The Most Enchanting Christmas Markets in France

If you are a loyal reader of Léonce Chenal, you probably know by now about my deep appreciation for beautiful things: quality, craftsmanship, history, authenticity… and also for Christmas! In the letter I wrote you this week, you may have discovered (or rediscovered?) my special enthusiasm for the holiday season. That’s why, in today’s article, I’m offering a combination of everything I love: a unique list of the most magical, authentic, and traditional Christmas markets in France, all located in the enchanting Alsace region. I warmly recommend that you visit them if, like me, the magic of Christmas brings you immense joy!

P.S. Thank you to the lovely person who inspired this blog post! I hope she recognizes herself while reading this :).

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This post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own. I only feature products I truly love and personally select. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Merci!

1. Strasbourg (Chrìstkìndelsmärik*)

For me, the most beautiful Christmas market, without a doubt, is Strasbourg’s (created in 1570!)—proclaimed the “Capital of Christmas”! On a personal note, I lived in Strasbourg during my studies—specifically on Impasse de l’Ancre, which leads onto Quai des Bateliers. I had the opportunity to visit this famous Christmas market several years in a row, and I can confirm that it is by far the most magical one I’ve ever seen!

Strasbourg is already an absolutely magnificent city, especially its historic center—the Grande Île—which, along with the Neustadt district, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. With its typical half-timbered houses, quaint cobblestone pedestrian streets, and its magnificent Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral, whose construction began as early as 1015, the city is a delight to explore.

You can admire the grand and majestic Christmas tree on Place Kléber, the stunning shop windows decorated for the occasion, and all the little wooden chalets scattered throughout the historic center, where local Alsatian producers invite you to discover their finest products. For food lovers, I recommend tasting local specialties like Bredele (small cookies generally cut before baking with cookie cutters), Butterbredele (little butter biscuits), or Zimtsterne (cinnamon stars). I also suggest trying gingerbread (“pain d’épices”) or bretzels accompanied by a glass of mulled wine (Glühwein or “vin chaud”), a Christmas beer, or hot chocolate. And don’t miss the savory Alsatian flavors like sauerkraut “choucroute” or “tarte flambée” (flammekueche). For more information, I invite you to visit the official Strasbourg Christmas website!

*Chrìstkìndelsmärik is the name given in the Alsatian dialect to the traditional Strasbourg Christmas Market.

Here are some hotels I recommend in Strasbourg:

• Hôtel Les Haras
• Hôtel Cour du Corbeau Strasbourg
• Maison Rouge Strasbourg Hotel&Spa
• Hôtel de l’Europe by Happyculture

If hotels in Strasbourg are too expensive or fully booked during this festive season, consider staying in the town of Colmar. It’s only a 30-minute train ride away (TER), with trains every 30 minutes, costing about 15 to 20 euros per trip. You can then spend one or more days in Strasbourg. In Strasbourg, there’s no need for a car—you can explore the entire city center on foot, by bicycle (you can rent a Vélhop), or by tram.

2. Colmar

I’ve heard so much about the Colmar Christmas market (which, by the way, I’d absolutely love to visit someday)! Loacted between Strasbourg and Mulhouse, Colmar offers not just one but six traditional Christmas markets! According to my research, the most popular markets are the one set at the foot of the 14th-century Dominican Church—illuminated by its magnificent stained-glass windows at dusk—and the one at Place de l’Ancienne Douane with its Koïfhus building, which originally showcased the city’s economic and social significance.

If you have children, don’t miss the picturesque Little Venice district, where they’ll find plenty of gifts, treats, and activities (they can even mail their letters to Santa Claus!). At the Colmar Christmas markets, you’ll discover handcrafted items from local and regional artisans and regional specialties, as well as traditional Christmas cakes, pastries, and confections. As you wander through the illuminated streets, you can admire the old half-timbered houses, some of which date back to the Middle Ages. It really makes you want to be there! For more information, visit: noel-colmar.com.

Here are some hotels I recommend in Colmar:

• Paul & Pia
• Hotel Le Colombier Suites
• Hotel Le Maréchal
• L’Esquisse Hotel & Spa Colmar
• La Maison des Têtes

3. Kaysersberg

Located just 12 km from Colmar, Kaysersberg is, according to my research, one of the most beautiful villages in Alsace! This town often features in recommended itineraries along the Alsace Wine Route. During the Christmas season (from November 29 to December 22, 2024, to be precise), special Christmas shuttles will take you from Colmar station to Kaysersberg, Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé, Eguisheim, Turckheim, Munster, and even Neuf-Brisach (see more information here).

The Kaysersberg Christmas Market, featuring 30 wooden chalets, is set in the heart of the historic center, at the foot of the illuminated castle ruins (built around 1200!). In the Arsenal courtyard and behind the Sainte-Croix Church (constructed between 1230 and the 16th century), wooden chalets nestled beneath half-timbered houses offer typical decorations and locally crafted items: wooden toys, ornaments for your tree, blown glass objects, jewelry, lamps, and more.

Other stalls at Place de la Mairie host the Christmas Farmers’ Market, where you can purchase or sample products from the Kaysersberg Valley: aromatic herbs, syrups, herbal teas, foie gras, terrines, cheeses, gingerbread, organic wine, and fruit juices. You also won’t be able to resist tasting the region’s specialties: Bredele, sweet or savory kougelhopfs (ring-shaped cakes made with brioche), beraweckas (fruit bread), and mannalas (little brioche men). For more information, visit Kaysersberg’s webiste.

4. Riquewihr

Riquewihr, just 10 km from Kaysersberg, is a renowned village in Alsace, famous for its architectural heritage—a picturesque medieval town spared from the destruction of both World Wars. Stroll through its narrow streets and discover magnificent half-timbered houses. Among them, you’ll find a building nicknamed the “skyscraper,” as it’s one of the tallest half-timbered houses in Alsace. A must-visit spot is the Käthe Wohlfahrt store (Féerie De Noël), where you’ll find, among other things, glass ornaments for your Christmas tree. You can also enjoy the wine cellars along Rue Général de Gaulle to savor Alsatian wines. For more information, visit Riquewihr’s website.

About Other Christmas Markets in France

Over the years, I’ve had the chance to visit other Christmas markets in France, including the one in Lyon (where I lived for a few years), which I recommend visiting, especially during the Festival of Lights in early December. Or those in Paris—the largest now being held at the Jardin des Tuileries—but which I find resembles more of an amusement park than a true traditional Christmas market ;). The most authentic Christmas market, where you can buy handmade or artisanal gifts, sets up every year on the forecourt of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris (which, after five years of renovation, reopens its doors on December 7 and 8, 2024!). However, I find it a bit too small for my liking.

As for this year, having recently moved to Bordeaux, I’ll let you know if the Bordeaux Christmas market is worth a visit :).

Personally, I find that Strasbourg and all the small Alsatian towns lend themselves more readily to the magic of Christmas! First, because of their architecture: half-timbered houses, quaint cobblestone streets, old-fashioned shopfronts, castles, and churches—it feels like stepping back into the Middle Ages, a true journey through time. When the winter chill sets in, with, if you’re lucky, a dusting of snow, and the streets are adorned with sparkling decorations, facades and monuments light up, and the Christmas market stalls come alive—for me, that’s truly the enchantment of Christmas! When, for a moment, you’re swept away by the sensation of not quite being in reality anymore.