Strasbourg: A Bucket List Christmas in the Capitale de Noël

At a Glance

• Duration: 7-night stay.
• Home Base: A studio apartment near the train station.
• Top Market: Place de la Cathédrale, with the breathtaking Notre-Dame Cathedral as the backdrop.
• Memorable Moment: Finding the elusive street lit with glowing wine barrels after getting "luckily" lost on a night walk.
• Overall Vibe: Magical, historic,and incredibly festive. We spent the days leading up to Christmas fully immersed in a storybook atmosphere.

Why Strasbourg Stole Our Hearts

Being in Strasbourg for Christmas was a total bucket list item for me, and honestly, the city lived up to every bit of the hype. What amazed us most wasn't just one square, but how the entire city transforms into the "Capital of Christmas." Everywhere you turn, businesses and homes are decked out in garlands and lights, and that unique Alsatian blend of French and German cultures shows up in everything—especially the food! We spent our days navigating the happy crowds, tasting unique market foods and sipping Vin Chaud, which we actually preferred over the German Glühwein.

Our Market "Walk-About"

We didn't just visit the markets; we experienced them as the city’s heart. We loved the diversity of the markets and how they flowed into each other as you wandered this amazing city.

• Place de la Cathédrale: Our absolute favorite, this market is framed by the breathtaking Strasbourg Cathedral; we spent extra time taking pictures from different angles to capture it all lit up against the night sky.
• Place Kléber (The Great Christmas Tree): Home to the 30-meter-tall Grand Sapin and the Village du Partage, where we warmed up with spiked hot chocolate—mine with Baileys and Tom’s with Frangelica.
• Place Broglie (Christkindelsmärik): The historic birthplace of the market in 1570, it remains the most traditional site for holiday decorations and classic Alsatian flavors.
• Place du Marché-aux-Poissons: A true "foodie" destination along the river, specializing in Alsatian delicacies like gingerbread and regional wines.
• Place des Meuniers (Small Producers Market): Tucked away in a cozy spot, this market focuses on artisanal Alsace products like truffles, craft beers, and award-winning Bredele.
• Place du Temple Neuf (Carré d'Or): Brimming with jewelry, candles, and high-end treats, it's surrounded by the city's most renowned pastry shops and chocolatiers.
• Place Benjamin Zix: Located in the heart of Petite France, this intimate market specializes in handcrafted wooden ornaments amidst the iconic half-timbered houses.
• Place Grimmeissen (OFF Market): A modern, eco-friendly market where you’ll find upcycled gifts and fair-trade goods being sold from repurposed shipping containers.

The Hunt for the Wine Barrels

On our way to dinner one evening, we passed a street lit with wine barrels that we promised ourselves we’d return to photograph at night. They ended up being far more elusive than we thought, turning our search into a great evening adventure. Our "wine barrel hunt" led us through tiny, enchanting alleys like Rue des Orfèvres and through the small producers' stalls in Square Louise Weiss. We finally found the barrels glowing beautifully on a street off Place Gutenberg. It was an unexpected highlight that reminded us why getting lost is often the very best way to travel!

Culinary Standouts: From Mauritius to Michelin Quality

The food scene in Strasbourg was a highlight of our entire winter trip, and a few discoveries have changed our future travel plans.

• A Taste of Mauritius (L’Esprit De L’Ocean Indien): We had never tried Mauritian food before, but the spice and incredible family hospitality were so wonderful that we’ve officially added Mauritius to our travel bucket list.
• L’Oignon: This place is famous for its French Onion Soup, and for good reason. Pro-tip: you definitely need to book ahead, but if you're lucky, you can stop by and snag a table from a last-minute cancellation.
• Vino Strada: We had an exceptional Christmas Eve meal here. The standout was a shrimp and lemon grass ravioli in a veal broth that hit my "top ten" list immediately.
• Soupe Étoilée (Starry Soup): This charity station features recipes from Michelin-starred chefs. It was one of my favorite finds, and I highly recommend tracking it down early in your visit.

Wine Tasting in Obernai: An Enchanting Escape

We took a day trip to Obernai specifically for the wine, and it was such a relaxed, fun contrast to the busy city. Seeing the quaint village dressed up for Christmas was truly enchanting.

• Domaine Seilly: We had an amazing appointment with Mark, a 6th-generation winemaker. We tasted over 20 wines, including a vertical comparison of Rieslings, while snacking on a great cheese tray.
• Vins Weibel: This was the most "unpretentious" tasting ever. The owner was busy running his farm and would bring us the bottles of the four we choose as part of the tasting, then leave for a bit to give direction to his team, and then would come back to check on us. We left with a very reasonably priced bottle of their highly-regarded Crémant d'Alsace for New Year's Eve.
• Vins Robert Blanck: Our final stop was this retail-focused space where we found and purchased an exceptional old-vine Pinot Noir.
• The Wine Shops: Back in Strasbourg, we loved L’Art du Vin, where we caught a producer's tasting, and Le Purgatoire, a fantastic wine bar that even gave us a tip about a local "secret" bar, Madame C.

Reflections on the Journey:

The Magic of the "Capitale de Noël": Taking in the city-wide transformation was incredible; it wasn't just a market, but the way every house, shop façade, and monument was illuminated that made walking around feel like a dream. We especially loved finding inspiration for our own future home Christmas decorations, like the nutcrackers in the windows and the ornate hanging chandeliers, and of course the gnomes.

Small Village Charm in Obernai: Visiting the Obernai Christmas market was a wonderful change of pace, offering the intimacy of a small village compared to the massive crowds and sprawling markets of Munich, Nuremberg, and Strasbourg. The town was beautifully decorated, with festive displays tucked into every corner of its historic half-timbered houses. We especially loved the market's focus on high-quality gourmet produce, which allowed us to stock up on local delicacies like foie gras and specialty cheeses for our Christmas Day charcuterie board.

Security Realities: Unlike Germany, Strasbourg had heavy security with bag checks at the bridges and armed national guard patrols. While it made us more vigilant, we were also very appreciative; allowing us to feel safe enjoying the festivities.

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Next Stop: Mombasa, Kenya

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