Strasbourg, France rightly calls itself the Capitale de Noel. It not only hosts the oldest Christmas market in France, dating to 1570, it’s arguably the most festive. Consider the backdrop: a historic city center, (A UNESCO World Heritage Site) dotted with half-timbered houses, scenic canals and cobblestoned streets, bursting with dazzling Christmas illuminations. Many of Strasbourg’s business owners join in the festivities, festooning their shopfronts and facades with over-the-top Christmas decorations. And throughout this fairy tale backdrop are the Christmas markets: hundreds of little chalets in seven distinct marketplaces, offering up delicious Alsatian foods and baked goods, ornaments and seasonal decor, and handmade crafts. Once you’ve arrived at the Capital de Noel, it is easy let whatever cares you have slip away and get swept up in the festive Christmas spirit.
How to Visit The Strasbourg, France Christmas Markets? Your complete guide!
It’s best to think of the Strasbourg Christmas Market this way: it is not one, but seven different markets, each with a slightly different theme. The best part? The markets are walkable to one another, and it is possible to visit each one, even if you only have 1 or 2 days.
The hours: The markets open daily at 11:30 am and close (usually pretty promptly) at 9pm.
In addition to the markets is another distinct Strasbourg Christmas tradition: special Illuminations, streets filled with over-the-top Christmas lights, and buildings famous for their facades decorated sumptuously for the season with decorations and lights. Tres Jolie! You should plan to visit several key areas to see the best ones.Here is my guide to the Strasbourg Christmas Illuminations:
I spent several days on Strasbourg at the HEIGHT of the Christmas season, and here is my complete guide to all 8 Markets:
The Place Kleber, home of the Grand Sapin
The Place Kleber is a great place to start your journey through the Christmas markets of Strasbourg, being centrally located in the city and near all the other markets. But a big reason you don’t want to skip this market is the majestic “Grand Sapin,” or Christmas Tree, which is selected and brought to the each year from the sustainably-managed Vosges forests. The Grand Sapin is a majestic sight: nearly 100 feet tall, illuminated with enormous ornaments and lights. There is also a vintage Merry-Go-Round for children here on this square.
The market at Place Kleber features a mix of Christmas ornaments and decor, crafts made by local artisans, Alsatian beers and wines, handmade chocolates and candies, and stalls selling Alsatian food such as speatzle with munster cheese and bacon, and of course, gluhwein, that warm spiced wine that is a quintessential Christmas market tradition.
I found the selection of items for sale here to be very comprehensive, and ended up buying most of my gifts (and souvenirs for myself) here at Place Kleber. Two of my very favorite stalls were at this market. See my post here on best things to buy at the Strasbourg markets!
Tip: Another reason not to miss the Place Kleber market? The Christmas concert and light show of the Grand Sapin. Stop by the square on the hour from 4pm-9pm each day (gluhwein in hand preferably) as the lights of the “Grand Sapin” change in tune with a selection of Christmas music, set to the backdrop of the half timbered houses that make Strasbourg famous. I prefer the 9pm time slot—a perfect way to cap off the day as the stalls close right at this time.
Tip: At the foot of the Grand Sapin is the Village du Partage, a collection of 90 charities ready to share news of their work in the local community. This is also the spot to sample four delectable soups featuring Alsatian ingredients prepared by chefs at regional bistros. Two of this years’ soups were Veloute from the Forest with RieslingandSpiced Croutons and Pumpkin Veloute with Parmesan. It’s the perfect opportunity to give back to Strasbourg while exploring local flavors and warming yourself from the winter chill.
Photo Op: Pose in front of the Grand Spain near the Instagram-friendly illuminated sign declaring “Strasbourg: Capital de Noel,” It’s the perfect memento to bring home.
The Carre D’or Market at Place Du Temple Nuef
Near the Place Kleber is the Carre D’or Market, a picturesque square with a small selection of chalets featuring homemade goods such as artisan soaps, jewelry and fine French hats for men.
Chriskindlesmarik at Place Broglie
Pass under the illuminated “Chriskindlesmarik” sign (and stop for a photo) and be transported into the heart of one of Europe’s oldest Christmas markets. First held in 1570, this traditional Christmas market offers everything to prepare for the season, featuring ornaments, lights and decor. Seasonal baked goods such as breadle, gingerbread, and candies are also heavily featured, and food chalets offer fried potato galletes with emmental or munster cheese.
