What to see in Strasbourg at Christmas

answer the question What to see in Strasbourg at Christmas It is one of the main tourist destinations in the world during these special dates. Every year, the Alsatian city is filled with visitors who want to enjoy the events that it organises during these days.

Not in vain, Strasbourg is considered capital of christmas, as one of the illuminated signs that adorn its streets says. Precisely, the Christmas lights are one of its attractions, but also its markets and the great Christmas tree. Kleber square, not to mention its magnificent monuments. We are going to talk about all of this in this article about what to see in Strasbourg at Christmas.

Christmas markets

Christmas markets are a natural part of Strasbourg. Every year around this time, they are set up almost four hundred positions spread over more than ten squares, all of them within the Big Island, the name given to the historic centre of the city.

These markets are one of the biggest draws for the more than two million tourists who visit Strasbourg at Christmas. You can find everything there, from crafts but also gastronomic delights typical of these dates, passing through Christmas decorations o clothingThe oldest is the so-called Christkindelsmarik, which is installed in the broglie square.

Its translation is «Baby Jesus Market» and, not only is it considered the oldest in Strasbourg, but also in all Europe. Date of mid XNUMXth century and currently has around seventy stalls. They sell crafts and Christmas decorations, but you can also enjoy a hot white wine to help you get your body in the mood.

Another of the markets to see in Strasbourg at Christmas is the famous one Kleber squareWith its nearly one hundred and forty stalls, it is also the largest in the city. Moreover, most of them belong to non-governmental organizations. The market of the Plaza de la Catedral, because, above all, it is dedicated to gastronomy. It is true that you will also find Christmas decorations, toys and gifts there. But, mainly, it is the ideal place to enjoy some bredle, One man or unos berewecke.

In case you haven't heard of them, we'll tell you that the first ones are traditional Alsatian pastries and the second ones are small brioches shaped like a puppet. As for the third ones, they are pastries filled with dried and candied fruits. Any of them will taste delicious accompanied by the traditional mulled wine already mentioned. This is prepared with local red wine, sugar, cinnamon, anise and grated lemon and orange peel.

But, returning to the markets to see in Strasbourg at Christmas, you have many others to visit. Right near the cathedral you have the one in castle square, which is one of the smallest and most welcoming. It also has a beautiful tree and a charming traditional 19th century carousel.

For its part, in the Benjamin Zix Square Do you have the market of the three wise menIt has a special charm, since it is located within the Petit France, that is, the canal district. In short, we would need an entire article to tell you about all the Christmas markets in the Alsatian city. But we will still recommend the one next to the rohan palace, dedicated to products good gourmet food; the one of the Saint Thomas Square, of ornaments and much quieter; the one of the Grimmeissen Square, with its fair trade stalls, or that of the Louise Weiss Square, dedicated to crafts.

christmas lights

Christmas lights are another of the wonders you can enjoy in Strasbourg at this time of year. Every night, the city becomes a spectacle of lights and colors. On the street of Gold or Gold Square, where by the way there is another market, you can appreciate it in all its exuberance.

But the access to the most illuminated areas is the framed sign of the Gate of Lights, which reads «Strasbourg, capital of Christmas». also Mercière Street It has beautiful lights that recreate figures of angels, among other images. On the other hand, between the Saint-Guillaume and Corbeau bridges you have the so-called Path of the Stars, with more than four thousand hanging from the trees.

Finally, the majestic Christmas lights in Strasbourg complement shop windows of the Galeries Lafayette, next to the Kleber square, and the decoration of the Christian pastry shopBut, more curious is the beautiful house located at number five on the Maroquin Street, as its facade is full of teddy bears. By the way, the creations of the aforementioned bakery are among the best sweets in the city.

Le Grand Sapin, the majestic tree to see in Strasbourg at Christmas

Another of the great symbols of Christmas in Strasbourg is The Grand Sapin or "the Great Fir", the name given to the magnificent tree of this species that stands on Place Kléber. Not in vain, it is a symbol of Alsatian tradition, as the custom dates back to the 16th century.

