by Janis / 0 comments - Orginally published:13th December 2017

What to see at Strasbourg's Christmas Markets...

…in the ‘Capitale de Noël’

Yay, we’re off to Alsace again; this was our second visit to Strasbourg at Christmas; the last time we were in this delightful French city was back in 2008.

Part of us was looking forward to discovering the festive changes in Strasbourg; however. We were also hoping to still find the little familiarities we fell in love with the first time around.

Strasbourg was the first stop on our 2017 Christmas Market road trip before we went to Germany and visited Munich in Bavaria, Frankfurt and Cologne. So, we enjoyed a soupçon of France prior to our wurst fest in Germany.

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Where is Strasbourg

How to get to Strasbourg

- By Train
Strasbourg is connected to France's impressive rail network. It's under 2 hours from Paris Est to Strasbourg -Ville

- By Air
The nearest airport is Strasbourg International (SXB), it’s around 20 minutes (10mls/16.5km) from the centre of Strasbourg by taxi. There is also a rail connection that takes around 10 minutes to the city centre. Take a browse through ebookers.com for departures from your local airport.

- By Car
If you’re venturing from the UK, jump on Le Shuttle and tour France under your own steam.


Alternatively, it’s so easy to visit on a road trip. Rental Cars searches multiple well-known car hire brands and discovers the best deals that suit you.

Exploring Grande Île de Strasbourg

Visiting Place Kléber
The bustling festive atmosphere in Strasbourg is all around the ancient streets of the Grande Île district, so stroll onto the historic island and enjoy the magical fun. The capital of Alsace comes alive at Christmas time.
Looking up at the giant Christmas tree in Place Kléber at night. This is the centrepiece of the cities Christmas Markets in Strasbourg. The Christmas tree is brightly decorated with fairy lights and illuminated decorations.
The Christmas tree in Place Kléber

We visited the picturesque square of Place Kléber to see the glistening Christmas tree, which is a sight not to be missed. The height of the tree is astonishing; I think they must have used a crane to decorate it.

There was even a public viewing platform for the Christmas tree so everyone could get closer.

A scene across Place Kléber at night to the Aubette, a historic, mid-18th century, building brightly decorated in a mix of gold & red for Christmas. The square in front of the building, damp from some earlier rain, reflects the lights of the building.
The Aubette
Even though the centrepiece of Place Kléber is Strasbourg’s vast Christmas tree, the illuminations and the Christmas decorations on the L’Aubette (Orderly Room) are stunning; it makes such a grand twinkling statement.

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It’s all about Strasbourg’s lights

Twinkling as far as the eye can see
While strolling around Strasbourg’s stunning streets and lanes, our outstanding memory of the Christmas festivities was the extraordinary display of twinkling illuminations throughout the city.
The street lights at Christmas along Place Gutenberg this year are gingerbread men holding candy canes between red curtains. They extend down the street as far as the eye can see.
Christmas Gingerbread illuminations
As you explore the vibrant lanes, you’ll notice that Strasbourg’s glimmering streetlights display various eye-catching themes around every turn and corner. One street was even lined with huge, boxed chandeliers.
A beautiful chandelier, encased in a translucent cube suspended between two sides of the street, acting as a regular street light.
Boxed chandeliers
You feel that no expense has been spared regarding exterior illumination; it brings a smile to your face while sipping your aromatic and spicy vin chaud.
The ornately decorated gable end of a historic building brightly lit in pink with candy canes, reindeers, baubles and even Santa.
Decorated in Pink

Where we stayed in Strasbourg

Mercure Centre

Our accommodation for the two nights in Strasbourg was at the Mercure Centre. Lovely, friendly staff welcome you with a heart-warming vin chaud; what could be better.

Parking was good. However, security around the Grande Île was extremely high, with vehicles only allowed to enter before and after Christmas market hours.

Booking.com

Strasbourg’s ancient history

One of Europe’s oldest Christmas markets

An annual Christmas market has been held around the magnificent Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-Strasbourg since 1570. Which makes it one of Europe’s oldest Christmas markets.

So, it’s unsurprising that Strasbourg holds Capitale de Noël's accolade.

A low angle shot looking up at a Christmas market stall in front of the illuminated Cathedral of Strasbourg.
The cathedral as a backdrop to the market
Angels with trumpets illuminate the way along Rue Mercière to Strasbourg's cathedral.
Avenue of Angels
At the gracious feet of the towering cathedral are bustling little Christmas market cabins selling a variety of gifts, decorations, and local delicacies. All the while, a children’s glistening carousel is whirling around and around, entertaining all the young festive partygoers.

Did you know?

That the Grande Île was inscribed onto the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988, all the more reason to visit any time of the year.

