Week 161: Basel, Colmar, and Strasbourg Christmas markets

The day after Thanksgiving, we boarded a plane to Basel, Switzerland to kick off the Christmas market season. For 48 hours, we clung to the border of Switzerland and France to explore a trio of cities.

We decided to base ourselves in Basel because it was the best location for day trips to surrounding towns and closest to the airport.

Saturday

9:30 AM - We walked to the Basel train station to book our 10:00 AM train tickets to Colmar, but since Colmar was in a different country, we had to go to the ticket counter. Everyone seemed to be doing the same thing, so the line made us miss the first train.

11:15 AM - We left Switzerland and headed to Colmar, France.

12:15 PM - We stepped off the train and into our first French Christmas market. From intricately crafted ornaments to traditional Alsatian delicacies like spiced wine and flammkuchen, the Colmar Christmas market truly embodies the magic of Christmas, providing a memorable experience for all who visit.

12:30 PM - For lunch, we arrived at the Marché Couvert, which translates to “covered market.” Inside the market are festive aisles with stalls showcasing an array of fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, wines, and flammkuchen. The sounds of sizzling pans and muttered conversations flow throughout the building.

We shared a flatbread as we walked along Petite Venice, Colmar's whimsical canal district. I imagine this is the kind of place that inspired the fictional hometown of Belle from Beauty and the Beast.

After just returning from Venice, this really didn’t compare to the real thing, but it was still cute.

As we meandered the French streets, we arrived at the entrance to the Instagram-famous Christmas Market

The Christmas Market
Dates: November 23 - December 29
Hours: 10 AM - 7 PM
Click here for updated market information

St. Martin's Church is hard to miss since it flanks both sides of the market. This church was built between 1235 and 1365 and is an example of Gothic architecture in Alsace.

Immediately after we had stepped out of the train station, we started noticing golden triangles on the street with a familiar engraving. America’s iconic Statue of Liberty was actually created in Colmar at the hands of Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi. These triangles lead you down the street all the way to the Bartholdi Museum.

*Golden Triangle to the Bartholdi Museum.*

It is a museum showcasing the evolution of Bartholdi’s ideas, including early models of the Statue of Liberty, and portrays the statue's journey from the cobbled lanes of Colmar to the harbor of New York City.

Despite Colmar’s old town busting at its seams with tourists, it was a vibe. For this reason alone, it has earned a reputation as one of the most romantic towns in France.

Much like the name of this little French cafe…we Au dore Colmar.

As much as we love the Christmas spirit here, the residents may not love it as much. We saw a couple of very annoyed locals trying to manoeuvre the crowds to get in and out of their homes.

3:00 PM - We continued north on a 33-minute train from Colmar to Strasbourg.

Similar to Colmar, it was a blend of French and German influence, with charming canals and half-timbered houses, but certainly felt like a bigger city.

The Christmas market is held annually in Strasbourg, France on the Grande Île near Strasbourg Cathedral and Place Kléber. It draws in approximately 2 million visitors each year.

Christmas Market
Hours: 11:30 AM - 9 PM
Click here for official updates

After we had filled up on market treats, we got in line to enter the Notre Dame Cathedral–not to get confused with the Notre Dame in Paris.

Towering 466 feet above the city, this cathedral is a testament to centuries of history and art. People can climb up the bell tower for a view of the majestic Rhine River. Frustratingly, we arrived right when the last group went up, so we missed out on the view, but to those reading this and planning a trip to Strasbourg, make sure you get to do it!

*Inside the Notre Dame Cathedral in Strasbourg*

*Astronomical clock inside the Notre Dame Cathedral in Strasbourg*

Inside the church, there were tapestries and frescoes, an astrological clock, and an inscription honoring the American soldiers who gave their lives to free Alsace. Like much of Europe, Strasbourg was a witness to World War II.

The city was occupied by Nazi forces during the war and became a location of strategic importance and cultural resistance. The Liberation of Strasbourg in 1944 marked a turning point, symbolizing the city's resilience and the triumph of hope.

After leaving the church, we walked down "Petite France,” a picturesque neighborhood crisscrossed by canals and decorated with millions of lights.

After a long, cold day of market hopping, we bought a couple of macaroons and then headed back to Basel for dinner.

Sunday

We accidentally slept in too long and missed our free walking tour, so instead, we wandered through the city with nothing to do and nowhere to be until the airport later in the evening. To stay on theme with this weekend, we checked Basel’s two Christmas markets.