With its famous Christmas Tree, illuminations, pretty wooden chalets, bredele cakes and hot wine, there’s always magic in the air at Strasbourg’s Christmas Markets. The markets return to the city each and every year, bringing unbridled joy to visitors. And, since 2009, people around the world – in Tokyo, Moscow, Beijing and Taipei – have had a chance to encounter the famous little wooden chalets. But what’s the secret to the markets’ success? How have they stood the test of time?
The Christmas Markets have been adding a touch of magic to the festive season for four centuries. The first markets were held in 1570, making them one of the oldest in Europe and the very first in France. Historian Jean-François Kovar gives us an insight into the history and the unique success story behind Strasbourg’s Christmas Markets.