Shopping Tip: Don’t miss a stroll along the second row of stalls , just one row off the “main drag.” There are numerous chalets featuring more unique and handcrafted ornaments and specialty art stalls. I also discovered one of my favorite little places too pick up a gluhwein. It felt a little like being in the midst of a local neighborhood gathering here!
The Markets at the Cathedral of Notre Dame De Strasbourg
It is here, in 1570, that the Strasbourg Christmas markets began. The “Klausenmarik,” was held every December 6 in honor of St. Nicholas Day. People filled the square with stalls selling gingerbread and sweets, alongside herbalists, haberdashers and saddlers.
It took more than 1,000 years to complete the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Strasbourg. With its Romanesque and Gothic facade, sourced from golden stone in the local Vosges mountains, rosette stained glass windows, and intricate stone carvings, it is a sight not to be missed. This is especially true in the evening, as the entire facade is illuminated.
When you arrive, take a moment to reflect: you are participating in a tradition of Christmas markets dating back to medieval times!
Against this stunning backdrop is the cozy Christmas market on two squares directly in front. They offer a similar variety of Christmas decor, artisan handcrafts and local food and gluhwein. There is also a vintage Merry-Go-Round here.
Note: This market was very crowded on the weekends, so be prepared for that. But the setting is worth the trouble. You should at least come by to view the Cathedral against the backdrop of the Christmas market. The goods sold here are very similar to those sold at other markets in the city, so if the crowds here get to you, know there is another opportunity to buy similar items at the other markets.
FOOD MARKETS at Le Quai Des Delices and Irreductibles Petit Producers D’Alsace
Food is available at every one of Strasbourg’s Christmas markets, but two feature solely on local cuisines: Le Quai Des Delices and Les Irreductibles Petits Producers D’Alsace:
Location: Terrasse Rohan, Place Du Marche Aux Poissons
Near the Cathedral, is the Le Quai Des Delices, nestled along the River Ill, with booths offering up local Alsatian wines, gourmet treats and baked goods. Grab a glass of gluhwein and enjoy the view of the river. It’s especially dazzling at night: the city hangs 400 illuminated stars from the Pont du Corbeau to the Pont Sant Guillame. Pont means “bridge” in French!
Nearby at Place Du Marche Aux Poissons is an opportunity to grab a bite to eat. In particular, a chance to sample a Tarte Flambé, perhaps the most famous Alsatian dish. The flambé is a flat bread pizza, often topped with munster or emmental cheese, bacon and onions, cooked in a fire oven and served piping hot. It is thin, crispy…..and delightful. This year, the local restaurant Le Tigre had a stall, and it was a great opportunity to to try a well- regarded local restaurant known for this dish. (It would have been nearly impossible to snag a table at the actual restaurant during the crowded weeks leading up to Christmas.) The square was busy but not overwhelmed, many trees were strung with star-shaped lanterns, and there were plenty of outdoor tables with cozy fires to stay warm. In all, a great place to take a seat for a moment and enjoy the festive surroundings!
Les Irréductibles Petits Producteurs D’Alsace
Location: Square Louise Weiss
Les Irréductibles Christmas market features 100% Made in Alsace food products: Alsatian wines, cheeses, jams, apple ciders, even local distillers. And many have free samples. I really enjoyed the local cheeses, and brought home two jars of locally made wild garlic pesto— delicious on a slice of crusty French bread!
Tip: Stop by the booth that is giving out free supplies to make your own Christmas ornament. You can leave a note on it for a special someone, or as a memento of a great family trip. Pose for a photo with the ornament and the half timbered houses along the River Ill in the background, then hang them on one of dozens of trees set up near the chalets. A lovely Christmas moment!
La Petite France
Location: Place Benjamin Zix and Place Saint Thomas
Don’t go to Strasbourg without visiting the Le Petite France quarter of the old city, as it’a possibly the most picturesque area of town. It’s home to countless half-timbered houses and cobblestoned streets, perched along the banks of the River Ill. There is a reason it is called “The Little Venice,” and while there are many, many tourists out, there is a good reason for it. Don’t miss it.
Two small but quaint markets are located in this area of the city, both selling the same types of items and foodstuffs as the larger markets, on the Place Saint Thomas and the Place Benjamin Zix. It’s lovely to wander through here and soak in the charming atmosphere of the Petite France quarter, take some pictures, and pick up a bowl of speatzle or a cup of warm gluhwein.
Shopping Tip: It is only in the Place Benjamin Zix that you’ll find a small chalet selling the famous Meisenthal glass Christmas ornaments, the creators of the first glass Christmas bauble. People used to commonly decorate their trees with red apples, but in 1858, there was a drought in the area, leading to a shortage. A quick-thinking glassblower made a few glass balls to compensate…and the rest is history. The glass ball ornament was born, and it is now a staple of the holiday season around the world.
