How to spend the Holidays in France

As the avid fan of Christmas that I am, being able to visit Christmas markets all around Europe is a dream come true. France houses some exquisite cities and small towns that truly envelope the magic of Christmas. In this guide, I’ll share a few tips and recommendations of where to visit and what to eat and drink! 

Paris 

Although Paris is not considered the center of Christmas, it does have a few markets that give you a little taste of the holidays around France. Specifically, the Tuileries Gardens hosts an annual market where you will find all the French Noël classics such as vin chaud and raclette sandwiches. If you are in Paris, I recommend you pop by to enjoy some food and drinks and maybe do some little holiday shopping. 

Strasbourg and Colmar 

Now, the Alsace region is THE region of Noël of France. Nothing is better than waking up in a foggy Paris and taking the 2-hour express train to Strasbourg, the capital of Christmas, and visiting the markets. I have been blessed to visit Strasbourg twice during Christmas and explore it with a local (Miss Meg). 

In the past two years, I have traveled in different ways to visit the Alsace region. Whilst you can do a day trip to Strasbourg and see all the markets in a few hours, this is how I recommend you do the markets: 

Leave Friday early in the morning to Strasbourg (there is a direct 2-hour train from Paris and a longer 5-hour train with stops all along the eastern region of France). Spend that Friday and Saturday enjoying all the markets. Since it is the capital of Noël, it’s organized so effectively that you will never be lost. I believe there are more than 10 markets and you can decide when to visit them when you are on the train. 

On Sunday, my best recommendation is to visit Colmar. Only a 25-minute train costs around 10 euros, one way to see the city. Colmar is a small city and highly walkable. It does have fewer markets than Strasbourg, but the few that they have are the most magical markets you will ever see. Now, Colmar is interesting because it has a lot of Michelin-starred restaurants around the old city. I do recommend that the moment you decide to visit Colmar, you make a reservation immediately. As it is a small but trendy city, finding a place to eat without reservations becomes challenging. Make sure to visit the old town area of Little Venice to see the Christmas magic in Colmar. 

Now let's talk about food and specific articles that you must purchase whilst in the markets: 

The first and most vital drink is vin chaud (mulled wine). It is a beautifully fragrant red wine that is a must-try in the winter. They add oranges, cinnamon, star anise, and other ingredients to make it even more delicious and keep you warm during the market. If you are not the biggest fan of mulled wine, they offer a million varieties of hot, fresh-pressed juices infused with similar spices. And if you are still looking for that alcohol kick without wine, they provide hot cider that has become a classic for me when visiting the markets. 

All markets have stalls upon stalls with food and drinks. Some of the most classic things to try are, of course, sausages (they are just so delicious). I love the ones with muenster cheese; it gives it this little something so good. Another classic is the spaetzle, which is string-boiled potatoes with a lot of cheese and bacon. It is DE LI CIOUS. 

As for restaurants, although I’ve spent most of my time picking up things from the markets, this year Meg took me to try a classic Strasbourg dish: the tarte flambée. The easiest way to describe it is as a thin crust dough with so much cheese and any topping you can imagine. We visited the infamous restaurant where they only serve the tarte flambée, Binchstub. These are some of the most delicious tarts you will ever try, and I highly recommend visiting the restaurant during your stay. 

Dessert is the most significant and most challenging decision you may have to make. There are the classic crepes and churros that will be all around, but one of my favorite things to buy at the market are little bags of bredele that are small cookies of all varieties. They have everything from star anise to cinnamon cookies to the most classic gingerbread (or pain d’épice in French). I would buy bags and bags of these cookies and keep them in my purse when walking around the markets. When I wanted a little treat, I had a bag of these cookies ready to eat. 

As for specific items (not food-related) that you can buy, I usually recommend two things. Many markets host local artisans from the region that showcase their intricate work. I love buying unique Christmas tree ornaments to remember my travels and genuinely appreciate their work's artistry. There is a wide variety, so take your time browsing before deciding. 

The Alsace region is also known for these beautiful ceramic cookware that are great for cooking and displaying in your home. It ranges from pots to oven dishes to coffee mugs and cups. I love seeing their different color patterns, and it is tough to decide. 

These two cities are the quintessential Christmas experience, and a four-day weekend trip from Friday to Monday ensures you experience the magic of Noël correctly during your time in France. 

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