The Christmas period is always magical. The little ones are starting to think about the gifts that Santa Claus will bring them, while the older ones are striving to light up their house with a thousand and one little decorations to make this period even more festive. For the occasion, some cities also organize Christmas markets, some of which are spectacular, and even known throughout the world. Here are the five Christmas markets you absolutely must visit.
The Christmas market in the city of Strasbourg is certainly the most emblematic of our country. There are chalets decorated with multicolored light garlands, gifts for the whole family, pretzels to quench a little hunger and mulled wine on very cold days. The trees also adorn the place in the middle of many magical animations. For the record, it was precisely the city of Strasbourg that first opened its Christmas market in 1759 on the model of Christkindelmärik German dating from 1570 (market of the Child Jesus in Alsatian). It then expands into nearby streets. We are no longer talking about the religious aspect of the party, but simply about the atmosphere of the party and everything that contributes to making it as joyful as possible. The Strasbourg Christmas market is open for a month. This year, it begins on November 26, 2021. There are more than 300 chalets installed at the foot of the city's cathedral. This market welcomes more than two million visitors each year. Place Kléber, a huge decorated tree sits above the others. This traditional Christmas market with the scents and flavors of the holiday, is artisanal and you can find many small gifts there to put in the socks of your guests when the day comes.
The Christmas market in Colmar, in fact, brings together five markets on the same dates. In the district of little Venice, you can bring your children, because it is a real paradise for them, bringing together:
There is also something for the grown-ups on the Place de l'Ancienne Douane and the Place des Dominicains where you will find just over a hundred chalets offering you many opportunities to acquire gifts for the end of the year celebration. If you are a foodie, go instead to Place Jeanne d'Arc where you will find around thirty chalets whose hosts offer you:
The Colmar Christmas market focuses on wooden toys and local products for older children.
Place Carnot, you will find more than one hundred and fifty chalets in Lyon for the city's Christmas market. You will find products from all over the world such as:
But this is not the only event in this market. Indeed, there is also the Croix Rousse market where there are plenty of events for the occasion and a 171 m² ice rink. You will be able to see a lovely living farm and the famous Festival of Lights during the city's nightlife with its real Guignol de Lyon which is organized every December 8 until December 11 this year 2021. The show is totally magical with the illumination of the largest buildings in Lyon and more particularly the projections on the cathedral and the walls surrounding the monument. You will be able to attend 80 animations in total.
It is in front of one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world that the Reims Christmas market is held. More than 130 exhibitors take part to offer you local products such as champagne and pink biscuits from Reims, as well as artisanal products, Christmas decorations and children's toys. At the Enchanted Palace, bring your children to attend the shows organized for the occasion. For more than a month, you can soak up this festive atmosphere with your family. For the occasion, the cathedral is adorned with its finest finery and becomes a unique place in the world of beauty and multicolored lights. Also go to the shop of the tourist office of the city also giving you many gift ideas to make.
If you are in Aquitaine, go to the medieval town of Sarlat in the heart of the Dordogne to discover its Christmas market during most of the month. Around fifty wooden chalets are located between Place de la Grande Rigaudie and Place de la Liberté. For the occasion, you will also discover an ice rink, magic and music entertainment, a tavern and a superb Christmas story told on the day of December 24. From December 7, the city is adorned with thousands of Christmas lights to make the magnificent medieval city even more beautiful. You will also meet little elves and teddy bears. There is a house not to be missed especially:that of Santa Claus who awaits you with your children where they can see the factory of gifts and slip their letter into the box specially dedicated to this purpose.
There are still very beautiful Christmas markets in France such as those in Bordeaux, Rennes, Montbéliard, Metz, Béthune, Mulhouse or Avignon, to name but a few. Make the moment even more magical by taking your children on one of these visits a few days before the big wake and the gifts under the tree that they have been waiting for a year.
