A Winter Written
in Lantern Light
Private, tailor-made holiday journeys through Strasbourg, Colmar and the storybook villages of the Alsatian Wine Route where the oldest Christmas market in France still glows exactly as it did in 1570.
At Christmas, Alsace stops being a region and becomes a season one steps into.
Medieval villages glow with twinkling lights. Historic squares fill with artisan markets that have kept the same rituals for four centuries. The scent of mulled wine, gingerbread and warm spice drifts through cobblestone streets, and behind the timbered façades, cellars are opened for those who know to ask.
Our tailor-made journeys are composed entirely around the way you travel, the finest hotels, private guides who unlock the quiet hours, seamless transfers, and the authentic magic of an Alsatian Christmas. Nothing to arrange. Only the pleasure of it.
The Hours Before the Crowds
The great markets of Alsace are at their most beautiful in the first hour after the lights come on, and in the last, when the stalls begin to quieten. We arrange privately guided evening walks in precisely those hours, with an expert who knows which craftsman is worth stopping for.
Afterwards: a table held for you in a historic winstub, far from the boulevard, where the season is celebrated rather than sold.
Three Jewels of an Alsatian Christmas
Each has its own character. We weave them into a single, unhurried journey — or build the week around the one that suits you.
Strasbourg
The capital of Christmas. Beneath the soaring Gothic cathedral, the Christkindelsmärik spills across the Grande Île in a glow of lights, evergreen and Alsatian craftsmanship — the oldest market of its kind in France, and still the most magnificent.
Colmar
Half-timbered façades, flower-lined canals, and festive reflections shimmering on the water. Intimate where Strasbourg is grand.
The Wine Route
Villages crowned among the most beautiful in France, wrapped in holiday décor — with cellars opened privately along the way.
The Details That Stay With You
Where the Season Is Tasted
Alsace holds one of the highest concentrations of Michelin stars in France, and in December its kitchens celebrate the traditions of the season with foie gras, bredele, festive specialties, and wines poured from the vineyards just beyond the window.
Our trusted relationships open doors that are rarely available to independent travelers. From securing reservations at the region's most sought-after tables to arranging private tastings at prestigious wine estates, every culinary experience is thoughtfully curated. For the ultimate indulgence, a private chef can transform your villa or suite into an intimate gourmet restaurant for the evening.
Five Days in Festive Alsace
Arrival in Strasbourg
A private transfer to your hotel on the Grande Île, then an evening walk through the illuminated Christkindelsmärik with your guide, and a first dinner in a historic winstub.
Strasbourg, Unhurried
A privileged morning at the cathedral before the doors fill, artisan discoveries across the old town, and an afternoon left entirely to you.
The Canals of Colmar
South to Colmar and La Petite Venise, with private artisan encounters and a festive lunch, before the lights come on across the water.
The Wine Route
Riquewihr, Eguisheim and Kaysersberg by private car, with a cellar opened for you and a tasting among the vines under snow.
Farewell to Alsace
A last morning among the stalls, then a seamless transfer onward — or an extension to Paris, the French Alps, or the houses of Champagne.
Houses of Character, Chosen for You
From grand hotels on the Grande Île to intimate châteaux among the vineyards, we select the property that suits your journey, not the one that suits us.
- Luxury hotels & boutique propertiesHand-selected
- Private transfers throughoutIncluded
- Expert local guidesIncluded
- Private tastings & gourmet experiencesBy design
- Dedicated AAV conciergeThroughout your stay
“Every detail was thoughtfully arranged and flawlessly executed. From private château visits to unforgettable dining experiences, we simply enjoyed the journey without ever thinking about logistics.”
Planning Your Alsace Christmas
When do the Christmas markets in Alsace take place?
The Alsatian Christmas markets generally run from the last week of November through the end of December. Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmärik, first held in 1570, is the oldest of its kind in France. We tailor each journey to the finest dates — and to the quietest hours of the day.
Which Alsatian towns have the most beautiful markets?
Strasbourg and Colmar are the grand highlights, while the Wine Route villages — Riquewihr, Eguisheim and Kaysersberg — offer a more intimate, storybook charm.
Is an Alsace Christmas journey suitable for families?
Beautifully so. We design private journeys for every generation, with experiences and pacing matched to your family — from bredele biscuit workshops to horse-drawn moments through the vineyards.
How far in advance should we book?
This is a peak season with limited luxury availability. The finest hotels, private guides and starred tables are secured several months ahead.
Can we combine Alsace with other destinations?
Yes. Alsace pairs naturally with Christmas in Paris, the houses of Champagne, the Black Forest, or a staffed chalet in the French Alps — all arranged as a single, seamless journey.
Plan Your Christmas Escape to Alsace
Let us design a personalized holiday journey through the magical Christmas markets of Alsace. Tell us how you like to travel, and one of our specialists will reply within one business day.
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