Strasbourg: Premium Christmas Tour | Licensed Guide

Place Kléber (Kléber Square) is the meeting place, where the biggest Christmas tree in France stands tall! Each year, this approximately 70-year-old tree, 30 meters high, is transported here from the Vosges mountains, starting at the end of October. Place Kléber, the beating heart of Strasbourg, is a place where history and the present meet. I will show you the statue of General Kléber, a hero of the Napoleonic army, whose body rests beneath the pedestal of his statue. At its side stands the majestic Aubette, a building that has seen its destiny transformed on several occasions. In order to respect a total tour time of 3 hours, we will not stroll in Place Kléber market, but you will certainly have plenty of time to do so before the meeting. We will focus on the city's other Christmas markets.

Place Broglie (Broglie Square), a location where Strasbourg's history unfolds in multiple acts. From the Janus fountain, the two-faced Roman god who reminds us that history has both a past and a future, to the Opera, whose tumultuous story is a testament to the city's wars and reconstructions—everything here breathes history. But the square is also a place of memory. I will recount the story of Strasbourg's liberation by Marshal Leclerc and the secret of the French flag—an amusing and fascinating anecdote. Finally, I will tell you two stories: that of the city's very first Christmas market, which was held right here after 1570, and that of La Marseillaise, the French national anthem, whose first note resonated in a building on the square. During the Christmas season, Place Broglie is bustling with chalets offering traditional dishes (sauerkraut, Spätzle, etc.) and mulled wine, as well as chalets specializing in Nativity scene figurines (santons).

Rue des Orfèvres (Goldsmiths' Street) is the iconic passage of the old city, renowned as one of Strasbourg’s most spectacular streets during the Christkindelsmärik (Christmas Market in the Alsatian language). As its name indicates, this thoroughfare was once the workplace of goldsmiths and precious craftspeople, contributing to Strasbourg’s commercial influence. As soon as night falls, the street transforms into a magical tunnel of light. Although the street is narrow and often crowded, it is a must-see, as it leads directly to the majestic Notre-Dame Cathedral. Despite its small size, Rue des Orfèvres is a true commercial hub during the market. It is here that you will find some of the most famous "winestubs" (traditionnal Alsatian restaurants) and stalls offering prized local specialties: from foie gras to the celebrated Alsatian pastries, and local "schnaps" (local brandies).

The Strasbourg Cathedral is no mere monument; it is a Gothic masterpiece that tells four centuries of history. I will give you the keys to unlock its secrets. You will marvel at the western façade, a true stone book rich with sculptures and symbols. At the foot of this edifice are numerous chalets dedicated to Christmas decorations and Alsatian craftsmanship. This will be an opportunity to talk about Alsatian pottery, with its traditional gray and blue motifs, a strong symbol of local savoir-faire. You will learn how the structure transformed over time, from its Romanesque foundations to its 142-meter-high spire (466-foot-high). Together, we will decipher its history and the anecdotes of its builders. Before continuing the tour, I will explain how this marvel was built, one step at a time, and how it became the tallest monument in Christendom until the 19th century.

Rue du Maroquin (Leather Goods Street) is the other most famous and one of the most beautiful streets in Strasbourg during the Christmas season. It is a jewel box of traditional half-timbered houses and "winstubs". Admire the spectacular decorations, a symbol of Alsatian charm! The display is well worth the effort, even if crossing this narrow street is sometimes difficult due to the Christmas Market crowds. We will take our time to appreciate this enchanting atmosphere. This will also be an opportunity to talk to you about the storks, the symbol of Alsace, which you will see everywhere, featured on plush toys, keychains, and other souvenirs in the many shops. Rue du Maroquin will lead us to the official entrance of the Christmas Market, at the start of Rue du Vieux-Marché-aux-Poissons (Old Fish Market Street). This street gets its name from Ancienne Douane (Old Customs House), a building we will walk past right after glimpsing Pont du Corbeau (Raven Bridge) known as "Bridge of Torments".

We will arrive next to Pont du Corbeau (Raven Bridge), a name that alone evokes a dark and fascinating past. It was here, on this bridge—once the "bridge of torments"—that public executions and humiliations took place during the Middle Ages. Want to know how criminals were judged and executed in this spot? I will recount these stories, as terrifying as they are surprising, which are etched into Strasbourg’s memory. This is a chapter in the history of justice that you will discover here, and one that stands in stark contrast to the magnificent architecture that has captivated you.

Before entering Rue des Tonneliers (Coopers' Street), another piece of the past is revealed: Ancienne Douane (Old Customs House). Formerly the city’s port hub and headquarters of the boatmen’s guild, it is the perfect opportunity to tell you about the new Port of Strasbourg, today the second-largest river port in France.

Rue des Tonneliers (Coopers' Street), whose name alone evokes history, was once the heart of Strasbourg’s wine trade. Still bustling today with its bars and restaurants, it is the perfect opportunity to introduce you to the secrets of the Alsatian vineyard and its most famous grape varieties.

In the heart of the city, Place Gutenberg comes alive, watched over by the statue of the man who gave wings to knowledge. Your guide will take you on a journey through time, recounting how this square was a crucial location in history. It was here, in Strasbourg, that Johannes Gutenberg perfected his invention and where the very first Bible in German was printed. You will learn how, long before the era of social media, the world’s first newspaper was also born in this city. In the background, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the proud Renaissance building named Neue Bau, still seems to echo the intellectual ferment of the time. Its façades, typical of the Alsatian style, are silent witnesses to Strasbourg's prosperity and ingenuity. This is a square where the past, commerce, and innovation meet, and your guide will give you all the keys to unlock its secrets.

On the square that bears its name, Saint Thomas Church stands like a stone sentinel. Considered the city’s Protestant cathedral, it is a majestic witness to the Reformation. I will take you on a journey through time to tell you its unique history. You will learn how, starting in the 16th century, Saint Thomas Church became the centerpiece of Alsatian Protestantism, a movement that shaped Strasbourg’s identity. Its architecture, both sober and elegant, is a true stone book that will speak to you of the beliefs and intellectual movements of the era. Place Saint-Thomas is quieter and popular with locals, making it the perfect opportunity to enjoy a comforting moment amidst the local history. Indulge in a tasting of pretzel, gingerbread, and Christmas cookies (bredele). A glass of mulled wine (or a non-alcoholic beverage) will be served to you. This is the ideal spot to discuss Protestantism, which still resonates within the church walls.

Petite France is so much more than a postcard-perfect scene where half-timbered houses are reflected in the water. Once a working-class district for tanners, millers, and fishermen, it has transformed its humble past into a universal charm that now attracts visitors from all over the world. I will immerse you in the soul of this place, which has a vibrant artisan history, notably with a presentation of the tanners' "poêle" (guildhall). This working district is also where the history of the guilds was written—these powerful groups of artisans and merchants who held the reins of the city. The traditional houses, dating from the 15th and 16th centuries, hide other secrets: I'll explain why their unique architecture was a clever trick to avoid taxes. You will also discover that the name of the district actually comes from the "French disease" (Mal français)... This tour ends here. As the Christmas Market closes at 9 PM, you will have about an hour left to enjoy the district or the other markets, giving you a chance to shop, revisit a chalet, or go out to dinner.