GALLIPOLIS — The 16th annual French Art Colony Holiday Homes Tour is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 3 and Saturday, Dec. 4. The candlelight tour will run from 6-10 p.m. Friday and the daytime tour will run from 1-5 p.m. Saturday.

This year’s tour features beautifully decorated homes, public buildings, churches and museums in the Gallipolis and Rio Grande areas. This year’s host property is Riverby, the French Art Colony’s historic Greek Revival mansion. Constructed between 1855 and 1858, it’s notable for a floating stairway, which spirals gracefully to the third floor. The long curved handrail was expertly fashioned from a single piece of wood.

The upstairs provides an elegant setting for the Gallipolis Junior Women’s Club Christmas Tree and Wreath silent auction, while downstairs, the French Art Colony is hosting its annual Arts and Crafts Fair. The event will be open from 5:30-10 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 3, and from 12:30-5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4.

Sites on the home tour vary from historic to contemporary, with an eclectic mix of styles. Following is the list of this year’s home tour sites with addresses:

• Francies residence, 14 Portsmouth Road, Gallipolis

• Perry residence, 24 1/2 State Street, Gallipolis

• Sibley residence, 638 Second Avenue, Gallipolis

• Thaler Log Cabin Guest House, 2259 Neighborhood Road, Gallipolis

• Wickline residence, 69 Garfield Avenue, Gallipolis

• Our House Museum, 432 First Avenue, Gallipolis

• Madog Center for Welsh Studies, Elizabeth S. Davis House, Univ. of Rio Grande

• Esther Allen Greer Museum, Univ. of Rio Grande

• President’s Home, Univ. of Rio Grande

• Fellowship of Faith Church, 20344 Ohio 554, Rio Grande

For ticket information, contact the French Art Colony by e-mail at info@frenchartcolony.org, or call (740) 446-3834.