Erasmus Day at the Cologne Christmas Market

Erasmus Day at the Cologne Christmas Market

Cologne Christmas market
Departure date :
Sunday, December 13, 2026
Return date :
Sunday, December 13, 2026
Departure time : 
06:00
Return time : 
23:45
Departure and return:
Boulevard de Leeds
Member price : 
From €45
Non-member price : 
€49, then €55

Includes :

  • Return transport by private bus
  • Bilingual tour leader (French/English)
  • Photos & videos
  • Cologne Christmas Market

Not included:

  • Personal expenses
  • Meals

Travel program

Departure from Lille
Cologne

Christmas markets (Cathedral, Alter Markt, Neumarkt...)
Self-guided tour of the historic center
Tasting of German specialities
Stroll through the decorated alleyways

Back to Lille
Day 1

We board the bus for a magical day in Germany! After a few hours on the road, we arrive mid-morning in Cologne, just in time to immerse ourselves in the fairytale world of the German version of Christmas.

The city is completely transformed at this time of year: lights everywhere, giant fir trees, soft music in the streets... and above all, several Christmas markets spread throughout the city center. The most emblematic is right next to the famous cathedral. But you can also explore the Marché du Vieux Marché, or the Marché des Anges, all with a different atmosphere.

On the program: mulled wine, waffles, pretzels, bratwurst, handcrafted souvenirs, wooden decorations, hand-painted Christmas ornaments... There's something for everyone. You can also take a stroll through the shopping streets, admire the architecture or simply sit back and enjoy the atmosphere.

At the end of the afternoon, we take the bus back to Lille, our heads full of Christmas images and perhaps our arms full of presents.

Itinerary

Departure from Lille
Cologne

Christmas markets (Cathedral, Alter Markt, Neumarkt...)
Self-guided tour of the historic center
Tasting of German specialities
Stroll through the decorated alleyways

Back to Lille

Students talk about it better than we do

Participating avatar AKASH
5/5
I really enjoyed this trip. The Christmas market in Aachen is so beautiful and full of atmosphere. Everything went smoothly.
 
Participating avatar GABRIELE
5/5
Bellissima esperienza ad Cologne! L'atmosfera natalizia era perfetta e l'organizzazione come sempre ottima. Grazie Erasmus Place 🎅🏼
 
Participating avatar DENIZ
5/5
It was a very nice trip. The Christmas market was magical and I met lovely people during the day. Looking forward to the next one!
 
Participating avatar SOFIA
5/5
Beautiful trip to Cologne! Great energy, nice group and an amazing Christmas spirit everywhere. Loved it ❤️
 
Participating avatar PEDRO
5/5
Amei o passeio pra Aachen!
 
Participating avatar MIREIA
5/5
Fue un día muy linda

Membership card

With the Erasmus Place membership card you can benefit all year round! Pssst, it's not compulsory to take part in trips!

  • Reduced prices on all our trips from all our cities!
  • Cancel and be reimbursed up to 48 hours before departure
  • Some free or reduced-price events just for you all year round!

Unforgettable destinations!

Aachen

A German city not to be missed during the festive season. Its immense Gothic cathedral dominates the city and provides a spectacular backdrop for Christmas markets. All around, wooden chalets, the scent of cinnamon and Christmas carols create a warm and festive atmosphere.

Did you know?

Every year, Cologne welcomes over 4 million visitors to its Christmas markets. One of the most famous is right in front of the cathedral, an exceptional setting listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Unforgettable destinations!

Aachen
Aachen

A German city not to be missed during the festive season. Its immense Gothic cathedral dominates the city and provides a spectacular backdrop for Christmas markets. All around, wooden chalets, the scent of cinnamon and Christmas carols create a warm and festive atmosphere.

Did you know?

Every year, Cologne welcomes over 4 million visitors to its Christmas markets. One of the most famous is right in front of the cathedral, an exceptional setting listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Our charters

At Erasmus Place, the journey begins as soon as you get on the bus. It's a friendly atmosphere, where people get to know each other, have a laugh and share music and tips.

Our buses are comfortable, air-conditioned and equipped with toilets, barring major exceptions. We want you to feel at ease, even during several hours of driving. To make sure everything goes smoothly, we also have a few simple rules: respect for everyone, no inappropriate behavior, no consumption of alcohol or banned substances on the bus.

For each trip, we select quality establishments, always with a minimum 2-star rating for hotels. Whether it's a hotel or a hostel, you can count on comfortable, clean and conveniently located accommodation.

Our hotels and hostels are always located in the city center, close to places of interest and local entertainment, so you can make the most of your stay without wasting time in transport. With a few exceptions. 

Rooms are shared among friends, in a relaxed atmosphere, but we respect a simple rule: men stay with men, women with women. Rooms are divided into groups of 2, 3 or 4 people, depending on the configuration of the site. If you're traveling as a couple, it's possible to have a room for two, but only by prior arrangement.
We want you to feel comfortable, surrounded and safe throughout your stay.

Each Erasmus Place trip is supervised by one or more trained Tour Leaders, who are friendly and always available. Their role is to ensure that your stay is well organized, that the group is safe and that a friendly atmosphere prevails from departure to return. They welcome you, inform you, lead the trips, coordinate the different stages of the program and listen to you throughout the trip.

Our Tour Leaders are fluent in between two and five languages, including English, making it easy to communicate with all participants, whatever their nationality. They are not certified guides like those you find in museums, but they know perfectly well the destinations they visit, the instructions for the trip, and the good tips to share. They're there to accompany you, reassure you, answer your questions, deal with the unexpected and make sure you get the most out of your Erasmus experience.
Their aim is simple: to make sure you return home with your head full of memories... and the desire to go back (alone or with us!).

Our BUS Charter
At Erasmus Place, the journey begins as soon as you get on the bus. It's a friendly atmosphere, where people get to know each other, have a laugh and share music and tips.Our buses are comfortable, air-conditioned and equipped with toilets and USB, unless there are major exceptions. We want you to feel at ease, even on the longest journeys. To make sure everything goes smoothly, we also have a few simple rules: respect for everyone, no inappropriate behavior, no consumption of alcohol or banned substances on the bus.
Our Hotel Charter
For each trip, we select quality establishments, always rated at least 2 stars, with breakfast included. Whether hotel or hostel, you can count on comfortable, clean and conveniently located accommodation.Our hotels and hostels are always in the city center, close to places to visit and local entertainment, so you can make the most of your stay without wasting time in transport.Rooms are shared between friends, in a relaxed atmosphere, but we respect a simple rule: men stay with men, women with women. Rooms are divided into groups of 2, 3 or 4 people, depending on the configuration of the site. If you're traveling as a couple, it's possible to have a room for two, but only by prior arrangement. We want you to feel comfortable, surrounded and safe throughout your stay.
Our TOUR LEADER Charter
Each Erasmus Place trip is supervised by one or more trained Tour Leaders, who are friendly and always available. Their role is to ensure that your stay is well organized, that the group is safe and that a friendly atmosphere prevails from departure to return. They welcome you, inform you, lead the trips, coordinate the different stages of the program and listen to you throughout the trip.Our Tour Leaders are fluent in between two and five languages, including English, making it easy to communicate with all participants, whatever their nationality. They're not certified guides like those you find in museums, but they know the destinations they'll be visiting, the instructions for the trip, and the good tips to share. They're there to accompany you, reassure you, answer your questions, deal with the unexpected and make sure you get the most out of your Erasmus experience. Their aim is simple: to make sure you return home with your head full of memories... and the desire to go back (on your own or with us!).

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