Memories of Christmas in Strasbourg

Vin Blanc or Vin Rouge
If you get the opportunity to stay in Strasbourg for a couple of days to explore the Christmas markets, then that’s fantastic as there is so much to see and experience.
At the edge of a Christmas market drinks stall in the Place De La Cathédrale. There are two neon signs, one offering vin blanc, the other vin rouge.
Vin Rouge or Vin Blanc

Take your time to wander around the Place de la Cathedral and enjoy all the sights and sounds of the festivities. Christmas carols are being sung, and families are having fun.

We highly recommend sampling the vin chaud; it’s a little bit sweeter than a traditional Gluhwein but certainly just as warming. You’ll notice the sweet scents of cinnamon, cloves, honey and citrus.

Two plastic beakers of vin chaud on the top of a wet tabletop at one of the Christmas Markets. The cups are decorated with angels and labelled with the cities Christmas tag - Strasbourg, Capitale de Noel.
Two Vin Chauds
Prior to leaving home for this trip, Gary and I looked through the photos from our 2008 visit to Strasbourg to remind ourselves of the revelries.
A mature man, wrapped heavily against the cold ladling out hot spiced orange juice at a stall in the Christmas markets.
A familiar face
A mature man ladling out hot spiced orange juice at a stall on the Strasbourg Christmas markets in 2008.
Pouring the warming nectar
One of the photos we looked at was of a vin chaud seller, and when we arrived at the same stall that we remembered visiting nine years ago, the same happy chap was still there, too. Now, that brought a smile to our faces.

Strasbourg’s stunning architecture

Place de la Cathedral
Whenever Gary and I chat about Christmas markets, we always say that the markets come alive when the sun goes down. However, Place de la Cathedral and its attractive glistening cabins and beautifully decorated buildings are stunning to admire day and night.
A small group of people gather between a Christmas market stall and the carousel in Place De La Cathédrale.
The Carousel in the market place
Encircling the striking square is an array of timbered-framed dwellings which look like they could have been made for a movie set. The care and maintenance undertaken to ensure that these buildings are kept looking so magnificent is a tribute to the city.
A Christmas market stall in the Place De La Cathédrale decorated with Christmas scenes of Santa and his sleigh, children with a snowman and an angel looking down at the shoppers perusing its extensive range of Christmas decorations.
Browsing a stall

Visitor Information

If you’re tempted to explore Strasbourg at Christmas, browse through the Visit Strasbourg informative website. It will guide you with ease around their magnificent Christmas markets.

Strasbourg’s Christmas streets

Soak up the Yuletide atmosphere
When you are exploring the streets and lanes of Strasbourg, the road not to be missed off Place de la Cathedral is Rue du Maroquin.
The illuminated Rue du Maroquin in Strasbourg.
Rue du Maroquin
During the festive season, this eye-catching street comes alive with twinkling lights, glistening tinsel, yuletide characters, and everything is full on Christmassy.
The restaurant Le Gruber with tables and chairs outside at night decorated for Christmas with fairy lights, baubles and glittery bunting.
Image Caption
I urge you to stroll up and down Rue du Maroquin during the day, and in the evening, you’ll be astounded by it. The timber-framed dwellings are festooned from the street level to the rooftops high above; the décor is impressive.
Looking up along Rue du Maroquin at night full of traditional half-timbered buildings that look extra special at Christmas. Lights hang between the buildings and every window decorated with lights and one building, teddy bears.
Glittering Rue du Maroquin
When you reach the bottom of Rue du Maroquin, turn left and follow the river along. You’ll come across another Christmas market in Place du Marche-aux-Poissons.
People gathering around illuminated tables that resemble giant plastic beakers in front of the Christmas market 'Marche-aux-Poissons' in front of the floodlit Palais Rohan.
The market at Marche-aux-Poissons
We were trying to remember if there was a market here in 2008; we don’t believe there was, so it was fantastic to find more festivities. The cabins in Place du Marche-aux-Poissons had some unusual gifts, and the market had a welcoming local feel.

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We used a previous version of this book to plan our eastern France road trips, now you can grab the revised copy.

Michelin Green Guide Alsace Lorraine Champagne: Travel Guide cover

Visiting Petite France, Strasbourg

Canals and cobblestone streets

I hope you are not Christmassed out, as there are still more festive markets to visit and more fun to be had.

We’re now heading across the winding canals to another stunning quarter of Strasbourg, Petite France. This enchanting district will take your breath away at how picturesque it is.

The view from Pont Saint-Martin over the canals of Petite France, framed by the half-timber buildings typical of this part of Strasbourg.
Petite France
During the Middle Ages, this region of Strasbourg was home to the city’s tanners, fishermen and millers. The architecture here is a sight to behold; you undoubtedly feel that you are in the heart of Alsace with so many gorgeous timber-framed buildings.
The cobbled lanes of Petite France between the half-timber buildings of this historic quarter of Strasbourg.
Wandering through Petit France
The best way to discover Petite France is just to wander around the exquisite, cobbled lanes and lose yourself in the beautiful surroundings. The Ill River meanders all through Petite France, creating snaking canals and eye-catching quays.
Overlooking the water in the Petite France region of Strasbourg with the waterside restaurant 'Maison des Tanners' with its decorated window boxes against the half-timbered building. You can tell it's Christmas at the handrails are decorated with baubles and wreaths.
Looking over Petite France
It truly is stunning around Petite France, and the colourful facades and overflowing window boxes make it even more enchanting.

