Colmar, Kaysersberg & Strasbourg

Destination 01

Colmar

8 places

Six small markets and a lit-up old town; 2 nights.

• Photo: Gzen92 · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Place des Dominicains Christmas market

  Wooden chalets line the square beside the Dominican church, under strings of stars and lit plane trees.

  Tip Go after 6 pm, when the church windows and trees are lit.

  SeeVieille villeFree60 minAfter dark
• Photo: Gzen92 · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Koïfhus market

  Artisans sell ceramics, wood carving and glass inside and around the 15th-century old customs house.

  Tip The indoor hall is the warmest browse in town on a cold day.

  ShopVieille ville$$45 minMorning
• Photo: Gzen92 · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Petite Venise

  Half-timbered houses and restaurants lean over the Lauch canal, strung with lights for the season.

  Tip The view from the rue de Turenne bridge is the classic one.

  SeePetite VeniseFree45 minBlue hour
• Photo: Gzen92 · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Musée Unterlinden

  A former convent museum built around the Isenheim Altarpiece by Matthias Grünewald.

  Tip Closed on Tuesdays; allow time for the cloister and the modern wing.

  DoUnterlinden$$2 hrMorning

• Collégiale Saint-Martin

  Colmar's Gothic collegiate church, with a market set up on the square around it in December.

  SeeVieille villeFree30 min

• Maison des Têtes

  A 1609 Renaissance house whose facade carries over a hundred carved heads; now a hotel and restaurant.

  SeeVieille villeFree15 min

• Wistub Brenner

  A long-running wine tavern on the edge of Petite Venise serving choucroute, baeckeoffe and Alsace wine by the glass.

  Tip Reserve for dinner in December.

  EatPetite Venise$$1.5 hrDinner
• Photo: Gzen92 · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Hôtel Le Maréchal

  A 16th-century house on the canal at Place des Six-Montagnes-Noires, dressed in lights and greenery every December.

  Tip Ask for a room on the water side.

  StayPetite Venise$$$

Destination 02

Kaysersberg

9 places

Wine village with a craft market and a castle above it; 1 night, with Riquewihr as a side trip.

• Photo: Arnaud 25 · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Kaysersberg Christmas market

  A small craft-focused market along the main street and around the Holy Cross church.

  Tip Traditionally open Friday to Sunday only; confirm the year's dates.

  SeeCentreFree1.5 hrLate afternoon
• Photo: Gzen92 · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Église Sainte-Croix

  The town church, with a carved and gilded wooden altarpiece from the early 16th century.

  SeeCentreFree20 min

• Pont fortifié

  A 16th-century fortified stone bridge over the Weiss, with a small chapel niche on its parapet.

  SeeCentreFree10 min
• Photo: Krzysztof Golik · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Château du Schlossberg

  A ruined 13th-century castle with a round keep above the vineyards; a short, steep path climbs from town.

  Tip About 15 minutes up; the path can be icy, so wear proper shoes.

  OutdoorsFree60 minMorning
• Photo: Michal Osmenda · CC BY-SA 2.0

  Domaine Weinbach

  Family estate at the walled Clos des Capucins vineyard, known for Riesling and Gewurztraminer.

  Tip Tastings are by appointment.

  DrinkKientzheim road$$60 minAfternoon

• Le Chambard

  Hotel and spa on the main street, home to Olivier Nasti's restaurant and a more casual winstub.

  Tip The winstub is the easier booking for dinner.

  StayCentre$$$$
• Photo: Arnaud 25 · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Riquewihr Christmas market

  Stalls fill the walled village's main street and the courtyard of the Château des Wurtemberg.

  Tip Arrive before 11 am on weekends; the car parks fill fast.

  SeeRiquewihrFree2 hrMorning
• Photo: Zairon · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Dolder

  Riquewihr's half-timbered gate tower from 1291, at the top of the main street, with a small museum inside.

  SeeRiquewihrFree20 min
• Photo: Photo Claude TRUONG-NGOC · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Famille Hugel

  Wine house on Riquewihr's main street since 1639, with a tasting room open to walk-ins.

  DrinkRiquewihr$$45 minAfternoon

Destination 03

Strasbourg

8 places

France's oldest Christmas market around the cathedral; 2 nights.

• Photo: Photo Claude TRUONG-NGOC · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Christkindelsmärik

  The original market, held since 1570, fills Place Broglie behind a lit gateway.

  Tip Weekday evenings are far calmer than Saturdays.

  SeeGrande IleFree1.5 hrAfter dark
• Photo: Zéphyrios · CC0

  Grand Sapin, Place Kléber

  A Vosges fir of around 30 metres stands on the main square, with the Village du Partage charity stalls beside it.

  SeeGrande IleFree20 minAfter dark
• Photo: Claude TRUONG-NGOC · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Strasbourg Cathedral

  Red sandstone Gothic cathedral with a 142-metre spire, an astronomical clock and a market at its feet.

  Tip The astronomical clock's figures parade at 12:30; the platform climb is 332 steps.

  SeeGrande Ile$75 minMidday
• Photo: Dietmar Rabich · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Petite France

  Tanners' and millers' houses along the canals of the Ill at the western tip of the Grande Ile.

  Tip Walk on to the Ponts Couverts towers and the Barrage Vauban terrace for the view back.

  SeePetite FranceFree60 minMorning

• Barrage Vauban

  A 17th-century covered dam with a free rooftop terrace looking over the Ponts Couverts to the cathedral.

  SeePetite FranceFree20 minSunset
• Photo: Jorge Franganillo · CC BY 2.0

  Maison Kammerzell

  Restaurant in the carved 15th-century house on the cathedral square, known for its fish choucroute.

  Tip Book a table upstairs for the painted rooms.

  EatGrande Ile$$$1.5 hrDinner

• Chez Yvonne

  A classic winstub on rue du Sanglier with red-checked tables, tarte flambée and Alsace pinot noir.

  Tip Reserve; walk-ins rarely get in during the market.

  EatGrande Ile$$1.5 hrDinner

• Pâtisserie Christian

  Pastry shop and tearoom on rue Mercière, steps from the cathedral, with bredele biscuits and stollen in December.

  ShopGrande Ile$$30 minAfternoon