Strasbourg, capital of Christmas

December in Strasbourg means, above all, the immense Christmas market.It was in fact in 1570, under the influence of the Strasbourg Protestants battling against the « extravagant » Catholic traditions, which were so attached to the names of saints, that the Christkindelsmärik (market of the Child Jesus) replaced the market of Saint Nicholas. No doubt, it is the oldest Christmas market in France !

Thus the atmosphere which reigns in Strasbourg is unique. It is especially in the late afternoon, just as night is falling, that the magic sets in, as if the city, suddenly conscious of the disappearance of the forces of the sun, compensates for the absence of the heat and light with new ardour : shop windows gleam, decorations twinkle on the facades, the smells of spices and cinnamon bring back childhood memories and Christmas carols drift out from the depths of churches.

The Christmas Market itself spreads out into many streets and squares of the city centre, in particular Place Broglie and the Cathedral Square. Several hundreds of stall holders tempt the stroller with original gifts and traditional ornaments for decorating the tree and the nativity scene. There are also many treats to feast ourselves on : sweets, mulled wine, doughnuts…

A giant Christmas tree is planted in Place Kleber close to the « Sharing Village », an ice skating rink at the foot of the cathedral will delight the children, there are concerts, giving you a chance to appreciate the beauty of the cathedral and the city’s churches, and a whole host of activities allowing you to discover the rich Alsatian traditions…

Schedules reception : Tous les jours de 11h à 20h (nocturnes le vendredi jusqu’à 21h et le samedi jusqu’à 22h). 24 novembre : 14h-21h, 24 décembre : 11h-18h, fermé le 25 décembre.

Issu de l’article: http://www.otstrasbourg.fr/en/infos/F223012607_strasbourg-capital-of-christmas-strasbourg.html