Christmas Magic in Alsace

christmas magic in alsace

Embrace the Festive Spirit

Alsace at Christmas becomes a true winter fairytale, with the scent of mulled wine and cinnomon in the air, glowing decorations, and the sound of bells and organ music echoing through historic streets with half-timbered houses.


In Strasbourg, enjoy a guided visit of the old town—cathedral, Petite France, and lively squares—combined with festive markets, local cuisine, ice skating and warm seasonal ambiance. Travel along the Alsace Wine Route through vineyard landscapes to discover Obernai with its colorful half-timbered houses and famous Christmas market, Riquewihr, beautifully preserved and timeless, and Eguisheim, a charming circular village. In Kaysersberg, enjoy a wine tasting of Alsace varietals in a festive setting, while sampling regional specialties such as bredele, pain d’épices, foie gras, choucroute, and tarte flambée.

Whether for a short festive escape or a more leisurely stay over several days, complete the experience with a horse-drawn carriage ride, cozy spa moments, and enchanting evenings that capture the spirit of Christmas in Alsace.

  • 1–2 Days
  • Private guided experience
  • Strasbourg, Obernai, Colmar, Alsace Wine Route villages
How we design your journey

Every journey is designed as a Signature or Premium Experience, shaped around your preferred level of comfort, personalization, and exclusivity.

We arrange seamless transfers, private chauffeurs, and expert local guides, along with curated hotel, restaurant, and activity reservations. Learn more in Our Concept.


ITINERARY

01

Strasbourg & Obernai

Arrival in Strasbourg. Take a first class train from Paris (approximately 1h45min) or a nearby airport, and enjoy a private transfer to your charming boutique hotel.

Strasbourg exploration. Enjoy a private guided tour of Strasbourg, the Capital of Christmas, exploring the Grande Île, the Gothic cathedral and its astronomical clock, Petite France, and Place Kléber with its iconic tree.

Christmas market and ice skating.Stroll through the festive markets, sample seasonal specialties, and enjoy ice skating in the heart of the city. Opt for a cooking class dedicated to traditional Christmas delicacies.

Obernai & festive charm. Continue to Obernai, a beautifully decorated village with a more intimate Christmas atmosphere. Enjoy time to wander through its market and streets, and opt for a horse-drawn carriage ride or a gourmet dinner in a traditional winstub.

Cathedral concert. Return to Strasbourg for a Christmas choral performance or organ concert inside the cathedral, offering a memorable and atmospheric conclusion to your day.

Overnight in a spa hotel. Retreat to a carefully selected spa hotel in Strasbourg or nearby, where wellness facilities and refined comfort provide a relaxing end to your festive experience.

    02

    Colmar & Wine villages

    Colmar Christmas markets. Depart Strasbourg and travel along the Alsace Wine Route to Colmar, where multiple Christmas markets unfold across the old town. Stroll through the canals of “Little Venice,” admire the beautifully decorated streets, and discover artisan stalls and seasonal specialties in one of the region’s most atmospheric settings.

    Kaysersberg & wine tasting. Continue to Kaysersberg, an enchanting medieval village nestled among vineyards, known for its cobbled streets, fortified bridge, and hillside views. Enjoy a tasting at a local winery, discovering Alsace wines such as Riesling and Gewurztraminer in a warm, festive setting.

    Wine Route villages. Explore villages and their Christmas markets along the Wine Route, such as Riquewihr or Eguisheim, transformed into true winter fairytales during the festive season. Wander through their decorated streets.

    Overnight & return options. Return to Strasbourg to stay in your hotel, or catch an evening train to Paris. Alternatively, stay overnight in a cozy hotel in Colmar for a relaxed morning return or further travels across France.

      03

      Optional Themed Tours in Alsace

      WWII Memory Tour. Explore the Maginot Line fortifications, the Natzweiler-Struthof concentration camp, the Alsace-Moselle Memorial in Schirmeck, and historic sites in Saverne.

      WWI Memory Tour. Explore the battlefields of Le Linge and Hartmannswillerkopf, walk through preserved trenches and memorials, and discover additional historic sites across the Vosges Mountains, where the legacy of WWI still shapes the landscape.

      Jewish Heritage Tour. Discover Alsace’s rich Jewish history through its synagogues, historic quarters, cemeteries, and long-standing communities.

      Genealogy Experience. Trace your Alsatian roots with personalized research and visits to ancestral towns, bringing family history to life in a meaningful way.

