Christmas Market

Strasbourg is known as the capital's Christmas Market. Every year, from 24th November to 25th December Strasbourg is lightened and liven up. There is a giant Christmas tree erected in the heart of Place Kruger, one of the main squares in the town. The Christmas tree is completely illuminated and there is an ice rink at its foot.

During this period, there are almost 7 Christmas markets erected in the entire city. You can therefore explore the town by moving from one market to the other. The Christmas markets consist of small wooden huts and they create a sort of Christmas village. You can buy different things from the huts: Christmas decorations, wooden hand-made sculptures, Alsatian houses to be decorated and food.

The food is very religious. Forget about your food if you are going to Strasbourg during this time! You would have some delicious tartes flambées, pancakes and some typical Alsatian food, so you will not have to look for restaurants as the huts are there mainly to revive your taste bud. You cannot miss the mulled wine too from the Christmas market! Even though you may not like wine, you can still have a hot drink, the exhibiters also offer orange juice and mulled apple juice. Moreover, when you buy a drink, you can buy a plastic cup with the effigy of the Christmas markets for just one euro. Of course, if you do not want the cup, you can bring it to the stall where you bought it and you will get your one euro back.

The Christmas markets open at around 10 am and close at around midnight. The best time of the day to enjoy the markets is after sunset, so at around 4:30 - 5 pm. At that time, all lights and Christmas decorations are illuminated and cast a spell. The illuminations throughout the town are magic and they give a new atmosphere to the town. Don't hesitate to go to the tourism office or at the information desk, they hand out leaflets and magazines about the Christmas markets in several languages.

During the day, while waiting for the sunset to enjoy the Christmas markets, you could visit Strasbourg cathedral (free entry) and go shopping. Strasbourg has huge shops as it is a big town.

If you don't live in Strasbourg, it is very difficult to find accommodation during the Christmas markets period. Indeed, some people book it a year earlier to ensure that they have a place to sleep as this is a very busy period.

Lastly, I hope you could enjoy Strasbourg during this period of the year. And if you are lucky, you could see Strasbourg covered in snow, which creates an even more magical town.

Special note: Le café Grand Rue. It's a coffee shop / tea provate room with absolutely delicious cakes! The atmosphere is very cosy and the manager is very kind. Don't hesitate to go there!