French Christmas Markets Barge Cruise in Alsace
Christmas in Alsace is truly magical. The Christmas market is a longstanding tradition and has had an enormous influence over Christmas celebrations in France. Christmas markets are traditional in Alsace, and most of the towns have their own local Christmas market.
The setting is perfect with old half-timbered houses richly decorated; the air is fragrant with the aroma of spices, honey and citrus fruits. Christmas carols form the backdrop to the festive atmosphere, where you’ll find an abundance of Christmas lights, market stalls, classical concerts in local churches, and fabulous food and delicacies.
Birthplace of the Christmas Tree
The birthplace of the Christmas tree was in Alsace, in the little town of Sélestat, between Colmar and Strasbourg. The Great Christmas Tree (Le Grand Sapin) in Strasbourg stands at Place Kléber. Its height of 30 meters (99 feet) makes it one of the tallest, decorated natural Christmas trees in Europe.
Food at Christmas Markets
Do you have a big appetite for Christmas? Well, with the smell of mouth-watering melted chocolate in the air and the sight of sizzling Wurst sausages on the grill, you won't want to miss out on sampling some of the seasonal delicacies on display.
If you're looking for a savoury meal, then why not taste the delights of a choucroute? This Alsatian recipe combines charcuterie meats, sauerkraut and sausages with potatoes, for a French twist on the German classic.
If you're looking for a much sweeter treat to devour, then waffles and crepes are easy to find. And don't forget some of the more regional delicacies. You can buy traditional biscuits called bredeles at most of the markets. Pretzels are plentiful as well. Other local favorites are brioche gingerbread men, known as manele.
A Few Christmas Market Highlights
Colmar
Visit Colmar and tour its six famous Christmas markets, including a gourmet foods section. Colmar town center is essentially pedestrian and comprises many architectural treasures, such as monuments, churches, museums and alleyways, full of imposing buildings dating from the Middle Ages to the 19th century.
There is a magical atmosphere in Colmar, framed by fairytale half-timbered houses, festive scenes, and white Christmas trees at every corner. Along the streets there are Christmas lights on display, troubadours and minstrels playing flutes, wooden toys, stained glass, wreaths, choirs and traditional concerts, live nativity, outdoor ice skating rinks, and Santa's mailbox. Sample the typical products of Alsace, such as bredle aniseed, and mulled wine with cinnamon and orange.
Christmas wouldn't be the same without the addition of chocolate! Located near Colmar, guests will visit a local chocolate atelier to watch the chocolatiers prepare their creations and get involved in creating your own chocolate masterpiece. For those wishing to take home a souvenir, the gift shop offers some gourmet seasonal creations.
The Village of Riquewhir
Another Christmas Market in Alsace that can't be missed is located in the pretty medieval village of Riquewhir, popular for its warm and friendly atmosphere. Here, you will find wooden chalet-style stalls that sell a plethora of handicrafts to artisanal delicacies such as spice bread and bretzels. Located amongst vineyards and on the popular Vins d'Alsace wine route, Riquewhir is listed as one of France's Most Beautiful Villages, making it a must-visit. The half-timbered houses are beautifully quaint in their colorful palettes. There are old fountains dotted here and there among the cobbled streets.
Strasbourg
The Christmas market in Strasbourg dates back to 1570 and is the oldest market in the country; thus deeming Strasbourg as the capital of Christmas.
Strasbourg Christmas market has consistently been voted the best Christmas Market in the whole of France. This market is famous for its enormous Christmas tree, which stands in Place Klébler. Admire the Christmas illuminations and sparkling ice-skating rink, as well as the enormous carousel.
The Christmas market in Strasbourg is one of the largest in Europe, with 300 stalls spread over 11 sites. The market is full of local products and traditional items, sweets, mulled wine, pancakes, decorations for the tree and the nativity scene. Besides the traditional stalls, there are many organized events, including concerts, entertainment, and boat rides for the kids during the Christmas season.
Saverne / Haguenau
Moored in the enchanting town of Saverne at the foot of the beautiful Château de Rohan, often called the "Versailles of Alsace, we visit the Haguenau Christmas market. Situated 30 km north of Strasbourg, Haguenau is a town rich in historical monuments, the oldest of which dates back to the 1100s. This small town has an interesting historical museum with an archeological collection, coins, and local handicrafts.
The annual Christmas market in the town’s historical center comprises small wooden chalets exhibiting and selling traditional Christmas gifts, handicrafts, and decorations. In the evening, take a walk through Saverne to soak up the atmosphere of the Christmas decorations and perhaps go skating on the ice rink.
Lutzelbourg
In the pretty village of Lutzelbourg, Panache's mooring is surrounded by hills and overlooked by the ruins of the medieval castle. We visit the Meisenthal Glass factory, known as the "cradle of Art Nouveau glass" as it was a leading pioneer at that time. This glasswork is the origin of the Christmas bauble. In 1858, there was a severe drought. This heavily impacted Christmas tree decorations as up until this time, fruit was typically used to decorate trees but there was no fruit to spare. A glassblower decided to make an alternative and made a few glass baubles, or round balls of colored glass. He single-handedly created a tradition that we still adhere to today of hanging ornaments on the tree. Throughout the Christmas period, you can attend demonstrations by craftsmen of glass bauble blowing.
Join Panache on a Christmas Market Cruise
The Alsace region is a visual paradise during the Christmas season. Cheerful lights, white-capped fir trees and twinkling decorations create a wondrous winter wonderland. The Christmas markets of Alsace provide ample opportunity to experience the romance of the region.
We can't promise the gentle drifting of snowflakes for your Alsace Christmas markets visit, but there will be great gastronomy, festive scenery, and seasonal activities. You are in for a treat as you cruise through the Alsace region this Christmas!
We are excited to present this winter cruise in Alsace Lorraine aboard the Hotel Barge Panache. The Christmas Markets cruises have three departures a season.
- 2024: November 24th | December 1st | December 8th
- 2025: November 30th | December 7th | December 14th
You may book one of these special weeks as either a cabin cruise or a private charter.
View the Alsace Christmas Markets Cruise itinerary aboard the Hotel Barge Panache HERE.