Strasbourg City 2: Capital de Noel

If you ask someone when they are going to Strasbourg, I can be sure that the answer is Christmas time. This is because the City has the oldest Christmas market in France and is also one of the oldest in Europe. During the Christmas season, the atmosphere here is unique due to the beautiful decoration of facades and streets, the sparkle of the shop windows, the smells of hot wine and bread and the sound from church bells. All bring a peaceful and warm ambience.

It is also my pleasure that this is the first time I have Christmas and have it at a place called the Capital of Noel.

One must-see thing of Strasbourg during Christmas time is the Great Christmas Tree. Standing in the Place Kléber, the tree has 30 meters high which is one of the tallest decorated natural Christmas trees in Europe.

Another symbol of Strasbourg is Christkindelsmärik which is the oldest and largest Christmas market in France. For more than four centuries, hundred wooden chalets spread around different tourist attractions of Strasbourg has brought colorful and peaceful air to visitors in Strasbourg.

There are a wide variety of goods displayed at stalls in the market, from fragrant hot wines, candies, breads, soaps to beautiful handmade Christmas decorations.

The smell of hot wines spread over the market. I find interesting with the way they sell the cup with 1 Euro and we can use such cup as "market currency" to exchange for 1 Euro.

This old couple seem to be happy and living in peacetime. Moreover, the old man looks a lot like the Santa Clause which they're selling. I wish that they would have many more happy Christmases together.

Notre Dame Cathedral becomes more gorgeous and crowded than usual. It was a fairytale with me when I was wandering along the street market during the sound of bells from the Cathedral.

Streets and alleys are decorated with lights, toys and Christmas symbols.

The reflection of colorful lights on the water surface along with the old town and the church along the river brought me a magic picture.

It’s me. I will never forget the feeling that I was walking on this street and listening to the song “You are the reason”. That was fantastic.

It was strange for an Asian guy like me when night markets are closed at 8 P.M. I didn’t expect it ended "soon" like that.

Merry Christmas to you all!