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Christmas in Strasbourg: A time for sharing

from late November to December 31

Edited by Madelyn Miller, the travelLady

Strasbourg has been holding a Christmas market around its famous cathedral since 1570.  Since then, the town's reputation throughout Europe has gone from strength to strength thanks to its proud tradition of commerce but also to its spirit of tolerance and humanism which has shaped both its history and its identity.
Drawing upon these traditional values, Strasbourg is strongly attached to the values of Christmas. This special time for sharing, companionship and friendship serves as an inspiration for the many attractions and events awaiting the town's hundreds of thousands of visitors.

Sharing the tradition

The Christmas markets

The Christmas markets invite you to embark on a magical Christmastime adventure as you soak up the sights and give your taste buds a treat! The hundreds of talented craftsmen present at the markets offer a chance to discover a host of unusual products, such as those to be found at the Bredle Market (Bredle are delicious little cakes traditionally prepared during the Advent period).

From November 25 to December 24
- Christkindelsmärik, in Place Broglie and Rue de la Comédie
- Themed markets, in Place des Meuniers, Place Benjamin Zix, and Place du Marché-neuf

From November 25 to December 31
-The Bredle Market and the fascinating world of the "Couronne d’Or" wine growers, in Place d’Austerlitz
-The Christmas market in the Place de la Cathédrale and the Place du Château

The Christmas lights

As Christmas approaches, Strasbourg puts on its glad rags.  The richly decorated streets and houses, sparkle with a thousand different lights and colors.  This "light trail" guides the visitor across town like a huge glittering garland leading to the cathedral.

The Great Christmas tree

From mid-November onwards, the Great Christmas Tree in Place Kléber becomes the focal point for Christmastime in Strasbourg. It never fails to delight the town's hundreds of thousands of visitors, whether young or old alike.
Every year, a sparkling and colorful new display beckons revelers and shoppers to come along and enjoy Christmas in Strasbourg in a fraternal spirit of joy and sharing.

Sharing the hospitality

This year's guest of honour: Romania

The town will be offering an added touch of magic this year, thanks to Romania, Strasbourg's guest of honor for 2006.
"Craciun" means Christmas in Romanian, while Father Christmas is called "Mos Craciun".  This winter festival has retained all of its religious tradition and folklore.  Red, black and white are the main colors of the traditional Romanian folk costume.  The Christmas tree is decorated on Christmas Eve with walnuts, chestnuts, hazelnuts, sweets, brightly wrapped chocolates and apples.  The children go from house to house in their village singing Christmas carols (or "colindatori" as they are known locally), and according to tradition are given "covrigi", huge dry pretzels, fritters, sweets, apples and money in return.
The Romanian craftsmen's village with its many culinary and artistic craft specialties is definitely well worth a visit in Place Gutenberg from November 25 to December 24.

Sharing the spirit of Christmas 

As part of a long-standing tradition in Strasbourg, local residents place gifts around the Great Christmas Tree for the town's most disadvantaged citizens.
What could be more natural therefore than to base the "Village du Partage" (Sharing Village) around this same Christmas tree.  Gathered like the three kings around the crib, the wooden huts of the various charity associations invite us to take part in a collective end of year generosity fest.  Here, throughout December, more than 50 associations look forward to helping you share in their activities intended to promote solidarity.

We look forward to seeing you in Place Kléber, from November 25 to December 24.

Sharing the emotion

Christmas concerts

The merry sounds of Christmas echo throughout the town thanks to a program of more than 50 concerts.  Orchestras, choirs, gospel singers, duets and soloists weave their magic in the town's cathedral, churches and chapels.

A literary Christmas 

Strasbourg is a natural home to literature.  As the birthplace of the printing press, it was in Strasbourg that Gutenberg created the first printed bible.  Today more than ever, the town actively promotes public reading.  It is naturally in Place Gutenberg, in the prestigious setting of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry that the fifth "Noël du Livre" (Literary Christmas) event is being held. The bookshops and other collectors will help you discover their finest works focusing among other things on Strasbourg, Alsace and the Christmas traditions.  You can also discover postcards and antique engravings here.
 From November 25 to December 24 at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, place Gutenberg

Sharing the fantasy

Christmas in the eyes of a child – Pure magic!

Just like a giant magic roundabout, the town never fails to capture children's imaginations at Christmas time.  Immense, friendly, warm and colorful, it almost resembles one gigantic glittering Christmas tree.  When it comes to gifts, simply keep your eyes and ears open during your walkabout, and then share your joy with the rest of the family.

The ice skating rink

With all the slipping, sliding, laughter and spinning, as you may have guessed Christmas time in Strasbourg is also a paradise for children.  Throughout the Advent period, both young and old alike can have fun at the ice skating area in the centre of town.
The ice skating rink and the Ice Garden will be open from November 25 to December 31 in the Place du Château.

