Visiting Europe to take in the winter ❄️ season vibes? Explore some of the most beautiful Christmas markets in the world to make the most of your trip. Here are my top picks on what to see in the northern east end of France where crossing the border brings you to Germany ➡️ The Alsace Region.

Strasbourg ‑ Cathedrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg

When you make it to the heart of Strasbourg, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg is right in the center of the plaza and commanding every visitors attention. Hailed as the tallest building for 227 years in the 16th century, the architecture style done in Rayonnant gothic architecture style is dstinctive in crimson sandstone.

Head into the church and you’d see sky high ceilings with painted glass windows and you can also climb the bell tower to see the paranomic city views. From 26 November, this the time you’d see the plaza in front of the cathedral lined with Xmas markets which is a must visit!

Kammerzell House

The Kammerzell House is one of the most famous buildings of Strasbourg and one of the most ornate and well preserved medieval civil housing buildings in late Gothic architecture in the areas formerly belonging to the Holy Roman Empire. Built in 1427, the building’s inside has been decorated on all floors by lavish frescoes by Alsatian painter Léo Schnug. Today the Kammerzell House is still running as a hotel and has 9 rooms for guests to stay in.

Strasbourg ‑ Place Broglie (In front of Opera National du Rhin)

There are quite a few wonderful Christmas markets in Strasbourg but my personal favourite is Place Broglie. This is also the biggest and the oldest Christmas market in Strasbourg. Can you believe it – the very first Christkindelsmärik took palace here at Place Broglie in 1871!

There are over 100 stores offering festive home decorations, pastries, sweets , wooden toy souvenirs, pottery and much more. The local food kiosks have an excellent spread of pretzels, crepes, bratwurst, flammkuchen (flat bread that looks like pizza), and gingerbread. In addition, the white and red mulled wine here not only keeps you warm, it’s also tastes the best.

Strasbourg ‑ Most Instagrammable Christmas Decorations

The minute you arrive in Strasbourg for Christmas, you’d notice nearly every building is lit up with elaborate Christmas lights, ribbons, baubles of all sorts and even teddy bears. While the local shop fronts compete in their Christmas decorations, here are the most eye catching decor I found while scouting the streets for pretty lights:

📍Le Tire-Bouchon (eat next door at Au Vieux Strasbourg)
📍Rue Merciere (a good shot of angel lights with the cathedral)
📍Place De la Cathedrale
📍Rue des Orfèvres
📍Place du Temple Neuf
📍Patisserie Christian
📍Place Kléber
📍Grande Île
📍Pont du Faisan (Entering La Petite France)

Strasbourg ‑ Petit France 

La Petite France (also known as the Quartier des Tanneurs) is a historic quarter of the city of Strasbourg. Located at the western end of the Grande Île, which contains the historical centre of the city. At Petite France, the river Ill splits up into a number of channels and water is let out in the day to allow river ferries to drive through this beautiful city. The magnificent half timbered houses dating back to 16 and 17 century here are part of the UNESCO heritage list and in autumn make quite a sight for photographers.

In Spring blossoms pop up everywhere on the river banks to the little gardens of the houses making it a stunning location to take your photos.

Strasbourg ‑ Vauban Dam

Just a few metres from the Covered Bridges, the Vauban Dam (or the “Great Lock”, as it made it possible to flood the entire southern end of the town if needed) was built around 1690 by Tarade based on plans supplied by the military engineer Vauban. An attractive panoramic terrace is positioned at the top of the building, from where visitors can admire the layout of the town and its network of canals.

Colmar – Bonus Tip!

If like us, you choose to stay in Strasbourg city but want to see the surrounding towns, you cannot miss Colmar! Apparently the inspiration for the village in the Disney film Beauty and the Beast, and it’s not hard to see why. In winter, the houses are lit up in Christmas decorative lights and the entire village looks like a real live childhood fairy tale come to life.

We were suppose to only visit Strasbourg but had to pass by Colmar after reccomendations from friends and boy did we get blown away by the Christmas decorations in this town! With just one train stop away and a short 15 min walking distance from the train station, this town is pretty easy to reach from Strasbourg. Here are my reccomendations on the best Christmas lights to catch in Colmar:

📍Petite Venice (light show on the old architecture)
📍Maison dite “Au Pèlerin”
📍Bridge in rue des tanneurs.
📍Quai de la poissonnerie.
📍Bridge in rue des écoles.
📍Au Vieux Pignon.
📍Pont St Pierre.
📍Brasserie des tanneurs.

Colmar ‑ Petit Venice

Petit Venice was where Colmar’s merchants lived, transporting their goods around by boat along the River Lauch. The story goes that different colours were used to display different types of businesses – so if you were a fisherman your house was blue, or a butcher would have a red house. And they’ve been perfectly preserved since. During Christmas season, light shows are montaged onto the timber truss supported 16 century houses and bringing magic to the town. Visit early to take in all the lights as the small town does get quiet early. Also a tip for you if you’re staying for dinner, catch all the lights earlier in the day and have dinner only when you’re done as alot of the decorative lights get switched off after 8 to 9pm.

Thank you for reading about my favourite tourist attraction spots in Strasbourg and Colmar! If you enjoyed the read, why not leave me a comment in the box below. Till next time, cheers and enjoy globe trotting!