Alsace at Christmas - December tour in the Alsace region of France, the Christmas wonderland

Panna
3 days ago
4 min read

As a child, my favorite holiday was Christmas. The decorations, the lights, the cozy atmosphere enchanted me every year. It’s no different today, I’m still a Christmas fan and I take every opportunity to experience this special festive atmosphere. That’s why I felt like I had to see these wonderful Alsatian cities in December, because it’s no coincidence that Strasbourg is called the capital of Christmas…

I have been planning this trip for a long time and managed to organize it in December 2024.

My "Alsace at Christmas" tour took the route Mulhouse - Colmar - Riquewihr - Strasbourg. A starting point could be Basel, from where Mulhouse was about half an hour by car (probably a little more during the day, I arrived at night).

The tour can also be combined with a Swiss train tour. The other option is to arrive from Paris, in which case Strasbourg will be the next stop, which you can reach by train from the French capital in 1 hour and 45 minutes. So my tour can be done the same way, but in reverse order. In this case, it is worth buying a multicity flight ticket and arriving in Paris, then traveling home from Basel.

Let's look at the tour stops one by one, along with the attractions and accommodations!

Mulhouse is a small town near the Swiss border. It is less touristy than the other stops on my trip, there are no crowds, so I spent more time at the beautiful Christmas market, walking around for hours with hot tea and looking at the handicrafts. If you want to buy fancy little things as gifts, there is plenty to choose from here. I bought tea, cosmetics, and Christmas tree decorations.

In the evening, the lights come on, illuminating the church, and the city center is transformed into a Christmas fairy tale.

The hotel where I stayed also contributed greatly to this atmosphere: La Maison Hôtel Mulhouse Centre. The hotel is really very central, there is no better located hotel in the city, and they decorate it very nicely for the holidays. Every little detail is in place, the whole building is like a Christmas playhouse. If I have children, I will definitely bring them here sometime.

Things to do in Mulhouse:

Saint Etienne Church,
Place de la Reunion
Maison Mieg
Tower of the Fortress
Square de la Boulse

I spent two days in Mulhouse. The city's own website lists local programs related to the holiday, and if you have time, you can also participate in workshops and craft demonstrations.

From there I took the train to Colmar, where I was also looking for a central place to stay. I chose Hôtel Quatorze, which was the best value for money and within walking distance of the attractions. I booked 4 nights here because from Colmar you can explore the smaller towns in the area like a star tour.

Colmar is very touristy. That's why it's worth getting up early and taking a long walk in the morning, when there are still few people on the streets. There are several Christmas markets in the city, e.g. on the Grand Rue de Colmar and on the square opposite the Cathedral.

The Christmas decorations define the entire city, it is incredibly atmospheric.

While walking, buy a mulled wine or hot apple juice, they give you glasses to keep as a souvenir. Be sure to walk to the Little Venice district, check out the unique shops, and stop to look at the many small bridges. I loved that I found bridges and buildings decorated with teddy bears in completely random places.

And in Choco Story you can make your own chocolate, with any flavor you want.

Things to see in Colmar:

Koifhus
Old town
Maison Schongauer
St. Martin's Church
Cathedral
Place de la Montagne Verte
Le Petite Venice
Toy and little train Museum

From Colmar, you can easily reach other smaller towns by public transport or Uber, such as Riquewihr, the setting of Beauty and the Beast . This small town was my absolute favorite of the entire trip. Kayserberg, Ribeauville and Eguisheim are also worth a visit.

Riquewihr, a picturesque Alsatian village that looks like it came straight out of a fairy tale, is no coincidence, and it was one of the inspirations for one of Disney’s most famous films, Beauty and the Beast . Although the film doesn’t officially copy any specific location, Riquewihr’s medieval atmosphere, with its colorful half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, and flower-decorated windows, perfectly evokes the charm and timeless allure of Belle’s village. The atmosphere of the village, where the past is still tangible, is in harmony with the idyllic but somewhat closed-off rural community of the film’s opening scene. This harmony is particularly strong when you walk down Rue du Général-de-Gaulle, and it’s easy to imagine Belle walking down the street reading a book while the locals watch her curiously.

Around Christmas, the village becomes even more atmospheric, as every house is decorated in festive decorations.

On the way from Colmar to Strasbourg, I traveled by train again, a quick and convenient solution.

In Strasbourg, I chose the Boma Easy Living Hotel, again because of its central location, and I spent 3 nights here.

Strasbourg is the “Capital de Noël“, the capital of Christmas, bigger than the other towns we visited earlier on the trip, but just as charming, with several small and large markets, beautiful lights, and the famous teddy bear house that you have seen in many photos. Be sure to see the cathedral illuminated in the evening!