by Janis / 0 comments - Orginally published:23rd November 2016

Amazingly since 1570

A Christkindelsmärik has been held around the Strasbourg Cathedral, making it one of Europe’s oldest Christmas markets.

After our enjoyment at Bruges in Belgium and our wonderful experience at Cologne in Germany, we headed to the capital of the Alsace (now Grand Est), region of France, to the beautiful city of Strasbourg.

Our preferred mode of transport for these trips is always the car. On a good day it should take around 5 ½ hours to drive the 390 miles (630 km) from Calais to Strasbourg.

But this was winter and after battling with the snow it took us about 7 hours. Then, however the snow soon turned to rain.

The pin image to our post - 'An Alsatian Christmas experience.
Why not Pin it for later?
Strasbourg actually holds one of the largest Christmas markets in France.
A square in strasbourg lined with medieval half-timbered buildings decorated for christmas
Strasbourg at Christmas
The bright illuminated arch over the Rue du Vieux-Marché-aux-Poissons that declares Strasbourg as the Capitale de Noel, or Capital of Christmas.
Welcome to Strasbourg at Christmas
Set amongst the medieval architecture and arranged around the lovely Strasbourg Cathedral with its imposing gothic towers.

Our Memories

These consist of Our Highlights, Our Pleasures, Our Treasures, Our Disappointments & and other Points of Note. You can click on a title to jump to that section and then click on that headline to return here

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.

Our Highlights

Soaking up the atmosphere and merriment,

Although there are two or three main Christmas markets in Strasbourg, it’s a lovely surprise finding the other little ones dotted around the town.
Groups of festive folks in the christmas market of the three magi on the streets historic strasbourg
The Christmas Market of the Three Magi

One of our particular favourites back in 2008, was the International Christmas Market, with its stalls from different countries of the world.

However, you will find your own favourite place within Strasbourg's Christmas markets.

The Christmas Market stalls

Take your time to appreciate the work and effort that has been spent on decorating the charming wooden huts.
Customers at a stall in stasbourgs christmas market in the evening buying sweet treats for the festive period
Enjoy our wares at the Christmas market
Each stall will have its own look and feel, something somebody has put some effort into.

Gifts for sale

There are wonderful displays of baubles, tree toppers, fairy lights, nativity scenes and Christmas decorations. A lot of it looks pretty traditional.
a stall on strasbourg's christmas markets selling baubles and tree toppers
Tree toppers and more
a stall on strasbourg's christmas markets selling christmas lights and decorations
Full of lights
There is a real feel of a less corporate Christmas here; the gifts for sale represent unique opportunities to be something different for friends and family.

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.

Get in the Christmas spirit

The delight of standing in the cold and sometimes rain, sipping a Vin Chaud or whatever takes your fancy to keep out the winter chill of the Christmas markets.
A mature man ladling out hot spiced orange juice at a stall on the Strasbourg Christmas markets in 2008.
Pouring the warming nectar
Remember, there is plenty of choice. Just stroll the stalls and try a few.

Enjoy the decorations

Strasbourg at Christmas has lovely festive decorations throughout the surrounding streets. It makes strolling between the different Christmas Markets a real pleasure.
Looking up along rue du maroquin in strasbourg at night full of traditional half-timbered buildings that look extra special at christmas.
Cobbled lanes
The restaurant Le Gruber in strasbourg decorated for christmas in reds and greens
Decorated for Christmas
The ones not to miss are Rue du Maroquin and Rue Mercière that leads to Strasbourg's Cathedral.

Discover UNESCO Strasbourg

The historic centre of Strasbourg, the Grande île (Big Island), which the River III surrounds, has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1988, and it is easy to see why.
The view of petite france in strasbourg from the quai des moulins at christmas
The Quai des Moulins at Christmas
The timbered buildings are beautiful along with the amazing sandstone Cathedral of Our Lady, with its astronomical clock.

Stay informed

Why not subscribe to our monthly newsletter for some travel inspiration, some tips and find out what we've been up to?
Or alternatively, why not follow us on your favourite social media channel?

