Christmas markets
© Etudiante Vagabonde. Photo: Christkindelsmärik, Strasbourg
PUBLISHED ON DECEMBER 09, 2018
Going from 30°C to 0°C in one day, that's what the flight from Cancun to Frankfurt had on me today. I'm heading back to France to spend Christmas with my loved ones, while surprising my family. So I have a month and a half ahead of me to enjoy the Alsatian winter and gorge myself on tartes flambées. I'm taking the opportunity to share with you my tour of the region's traditional Christmas markets. Indeed, the Alsatian and German villages perpetuate the tradition of Christkindelsmärik (which means Market of the Child Jesus in Alsatian).
VISIT THE CHRISTMAS MARKET IN
Very popular for its Christmas market, Strasbourg is also known as the Christmas Capital. As soon as I got back, I went to rediscover each street in the city center, all covered in magical decorations. From Place Broglie to the majestic cathedral, the smell of mulled wine and crepes spreads between the small market huts.
Bredeles are sold by the thousands and the famous fresh Alsatian pretzels hang above our heads on either side. The specialty of the Christmas market is the flambéed baguettes, derived from tartes flambées but easier to eat while walking.
A few brave musicians liven up the streets of the center, at the foot of the most popular hotels. Around the cathedral, I admire the facades of the restaurants that have brought out their most beautiful decorations. The Christmas spirit is present throughout the city. As I walk around I hear many different languages around me, the tourists are back at this time of year.
OPENING OF THE MARKET
Every year, the market takes place at the end of November and lasts until the Christmas holidays. The huts are open from 11am in the morning until 8pm in the evening.
On the large Place Kleber stands the usual Christmas tree and its luminous decorations. Day and night, tourists pose at the foot of the giant. For the first time this winter, an ice rink has been installed on the square.
In front of the beautiful cathedral, our taste buds also awaken from morning to night with the smells of mulled wine and the aromas of gingerbread. The craftsmen are also present and display their original creations: wooden toys, tree decorations, nativity figures, jewelry... One thing is sure, you will be spoiled for choice when it comes to finding your Christmas gifts!
Located on the Alsace Wine Route, this small wine village is one of my favorites in the region. The center is home to very old, very traditional houses, many of which date back to the 16th and 17th centuries. In December, the Riquewihr Christmas market attracts many visitors thanks to its typical medieval setting.
Many Alsatian restaurateurs are present as well as local winegrowers. All the specialties of the region are on display at the Christmas market: pretzels, bredeles, Alsatian tartines, knacks, sauerkraut, baeckeoffe, spätzle, almond paste...
On the main street, the crowd moves up and down the village, sniffing the delicious smell of sauerkraut that fills the main street. The magic of Christmas is felt; the houses are beautifully decorated and lit up at nightfall.
OPENING OF THE MARKET
The Riquewihr Christmas market takes place every year from November 24 to December 24. It is open every day from 10am to 7pm. On Saturdays and Sundays, traders add stands to the main street, but the market can also be visited during the week for those who prefer a quieter visit.
In the photo below on the left, we see the Riquewihr Thieves' Tower and the Winegrower's House to which it is connected. This tower had become a prison for the city in the 14th century. It is open for visits today. Visitors can discover the torture chamber and the guard room. The Winegrower's House, built later in the 16th century, houses old furniture and kitchen utensils as well as the cellar and the pantry.
It's the end of the weekend and the sun has just disappeared while it's only 5pm. Once again, I wander between the small wooden chalets in the historic center of Kaysersberg this time. This small Alsace town, also located on the wine route, is surrounded by a wall dating from the 13th century.
OPENING OF THE MARKET
The Kaysersberg Christmas market opens during the four weekends of Advent, that is to say Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The atmosphere is magical, at nightfall the decorations on the trees and in the windows light up.
Come to Obernai to experience the magic of Christmas in the illuminated squares of the Alsatian city. Another opportunity to taste local products and admire the creations of artisans. However, in Obernai, the local specialty is the Obernois mulled wine to be enjoyed around the winemakers' cauldron!
OPENING OF THE MARKET
The Obernai Christmas market is open from December 1st to January 2nd. Every day, it opens from 10am to 7pm on weekdays and from 10am to 8pm from Friday to Sunday.
FREE MARKET SHUTTLES
Tous les weekends durant la période du marché de Noël, profitez de navettes gratuites Pass'O pour vous y rendre. Le départ des navettes se fait aux parkings périphériques de la ville et du camping VVF.
I'll end this tour of Alsatian Christmas markets with the one in Colmar. Very famous for its beautiful half-timbered houses and its small canals that cross the city, Colmar perfectly represents the typical Alsatian postcard. During the Christmas period, the city is very popular with tourists and locals alike. In 2018, the Colmar market was voted 2nd Best Christmas Market in Europe!
During your visit, don't miss going to the large Place Rapp to have a "schlouk" in the carrousel bar and put on your skates to slide on the ice.
OPENING OF THE MARKET
Le marché de Noël de Colmar ouvre de fin novembre jusque fin décembre. Il est ouvert de 10h à 19h en semaine et de 10h à 20h du vendredi au dimanche.
The night walk is even more exceptional with the many light shows that enhance the old buildings of the city, some dating back to the Middle Ages. During this period, art and history mix in the streets of Colmar, which has a very rich architectural heritage.
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