Each winter, Strasbourg, the city in the Grand Est region of France, takes on a festive character with its Christmas markets. The city is known for having one of France's oldest and most famous markets of this kind, and visitors come to wander its streets in the cold season and take in the seasonal atmosphere.
What to expect
The markets are a place to browse and to linger. Stalls offer traditional crafts and decorations, and the festive mood carries through the city centre, where the lights and music of the season make a walk feel like a small occasion in itself.
- Traditional crafts, presented at the stalls as gifts or keepsakes
- Seasonal treats, a welcome reason to stop and warm up on a winter afternoon
- The festive atmosphere of the old town, best enjoyed slowly and on foot
Planning your visit
The markets suit anyone who enjoys the season: couples, families, or travellers simply curious about how France marks Christmas. Dress for the weather, since much of the experience happens outdoors in winter air. Plan to spend an unhurried few hours, leaving time to explore the surrounding streets, which give the markets their setting and add to the sense of a city transformed for the holidays.