Don’t forget

Your comfy shoes and warm clothing!

Strasbourg’s fun & friendly markets

There’s something for everyone
One of the largest Christmas markets in Strasbourg is held in Place Brogile on Grande Île and is named Christkindelsmärik. There are so many intriguing cabins in this bustling market offering some delightful gifts and decorations for all.
Folks mingling in front of the entrance to the Christkindelsmärik Christmas market, which is marked by a bright neon signed between two gold and silver striped candy canes created with fairly lights.
The entrance to Christkindelsmärik

Christkindelsmärik at the base of the Opera House was a delightful market to explore. There were sweet treats aplenty, along with savoury snacks and, of course, the obligatory vin chaud.

Once again, this market felt very welcoming, with families of all ages enjoying themselves and soaking up the festive atmosphere.

A collection of beautiful vintage baubles on a Christmas market stall in Strasbourg.
Antique Decorations
A view of a Christmas market stall with copper caldrons full of vin chaud.
Vin Chaud in Copper pots

We weaved our way up and down the lively lanes of Christkindelsmärik, peeking at all the colourful stalls, trying to decide how much gingerbread we should take back home with us.

I particularly enjoy browsing the market stalls which have antique Christmas decorations; there are so many I’m tempted with.

Strasbourg welcomes Iceland

The Land of Fire & Ice
Every year in Place Gutenberg, Strasbourg welcomes a different country from around the world to highlight its traditions and celebrations around Christmas time; this year, it was Iceland’s honour.
Christmas market stalls in the international market in Place Gutenberg in front of a historic building floodlit in a purple/lilac colour.
The Icelandic Market
We visited Iceland and embarked upon a circular road trip around the Ring Road; it was a magnificent trip, if not a little cold at times. Therefore, it didn’t surprise me that they had a couple of Christmas stalls in Strasbourg selling knitted garments, from cosy bobble hats to snug woolly socks.
A lifesize artificial Christmas tree made entirely of blue fairy light stand in Place Gutenberg in Strasbourg.
The Blue Tree and the Bear

Have You?

Visited any French Christmas markets, we’d love you to share them with us?

Visiting Strasbourg Cathedral

With its Astronomical clock
While in Strasbourg, we couldn’t resist visiting the magnificent gothic Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-Strasbourg. This stunning cathedral dominates the charming square and stands 142 metres (466 feet) in height. Between 1647 to 1874 (227 years), it was the world’s tallest building. It was then surpassed by St. Nikolai's Church, Hamburg.
Inside the gothic Cathedral of Strasbourg looking through two pillars decorated with statues of the Virgin Mary and bishops towards a vaulted roof, from which an ornate chandelier is suspended in front of stained glass windows.
Inside Strasbourg Cathedral

Step inside Strasbourg Cathedral to see its incredible Astronomical clock, which stands 18 metres (59 feet) high and is one of the world’s largest.

This isn’t an ordinary clock; it also shows the solar time, the day of the week, month, year, the sign of the zodiac, the moon’s phase, and the position of the planets.

The immensely ornate, 19th century, astrological clock standing over 10 meters tall, with multiple faces telling different astrological details.
The Astronomical clock
The cathedral itself is astonishing inside and out. When it is lit up in the evening, it looks very serene.

Local Delicacies of Strasbourg

And the Alsace
One of the things that Gary and I love about the Christmas Markets are all the regional delicacies, whether they are savoury or sweet.
A large cast-iron open dish of Knepfle or Spaetzle, alongside another dish of Choucroute Garnie, on a Christmas market stall.
Regional delights

There are always so many to choose from’ and we can never resist bringing some home to enjoy over the festive season, especially the spiced gingerbread and the sweet sticking nuts.

There’s a fantastic selection of treats to tempt your taste buds all around the festive cabins, particularly if you have a sweet tooth.

A closeup of gingerbread in small cellophane packets, tied with gold ribbons on a Christmas market stall.
A selection of gingerbread
However, a visit to the Alsace region of France would not be complete without enjoying a tarte flambé. These tarts are delicious and extremely popular in Alsace and can be enjoyed all year round.
The traditional Alsatian dish of Tarte flambée, served on a wooden serving slice to be shared.
The traditional Alsatian dish of Tarte flambée

The tarte flambés are great if you’re just sitting enjoying a cheeky beer; they go down a treat. It is loved by everyone, young and old.

Visiting Strasbourg at Christmas was incredible. A few other towns and cities we recommend across the border for yuletide fun are Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Düsseldorf, Bremen, Münster and Aachen.

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