Our Pleasures

The music

Listening to the street musicians, especially the wonderful Luc Arbogast playing medieval music.
The muscian, luc arbogast, playing a traditional Irish bouzouki seated close to strasbourg's christmas markets
Luc Arbogast
A group of street musicians with their instraments at the edge of strasbourg's christmas market in place de la cathédrale.
Street Musicians

Gary particularly liked the unique sound of Luc's medieval melodies; he even bought a copy of his CD (A Vin Chaud or two may have been involved in the purchasing decision.)

Since our visit, Luc's career has blossomed, so why not check out his distinctive sound on your favourite streaming service?

Tastes of the Alsace


Trying the local food and drink from the market stalls, particularly the vin chaud (hot wine).

Also, you may like to sample;

  • Jus de citron chaud (lemon)
    Jus de myrtille chaud (blueberry)
    Cidre chaud (hot cider)
A drinks stall on strasbourg's christmas markets featuring vats of different varieties of festive drinks.
Vin Chaud by the vat
A gingerbread stall stacked with different tyes on strasbourg's christmas markets
Gingerbread of all kinds
Why not try crepes, galettes, gingerbread or a pretzel for a bite to eat?
queuineg for mulled wine at strasbourg's christmas market in place de la cathédrale.
Queueing for the Vin Chaud

If you fancy taking the weight off your feet, why not try a traditional Alsace tarte flambée in the warmth of a local bar?

For a whole Alsace experience, we ate in the Lohkas restaurant, in la Petite France. The atmosphere was bustling, and if you appreciate Franco-German cuisine, you’ll love this.

The atmosphere of the Christmas Markets

These Christmas markets, like their German Counterparts just across the border, aren't only for children; you see people of all ages are enjoying themselves. In fact, it's a very grown-up affair, of an evening the markets are mainly frequented by adults.
Crowds in front of strasbourg's christmas markets in the place de la cathédrale at dusk.
Le Marché de Noël,
But that doesn't mean children are excluded; the Strasbourg Christmas Markets really are for everyone.
A family sitting around the carousel at the christmas markets in strasbourg at dusk in the shadow of the spire of its cathedral.
The carousel and the Cathedral
There is nothing better than hearing the laughter of children enjoying the merry-go-round and ice skating rink.

Where we stayed in Strasbourg

Régent Petite France & Spa
The hotel was in a fantastic location, extremely central and on the banks of the River III. Additionally, they had car parking facilities, which was great for us.

Our Treasures

Our Snowglove

We normally like to pick up a memento from our travels, and then each festive season, as we decorate our home, we have a little reminder of our travels.

From Strasbourg, we have this beautiful little musical snowglobe.

Our snowglobe, bought from strasbourg's christmas markets in front of our christmas tree as part of our festive decorations.
Our Snowglobe
One of the benefits of a Christmas road trip is that you can bring back whatever you want, large or small, just so long as it fits in your car.

Our Disappointments

Food stalls

This may have changed since 2008, but we found there weren’t as many food stalls as there are in a German market.

Update: When we returned to the Strasbourg Christmas Markets in 2017 we did find more, and quite regional cuisine too.

A large cast-iron open dish of Knepfle or Spaetzle, alongside another dish of Choucroute Garnie, on a Christmas market stall.
Regional delights in 2017

Points of Note

Get the most from your Strasbourg Christmas Market experience

  • You may not come across too many other Brits, as currently there are no direct flights from the UK.
  • You really need to book early as these markets are very popular.
  • Dress warm and comfortable.
  • If snow is predicted and you are taking your car, then snow tyres would be a good option if you have them.
Looking down Rue Mercière with its hanging christmas lights against the backdrop of the illuminated gothic cathedral.
Angels light the way
festive strasbourg with a little french 1960 mobylette scooter in front of a shop
Festive Strasbourg

* This post may contain links to affiliated sites where we earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.

Share this post

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.