Greatest Christmas Market in France?

In case you’re on the lookout for an uncommon Christmas market that can shock you, delight you, and make you are feeling like a child once more — you’ll fall in love with the Ribeauvillé Christmas Market in France!

Situated within the coronary heart of the Alsace area, the Ribeauvillé Christmas Market is an interactive medieval market stuffed with performers who make you are feeling such as you’ve gone again in time.

It takes lots to impress me, however the Ribeauvillé Christmas Market blew my expectations out of the water. Ribeauvillé (REE-bo-vee-YAY) is likely one of the most stunning cities within the Alsace area of France, the German-flavored area that goes all out with Christmas decorations every year.

However whereas some Christmas markets will be less-than-impressive with the identical sausages and mass-produced souvenirs that you simply’ll discover in all places from Germany to Austria to Hungary, Ribeauvillé is the one which delivers.

Right here you’ve full-on medieval decorations and actions, and performers in full costume who keep in character! From reside floggings (jokingly executed!) to giants on stilts to gaggles of geese being led by way of the road, you’ll be laughing with delight and having fun with the Christmas spirit.

And Ribeauvillé’s Christmas market solely takes place 4 days every year — which makes it all of the extra vital to time your go to rigorously.

Let’s check out what makes this Christmas market so particular. (And make sure you learn my information to Alsace Christmas Markets, too!)

This publish was revealed in November 2025.

Christmas in Ribeauvillé: An Interactive Medieval Market

You’ve heard of Christmas markets. You’ve heard of medieval Christmas markets. However you’ve by no means seen a market fairly just like the one in Ribeauvillé.

First off, Ribeauvillé is definitely one of the vital stunning villages in France. A lot of the city is a single street that curves forwards and backwards, lined with colourful half-timbered homes.

Actually, Ribeauvillé was reportedly one of many inspirations for Belle’s village in Disney’s Magnificence and the Beast, together with the close by village of Riquewihr. However between you and me, Ribeauvillé is a lot prettier than Riquewihr!

Throughout Christmas, every kind of performers take over the city, and also you by no means know who may be coming from across the nook! Listed below are a number of the belongings you may see:

A hooded man with a sword throws folks into the shares. And his assistant spanks them gently with a plank of wooden. And appears to take pleasure in it.

On stage, you may take pleasure in animations of the market: perhaps one with a monk, a jester, and an angel, and they’re figuring out whether or not the poor man within the center will get to reside one other day.

A large on stilts stalks the streets, workers in hand and antlers on his head, and you actually wish to ask him, “Didn’t I see you on Yellowjackets?”

Time for a snack? Head over to a sales space for some freshly made apple rings. All the meals server are sporting purple and yellow medieval robes, and so they serve them with a smile.

A girl is attacked by THE DEVIL HIMSELF! Nevertheless it’s okay, she appears to be into it.

After which out of the blue, you hear shouting. A person is clearing a path by way of the gang so his pal can herd a well-behaved flock of geese by way of the streets. GEESE. The place else does this occur?

This market is simply a lot FUN. Check out the video beneath, which I shot throughout my go to to the Ribeauvillé Christmas market in 2024.

Ribeauvillé Christmas Market Dates

Ribeauvillé is exclusive in that its Christmas market solely takes place 4 days. This isn’t like the opposite Christmas markets in Europe which might be open every single day.

It’s good to plan your go to to Ribeauvillé rigorously for that reason. The worst factor could be mountain climbing all the way in which right here and discovering no market ready for you.

Actually, I feel it is a good factor, as a result of I observed that almost everybody working on the Ribeauvillé Christmas market was in a terrific temper. You don’t at all times have that optimism after working most days for a number of weeks.

2025 Ribeauvillé Christmas Market Dates and Opening Hours

In 2025, Ribeauvillé Christmas Market is happening on the next dates:

• Saturday, December 6, 10:00 AM-7:00 PM
• Sunday, December 7, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM
• Saturday, December 13, 10:00 AM-7:00 PM
• Sunday, December 14, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM

Is Ribeauvillé Christmas Market Crowded?

Sadly, the worst factor concerning the Ribeauvillé Christmas Market is how terribly crowded it’s. This can be a main drawback in Alsace — on the weekends, many of the Christmas markets are overcrowded and tough to take pleasure in.

There are three essential causes for this. The primary is that the majority French home tourism flows into Alsace in December; the second is that Christmas market tourism has turn out to be enormous on social media; and the third is that river cruises have grown enormously within the final decade, dumping increasingly folks in the identical fashionable spots.

And no, this isn’t restricted to the massive cities. It occurs within the smaller villages too, like Riquewihr and Kayserberg, as a result of they’re fashionable day journey spots for folks basing within the greater Christmas markets cities.

