This famed European city boasts that it is the ‘capital city’ of Christmas(Image: Adrian Hancu / Getty Images)
There’s something peculiarly warm and inviting about a trip to the continent in the build-up to Christmas. Whether it’s the sunny home of Sinterklaas in Spain, the Bavarian forests around Munich or the ice palaces of Lapland and their promise of Northern Lights – Europe is where many a Briton’s heart lies when rousing that twinkling festive spirit.
Among the great cities of Europe, one stands apart from the others with its 450-year-old Christmas market. Strasbourg, the gorgeous red-brick medieval French city, is famed as a powerhouse of European politics and, as it happens, is home to the continent’s ‘first Christmas market’, known as Christkindelsmärik.
Christkindelsmärik is thought to date back as far as 1570 and is reputed for a festive atmosphere like nowhere else as Strasbourg’s grand squares become packed with Christmas markets. Hundreds of sellers and artists set up camp in the 300 chalets crowding the city centre, selling original gifts, handmade Christmas decorations, and age-old treats, like ‘bredle’ Christmas biscuits and mulled wine.
‘Capital de Noel’: Strasbourg claims to be the King of Christmas(Image: Getty Images)
One thing visitors absolutely must see is the enormous 30ft Christmas tree on Place Kléber – the largest natural Christmas tree in Europe – adorned with drapes of lights and classic, ornamental baubles. Strasbourg may be where the tradition of Christmas trees first began, as an official wrote in 1521 of expenses paid to foresters in order for trees to be erected in the square at Christmas time and decorated “as has been done since time immemorial”.
Place Broglie is the historic and central location for the Christkindelsmärik, selling toys, food, crafts, and Christmas items, with an exhibition about its long history held nearby at the City Hall. For foodies, the Alsace market is located on a quaint little street at Place des Meuniers, held by local producers from the regions, and sells delicious meats and cheeses, award-winning truffles, cakes and biscuits, plus craft beer and local wines.
Visitors must see the enormous 30ft Christmas tree on Place Kléber(Image: Getty Images)
In recent years, the OFF market at Place Grimmeisen has been highlighted, with a focus on sustainability, and stall-holders operating out of old shipping containers selling recycled gifts, fairtrade products and DIY gift-making activities. It’s also a hub of music events such as the Soup Kitchen Disco and musical brunches, blasting jazz and funk music.
Elsewhere, the Ecomusée d’Alsace runs Christmas tree decorating workshops, where visitors can learn how old craftspeople made their own decorations, in an authentic half-timbered house filled with the smell of baking bredele.
How to get there
Traditional wreaths hang from windows in a quiet cobbled street in Strasbourg(Image: Getty Images)
Eurostar advertises its rail service from St Pancras to Strasbourg, which takes approximately five hours with a stop-off at Paris. Prices vary, with the cheapest tickets (one way) on Monday, December 8 coming to £185, while Friday, December 12, costs £223.
For those on a budget, flying may prove to be the cheaper. EasyJet operates direct flights from Gatwick Airport, with a return from Friday, December 12, to Monday, December 15, priced at £203, although midweek flights may prove cheaper.
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Accommodation
Strasbourg’s Christmas markets are among the most renowned in Europe(Image: Getty Images)
Hotel prices vary in Strasbourg, with the priciest fees over the weekend. A two night stay for two people at the Le Jean-Sébastien Bach apartment from Friday, December 12, to Sunday, December 14, comes to £549. Elsewhere, a double room at the Ibis Budget Hotel Strasbourg Republique over the same period comes to £481. For slightly more, the Best Western Plus Hotel Villa D’est offers double rooms for £650.
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