Strasbourg at Christmas?
 

I was planning to spend Christmas in Paris before heading down to Baden Baden, but am considering stopping for a couple of days in Strasbourg, which I've never been to, en route. Is that a good time to be there? I assume most restaurants are closed on Christmas Day, but would hotel dining rooms, at least, be open? Is Christmas there a one-day holiday, or do shops, restaurants, etc. close for more than a day?

It’s the best time to come to Strasbourg and take a stroll around the Christmas markets, discover a thousand and one gift ideas in the shops or take advantage of the numerous activities. :)

you won't have a problem to find open restaurants and so on ... I'll think about it a little more and will get back to you with specific suggestions.

if you come to Strasbourg, don't forget to post in the Monthly Strasbourg gathering thread and maybe we can have a christmas lunch/dinner together?

what days will you be in SXB?

Thanks so much, chrissxb, that's incredibly kind of you. I'll PM you as soon as I have a better sense of what I'm doing.
Are the Christmas markets there open on December 24? If so, what time do they close?

Hi rfrost! There are lots of Christmas markets in Alsace - several sites in Strasbourg itself, and in loads of other towns. My home town, Colmar, is situated 30 mins by train from Strasbourg, and has 5 different markets situated in different parts of this picturesque and historical city. Here the Christmas markets start on 22 November this year and go through until 31 December. They close at 5 pm on 24 December, but do reopen after Christmas.

You might like to visit the local websites for further info - try googling Alsace Comité Régional de Tourisme, Strasbourg Tourist Office and Colmar Tourist Office for starters.

Please make sure that you book your hotel accommodation VERY EARLY as Alsacian Christmas markets have become very big business!

And if you are travelling by rail to Strasbourg from Paris, you can often find a 'mini' Christmas market (at Parisian prices) at the Gare de l'Est!

It would be great to meet you for a chin wag and some local 'vittles' so do keep us posted!