Les Marchés de Noël

Continuing our tour of European Christmas markets, Colmar is all about good food and mulled wine. Walking the streets of this beautifully decorated city, you'll find kiosks and shops all set up with trinkets, food, wine, candies, baked goods, clothing, chocolate and of course, Tarte Flambée and Raclette.

We walked, we purchased, we drank (so much Vin Chaud!) until we were too cold to continue. The streets started to get crowded in the evening (never a good thing) and so we found an open restaurant to warm up.

After dinner, more walking and watching the huge Ferris Wheel with some more shopping along the Petite Venise to see the sights. Such a beautiful Christmas market.

[Review 21172 overall - 91 in France - 135 of 2024.]

Simply magical!!!

Colmar's Christmas Market is my FAVORITE out of all the Christmas markets that my husband and I visited while on our trip to Germany, Switzerland, and France. Colmar itself is beautiful with picturesque architecture that it makes you feel like you're in a fairy tale. When Christmas season approaches, Colmar transforms into a winter wonderland with twinkling lights, festive garland, and sparkling decorations with various Christmas markets all around the town.

The town is full of Christmas handicraft shops with a variety of beautiful products made by local artists and craftspeople- including ornaments, jewelry, clothing, felt hats, ceramic bowls, plates, toys, and more. In addition, there are plenty of food/beverage stalls, restaurants, and bakeries to choose from- such as craft beers, local wines, nuts, handmade chocolates, hot cocoa, gingerbread cookies, etc. The delicious aroma of the food and drinks sold in the Christmas markets while browsing through the row of stalls will have your mouth watering. Of course, we had to indulge on a few items like ginger bread, pretzels, hot chocolate, etc. Everything was amazing! We even bought a few beautiful hand made ornaments to decorate our tree this year.

Colmar is also known as "Little Venice" due to its Venetian style canals. It's one of the most beautiful districts of Colmar bordered by the Lauch River. It's absolutely stunning with all the holiday trimmings decorated along the river. The best part of our visit was when we made a love lock that we attached to the bridge along the river that included our wedding date and the date we visited the Christmas market. You can purchase the lock at the store called L'Amie d'Antoine. They even have markers for you to write on the locks.

My husband and I had such a wonderful and memorable time here in Colmar. Every turn we made was a stunning view of the town decked in Christmas decor. Pictures just don't do it justice! I highly recommend visiting Colmar especially for the Christmas markets. You won't regret it!!

While its "Petite Venise" is well known, the Marches de Noël in Colmar are nothing to pass up. Located in 6 different squares within the city, there's something to discover at every turn as you meander through this charming Alsatian town.

I visited recently during the day on Christmas Eve. If you're able, I highly recommend going at this time (early on a weekday) so that it's easy to find parking and also so you avoid crowds so thick you can barely shimmy along.

Start with a cup of Gluhwein to warm your hands and get you in the spirit. With any luck, the place where you pick it up will be close to a stand that sells some adorable Alsatian Christmas items, and you may be able to pick up a handmade ornament to decorate your sapin.

On my visit, I loved the setup of the event, with multiple little markets in several squares so that you really get to explore the old town of Colmar. There's even a covered market where you can duck in and grab some food (cheese, sausage, breads), if you think you might be hungry for something hearty later.

Once I had seen every little market and taken all of the tourist pictures I felt that I needed to, I headed to one of the local restaurants for a tasty tarte flambée. If that's not the way to end a perfect day at the Christmas Market, then I don't know what is!