For that reason, I don’t assume it’s value visiting most Alsatian Christmas markets on the weekend.

Ribeauvillé is my one exception. This is likely one of the greatest Christmas markets in Alsace, if not the perfect in all of France, and the crowds are value it as a result of the market is so particular and strange. (And likewise as a result of it solely takes place on two Saturdays and two Sundays every year.)

Lots of people will advise you to get to the market very first thing within the morning to keep away from the worst of the crowds. Properly, I truly did that and it didn’t make a distinction.

I used to be on the very first bus of the day on the Navettes de Noël, getting there earlier than the stalls even opened, and it was nonetheless extremely crowded. And it wasn’t any higher at the moment for images, as a result of the solar solid shadows alongside the Grand Rue that didn’t look nice.

So sure. Be ready for the crowds, as a result of they’re sadly an inevitability. Simply flow. It’s value it.

What to Eat on the Ribeauvillé Christmas Markets

One cause why I like the Christmas markets in Alsace is that French meals is so significantly better than the standard meals in German Christmas markets. (Sorry, not sorry!) There are such a lot of scrumptious issues on the market in Ribeauvillé.

Baked items. Between France’s croissants and Germany’s pretzels, there are such a lot of good baked items! When you stroll into city, you’ll see the above bakery stall in your left. I had a scrumptious tacky pretzel from right here.

These big gingerbread men-shaped brioches are known as manalas. They’re a particular deal with for St. Nicholas Day on December 6.

These mini bundt muffins are known as kougelhopf. They’re yeasted muffins and include completely different flavorings — some are made with vanilla, lemon zest, or chocolate.

Wild boar. This can be a specialty in Ribeauvillé — consuming it’s so medieval-feeling and enjoyable! — and also you’ll discover that there are lengthy traces for it many of the day. The stand is on one of many essential squares on the precise, shortly after you stroll in, and look out for the large spider! I like to recommend getting some earlier than midday to keep away from the worst of the queues.

Crepes. There’s a crepes stand on the identical sq. that sells the wild boar. You possibly can at all times depend on crepes wherever in France!

Tarte flambée. This may be essentially the most well-known dish in Alsace: a skinny flatbread topped with creme fraiche, bacon lardons, and onions. It’s so scrumptious, however eat it shortly — it will get chilly quick!

Fried apple rings. There are a number of meals stands on Place Berckheim, and one sells essentially the most scrumptious fried apple rings. They’re coated in cinnamon and sugar and so they make such a festive deal with!

Galettes de pommes de terre. Additionally offered on Place Berckheim, galettes pommes de terre are like potato pancakes — so hearty and scrumptious.

Cheese. There’s a cheese store on the left aspect of the Grand Rue, shortly after you stroll into city. I consider it is a non permanent store only for the Christmas season. You possibly can pattern cheeses and purchase, however beware — we purchased what we thought was a modest quantity of cheese and it ended up costing round 60 euros. YIKES.

And by then we felt too embarrassed to say, “Oh God, that’s an excessive amount of, put it again.” They’d already lower it. So watch out!

And don’t neglect the native eating places. There are lots in Ribeauvillé.

What to Drink on the Ribeauvillé Christmas Markets

Ribeauvillé’s drinks on provide are excellent for the festive season. Listed below are a few of your choices:

Elixir de L’Arboriculteur. You’ll discover this nonalcoholic beverage on the market alongside the Grande Rue, with one stall proper earlier than Rue de l’Abbé Louis Kremp. This sizzling drink incorporates apple juice, cinnamon, and star anise. It’s as shut as you’ll get to American-style apple cider!

Vin Chaud. Vin chaud, or sizzling mulled wine, is the unofficial drink of the Alsace Christmas markets. Yow will discover it at stalls far and wide in Ribeauvillé! Whereas I’m extra of a purple wine particular person, I like to recommend you strive vin chaud with white wine, as they use very nice Alsatian white wines which might be laborious to seek out elsewhere.

Wine. After all — it’s France; it’s in all places. However in case you’d like one thing particular, cease in at Domaine Jean-Sipp, a neighborhood vineyard within the coronary heart of city, the place you may pattern one thing native. This vineyard has loads of native wines and crémants (Alsace’s reply to champagne) to strive. We loved stopping right here for a glass.

Beer. Sure, you’ll find beer on the principle sq. with the wild boar!

Espresso, cafe au lait, tea, and extra. Lots of the stalls in Ribeauvillé are dishing up sizzling caffeinated drinks, together with Irish coffees, in case you’re into espresso with a shot of booze. I additionally loved a cappuccino at Cafe Paula, which was a pleasant place to heat up indoors.