Winter tales

Throughout December, give your imagination a treat in the vaults of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in place Gutenberg, as you listen to winter tales from far and near. This marvelous opportunity to discover thrilling tales of fantasy and adventure is perhaps one of the finest Christmas gifts of all… whatever your age!

The Strasbourg Tourist Office
Office de Tourisme de Strasbourg et sa Région
17 place de la Cathédrale – 67 000 STRASBOURG
Telephone: + 33(0)3 88 52 28 28 - Fax : + 33(0)3 88 52 28 29
Website: www.ot-strasbourg.fr
Email: info@ot-strasbourg.fr
Open every day from  9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

MORE ABOUT FRANCE

BEST WAY TO GET THERE
AIR FRANCE
WWW.AIRFRANCE.COM

WHERE TO STAY
Romantik Hotel Beaucour
5, rue des Bouchers
F - 67000 Strasbourg
Tel. +33 (0)3/88 76 72 00
Fax +33 (0)3/88 76 72 60
beaucour@romantikhotels.com
www.romantikhotels.com/strasbourg
(the actual link straight to ENGLISH is this one: http://www.romantikhotels.com/rh_hps/servlet/Assistarg=2407&module=HotelBasicsLoad&lang=en_EN )

GREAT GUIDEBOOKS
SIXTY MILLION FRENCHMEN CAN’T BE WRONG
Why we love France but not the French
By Jean-Benoit Nadeau and Jullie Barlow
Source Books, Inc.
www.sourcebooks.com

AA FRANCE TRAVELBOOK
www.aaa.com
1-877-AAA-BOOK

EYEWITNESS GUIDE TO FRANCE
DORLING KINDERSLEY
www.dk.com

FROMMERS FRANCE 2002
By Darwin Porter and Danforth Prince
www.frommers.com

CHATEAUX  & HOTELS DE FRANCE
532 Chateaux, Hotels and Restaurants
info@chateauxhotels.com

Romantik 2006
Romantik Hotels and Restaurants
info@ROMANTIKHOTELS.com
www.romantikhotels.com

How to Pronounce French, German and Italian Wine Names
By Dianna Bellucci
They also include a bonus of Austrian, Spanish and Portugese Wine Names
Luminosa Publishing
www.howtopronounce.com

Hello France
By Margo Classe
Wilson Publishing
www.helloeurope.com

HIDE THIS FRENCH BOOK
The book’s cover warns: Highly inflammatory text inside, do not open near French teachers, not for classroom  use. Suitable only for those who want to know the Real French.
Bertliz
www.Berlitzbooks.com/hidethisbook.htm

COOKBOOK THAT CAPTURES THE FLAVOR OF FRANCE
CARLOS
By Debbie and Carlos  Nieto
With Arlene Michlin Bronstein and Ken Bookman
Gibbs Smith, Publishers
www.Gibbssmith.com

TO GET A TASTE OF FRANCE AT HOME
Cooking at Home on Rue Tatin
By Susan Herman Loomis
William Morrow Cookbooks
www.harpercollins.com

MUSIC TO MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE IN FRANCE
French Café
From Putumayo World Music
www.putumayo.org
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this CD will be contributed to the non-profit Putumayo Cross-Cultural initiative www.putumayo.org

Rumba Flamenco
The Passion of flamenco and Latin rhythms unite to create a sensual and soulful musical fusion which originated in the Catalan region of northeastern Spain and southwestern France.
www.putumayo.com

French Playground
From Putumayo World Music
www.putumayo.org

HOW TO SPEAK LIKE A FRENCH PERSON
Eyewitness Travel
15-Minute French
A complete Course with book and two 60 minute CD’s. This will help you order a meal, book a room, buy a ticket, ask directions, and even make conversation
DK Publishing
www.dk.com

IF YOU DON’T SPEAK FRENCH
The Franklin EuroInterpreter is the easiest way to communicate. It has over 400,000 words and phrases in 12 languages. It has a calculator with currency and units of measurement converter.
www.franklin.com

HOW TO LOOK LIKE A FRENCH PERSON
The French Diet: Secrets of why French Women Don’t get Fat
By Michel Montignac
DK Publishing
www.dk.com

BACKGROUND READING
A GOOD YEAR
By Peter Mayle
Alfred A. Knoph, Publisher
www.aaknopf.com

Helpful Websites
www.franceguide.com

The French Tourist Office in the USA http://www.francetourism.com/
The official French government tourist information website www.franceguide.com

Madelyn Miller loves to shop everywhere in the world, but France is a particular favorite.
You can read her stories on www.travellady.com, www.cocktailatlas.com,  www.teaAtlas.com www.chocolateatlas.com, www.carladynews.com

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