Alsace: Christmas Markets and Traditions

Four days along the Alsatian Christmas market route, running from late November to 24 December. The trip starts in Strasbourg with its Christkindelsmarik, the oldest such market in France, held since 1570, drops down to Colmar where Little Venice lights up around five separate markets, then strings together the wine-route villages: Eguisheim and its circular plan, Riquewihr inside its ramparts, Kaysersberg once voted France's favourite village, and finally Mulhouse with its Cite de l'Automobile. Expect mulled wine, bredele biscuits and half-timbered facades under strings of lights. December weekends are overwhelmed in Strasbourg and Colmar: come midweek, book accommodation as early as summer, and park on the outskirts to reach the centres by tram or on foot.