      Cross-border & Black Forest excursions. Extend your journey beyond France with day trips to Germany and Switzerland, visiting destinations such as Heidelberg, Baden-Baden, Freiburg im Breisgau, or Basel, or explore the natural beauty of the Black Forest.

        04

        Other Optional Experiences

        Wine, beer & culinary workshops. Participate in a wine pairing experience or an Alsatian beer crafting workshop, and join a hands-on cooking class to prepare regional specialties such as choucroute garnie, tarte flambée, or baeckeoffe.

        Local traditions & craftsmanship. Visit Vosges mountain farms to discover the traditional production of Munster cheese, and explore local craftsmanship by creating Alsatian ceramics in workshops in Soufflenheim and nearby villages.

        Biking, hiking or hot air-balloon ride. Explore the vineyards of the Alsace Wine Route on an e-bike tour, enjoy guided hikes through the Vosges Mountains or the Black Forest, or take to the skies with a hot air balloon ride or tandem paragliding over breathtaking landscapes.

        Waterways & boat tour. Discover the charm of Alsace from the water with a guided boat tour through the canals of Colmar or Strasbourg, offering a different perspective on the region’s picturesque scenery.

        Professional photo shoot. Capture your journey with a professional photo shoot set among Alsace’s fairytale villages, vineyards, and scenic countryside, creating timeless memories of your stay.

        Extend your journey. Combine your Alsace experience with a wider exploration of France, including Paris, Normandy, Champagne, Burgundy, or other iconic regions.

          Practical information

          Each journey is fully tailored to your pace and can be designed as a Signature or Premium Experience, depending on your preferred level of comfort, personalization, and exclusivity. Learn more in Our Concept.

          A professional driver and expert local guide accompany you throughout, while we handle all reservations and logistics — accommodations, transfers, restaurants, tastings, and activities — for a seamless experience.

          Benefit from 24/7 English-speaking support during your travels and a flexible cancellation policy. Learn more in our FAQ.

          Christmas markets in Strasbourg
          Christmas markets in Strasbourg

          Curated Alsace Journeys

          Aerial view of Kaysersberg, Alsace, along the Alsace wine tour — showing vineyards, historic rooftops, and the green hills of the Vosges Mountains.

          Alsace Wine Route Exploration

          • 1-3 Days
          • Ribeauvillé, Riquewihr, Eguisheim, Colmar, Kaysersberg, Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle, Mont Sainte-Odile

          Embark on an unforgettable Alsace wine journey, exploring scenic villages and tasting the rich blend of French and German winemaking heritage.

          Christmas decorations in Alsace

          Christmas Magic in Alsace

          • 1-2 Days
          • Strasbourg, Obernai, Colmar, Alsace Wine Route villages

          Discover festive markets, storybook villages, wine tastings, and seasonal traditions on a refined winter escape through Strasbourg and the Alsace Wine Route.

          Jewish wedding ring from 14th-century Colmar, Alsace — a rare medieval artifact featured on the Alsace wine tour, symbolizing the region’s rich heritage.

          Jewish Heritage in Alsace

          • 1-4 Days
          • Strasbourg, Rosenwiller, Obernai, Colmar

          Embark on a meaningful exploration of Jewish life, history, and culture in Alsace, where communities have been present since the Middle Ages. Visit synagogues, centuries-old cemeteries, and historic sites that reflect the region’s enduring heritage.

          Picturesque view of a canal street in Colmar, France, with colorful flowers along the water and half-timbered houses.

          Alsace Curated Experience

          • 1-5 Days
          • Strasbourg, medieval villages and castles, Alsace wine route and World Wars sights

          Embark on a curated private journey through an authentic region, where French charm meets German tradition, and war scars neighbour with fairytale villages, vineyards and majestic castles.

          Interior view of a tunnel in the Maginot Line, with arched ceilings and dim lighting.

          WWII Memory Tour – Alsace

          • 1-2 Days
          • Maginot Line, Struthof-Natzweiler Camp, Alsace-Moselle Memorial, Saverne or Mont Sainte-Odile

          Embark on a deeply moving journey to WWII history —where haunting sites, heroism, and remembrance come alive.

          View of the Hartmannswillerkopf Memorial and Museum surrounded by greenery on a sunny day.

          WWI Memory Tour – Alsace

          • 1-2 Days
          • WWI memorials, museums and battlefileds, Vosges mountains, Alsace

          Walk the front lines of history in Alsace—where mountain trenches, heroic stories, and powerful memorials bring WWI to life.