The way to Get to Ribeauvillé for the Christmas Markets

In case you’re coming to the Alsace area from distant, your best choice is to get to Strasbourg first. Strasbourg is house to a small airport, and has direct trains from Paris. Town can be well-connected by bus — there’s even a direct bus to my house metropolis of Prague, which takes about seven hours.

If it’s too furry to fly into Strasbourg and also you’re not doing Paris, I like to recommend flying into Frankfurt, Germany, or Basel, Switzerland. Frankfurt is likely one of the greatest air hubs in Europe, and Basel, although not as massive, has extra flights than Strasbourg.

From Strasbourg, you may e-book direct trains to Colmar, which take about half-hour.

It’s best to get to Ribeauvillé from Colmar, although there are alternatives from different locations. Right here you go:

Possibility 1: Navettes de Noel. The Navettes de Noël are the Christmas shuttles that run in a loop from Colmar. One of many routes runs from Colmar to Ribeauvillé, Riquewihr, and Kayserberg-Vignoble, in each instructions.

I booked the Christmas shuttle buses in 2024, and it was a sensible determination. The buses have been comfy, ran like clockwork, and the drivers and workers couldn’t have been nicer.

The shuttles go on sale in mid-November. Test the web site for particulars. E-book instantly as a result of they’ll promote out inside hours! In addition they launch just a few last-minute tickets three days forward.

Possibility 2: Drive. Driving is an choice, however you’ll discover that parking is tough. There are seemingly unending traces of automobiles parked main as much as Ribeauvillé, and there are not any parking garages.

The excellent news is that now there’s a Park and Experience positioned within the close by city of Bergheim. The handle is 22 Route de Colmar 68750 Bergheim, and it’s off exit 20 from the A35 motorway. Shuttles run each 20 minutes throughout market hours.

Do take into account that in case you’re driving, you received’t be capable to indulge within the wine and different alcoholic drinks.

Possibility 3: Tour from Strasbourg or Colmar. There are organized, guided excursions that depart from these two cities. Observe that these excursions don’t assure visiting any explicit metropolis, so please double-check with the operator that they’re visiting Ribeauvillé that day!

You possibly can e-book this tour from Strasbourg, or this tour from Colmar. Each of the excursions go to a number of villages with Christmas markets in Alsace.

The place to Keep in Ribeauvillé (or Close by)

In the case of planning a Christmas journey to Alsace, it is advisable to e-book as far forward as attainable. And that is much more vital on the 2 weekends of the Ribeauvillé Christmas Market, that are the busiest weekends of all.

Must you keep proper in Ribeauvillé? You possibly can, in case you’d like. You’ll get to expertise the small city at evening, after many of the day trippers have gone house.

Nevertheless, there isn’t a lot lodging obtainable in Ribeauvillé, and due to this fact costs are excessive. Plus, you don’t essentially must spend a number of days in Ribeauvillé when there are such a lot of markets in surrounding cities.

In case you select to remain in Ribeauvillé, listed below are the top-rated locations to remain on the town:

• High-Rated Luxurious Lodge in Ribeauvillé: L’Hôtel & Spa Ribeauvillé — Costly and definitely worth the splurge with a pleasant spa, hammam, and indoor pool.
• High-Rated Mid-Vary Lodge in Ribeauvillé: Hôtel Le Ménestrel — Very near the principle road, cozy rooms and nice worth for cash.
• High-Rated Price range Lodge in Ribeauvillé: Lodge Spa Au Chevalier Blanc — Not tremendous funds, however the most cost-effective respectable rooms on the town.

Discover offers on locations to remain in Ribeauvillé right here.

So in case you don’t wish to keep proper in Ribeauvillé, the place is the perfect place to remain? I like to recommend staying in Colmar or Strasbourg. These two cities have a number of accommodations and extra intensive public transport choices.

I stayed in Colmar on my journey, and I discovered it to be a wonderful match for Christmas time in Alsace. Colmar is house to the principle cease of the Navettes de Noel Christmas shuttles, giving you quick access everywhere in the area.

There are additionally different excursions that depart from Colmar, just like the Alsace Wine Area tour, and the three-country Christmas market tour to Christmas markets in France, Germany, and Switzerland.

I stayed on the Ibis Price range Colmar Centre Ville, which I extremely suggest.

• High-Rated Luxurious Lodge in Colmar: Lodge Le Colombier — Attractive rooms and a lot attraction, within the coronary heart of the Le Petit Venise neighborhood.
• High-Rated Mid-Vary Lodge in Colmar: Paul & Pia Welcome House Lodge — Actually cozy and comfy rooms, near the prepare station and walkable in all places.
• High-Rated Price range Lodge in Colmar: Ibis Price range Colmar Centre Ville — I stayed right here! Very primary, however respectable rooms, non-public parking, and it’s strolling distance from all markets.

