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Christmas in France

With an age-old tradition dating back to the 14th century, France is one of those countries in Europe, where celebrating Christmas with zest and fervor is deeply rooted within its national culture. And since the concept of the world's first ever Christmas Tree originated from here, France has as much right to the title of ‘The Home of Christmas’ as the North Pole. Owing to the diverse geography running from the French Alps to the Mediterranean, France follows different Christmas customs in different regions. But there is one thing in common - the Christmas Markets!

In France, whether or not it's a white Christmas, it’s very easy to enter the festive spirit by simply following the aroma of toasted almonds, hot roasted chestnuts, freshly baked apples, gingerbread hearts, and mulled red wine. Gorgeous Christmas Tree decorations, nativity figures, and charming wooden stalls (chalets) selling hand-knitted shawls, mittens, socks, fragrant candle lights, artisanal spoons, toys, and other woodwork in the Christmas Markets located at the medieval Old Town Centers in practically every city, create a one-of-a-kind ambiance. Today, an estimated 27 million people visit France’s Christmas Markets every year!

Importance of Alsace in the History of Christmas

When we embark on a Christmas Market journey across France, it has to start from the idyllic wine-growing region of Alsace, the true cradle of magic and enchantment. Nestled between the Vosges mountains and the Rhine river, the region is characterized by fairytale-like half-timber houses, flower-decked balconies, windows, canals, and medieval cobblestone winding lanes.

Alsace holds an iconic seat in the history of Christmas for being (arguably) the birthplace of the Christmas Tree (Sapin de Noel). Legend has it that the concept of the Christmas Tree first originated in the Alsatian town of Sélestat in the 14th century (the first recorded reference of a Christmas tree in history occurred in Sélestat on December 21, 1521), which was then a part of Germany, and was later popularized by Princess Hélène de Mecklembourg after her marriage to the Duke of Orléans, the French heir to the throne. Apples and walnuts predominated among the first Christmas tree decorations, but after the harvest failed in 1858, Meisenthal's glassmakers created glass copies of them. Due to the enormous success of the glass decorations, the glassmakers continued to produce them, and they soon became popular all over the world.

The other reason for Alsace being known as the home for Christmas is that the first-ever Christmas Market in France known at the time as the "Christkindelsmärik," (Market of the Infant Jesus) was put up in 1570 in Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace region, then a part of the Holy Empire (and not of France). Since then, Strasbourg has maintained the custom of a traditional, genuine, warm, and giving Alsatian Christmas, thereby earning the moniker "The Capital of Christmas."

8 Best Christmas Markets in France

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1. Strasbourg

Being the seat of the first Christmas Market in France, Strasbourg has come a long way since 1570. Today, with 300 stalls and a total of 11 separate markets with different themes spread across the city squares, Strasbourg hosts the biggest Christmas celebration in France. Let us take a stroll through each of them one by one.

christmas markets france featuring old town half timber houses church canals lightings decorations giant wheel and other joy rides in strasbourg eguisheim riquewihr colmar mulhouse nancy montbeliard metz

Place Benjamin Zix (Market of the Three Magi)

The Place Benjamin Zix Christmas Market is situated in the heart of ‘La Petite France’ (the Small France). Once home to butchers and tanners, this area was built around the city's canals to meet their incessant demand for water. Their original half-timbered houses, which were built right on the river, are still standing today and are a sight to behold. The market at Place Benjamin Zix fuses a distinctive half-timbered neighborhood with magical Christmas vibes. Here you will discover a lot of local handicrafts and Christmas decorations. And if you are hungry, you can stop at a nearby café for a short meal while soaking in the historic landscape.

Place Grimmeissen (The Off Market)

Since 2015, the Place Grimmeisen has hosted the Off Christmas Market. This alternative original market was developed by more than thirty local businesses engaged in ethical shopping. If you're seeking organic food, sustainable handicrafts, or vintage furniture, come here.

Place des Meuniers (The Small Producers of Alsace)

The Christmas Market of the Small Producers of Alsace is located in Place des Meuniers. This is a must-do if you're a food enthusiast. Here, you can find enticing regional specialties like Bredele cookies, truffles, flavorful cheeses, and local craft beer.

Place St. Thomas (The Children’s Village)

On your way into or out of La Petite France, you can find a tiny, cozy market at St. Thomas Square, near to St. Thomas Church. An excellent location to relax with a cup of wine and avoid the crowded masses.

Place du Marché aux Poissons (The Alsatian Delicacies Market)

The Alsatian Delicacies Market is situated in Place du Marché-des-Poissons, at the end of the Terrasse des Rohans (terrace of the Palais Rohan). Here, visitors may sample regional specialties including authentic bredele, mannele, beer, and mouthwatering Alsatian wines. Nut'Alsace, a delectable hazelnut cocoa spread, is not to be missed here (much tastier than Nutella).

Place du Château

Located next to the palace and connected with Cathedral Square, this market is the prettiest of all. Here, you can find a giant Christmas Tree, a carousel, and wooden Christmas stalls.

Place de la Cathédrale

The Place de la Cathédrale Christmas Market, which stands in front of Strasbourg Cathedral, is the most popular of all. When you go there at night, have a cup of vin chaud (mulled wine) and take in the enchanted setting of one of France's best Gothic churches surrounded by half-timber houses that are decorated with bears and festive garlands. A real fairytale!

Place Gutenberg (The International Christmas Market)

Strasbourg dedicates this beautiful Christmas hamlet to a different nation every year. You can find things like regionally grown food, customary goods, and many other things. Don’t miss the blue tree on Place Gutenberg, which is 10 meters high.

