sized items for the face, eyes, lips, and hands. It’s the perfect gift that keeps on giving, combining beauty and style in one elegant package.
Palais des Thés has two exciting Advent Calendar options this season. The classic 24 Days of Tea ($42) is a gourmet celebration, beautifully dressed in shades of green and gold reminiscent of a lush Christmas tree. Each December day reveals a new delight—whether a flavored tea blend, plain tea, or gourmet herbal infusion—wrapped in hand-sewn muslin bags. Behind one special window lies the exclusive Joyeux Thé! bio, the company’s limited edition Christmas 2024 tea. Each day also includes an inspirational quote. For true tea aficionados, the Tea Researcher Advent Calendar is also available, exclusively in France.
Courtesy of La Maison du Chocolat.
Step into a whimsical winter wonderland with La Maison du Chocolat’s 2024 Holiday Glow Advent Calendar, where mirrors and pendulums reflect the luminous glow of the night sky, and a starry compass guides your journey through enchanting constellations. Each day reveals a bite-sized adventure through exquisite cocoa landscapes. Eagerly awaited by chocolate connoisseurs, this calendar offers a taste journey showcasing French artisanal chocolatier expertise, featuring dark and milk praline chocolates and ganaches hidden behind 24 charming boxes.
Courtesy of Clarins.
Clarins brings holiday cheer with two editions of its annual mansion-style advent calendars: a 12-day option for $95, and a 24-day option for $140. Packed with skincare essentials designed to boost your glow, reveal your natural beauty, and deeply nourish your skin, these calendars showcase 70 years of Clarins’ skincare expertise. It’s the perfect way to refresh your beauty routine while restocking your dopp kit. With such an irresistible selection, you might be tempted to indulge in full-sized favorites after the holidays!
Illuminate your festive season with Nuxe’s limited-edition Advent Calendar! Behind each of the 24 doors lies a luxurious moment of skincare, offering a unique opportunity for some self-care leading up to the holidays. This exquisite collection features a variety of beloved products, including the iconic Huile Prodigieuse® Or Floral, the fragrant Prodigieux® Floral Shower Gel, and the soothing Very Rose Micellar Water, along with delightful skincare essentials like the Rêve de Miel Hand Cream and the Merveillance Lift Glow Cream. Each product is thoughtfully curated to enhance your beauty routine, making every day a celebration.
Courtesy of Mariage Frères.
This year, Mariage Frères celebrates 170 years of tea mastery with the NOËL ROYAL Advent Calendar, a tribute to its heritage. Adorned with a magical design in gold and silver on a blue backdrop, this limited edition calendar invites you to untie its white satin ribbon and open each silver window. Inside, you’ll discover 25 French cotton muslins, each holding a delightful tea surprise leading up to Christmas morning. On the 25th, one final, delicious treat awaits. Designed to transform into a box of secrets, it’s perfect for storing your treasures long after the season ends.
€63.70 ($69.17); available at MariageFreres.com. As there is a high minimum for free shipping, you might as well order a few for you and your loved ones, or stock up on some gifts while you’re at it.
11. Ladurée Advent Calendar
Courtesy of Ladurée.
Currently available only in France, the Ladurée Advent Calendar is a gourmand’s dream come to life. The “Pampille” design features delicate ribbon motifs housed in an exclusive box crafted to enchant as the days lead up to Christmas. Behind each flap, a delicious surprise awaits—Eugénie chocolate pearls, caramel-coated fruits, fruit jellies, chocolate fritures, jam, honey, and chocolate-covered marrons glacés. The final treat behind the last flap reveals a special jewel to adorn your Christmas tree with.
Courtesy of Sisley.
The British artist Fee Greening pays homage to Paris with her beautifully detailed pencil and ink illustrations adorning this year’s Sisley Advent Calendar. Behind each of the 24 doors lies a selection of skincare and beauty products, including the soothing Lyslait Cleansing Milk with White Lily, the Gentle Purifying Shampoo, and the Floral Toning Lotion. The calendar also features fragrant delights, such as Izia La Nuit, alongside essentials like the Volumizing Spray and the eye-brightening Eye Contour Mask. Each product is thoughtfully curated to enrich your beauty routine.
Courtesy of Diptyque.
In celebration of the holiday season, Diptyque invites you to embark on a whimsical journey curated by artist Lucy Sparrow, who brings her enchanting vision to life through a delightful reinterpretation of classic seasonal symbols and the Maison’s iconic imagery. The Advent Calendar, featuring 25 scented treasures, offers daily surprises of limited-edition fragrances and personalized scents. This year’s design is inspired by a charming sewing box, adorned with golden accents and crafted to reveal secret compartments for storing cherished items.
Courtesy of Atelier Choux.
Celebrate every special occasion, from births to birthdays, with the Château Choux Deluxe Gift Set, a delightful collection designed for children and parents alike. This beautifully crafted set features nine drawers filled with enchanting gifts, including gender-neutral carrés (swaddles) and matching reversible bibs showcasing exclusive Château Choux™ and Cake prints. A cuddly soft toy, or doudou, with Toile de Jouy ears, complements delightful Hot Air Balloon pop-up cards for inviting friends to a bébé’s first birthday, while whimsical cake toppers will transform your celebratory desserts into masterpieces. A chic keychain adds flair to mom’s purse, and gold-foil tattoo packs with 97 assorted tattoos promise unforgettable parties ahead.
