We’ll be in the Alsace Region Dec 22-24th and will be based in Strasbourg. We will have 3 full days in the area before heading to Paris. We will for sure see Colmar and Riquewihr. If you only had time for 2 other villages, which ones would you choose? For context, we would have already been to Rothenburg and will be using public transportation only. We are not looking so much into the Christmas markets, but more on scenery and vibe.
Thank you in advance.
Loved Kaysersberg and Turckheim and both are easily accessible by public transit. I wasn’t as much of a fan of Eguisheim but others certainly like it.
Hi Sue. Thank you. Kaysersberg does keep getting mentioned in recommendations as well as Eguisheim.
Loved Eguisheim, but the historical center is small. Several winery tasting spots in town, if that's of interest. Nice little church (Saints Peter and Paul) dedicated to Pope Leon IX, born in Eguisheim
My choice would be Gengenbach to see their Christmas market and the live advent calendar. Such a charming town and only an hour (maybe less) from Strasbourg. Probably one of the best small villages we visited during the Christmas season.
You'll have to check, but most of the markets will close on the 23rd this year since Christmas day is a Friday. And public transit will be limited on the 24th, so if you're using that to change locations you need to consider that also. The decorations will be up, but the booths won't be open or manned, so it's not a total waste to wander the towns. The "vibe" on the 24th will be to shop in the morning and get home by noon (for the locals). By 1400 the streets should be empty of everyone but tourists.
I know everyone loves the little towns south and west of Strasbourg, but in December they're not my favorites. Consider Haguenau; close, easy to reach by train, nice old city center, and they do a nice display of lights. And even further north is Wissembourg, also reachable by train from Strasbourg, which is a perennial favorite with European tourists.
Note that it has not been a "white Christmas" in that area in years, but it is usually cold (20f), windy, and the days are short.