Place Kléber (The Village of Sharing)

The Strasbourg Christmas Market festivities are centered around Place Kléber and its "Grand Sapin" which represents the ‘Tree of Paradise’ decked out with vibrant decorations and sparkling lights which is arguably the largest in Europe. A small market named "Village du partage" (Village of Sharing) is huddled around the tree. Charitable and humanitarian associations are welcomed at this market.

Place du Temple Neuf

This adorable little market is located in front of Temple-Neuf, a protestant church from the 19th century. It's a cozy market with one-of-a-kind handmade goods and regional specialties like foie gras.

Place Broglie (The Christkindelsmärik)

In Strasbourg, this is both the largest and oldest Christmas Market. Here at Place Broglie, the first Christkindelsmärik was held in 1871. Festive accessories, pottery, glass jewelry, handmade toys, and many other items are sold here at more than 100 stalls. Excellent culinary options include sausages, freshly baked pretzels, flammkuchen, crepes, and gingerbread. The mulled wine is also the best in town here!

2. Eguisheim

Surrounded by 339 hectares of vineyards, Eguisheim, has been named one of France's most picturesque villages since 2003. The charming Eguisheim Christmas Market that takes up two squares in the village's center is based on the Advent customs and traditions of Alsace. Waiting for Advent (En attendant l’Avent), Christmas in the Old Days (Noël comme autrefois), the Traditions of Christmas (les traditions de Noël), Christmas for Kids (le Noël des Enfants), and Light at Christmas (Noël en Lumière) are the five themes that are covered each week from Advent to Epiphany. At the Christmas Market and around the hamlet, each theme has its own animations and festivities.

3. Riquewihr

Riquewihr, the jewel of the Alsatian vineyards, is ranked among the most picturesque villages in France and has an outstanding local setting of half-timbered buildings, courtyards, and winding lanes. Each Christmas, the historic Old Town is ornately decorated, with over a hundred shops set up to sell holiday trinkets and entice people to participate in "La Magie de Noel." The Christmas Market is expanded with extra stalls along the main street (Rue du Général de Gaulle) during the Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays of Advent.

4. Colmar

It's not surprising that Colmar placed second in the 2017 competition for the Best Christmas Market in Europe. The enchanting fairytale Colmar's charming medieval environment seems to have been created specifically for Christmas celebrations. Six Christmas Markets are set up in the town on timber-framed structures that are festooned with bright bunting and fairy lights. There’s a gourmet food market in Place de la Cathédrale, markets in Place des Dominicains, Place de l’Ancienne Douane and Place Jeanne d’Arc, a children's Christmas Market at La Petite Venise, and an indoor craft market at the town’s Renaissance Koïfhus building.

The fact that Christmas is brought to life at this market in Colmar makes it particularly unique. When Christmas carols are playing in the background, a real-life Santa Claus can be seen riding his donkey through the cold streets, and mural-like projections are displayed on the exterior of the city's iconic buildings, you stand no chance and you have no choice than to enjoy a glass of mulled wine and bredele, and getting into the holiday spirit.

5. Mulhouse

Mulhouse, which is known for its textiles, uses luxury Christmas fabric made just for the occasion to adorn its streets and market booths. But the highlight is the Christmas Market, which is hosted on the Renaissance era Place de la Réunion in front of the city's iconic Saint-Etienne cathedral and bright pink Town Hall from the 15th century. There, you can explore more than 100 chalets filled with handicrafts, local delicacies, and vibrant samples of Mulhouse's finest fabrics, then skate on the ice skating rink, or take a ride on the giant Ferris Wheel or the carousel to have fun with your kids.

6. Nancy

The Christmas Market in Nancy, the former seat of the Dukes of Lorraine, is called Marché de Saint-Nicolas (St. Nicholas Market) named after Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of Lorraine. It is specifically situated between the covered market and the San Sebastian shopping mall in Ville Neuve's Place Charles III. In the nearby Place Stanislas you can find the giant Christmas Tree. After you've been there, ride the Ferris wheel in Place de la Carrière for an amazing panoramic view!

7. Montbeliard

The town of Montbéliard, in eastern France, which is close to the Swiss and German borders and is famed for being the birthplace of the automobile manufacturer Peugeot, transforms into pure enchantment a few weeks before Christmas. During the Advent season, Montbéliard revives the Württemberg tradition by hosting a unique Christmas Market with 160 charming stalls stocked to the gills with handcrafted goods. With more than 425,000 visitors in 2018, the Christmas Market has been one of the most well-liked of its kind in France since its debut edition in 1987. The amazing street lighting architecture of the old town consisting of 115,000 light bulbs is largely responsible for the market's success.

The majority of the artisans and producers the city chooses are local ones who produce ceramics, paintings and drawings, glassworks, apparel, and wool hats, gloves, and scarves. The Montbeliard market selects a guest host nation or city each year and celebrates that nation or city's culture. Previous years' honorary locations included Corsica, Louisiana, Brittany, Portugal, and Scotland.

8. Metz

The picturesque provincial city of Metz is situated between Nancy and Luxembourg on the east bank of the Moselle River. The impressive St. Etienne Gothic Cathedral and the German Imperial District near the train station are two of Metz's most well-known landmarks. With its trees, flowerbeds, and green esplanades, it takes pleasure in being a true Garden City.

With up to 2 million visitors each year for the past 25 years, Metz's Christmas Market at six of its main squares has surpassed all others in size. See the ice sculptures at the Frozen Fairyland, take the chance to stock up on gastronomic Christmas essentials at the city market hall, or enjoy a ride at the giant Ferris Wheel at the cathedral square (place d’Armes) which is one of the tallest panoramic Ferris wheels in Europe (60 m high).

Epilogue

So that brings us to the end of our journey across the 8 best Christmas Markets in France. Please let us know in the comments below if you enjoyed reading this article. And until we meet next time, I wish you merry traveling and happy shooting!