Christmas in Strasbourg

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR SPOT>> https://expatclub.org/event/noel-a-strasbourg-2/

After a very successful first trip in 2016 we are glad to again put Strasbourg on our calendar for Christmas. Being permanently inhabited since the second millennium B.C. Strasbourg calls itself The Capital of Christmas, and that’s not without a reason.

The city celebrates Christmas with a big market already since 1570, so for nearly 450 years. It is the oldest Christmas market in France. Still, due to the fact that Strasbourg used to be German several times throughout its history, you may believe you’re walking around at a German Christmas market.

Christmas in Strasbourg is something unique. Hundreds of superb Christmas stalls can be found all over the city. Shop windows are nicely decorated, special Christmas drinks and treats can be found on every street corner, a huge spectacular Christmas tree lights up the Place Kleber, and an ice skating rink can be found at the foot of the Cathedral.

But even without this happy seasonal display, Strasbourg is an extraordinarily beautiful city. Home to 250.000 inhabitants (and about 750.000 in the metropolitan area) it was the world’s first city of which the entire centre was declared a UNESCO world heritage site. No wonder, because it is simply a stunning historical place with countless exquisite buildings, streets, parks and squares. On top of that it is home to various international institutions, such as the Council of Europe, and hosts the European Parliament one week every month.

We arrive in the early afternoon in Strasbourg. After checking in to our hotels we will be greeted by our professional local guides. For virtually all Expat Club trips we arrange official guides to show us around the places we visit. This way you can listen to an expert who knows everything, including the funny stories and remarkable facts.

After the general guided tour you can also join us for a special 1-hour guided tour at the Cathedral. This gothic Cathedral is generally known as one of Europe’s most beautiful ones. With its rich history there is a lot to tell about the structure, the art, its history and the fascinating astronomical clock.

Our program
The main purpose of this trip is to see the wonderful Christmas markets and to enjoy the magical Christmas atmosphere of Strasbourg. Expat Club trips are also a way to socialise and meet new friends, as well as to get to know new places, so there are a few fixed and optional program parts. Directly after arrival we will discover the city during a 1,5 hours professionally guided tour. We will see the old pedestrian areas around the majestic Cathedral, the Maison Kammerzell, Place Gutenberg, the tanners’ houses, the Covered Bridges, the Vauban Dam, the former customs-house and former town-butchery, as well as the Palais Rohan. The guided tour lasts until about 16h30, so you have a lot of time to visit the Christmas markets on Saturday afternoon and early evening.

Sunday boat ride
The centre of Strasbourg is located on an island. We will take a boat at around 10h30 to sail around it, but also to see the farther away located European district with the impressive buildings of the European Parliament, the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights. A ticket for this boat trip cost €12,50 and can be reserved during checkout.