We’d heard that Strasbourg was a magical destination for Christmas. As part of our expat life in Europe every year we like to rent an apartment (often using Airbnb) and pretend to be locals for a week or two.
Situated in France, Strasbourg has changed hands between France and Germany a number of times over the centuries, and thus showcases a curious cultural mix. In contrast to Germany, where the Christmas markets end before Christmas Day, French Christmas markets generally stay open until New Year’s Day.
With this in mind, we booked an apartment in Strasbourg for five days. Here are some things that make Strasbourg at Christmas special through the eyes of a short-term local!
1. Magical Christmas Markets
Because of the German influences, Alsace features some amazing Christmas markets. In addition to the premier market in Strasbourg itself, the markets in the smaller towns of Colmar and Obernai were abuzz with Christmas cheer.
Colmar (above), features a fairy tale mix of half-timbered architecture and at least five different markets to explore. We also really liked Obernai (below), a quaint small town about half an hour by train from Strasbourg. Their market featured a live nativity scene and hot wine served from a steaming metal barrel.
My only disappointment with the French Christmas markets is that they don’t do Christmas mugs. Instead, you pay a 1-EUR deposit for a cheap plastic cup. The cup is festively decorated but it’s not the same as the Christmas market mugs that I know and love in Germany.
2. An Impressive Dom
Back to Strasbourg! Life in the city centers around the cathedral. Surrounding the cathedral is a bustling square with shops and restaurants.
You can see the spire and orient yourself from nearly anywhere in the city. The tower was the tallest building in the world for over 200 years, and only gave up the mantle in 1874.
Needless to say, The Strasbourg Cathedral is an impressive building both inside and out.
3. Sparkling Lights
There is just something about sparkling Christmas lights that fuel holiday spirit. Strasbourg was aglow on many of its streets with twinkling lights after dark creating an amazing atmosphere.
4. Chocolate Gingerbread Men and Mini Kougelhopf
I mentioned in my post about Christmas in nearby Stuttgart that we are not traditional people. Why else would we be on holiday thousands of miles away from our families for Christmas?
There are some traditions that we subscribe to, however. Exercising my sweet tooth is definitely one of them! Chocolate gingerbread men were one of our favorite festive treats in Strasbourg.
Kougelhopf, like a distant relative of an Italian panettone, comes in a variety of sizes. These kougelhopf were just flying off the shelf, so we had to try one.
Thank goodness for my waistline; they come in ‘small’ sizes too.
5. When in France…Escargot
I often think of that famous saying: when in Rome… do as the Romans do. That was definitely our attitude in Strasbourg: when in France…
Strasbourg is famous for escargot: snails! This is not something we’d normally gravitate to back home, but when in France…
Our order of escargot came in a savory garlic oil; we used the special snail tongs that they gave us and extracted the delicate meat.
Escargot has the texture of a mussel and the sauce was simply fantastic. We actually enjoyed our culinary adventure quite a bit!
6. Warm Winter Comfort Food – Choucroute and Baekeoffe
At Christmas time, filling comfort food is always in order. Strasbourg definitely delivered on that front. Baekeoffe (above) is a cheesy, potato-y, meat-filled casserole. It’s very hot and very filling.
Choucroute is essentially a giant dish of meat on a large bed of sauerkraut. Neither of these dishes are something I would eat every day (so heavy…) but when in France.
7. Dainty Wine Glasses
Contrasting with the food, the wine glasses were tiny and delicate with green stems. They were the perfect vehicle for delivering fine, floral Alsatian white wines to my palate.
8. Watchful gargoyles
Walking around town, Strasbourg has great atmosphere both for the Christmas season and year round. I loved spotting the ornate gargoyles peeking out from various nooks and crannies.
9. Half-timbered architecture
What really makes Strasbourg special is the half-timbered architecture. Walking through the city is like taking a step back in time to a Medieval village.
10. The Covered Bridges
Strasbourg is also known for its iconic covered bridges. Built in the 13th century, they were part of a defensive structure around the city.
Today, the bridges are no longer covered but make for stunning viewing on a crisp, cold winter’s day.
11. Petite France
A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Petite France area of Strasbourg just drips with ambiance from the Middle Ages. The area was once home to millers, tanners, and fishermen.
Today Petite France is the most touristy part of Strasbourg. The streets are lined with quaint shops and restaurants where you can even dine al fresco along the riverbank.
12. Musee Historique de la Ville de Strasbourg
The Musee Historique de la Ville de Strasbourg is a fun diversion for an hour or two and a great spot to warm up from cold outdoor exploration.
The museum is super high tech and features a touch-free headset that starts and stops on its own as you walk from exhibit to exhibit. There are also a number of hands-on activities.
I got to try on a knight’s metal helmet (yes, this was meant for kids, but I’m a kid at heart!) and we got to practice the Medieval art of printing and folding paper into a book.
13. The Wine Caves at Strasbourg Hospital
When I think of France, I immediately think of wine and Strasbourg is no exception. Strasbourg hospital even has a wine cellar that is free and open to the public.
The pièce de résistance is a barrel full of wine dating back to 1472! You can also buy local wines for reasonable prices in the gift shop. The hospital wine cellar is off the beaten track but definitely worth taking the detour.
14. Seats of Government
Strasbourg feels like a Medieval city through-and-through but it definitely has a modern side. Strasbourg is the seat of the European Parliament and hosts a number of EU government buildings (think a 1970s style interpretation of futuristic architecture).
We were living in Ireland when we visited Strasbourg, but seeing the parliament just drives home how we are part of something bigger.
15. Storks in the Park
Staying in town for longer than our usual 2-3 day weekend allowed us to explore Strasbourg in a bit more depth. Not far from the European Parliament, we took a stroll through Parc de l’Orangerie.
The trees in the park are an ideal size and shape for welcoming storks and their nests. It was pretty quiet when we visited, but we did spot one stork atop the château in the center of the park.
Is Strasbourg worth visiting in December? We thought that Strasbourg was a fantastic home base for a Christmas trip. Between the regional Christmas markets, magical architecture, hearty food and amazing wines, we definitely felt right at home.
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