As a couple, you are not after the big wheel or the children's entertainment. You are after an atmosphere: candlelit lanes, a shared mulled wine under an archway, a stroll along a canal, a characterful hotel close by. Ten French markets where a romantic escape makes complete sense.
Our top 10 romantic Christmas markets
1. Colmar, Little Venice under lights
The Little Venice quarter of Colmar, crossed by the River Lauch, is one of the most photographed settings in France at Christmas. Traditional flat-bottomed boats glide under the illuminated bridges, and the half-timbered façades are mirrored in the water. Six markets, each with its own character, all within a pedestrian area. Ideal for a weekend for two.
2. Kaysersberg, the real thing
In Kaysersberg the mood is intimate: 40 chalets, no big wheel, no carousels. The market sets up around the church, at the foot of the castle ruins and along the river. Hotels and winstubs offer romantic rooms with a fireplace. Book well ahead: the village is in high demand.
3. Eguisheim, the concentric lanes
Built in rings around the castle, this village is a little Alsatian gem. The Christmas market stays on a human scale, around the castle square and through the flower-decked lanes. A walk along the ramparts under the lights is a magical moment. A few good local restaurants to make an evening of it.
4. Riquewihr, the medieval jewel box
Riquewihr has kept its 16th-century fortifications. Over Christmas the ramparts light up, the market takes over the main street and the wine cellars open their doors for tastings. Several wine estates offer guest rooms right in the vineyards. A rare atmosphere in France.
5. Annecy, on the lakeshore
Annecy in winter is the Venice of the Alps at rest: fewer tourists than in summer, the Thiou canal lit up, the covered arcades of the Christmas market and a lake laid bare. The castle on the hill looks down on the old town. Pair a walk along the lake with the market in the late afternoon to catch the shift from day to night.
6. Provins, the medieval town
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Provins offers one of the most singular settings there is: medieval ramparts, a cobbled upper town, 12th-century mansions. The Christmas market sets up on Place du Châtel and through the lanes. Several spa hotels within walking distance let you pair the market with some pampering on a weekend for two.
7. Strasbourg on a weekday
Strasbourg is too busy at weekends to be romantic. But on a weekday, after 9pm, once the crowd thins out, the magic returns. A stroll along the River Ill, a glass in a winstub, the giant tree on Place Kléber all lit up: Strasbourg goes back to being the intimate Christmas capital it has always been.
8. Honfleur, the harbour in winter
The Honfleur market sets up around the Vieux Bassin, one of the most picturesque harbours in Normandy. Slate-fronted façades reflect in the water and the chalets line up along Quai Saint-Étienne. More seaside than Alpine kitsch. Plenty of characterful hotels and fine-dining restaurants within the pedestrian area.
9. Sarlat, the golden town
Sarlat lit up at Christmas is the golden stone of the Périgord taking on a warm glow beneath the fairy lights. The market sets up on Place de la Liberté and through the medieval lanes. Foie gras, truffles and duck breast for the food side. Several old mansions turned boutique hotels welcome couples.
10. Beaune, capital of Burgundy wine
The Beaune Christmas market is held in front of the Hospices, a historic monument with its multicoloured glazed-tile roof. With the great Burgundy estates close by, you can combine the market, a wine tasting and a fine-dining dinner. Several luxury hotels right in the town centre put a premium escape within reach.
How to get a weekend for two right
Pick the right timing
Weekdays always beat weekends if you want to escape the crowds. Ideally aim for a Tuesday or Wednesday between mid-November and 15 December. After 15 December the markets fill with last-minute visitors and the mood shifts. Avoid the first weekend of December (5-6 December) too: it is especially busy.
Book your accommodation early
In the Alsatian villages (Kaysersberg, Riquewihr, Eguisheim), rooms for December get booked from September. Guest rooms on wine estates, old half-timbered houses and boutique hotels are the first to fill up. Expect to pay between €90 and €180 a night for a good room for two, more in peak season.
Plan the right activities
- A wine tasting (Burgundy, Alsace, Champagne or Bordeaux depending on where you are)
- A fine-dining dinner: most of the region's Michelin-starred restaurants are fully booked, so reserve a month ahead
- An early-morning walk through the old town before the tourists arrive
- A spa treatment or hammam in the afternoon to recover
Average budget for a weekend for two
| Item | Average budget |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (2 nights, boutique hotel) | €200 to €360 |
| Return train (Paris-Strasbourg, 2 people) | €140 to €200 |
| Meals (4 meals, including one fine-dining) | €180 to €300 |
| Market spending (mulled wine, tastings, souvenirs) | €50 to €100 |
| Activities (wine tasting, spa, museum) | €50 to €120 |
| Total for a weekend for two | €620 to €1,080 |
Where to go next
Our full guide for couples gives you more ideas for a successful weekend: restaurants by destination, extra activities, suggestions for characterful places to stay. If good food matters to you, our foodie markets top 10 goes hand in hand with this one.