Discover offers on locations to remain in Colmar right here and Strasbourg right here.

What about staying in different cities within the Riquewihr area, like Riquewihr or Kayserberg? I don’t suggest it. These cities have the identical issues as Ribeauvillé — means too many vacationers in too small of an area, making parking and getting round tough, with restricted public transportation out and in.

I feel staying in these cities could be extra of a headache than you’d need for a enjoyable Christmas market journey.

Exploring the Different Alsace Christmas Markets

There are such a lot of great Christmas markets in Alsace! In case you’re coming right here, it is best to make an effort to see as many as attainable.

My absolute prime piece of recommendation is to see each market aside from Ribeauvillé midweek in case you can. The weekends are simply too loopy. Attempt to keep away from them, or use the weekends for barely much less fashionable markets like Mulhouse and Obernai.

In case you’re seeing Ribeauvillé with tickets on the Christmas shuttle (Navettes de Noël), the opposite stops on this route are Riquewihr and Kayserberg-Vignoble. Full disclosure — these cities are simply as crowded as Ribeauvillé, with out the enjoyable medieval characters.

Talking personally, I didn’t discover a lot worth in visiting the Riquewihr Christmas market — whereas it was tremendous crowded, many of the gadgets on the market have been the identical mass-produced tchotchkes that you simply discover wherever, and there have been surprisingly few meals choices.

Kayserberg is a little more attention-grabbing. They’re well-known for his or her glass-blowing and artwork traditions, and you’ll find a number of cool crafts on the market. And the surroundings there’s very good, particularly the half-timbered homes by the river.

You’ll virtually actually cease by Colmar, which has a number of completely different Christmas markets and a number of the greatest Christmas decorations in all of France. I liked their carnival with the carousel bar on the Champs de Mars, and so they additionally placed on a wonderful culinary market with scrumptious meals.

Strasbourg is the massive metropolis of the area and lots of of their central Christmas markets are usually stuffed with the identical belongings you see in all places else — however I like to recommend dropping by the choice OFF Marketplace for uncommon gadgets made by native artisans.

If you wish to go a bit additional afield, the Christmas markets in Mulhouse and Obernai are imagined to be good, and so they aren’t fairly as crowded because the others talked about. And in case you have much more time, I hear the town of Metz is de facto underrated at Christmas!

Learn Extra: The Drawback with Alsace Christmas Markets

What to Put on on the Alsace Christmas Markets

Packing for a Christmas market journey is completely different from what you may ordinarily pack for a winter metropolis break in Europe. You will be outside and standing nonetheless for many of the day. It’s vital to decorate for heat.

Listed below are my favourite necessities for Christmas market journeys:

Base layers (thermal underwear). I’m an enormous fan of the Uniqlo heat-teach scoop-neck prime and leggings, that are very heat, inexpensive, and I put on on a regular basis. I discover that base layers are important for Christmas market journeys in winter or any winter journey the place you’re outdoors a lot of the day as a result of they offer you an additional layer of heat.

Heat sweater. Sweaters (or jumpers, Brits!) make the proper mid-layer between your base layer and your outerwear. Do you know that Uniqlo makes inexpensive cashmere sweaters in a ton of colours?

Heat winter coat. If it’s not waterproof, that’s okay, however be sure to convey a journey umbrella.

Boots. Waterproof winter boots are ideally suited, as anybody who’s stepped right into a deep slushy puddle can let you know. You won’t want them, however they’re a great merchandise to have in your wardrobe for winter journey. If not, you may persist with sneakers, which I did for this explicit journey.

Heat socks. I’m an enormous fan of merino wool socks, which I put on throughout the winter and for mountain climbing year-round.

Hat. I’m not a hat particular person; however, I rocked a beanie all through this chilly winter journey.

Speakeasy journey provide scarf. I like these scarves, which are available in a wide range of patterns and supplies, and so they include a hidden zip-up pocket that’s excellent on your valuables!

Is Ribeauvillé Christmas Market value it?

YES, YES, YES, it’s so value it! Ribeauvillé Christmas Market is my favourite Christmas market in Alsace, and one in every of my favourite Christmas markets in all of Europe. It’s so completely different and particular and energetic.

In case you’re planning a visit to Alsace for the Christmas markets, I extremely suggest you time your journey to one of many weekends of the Ribeauvillé Christmas Market, simply so you may expertise it.

I hope you’ve an exquisite time on the Christmas markets this yr!

Extra on Christmas Markets in France:

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Have you ever been to Ribeauvillé at Christmas time? Share your ideas!