At the Strasbourg market, you have the opportunity to buy an original Meisenthal glass ornament. There are wo series of ornaments to choose from: the traditional line, directly inspired by old models, and the contemporary line, created by contemporary designers and artists.
If you are interested in buying, beware! Lines form in the morning as soon as the market opens, and the wait can be more than an hour to make a purchase. You will be given a ticket which will allow you to purchase only one – yes one! of the most current “contemporary line.” In addition, you are allowed to purchase up to 10 total of any other model from past years.
Of further note, they will likely run out of most models early in the day, and you might be out of luck—until the next day, when they restock. A ticket in hand does however, guarantee you one of the current years’ designs. I lined up at around 11:30, shortly after the market opened for the day, and there was already a line. After waiting more than 45 minutes, and seeing most items had already gone out of stock, I decided to leave—a decision I still second-guess myself about.
It’s up to you to decide if waiting the line is worth it when there is so much to see and do at the markets. But you will be rewarded with a beautiful piece of Christmas history in your possession.
The OFF Market
Location: Place Grimmeissen
The OFF market’s focus is on sustainable goods and foods. Come here to browse for vintage furniture, second hand gifts, original handicrafts and toys and to sample delicious organic food. The OFF Market promises to be both “unique and ethical.”
ADDITIONAL TIPS TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR VISIT TO THE STRASBOURG, FRANCE CHRISTMAS MARKETS
1. Think of the Strasbourg Markets as not one, but 7 different markets, all centrally located and walkable to one another in the beautiful historic city center. Hopefully my guide above helps you to narrow down your focus if you only have one day.
2. In addition to the markets are the special streets with Illuminations and famous spots where local merchants decorate their facades with decadent decor for the holidays. Here is my guide to that, with locations!
3. Hours: The markets are open daily from 11am-9pm.
4. Cash is still used widely at the markets. Larger stalls and businesses with a storefront elsewhere will likely take cards, but it is good to have cash in hand.
5. Restrooms: I can confirm that most of the larger markets had free restrooms available on site, in trailers with lights and running water. I found them to be kept in good condition.
6. Be prepared to dress for the cold (and for rain) and to be outdoors all day! I highly recommend the following: a base layer of a thermal T-shirt and leggings, two pairs of socks, one being made of wool, which will keep you warm and wick moisture. Add a second layer of a sweater or sweatshirt and finally, a warm winter coat. A hat and gloves are also mandatory in my opinion. Add in comfortable walking shoes, and throw in an umbrella (One day it rained most of the day!) You will be set! I stayed out from 11am to 9:30pm at night, with only minor stops indoors for all the days I was there. This set up kept me (largely) warm and dry.
7. Eat at the market, and be ready to wait for a seat at most restaurants: the food available at the markets is wonderful, and you should definitely indulge! My guide to food options is here. Additionally, there are many wonderful restaurants in Strasbourg, including numerous historic winstubs, but there are usually no reservations taken by any restaurants in the busy Advent season. You will need to line up at the different seating times and wait for a seat. This can be time-consuming if your focus is to see as much of the market as possible. It’s a hard choice!
8. Pick up a gluhwein cup, available at any stall selling it, and keep re-using it the entire time you are at the market. Every stall will accept this cup and fill it up with a glass of warm spiced gluhwein. Return it to any stall before you depart and get your small deposit back. Many Christmas markets offer glass collectible mugs, but sadly, Strasbourg’s mug was plastic.
7. Make sure you enjoy the markets not only in the daytime, but at NIGHT. This is when the magic happens.
8. Stop for some photo ops! The best souvenir in my opinion! Here is a guide to Strasbourg Photo ops!
9. Bring an extra bag for gifts and souvenirs. I came from my home in The Netherlands by train, so I brought along an empty shopping bag in my suitcase, and additionally, left some room in my rolling backpack/suitcase for goodies. I was not sorry at all for needing to carry the extra weight back home! And you won’t be either!
10. Mentally prepare yourself for the crowds. It is very busy. Especially on the weekend, the Petite France lanes and bridges were full of tourists all angling for the same photo op in front of all the same spots. The roads leading up to the Cathedral and the market itself was packed to the brim. But — the magic outweighs the hassle in my opinion. Just tell yourself, it will be busy. Then try to ignore it and enjoy the Christmas cheer!