There is truly no better way to get in the holiday spirit than by spending Christmas in the Alsace. The Alsace is an area in Eastern France, near Germany and Switzerland. The land has been fought over for years – being owned by the Germans, French, back to the Germans, back to the French, etc. So the area has a lot of German influence. It’s also located on the west bank of the upper Rhine giving this area an incredible climate to make exceptionally good wine. The Alsace is best known for its rieslings and more generally, whites over reds. (By the way, if you want to visit the Alsace in the warmer months and do a wine tour of the area – read this post).
Having spent Christmas in this particular area of France, I can assure you that it is quite magical. All of the villages in the Alsace truly come alive with the Christmas spirit. Outdoor Christmas markets, Christmas music playing everywhere you go, children giggling on Christmas carousels that have been installed, and the smell of raclette fills the air. Below you’ll find a complete guide to Christmas in the Alsace so that you too can get in the holiday spirit!
If you’re traveling to France, don’t miss…
DON’T MISS… CHRISTMAS VILLAGES & WINE TASTING TOUR AND CHRISTMAS MARKET MAGIC WALKING TOUR WITH A LOCAL!
When to Visit the Alsace for Christmas
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- Riquewihr
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- Riquewihr
Generally, the Christmas markets in the Alsace begin opening up the last weekend of November and stay open until New Year’s Day. However, before visiting I’d make sure to look this up in case something has changed the year you’re planning to travel to France. You can find opening dates here.
Of course, this area brings many tourists, especially on the weekends. If you can, I’d opt for visiting during the week, a couple of weeks before Christmas Day. However, anytime you can make it to the Alsace is magical and if you can only visit on the weekend, then it’s still worth it.
How to Get to the Alsace
The Alsace is an easy train ride from Paris if you’re already in France. It’s also easy to get to from neighboring countries like Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, or Luxembourg. For purposes of this post, I’m going to share with you how to get to the Alsace from Paris.
From Paris, there are two options you can choose from – renting a car and driving to the Alsace; or taking the train. I’ve done both and would recommend either option.
RENTING A CAR
If you want to drive through the villages, I highly recommend taking a car to the Alsace. But if you’re not interested in making the 5+ hour drive to the region, you could take a train and then rent a car when you arrive. I rented a car in Paris using Discover Cars, and picked it up from the Gare du Nord train station. While getting in and out of Paris was tricky with traffic – overall, it wasn’t a bad experience. (Please note, if you’re an American who is renting a car in France you need a valid passport and drivers license).
If you plan to rent a car in France, don’t miss…
TAKING A TRAIN
If you want to take a train from Paris to the Alsace region, I suggest searching for tickets on Omio. Please note: the closer you book to Christmas, the busier it will be. I highly recommend booking train travel a couple of months in advance to ensure you get a seat.
If you are visiting the Alsace from Paris, don’t miss…
Where to Stay in the Alsace at Christmas
Colmar
Two of the biggest towns in the Alsace and arguably the most popular are Strasbourg and Colmar. Both times I’ve traveled to the Alsace I’ve based myself in Colmar and highly recommend it. I would also recommend staying in one of the smaller and more quiet villages in the region, but keep in mind – if you’re traveling by train in might be more difficult and expensive to reach these areas. However, if you’re traveling by car I suggest looking into staying in Riquewihr.
My top hotel recommendations for Colmar are…
- Hotel Restaurant Le Marachel – Teritoria
- Hotel Saint-Martin
- Hotel Le Colombier
- James Boutique Hotel Colmar Centre
- L’esquisse Hotel & Spa Colmar – MGallery
What to Pack for Christmas in the Alsace
Below you’ll find my recommendations for what to pack when you visit the Alsace in the winter months. It does get pretty cold and can even snow at times, so I recommend dressing extra warm so that you enjoy your trip.
A 2-Day Proposed Itinerary
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- Colmar
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- Riquewihr
If you have 2 days to spend in the Alsace at Christmas, this is how I would do it…
Arrive to Colmar by train or car. Spend the first day exploring Colmar and seeing the unique Christmas markets. Don’t miss visiting the covered market (Marché Couvert Colmar) to taste different foods and try the traditional flammekueche. I highly suggest pastries from L’endarine which is found in the market.
On day two I suggest getting in your car (or renting one if you came by train) and driving around the villages in the Alsace – especially Riquewihr! Although if you have the time I also recommend Eguisheim (which is the village that inspired Beauty and the Beast). At this time I also suggest doing a bit of research and visiting a winery so that you can try Alsatian wine. Make sure to check out this post on the prettiest village in the Alsace to help plan your day.
If you only have one day to spend in Colmar, check out this post…
France Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting France
TRAVELING THROUGH FRANCE
- The easiest way to book train tickets in France is through Omio
- To book a flight to France, I recommend a large booking platform or Skyscanner to compare options (if you’re from the US, sign up for Going for free, cheap flight alerts)
- For car rentals in France, I recommend Discover Cars
- If you want an English speaking driver waiting to pick you up at the airport, use Welcome Pickups
- I highly recommend travel insurance when traveling through France – I use and recommend SafetyWing(read why here and here)
- If you need a SIM card, aloSIM for an easy and affordable e-SIM – use code “KYLEE5” for a 5% discount
ACCOMODATION IN FRANCE
- To easiest way to book hotels in France is through a large booking platform
TOURS IN FRANCE
- For tours and activities in France, I recommend using Get Your Guide or Viator
- For food tours in France, I recommend Devour Tours
- For walking tours in France, I recommend Take Walks
WHAT TO BRING TO FRANCE
- Don’t forget a France guide book to help plan your travels
- You’ll need a travel plug adapter (France uses type C)
- My favorite luggage is Calpak
- My favorite travel backpack is Nordace
- I recommend bringing a reusable water bottle to cut down on plastic waste
- I use this eye mask on the plane to help get some shut eye and help with jet lag
I hope that you enjoy this trip as much as I did! If you have any questions about visiting the Alsace during Christmas, let m know in a comment below!
For more information on things to see and do in Paris, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reelby searching “#ppinfrance” or under my highlights for “France 1″, “France 2”, & “France 3”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “France” highlight
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Founded by Kylee, a NICU nurse with nine years of experience, including seven years as a travel nurse; Passports and Preemies was created in 2017 and is now the go-to travel and lifestyle channel for nurses who crave adventure beyond the bedside. Whether you’re a staff nurse looking for your next getaway or a travel nurse navigating life on the road, this space is designed to help you maximize your time off, explore the world, and prevent nurse burnout.
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