Strasbourg Holiday Market
December 18th, 2020
It’s a shame to spend only one night in Paris, but today it’s time to move on to the Strasbourg holiday market. We loved this village on the river, with its central square and cathedral. The locals were friendly and the gluhwein was spiced perfectly ~ a winning combination for the holidays.
Have fun exploring the streets and stalls! Tomorrow, we end our holiday market tour at one of the biggest and best in all of Europe.
Until then,
Kelly
Repost of the Day: Adding a bit of light to the darkness as we get through the pandemic together. This series features travel photos from my archives, shared with you while staying close to home.
Click on any photo in the gallery to view the images as a slideshow.
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Hugging the border between France and Germany, Strasbourg displays all the characteristics of a quintessential holiday market village. The heart of it, surrounded by waterways, can only be reached by crossing one of the 20 stone bridges to the Grand Île. Near the center of this island sits Cathédrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg – a tall and glorious example of Gothic architecture that has existed on the site in some form since the 11th century – that’s a lot of holiday seasons! Just a few steps down the cobblestone street, Place Kléber draws crowds to the illuminated Christmas tree and surrounding stalls selling hot spiced wine in souvenir mugs. Strasbourg’s skinny streets and storefronts are dressed in light and adorned with angels, stars and teddy bears.
Strasbourg offers a few foodie delights we didn’t see anywhere else – hanging salmon that smokes all day next to a small fire and huge toasted baguettes piled with rich spätzle and bacon. The usual holiday treats were also present including loaves of nougat, beignets filled with strawberry jam, and some of the largest displays of holiday treats I’ve ever seen. So many cookies, so little time! Fill up a bag and take some home.
Strasbourg’s holiday market is sprinkled throughout the city center so walking in any direction takes you to more and more stalls filled with blown glass and wooden ornaments, miniature hand-painted tudor-style houses and so many handmade trinkets it’s impossible to see them all. The connecting streets, too, are lit up and festive with unique decorations including a suspended Christmas tree decorated with reindeer.
Beyond the market, the streets of Strasbourg compel you to keep walking. Timber-framed buildings line the water, their reflections like watercolor paintings. A magical town during the holidays!
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That’s a lovely tree! Much too early for all this food. I’m still on my second coffee 🙂 🙂
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Yes, the Strasbourg tree was huge and glowing! And the food was overwhelming! 🙂
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“It’s beginning to look a lot like Xmas” – A wonderful festive gallery with those gorgeous night shots. 👏👏👏💕
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Thank you! It’s fun to reconnect with these photos during a time when holiday spirit is so desperately needed. Can’t believe it’s only five days away.
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This may be my favorite of all the market posts – so much color, good food, and things I’d love to buy!
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I agree! Strasbourg was charming and the market spilled out all over town. But Nuremberg was equally enjoyable, as you’ll see in today’s post. 🙂
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I’m lovin’ all these markets!
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The food pictures are so appetizing, I can taste them from here. Strasbourg is a reference in terms of the Christmas market. Its tradition is much older than elsewhere in France. It was a great idea to stop there.
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Thank you! I was intrigued by Strasbourg being on the border between France and Germany. It did not disappoint! So much beauty and history, and all very walkable.
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It’s true, Strasbourg is one of the pretty cities of France, with a very typical architecture.
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What a beautiful city. And the food looks amazing!
Alison
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Yes to both! A great city to explore. Happy holidays to you and Don! xo
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Same to you two. Hugs from us. ❤
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How lovely, Kelly! A trip to Germany for us is in the future. We’re content to just visit Leavenworth in Washington when things reopen, now that we are moved up here from California!
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Oh, so cool that you’re close to Leavenworth!! We drove through there in the fall — a couple years ago and a couple months before Christmas — and it was easy to imagine how magical it must be during the holiday season. Here’s hoping things are back to (relative) normal next year!
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I would love to travel to Europe for Christmas in the future. What year did you go to this lovely trip?
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Yes, put it on the travel wish list! 🙂 Our trip was in November/December of 2018. Hoping the markets can return next year.
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Such lovely lights and assortment of great food! This is celebration at its best, looks like a winter wonderland with the giant Christmas tree and the bright stalls.
The houses by the river are very interesting, isn’t that very similar to Tudor architecture? I saw many such as these in the England countrysides.
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Yes! All Tudor architecture. So pretty in the context of Strasbourg, which was indeed a winter wonderland for the holidays.
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