Since March, the head of the National Forestry Office has been touring the forests of Alsacia, Vosges and moselle valley in search of the fir tree that is to be placed on the Kléber square. It must have a minimum height of thirty metres and a weight of between seven and nine tonnes. Also, to give it more volume, Between fifty and eighty branches are planted on it.

Once prepared, it is transported to Strasbourg and placed in the Kléber Square. It is then decorated with no less than seven kilometers of twinkling lights; forty large balls of sixty-five centimeters in diameter; one hundred and eighty angels and four hundred other types of ornaments. During the Christmas days, until January 7, between seventeen and midnight, the tree is developed a beautiful sound and light show (the latter is eliminated after 10pm).

On the other hand, at Christmas you can enjoy other activities in Strasbourg. For example, do A short boat cruise along the canals of Petit France o A ride on the little train through the beautiful Neustadt districtThe latter is also known as «Imperial or German quarter» due to the large number of buildings from the Second German Empire that it has. You must remember that Alsace and Lorraine belonged to Germany from 1870 to 1918. But, above all, among what to see in Strasbourg at Christmas you have the monuments of its historic center.

Monuments of the Grande Île

As we have told you, the historic centre of Strasbourg is named after the Big Island because it is located on an island in the Ill River (ILL) which is accessed by twenty-two bridges. Among them, the most beautiful are the Covered bridges y Those of the Fonderie and d'Auvergne.

This authentic medieval city that forms the historic centre of Strasbourg has received the classification of Heritage for its numerous monuments and its beauty. The typical wooden houses, mainly black and white, stand out in the whole. The most famous is the Kammerzell House, built in 1427 and representing a successful example of Gothic architecture, was however renovated in 1589, also giving it Renaissance features.

On the Grande Île there are also majestic churches such as the Romanesque one of San Esteban or the gothic of Saint Peter the Younger. The latter has a crypt dating from the 5th century and a cloister from the 11th century. For its part, the St. Thomas Church It has a magnificent Silbermann organ that was played by Mozart and of Saint Peter the Old, neo-Gothic, has wood carvings from the 15th century.

The German Renaissance also has several examples among what to see in Strasbourg at Christmas. For example, the building of the old Town Hall, in Gutenberg Square. And we can tell you the same about French classicism, whose best exponent is the rohan palace. It also houses three museums. The most important is the one of fine arts, with works of Tintoretto, Veronese, Goya, el greco o RubensHowever, there are two symbols of the Grande Île: the cathedral and Place Kléber.

Strasbourg cathedral

Call Notre Dame Cathedral, was built between the 11th and 15th centuries on an old Merivingian temple. It is mostly in the late Gothic style. Externally, the first thing that will catch your attention is its only bell tower, which reaches 142 metres in height. Its frontispiece or main façade is also very beautiful, with three porticos with elaborately decorated tympanums.

As for the interior, you should look at its beautiful organ and in its no less spectacular stained glass windows, which filter sunlight towards the figure of Jesus Christ on the cross. However, one of the most spectacular elements is the pulpit, which responds, with its abundant decoration, to the Gothic style flamboyant or flamboyant. As a curiosity, notice, among its carvings, the one of a dog at rest. It recalls an old preacher who, while he spoke, had his pet on his feet to warm them. But the most curious thing about the interior of the temple is its famous astronomical clock XNUMXth century.

Place Kléber, the nerve centre of what to see in Strasbourg at Christmas

The other great symbol of the Grande Île is the Kléber Square. Also, as we have told you, it is among the main things to see in Strasbourg at Christmas because it houses one of the best Christmas markets in the city and the Big Fir. It receives its name from the Napoleonic general Jean-Baptiste Kléber, whose statue you will see in its center (in reality, it is a vault that houses the remains of the soldier).

But the most beautiful thing about this square are the buildings that surround it. Among them, the most notable is The Aubette, designed by the 18th century architect Jacques-François Blondel, which is a perfect example of neoclassicism.

In conclusion, we have shown you What to see in Strasbourg at Christmas, as well as everything you can do in the French city during these dates. We can only advise you to also visit other Christmas markets that are organized in different Alsatian localities and that are also full of charm. Go ahead and discover christmas in this region of France.