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Notre Dame in Paris & Christmas Markets in Alsace

Posted by on

Hello,
We are a couple in healthy 70's. We have been to Paris 4 times now, and would love to see Notre Dame rebuilt, before we are no longer able to travel. I also want to see the Christmas Markets in Alsace. (Never done that) This would take place Nov. 2025.
(I think we are headed to Liguria in April, so I want to combine Notre Dame and markets in one visit)

We are flying from east coast U.S. We swore we'd never fly into or out of CDG again, but it's non-stop so it's very tempting. We would probably stay 7 nights.

I would love your comments on these options:
Fly Boston to Luxumbourg-stay 1 night, then on to Strasbourg. Somewhere in there, take a day trip to Paris. Visit markets in Alsace and perhaps Germany. Any suggestions for Germany? I see Baden-Baden is close by. Return from Luxumbourg. We've never been to Luxumbourg, and it looks like beautiful.
Fly to Paris, stay 1 night, visit Notre Dame, then train to either Colmar, or Strasbourg. Return from Paris.
Fly RT to Strasbourg, stay in Strasbourg with a day trip to Paris.

What would you do? This trip, we want to minimize train travel and moving around. None of them seem like bad options, but I value your opinions.

Thanks for your thoughts!

Posted by
1557 posts

jadam,
From the U.S., I would hazard a guess that your RT flight to Strasbourg would be to CDG with a change of planes to Strasbourg. Likewise on the return. Changing planes at CDG would probably mean a change in terminals, something I wouldn't relish. More likely,and less irritating, would be a flight to CDG with a train from there to Strasbourg.
With Notre Dame in the mix, I would take the train on arrival to Strasbourg, enjoy my days there, and go to Paris to see Notre Dame the day before the flight home. The TGV is pretty fast, and an early train would give you the whole afternoon and evening in Paris, with enough time to visit Notre Dame.
I hope you have a great time whatever you decide.

Posted by
1120 posts

We go to the Xmas Markets every other year. They are best in Germany, Vienna, and Salzburg. The one in BadenBaden is not great - I'd NOT go there. The ones in Strasbourg & Colmar are stunning and the towns are great, but the markets are LOTS of Chinese imports - not the authentic items like you see in Germany, Vienna, Salzburg. Not sure how far you'd be from Cologne, but there are 3 there that are very good. Heidelberg is also a great town with a pretty good market.

Stuttgart & Esslingen are nice Xmas Markets too
That said, if Strasbourg & Colmar are the easiest for you - that's what I'd do.

Also know a Xmas Market River Cruise on the Danube (our favorite) would be very easy for you two one year as you'd unpack once and they'd handle everything for you. We take one every few years. They fill fast, so book 1-2 yrs in advance. We love the all inclusive lines the best (Tauck) - but Avalon & AMA do a good job too. Viking isn't one of our favorites even though they advertise the most.

Posted by
114 posts

Thank you for you helpful replies!
I was planning on the train from Paris to Strasbourg, so that is doable. I appreciate knowing that Colmar has a lot of Chinese imports on offer. We don't want that! We usually shop for locally made works of art, or food items. But the ambience looks so charming. And Strasbourg seems to fit the bill perfectly.

We won't go to Baden-Baden, thank you for that tip! And, unfortunately I cannot drink alcohol anymore, so the wine route or tour is probably a no. (Which is a shame, since I'm Italian and I love wine!)

Pat, your trip report was very helpful. It helped to narrow down my choices. Maybe skipping Paris this time, and concentrating on Germany is the way to go.

And REALLY good to know that we should decide sooner rather than later, in order to get hotel rooms.

Thank you again, and Happy Holidays to all.
J.

Posted by
1678 posts

Don't go to Baden Baden. Go to either Karlsruhe and do the Winter Garden at the Zoo or go up to Neustadt on the winestrasse.

If you don't do that head towards Luxembourg via Nancy and Metz! These are fantastic cities with good christmas displays.

Posted by
114 posts

KGC,
Thank you for your advice. So kind of you all to respond.
Jadam

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