Magazine

The Most Beautiful Medieval Christmas Markets in France

Our pick of the most beautiful medieval Christmas markets in France: Provins, Carcassonne, Ribeauvillé, Sarlat and the fortified towns of Alsace.

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Marrons Chauds: the Paper Cone of Roasted Chestnuts That Warms Every Christmas Market

Roasted chestnuts at Christmas markets: marron versus châtaigne, the perforated pan, the AOP growing regions and tips for choosing and peeling them well.

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Alsace Christmas markets: the guide to planning your trip

Alsace Christmas markets: which ones to visit, when to go and how to combine Strasbourg, Colmar and the villages of the Route des Vins.

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Christstollen, the Christmas cake that comes from Dresden

Christstollen, the Dresden Christmas loaf with candied fruit and icing sugar: origins, symbolism and which Alsace markets to find it on.

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The Most Beautiful Christmas Markets in France: Our Selection

The most beautiful Christmas market in France? Our annotated selection: Strasbourg, Colmar, Reims, Ribeauvillé, Nancy and the Alsace wine villages.

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Where Do Christmas Markets Come From? Six Centuries of Tradition

The history of Christmas markets, from Dresden 1434 to Strasbourg 1570: medieval origins, the Reformation, the Advent wreath and the revival in France.

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Manala: the little brioche man of Saint Nicholas’ Day

The manala (a little brioche man) is the figure in enriched dough that Alsace brings out every year as December settles in. A plump body,…

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Bredele, the little biscuits that make an Alsatian Christmas

Bredele are to an Alsatian Christmas what the tree is to the living room: a given. From late November onwards, kitchens across Alsace smell of…

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The pretzel, the folded arms that tell the story of Alsace

The bretzel (the Alsatian pretzel) has reigned over the Christmas markets of Alsace since long before anyone invented the wooden chalet. This knot of golden…

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Pain d’épices: the brown gold of the Christmas markets

Pain d’épices, the French spiced honey gingerbread, is one of those scents that announces Christmas before the first tree goes up. On the Christmas markets,…

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10 souvenirs to bring home from a Christmas market

Beyond the mass-produced baubles The classic Christmas market trap is coming home with decorations identical to the ones in the supermarket. The best souvenirs are…

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5 traditions to know before you visit

From medieval origins to today's markets Christmas markets date back to the 14th century, in the German-speaking towns of central Europe. In France, it is…

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Mulled wine: the traditional Christmas market recipe

A classic every market makes its own You cannot walk through a Christmas market without catching that scent of cinnamon and cloves drifting between the…

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