Cruise of the Christmas villages and markets of Alsace

November 1, 2026

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Cruise of the Christmas villages and markets of Alsace — *Kaysersberg in December © Lori Prosser*

Is there anyplace extra christmassy? asks Janine Marsh as she takes a spectacularly festive cruise of the Christmas villages and markets of Alsace alongside the Rhine Canal – the reply is ‘no’!

A good way to expertise the yuletide markets, the dazzlingly adorned cities and villages of the Alsace area – together with Strasbourg, the “acknowledged capital of Christmas’, with out having to drive and forego a glass of mulled wine, or navigate an unknown place in freezing fog, discover parking areas, or paying prime greenback costs for resorts or worrying about making an attempt to get a restaurant reserving – is to see it by boat with family-run CroisiEurope – a frontrunner within the cruise enterprise.

Have your self a merry little cruise-mas

CroisiEurope provide a number of Alsace Christmas market excursions, and I took a four-day barge tour (most 22 individuals), which began and resulted in Colmar, taking in one of many largest Christmas markets within the area, in addition to smaller and really charming Christmas markets in fantastically adorned villages. Onboard, the chef-prepared meals are gastronomic and paired with fabulous wines – *all meals and drinks are included (together with on the bar). The barge is adorned in type and the minute you board, the festive spirit grips you. It’s heat and cosy with actually welcoming and pleasant, English-speaking employees. As Christmas experiences go – discovering Christmas in Alsace this manner is fairly unbeatable.

Swans in Alsace on a misty winter day — *Recognizing swans within the winter wonderland from our boat!*

Cruising gently by way of beautiful surroundings throughout the mornings (no night time time crusing), lazing within the steaming sizzling tub on deck, recognizing storks nests, herons and swans, indulging in wonderful meals and being transported on excursions within the afternoons with an English talking information was so enjoyable. Plus there are some enjoyable onboard experiences together with a scrumptious gingerbread tasting, and studying to make a serviette Christmas tree (sure I did go residence with this new ability and shocked my household on the Christmas meal!).

Kaysersberg at christmas

Within the coronary heart of the vineyards, medieval Kaysersberg is fairytale fairly, and it’s straightforward to see the way it gained the famend TV contest “Favorite Village of the French” in 2017. Wander the cobbled streets, ogle the half-timbered homes and admire the 13^th century citadel. All the homes are festooned with Christmas decorations, and the information informed me that within the villages of Alsace, that is such an enormous custom and such an necessary a part of their lives, that “in the event you don’t beautify for Christmas, your neighbours will come and knock in your door to be sure to’re okay!”

After a guided tour of the village to find its historical past, we had loads of time to go to the outlets and Christmas market stalls hosted in little wood chalets. It’s not an enormous market, nevertheless it’s very genuine with some nice arty, artful presents. There are distributors providing spiced vin chaud (mulled wine) and Bretzels, and I chanced on the fabulous boulangerie Levain, 2 Michelin Star chef Olivier Nasti’s sourdough bakery in tiny rue de Tir. A finalist for greatest bakery in 2025, search it out for probably the most scrumptious kugelhopfs and Christmas cookies.

Riquewihr

Riquewihr provides Kaysersberg a run for its cash within the fairytale-pretty stakes. With undulating vineyards working proper all the way down to its wonky cobblestone streets, medieval homes and mansions, wineries, and lovely little reward outlets galore, together with a year-round Christmas ornament retailer – which supplies you a clue as to why this village is a festive must-see – they take Christmas significantly right here!

After a guided tour, there’s loads of time to find the Christmas market which is large and filled with distinctive and fabulous issues which might be exhausting to withstand, from beautiful decorations to garments, toys, artisan made merchandise, and in the event you’re feeling peckish – nice steaming bowls of sauerkraut and sausages. There’s additionally time to wander the twinkling courtyards and alleyways. On this charming, genuine village, you’ll be able to’t assist however think about Hansel and Gretel will come skipping together with buying luggage filled with gingerbread!

Again on board, although we’d solely recognized one another for twenty-four hours, company who got here from America, Britain, Canada and France, bonded over dinner and chatted concerning the day’s actions.

Colmar at Christmas

Now the factor with being probably probably the most Christmassy place on this planet, is that you simply’re not alone in desirous to expertise the delights, and the grand Christmas market of the town of Colmar will get busy, particularly on the weekends – so having a coach take us straight to the doorway to the market within the coronary heart of the outdated city and choose us up afterwards to return to the barge was an actual deal with. One other deal with was beginning our guided go to at a Chocolate museum and indulging in a warming cup of thick, wealthy sizzling chocolate.

With time to understand the fantastically adorned homes, outlets and streets, Christmas chalets with regional items, homeware, presents, and decorations, we gulped within the scent of mulled wine, roasting chestnuts and gingerbread that stuffed the air. As nightfall fell, the lights twinkled and the setting solar made the colorful half-timbered homes glow softly.