Strasbourg is a beautiful Alsace city in North East France. Located on the Franco German border, it combines the cultural and architectural beauty of both countries. Strasbourg is popular for the soaring Notre Dame Cathedral housing the Renaissance Astronomical clock that entertains visitors with a parade of the 12 apostles everyday at 12.30 in the afternoon. It is also equally popular for its range of Christmas markets. Known as the “Capitale de Noel” – the Christmas Capital of the world, this charming city brings to life perfectly, the amazing joy and spirit of the Christmas season.
The city adorns itself with the Alsacian Christmas traditions from the last week of November till the close of December every year. With more than 300 wooden chalets distributed across over 10 locations in the heart of the city, it is easily one of the biggest Christmas markets in Europe, and perhaps in the world. All these festive hubs are located close to each other and can be explored on foot. The maps are quite user-friendly, although you could just follow the brightly suspended decorations in the streets to reach your next location. And make sure you do some in the night, so that you don’t miss the luminous spectacles.
The unending varieties of local delicacies, authentic handicrafts and fascinating Christmas ornaments indeed make this a very special place for experiencing the yuletide. And if you are cold, don’t worry: there is always hot wine or cider spiced with cinnamon sticks and vanilla pods, just around the corner. These come with an array of accompaniments you can choose from: the Bredele (small Christmas cookies), the saurkaut (sausage with tangy cabbage), the tarteflambée (signature dish of Strasbourg), the Foie gras (duck liver) and much more. The wine glass is recyclable – not sure whether this is because one cannot stop with just one drink or if it is environmental friendly, but at the end of it all, you could carry it home as a souvenir.
The one thing you shouldn’t miss is the “Grand Sapin”, the Big Christmas Tree at Kléber Square, 30 meters high, spreading light and warmth. Standing tall like an illuminated building like from a sci-fi movie, this tree has the power to render you speechless with its natural and traditional appeal. And we’re not done accounting for its beauty yet … there is a “village of sharing” at the foot of the tree set up by charitable organisations to help underprivileged kids enjoy the Christmas spirit.
The city is really transformed into a Christmas wonderland with colourful and warm fairy lights and other luminous ornaments all around. Streets, churches, houses, balconies, windows and gardens shine brilliantly with Christmas festivities. It is, in fact, a pathway of lights that guide the visitor through the city. The houses with timber strips crisscrossing their façade and the hinged windows that open on the outside and the sloping roofs with the attics add to the enchantment and you feel as though you just stepped into a glossy page of a colourful fairy tale book. You almost expect to see a Christmas elf peep from one of those whimsical houses!
Strasbourg, “Capital de Noel “, is certainly an unforgettable journey in the magic of Christmas, for the young and the old, the fun and the sombre, the shy and the flamboyant. It is indeed a symbol of secular festive celebration, where everyone can experience the joy and cheer of the most wonderful time of the year.
Other Highlights
Quartier de Tanneurs (La Petite France): The most scenic part of Strasburg with its winding maze of canals and narrow old streets lined with beautiful houses and their flower-bedecked balconies.
House of Kammerzell: Considered a gem of Alsacian architecture, this features a stone-built ground floor, half-timbered upper floors, traditional lead windows, and richly carved ornamentation.
The Rohan Palace: This immense building, formerly the residence of Prince-Bishops, today houses three exceptional museums of fine arts, decorative art and archaeological artefacts.