Strasbourg, the Capital of Christmas

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Although in France, the Strasbourg Christmas markets rival the Christmas markets in Germany when it comes to elaborate decorations and displays. Alan and I enjoyed the festive scenery while on a walking tour with AMAWaterways.

A decorated building near the cathedral in Strasbourg, France, at Christmas. Strasbourg is one of the charming European cities on a Rhine River Christmas Markets cruise. It's a travel experience that we'd love to repeat!

Our Rhine River cruise had stopped in Europe’s capital city—the European Parliament meets here—for an all day discovery that included a morning walking tour and an afternoon canal ride.

Boomer Travel Tip

To read more about this trip of a lifetime, visit the Rhine River Christmas Market Cruise page.

A decorated house in the Le Petite France section of Strasbourg, France. We enjoyed this Strasbourg view on a Rhine River Christmas Markets cruise with AmaWaterways. What a fun travel experience!
A decorated house in the La Petite France section of Strasbourg.

Walking through the La Petite France section of Strasbourg, we caught our first glimpse of wreaths decorated with stuffed animals and more hanging from almost every window. Historically a German town, Strasbourg became part of Louis XIV’s France in 1681. In the following years, the city teetered between France and Germany depending on the current political situation.

A food booth near the cathedral in Strasbourg, France at Christmas. It sure made us hungry when our Rhine River Christmas Markets cruise stopped in Strasbourg. It's a travel experience that we'd like to repeat.
A food booth near the cathedral.

Strasbourg Christmas markets (official website here) number 12 in all. You’ll discover a beautiful Christmas tree on Place Kléber and a skating rink on Place du Château.

Many of the markets are located only a few blocks apart making for a pleasant day of walking or shopping. However, eating is a major part of the fun.

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Strasbourg Christmas markets
A glass of vin chaud will warm you up at the Strasbourg Christmas markets.

A hot drink of vin chaud is the best way to warm up at the Strasbourg Christmas markets on a cold and slightly snowy December day. The decorative glasses are yours to bring home as a souvenir.

Here’s a recipe for the tasty mulled wine just in case you’d like to fill up that glass after returning home.

Carousel in Strasbourg, France, during Christmas. We enjoyed our time here as part of a Rhine River Christmas Markets cruise with AmaWaterways. It's a travel experience that we'd like to repeat.
Carousel at the Cathedral Christmas market.

Christmas markets are family affairs. A fanciful carousel near the Strasbourg Cathedral provides fun for the children to make up for all the shopping that they must endure.

Teddy bears hang from rooftops in Strasbourg, France, at Christmas. We saw this cute bear on a Rhine River Christmas Markets cruise with AmaWaterways. December is a fun time to travel in Europe.
Teddy bears hang from a building near the Strasbourg Cathedral.

Dating from 1570, the Strasbourg Christmas markets are the oldest in France. No wonder the city bills itself as the Capital of Christmas.

My only regret is that we didn’t return for a night visit to see thousands of lights strung throughout the streets. What a sight that must be.

Are you traveling independently? Check out our self-guided Strasbourg walking tour itinerary.

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