Magazine

Christmas markets worth the trip

The sixteen Christmas markets worth the trip, in France and just across the border: dates, transport and accommodation to plan your weekend.

Read the article

A family Christmas near Lille: Bellewaerde, Plopsaland, Pairi Daiza

Bellewaerde, Plopsaland or Pairi Daiza for a family Christmas near Lille: 2026-2027 dates, journeys, prices checked and budget to pick the right park.

Read the article

The Origins of the Christmas Market, from Bautzen to Strasbourg

Bautzen 1384, Dresden 1434, Strasbourg 1570: the verified origins of the Christmas market, from the Protestant Reformation to its spread in France.

Read the article

Planning a trip to Alsace, the land of Christmas

A 3 to 4-day Christmas itinerary in Alsace: Strasbourg, Colmar, the Route des Vins, Haut-Kœnigsbourg, accommodation, transport and budget for a family.

Read the article

Hot Chocolate at Christmas Markets, a Story Going Back to the Aztecs

Hot chocolate at Christmas markets: Aztec origins, the Bayonne tradition, how to spot a good cup and the alcohol-free alternative to mulled wine.

Read the article

Santons de Provence: the Story of a Little Clay People

The santons of Provence, those clay figures of the nativity scene: origin, making, characters and where to buy them in Marseille and Aubagne.

Read the article

Christmas markets in Brittany: harbours, crêpes and illuminated stone

Our pick of Christmas markets in Brittany: Rennes, Saint-Malo, Vannes, Quimper, Locronan, Brest, Lorient and Saint-Brieuc, between harbours and crêpes.

Read the article

The Advent calendar: from devotional pictures to giant façades

The Advent calendar, from the German devotional picture of 1908 to the giant façades of towns in Alsace and the Black Forest. Origins and traditions.

Read the article

Celebrating Christmas in a royal setting: our château markets

Christmas market at a château: our pick of the finest estates (Chantilly, Versailles, Vincennes, Lunéville, Pau) for a royal setting.

Read the article

The Christmas tree, a story born in Alsace

The history of the Christmas tree, from the medieval tree of paradise to Sélestat in 1521, then the glass baubles and its spread across France.

Read the article

Mulled Wine and Its Variations, from Alsace to Scandinavia

Glühwein, Alsatian mulled wine, glögg, Austrian Punsch: a tour of Europe's mulled wine variations served at Christmas markets, with no recipe.

Read the article

Christmas foie gras, from the marché au gras to your table

Christmas foie gras from south-west France: duck or goose, IGP, raw or preserved, where to buy it at the marchés au gras and how to choose a good one.

Read the article

The Most Beautiful Mountain Christmas Markets

Our pick of mountain Christmas markets: Chamonix, Megève, Gérardmer, Thonon, Chambéry and the finest events in the Alps and the Vosges.

Read the article

Christmas in Provence: santons, thirteen desserts and lit-up lanes

Our pick of Christmas markets in Provence: santon fairs, thirteen desserts and villages of the south, from Marseille to Nice, town by town.

Read the article

Romantic Christmas Markets: 11 Getaways for a Weekend for Two

Our pick of romantic Christmas markets for a getaway as a couple: Colmar, Riquewihr, Honfleur, Annecy, Sarlat and the ideal setting for two.

Read the article

Speculoos, the little carved biscuit that tells the story of Saint Nicholas

Speculoos, the brown sugar biscuit linked to Saint Nicholas: Flemish origins, wooden moulds, spices and where to taste it at Christmas markets in northern France.

Read the article

Saint Nicholas and Père Fouettard: 6 December in eastern France

Saint Nicholas and Père Fouettard, the 6 December tradition in eastern France: the legend of the salting tub, parades from Nancy to Épinal, manala and the link with Father Christmas.

Read the article

Saint Nicholas Day, a foretaste of Christmas in eastern and northern France

On 6 December, Saint Nicholas Day kicks off the run-up to Christmas in eastern and northern France: warm manala, the mannele/manala quarrel in Alsace, cards swapped between boys and festive markets.

Read the article

Christmas Markets with Children: Which Ones to Choose

Which family Christmas market should you choose? Ice rink, rides, Father Christmas, workshops: our selection by town and by age, with practical tips.

Read the article

Berawecka: the Dried-Fruit Christmas Bread of Alsace

Berawecka, a bread of dried fruit and pears steeped in kirsch, is an Alsatian Christmas speciality. Its origins, what goes into it and where to find it.

Read the article

The Christmas Markets That Come Into Their Own After Dark

A Christmas market by night, from dusk onwards: the great tree in Strasbourg, the projection shows in Reims and Amiens, the reflections of Colmar. Our pick, town by town.

Read the article

The Largest Christmas Market in France: Which One Really Wins?

Which is the largest Christmas market in France? Strasbourg, Colmar and Amiens compared by chalets and visitor numbers, with verified 2025 figures.

Read the article

Alsatian Christmas Specialities: a Guide to the Treats of the Market

Bredele, gingerbread, manala, pretzel, tarte flambée: the guide to Alsatian Christmas specialities and the markets where you can taste them.

Read the article

Kougelhopf, the Golden Crown That Tells the Story of Alsace

Kougelhopf, the ring-shaped Alsatian brioche: the Ribeauvillé legend, the Soufflenheim mould, sweet and savoury versions, and where to taste it at the markets.

Read the article