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Experiencing the Christmas markets: a magical time in France, Germany and Switzerland
Ah! it is almost the time for the Christmas markets once again! I am so excited.
As we approach the end of November, the holiday spirit is on most people’s minds.
Despite the colder weather, it is a season and time of the year that I really appreciate since being back in Europe. Every year for 5 weeks, I try to experience a few new markets somewhere close-by.
If you have not been in Europe just before Christmas, let me tell you a little more about these markets.
downtown Frankfurt by night during the Christmas market
So what is there to know about the Christmas markets?
Known as Marchés de Noël in France, Weihnachtsmärkte and Christkindelmärkte in Germany and in Austria and Christkindlimärkte in Switzerland, they are places where you can buy regional and typical specialties.
As some markets start at the end of November for Advent and end just before Christmas or on New Year`s Eve, it is like having Christmas for much longer.
The markets are easily found as they are located mainly in the busy touristy places in the town squares and promenades. Depending on the size of the town, you could find one or many Christmas markets. Some large cities have more than 20 markets.
What makes it really nice are the little wooden chalets, which are used to sell the specialties. Some are decorated with Christmas branches, lights and trees around them.
The history of these markets does not date from yesterday but goes far back as the Middle ages. In France for instance, the Strasbourg’s market has been there for almost 500 years.
People like to mingle there on the weekends or after work. Children and adults love the lighting of the Christmas tree, singing trees, nativity scenes, Christmas pyramids, nutcrackers and of course the carousels!
Nativity scene in one of the Colmar christmas markets
According to a study, even if many tourists and natives buy at these markets, most go there for food and drinks!
But what do they offer?
You will find in almost all of them candles, hand-made jewelry, hats, socks, tree ornaments and wooden toys.
What I really like is the smell of typical products such as cinnamon, waffles, crepes, gingerbread, roasted almonds and mostly the roasted chestnut called maronis!
Ah what would the Christmas markets be without the special hot wine cooked with spices called Glühwein or vin chaud!
Gluhwein stands in Zurich oldtown for Christmas
If you go to a Christkindelmarkt, try some Nuremberg sausages, Lebkuchen (spiced nutty cookie), a piece of Stollen (fruit cake with Marzipan), some Bethmännchen and Brenten (Frankfurter cookies) or some Weihnachtsguetzli (decorated Christmas cookies) in Switzerland.
Lebkuchen hearts at a German Christmas market
Which Christmas markets did I visit and recommend?
From this list, my favorite ones are in Germany:
- Germany (Frankfurt, since 1393, Berlin, Munich)
- France (Colmar, Brest, Paris)
- Switzerland (Zurich, Einsiedeln)
The Zurich Christkindlimarkt is holding its 16th Christmas market this year. It is a completely covered market in the main train station and has a Swarovsky tree with more than 5000 lights and crystals.
Other markets are worth visiting:
- Dresden: it is one of the oldest in Germany (1434)
It is known for its Stollen cake called Striezel, its 50 feet Christmas pyramid, and its nutcracker.
A piece of stollen
Nuremberg: famous since 1628 for its Lebkuchen and toys. It brings many foreign tourists.
- Strasbourg: held since 1570 at the cathedral
- other beautiful markets in Switzerland: Montreux and Basel
Decorated tree at the Colmar Christmas market
Here are some market openings for 2009:
- Basel: Nov 26th – Dec 21rd
- Zurich: Nov 19th – Dec 31st
- Einsiedeln: Nov 28th – Dec 6th 4 (different markets)
- Frankfurt: Nov 25th – Dec 22d (Romerberg, Paulsplatz, Mainkai)
- Berlin: Nov 23th – Dec 31th (nicest ones are on Gendarmenmarkt, Potsdamerplatz, Gedächtniskirche and the biggest one on Alexanderplatz)
- Munich: Nov 27th – Dec 24th (20 markets)
- Nuremberg: Nov 27th – Dec 24th
- Dresden: Nov 26th- Dec 24th
- Paris: Nov 25th – Dec 31st
- Colmar: Nov 25th – Dec 31st
- Strasbourg: Nov 28st – Dec 31st
Christmas market in Berlin during a snow storm
If you have been longing to come to Europe for Christmas, I hope you will enjoy the Christmas markets as much as I do each year!
