Christmas in Alsace: a fairytale !
Photos credits: Alphonse Glaser , CRDP Alsace, France
Christmas in Alsace is magic. This territory that once belongs to Germany (Alsacians still speak a German dialect) has kept strong traditions from their saxon heritage.
In summer, the typical villages are beautiful, but in winter, they turn into magic land postcards.
Christmas festivities start on Nov. 25, on Saint Catherine’s Day. From then on, thirty five Christmas markets will displayed the most delicious treats all over the 7 Alsacian lands. Local delicacies will please the most refined palate: Alsacian foie gras, spice bread, bretele and mulled wine (see recipe in previous post).
December will reach a climax, when kids (some adults do too) open a little treat every day from the Advent calendar (a special calendar with small windows and a treat for each day).
Santa is less popular here than the local legendary characters: christkindel, Hans Trapp and of course, St Nicolas : on St. Nick ’s day, all children in the North of France and Belgium will get their presents (and not on Christmas Day) !
So be Alsacian today and open your first advent treat!
My name is Jackie Grandchamps. In 2003, I founded French Escapade, offering another way to travel in small groups of 8. "Don't be a tourist, be our guest" is the moto and spirit of my company.
Check www.frenchescapade.com
Through this blog, I will provide information about France, Belgium, California, (soon Italy) but also some stories from my guests on the tours.
Learn more about the company in the French Escapade section of this blog.