Article written by Elisa - Travel Writer & Local in France
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Eguisheim is one of the most beautiful villages in Alsace and part of the famous Alsace Wine Route. Surrounded by hills covered with vines and overlooked by the Trois-Châteaux, Eguisheim is one of the best places to visit in Alsace, well-known for its picturesque architecture and wines. This fairytale town is also one of the best day trips from Colmar, located 7 km southwest of the city.
One of the prettiest French medieval towns, Eguisheim has a unique layout, where the streets are arranged in concentric circles around the former Château Saint-Léon, where Pope Léon IX was born.
Don’t miss Place du Château (Eguisheim’s central square), dominated by the sculpture of Pope Léon IX from the top of the beautiful Renaissance fountain. The square is surrounded by lovely half-timbered houses, the ruins of the château, and the church of Saint-Pierre-et-Paul with its unique Vierge Ouvrante (14th century).
During the Christmas holidays, Eguisheim hosts one of the best Christmas markets in Alsace, attracting visitors from other corners of France and abroad. Wander around the narrow cobbled streets, flanked by the beautiful architecture of half-timbered houses with balconies full of flowers, teddy bears, and Christmas decorations.
The Christmas Market in Eguisheim 2023
The Eguisheim Christmas market has two locations on the squares Place du Marché aux Saules and Place Monseigneur Stumpf.
Both Christmas markets are small, with stalls selling a wide variety of handicrafts: wax figurines with Christmas motifs, sweets, musical instruments, local wines and champagnes (called crémant d’Alsace), wooden objects, glass Christmas balls, Christmas lamps, cheese, and cured meats.
On the main square, there’s no Christmas market, but this year (2023), the retaining wall of the château displays an original advent calendar, and there’s also a nativity scene.
For this 2023 edition, the town has planned many festive events, such as concerts, themed treasure hunts, and story-tellers. There are also themed guided visits too. Don’t hesitate to ask for the complete program at Eguisheim’s Tourism Office, located at 22 Grand’ Rue.
You will also have the opportunity to taste specialties from Alsace, hearty food like tarte flambée, raclette, or tartiflette, and drink hot chocolate or mulled wine to warm up.
La Ronde des Crèches
Let yourself be carried away by the magic of Christmas along a circuit in the Remparts of Eguisheim, punctuated with small nativity scenes, illuminations, and decorations. All the nativity scenes are different and super cute!
Take a break from the cold outside in a Winstub
If you need a break from the cold weather outside, look for a table in a warm and cozy winstub where conviviality reigns.
Winstubs (also called wistubs) are the local (and inexpensive) eateries in Alsace, perfect for trying the typical dishes in Alsace like the choucroute, baeckeoffe, and more. Click here to learn what to eat in Alsace.
How to Get to the Christmas Market in Eguisheim
Eguisheim is located 7 km southwest of Colmar and 81 Km southwest of Strasbourg.
By car
Visit the best Christmas markets in Alsace by car. If you don’t have one, you can rent a car in Colmar or Strasbourg – click here for our best tips for renting a car in France.
If you travel by car, avoid weekends, when the Christmas market in Eguisheim is particularly crowded.
By bus
If you decide to combine the Christmas market in Eguisheim with the Colmar Christmas market, there is a Christmas shuttle (#3) with daily departures from Colmar. The bus starts from Colmar Scheurer Kestner and stops at Colmar Gare SNCF and Eguisheim Post Office. The price ticket is 6€ for the day during the week and 10€ for the day on Fridays and weekends. The bus is free for kids under 12 years.
From Monday to Thursday, there’s only one bus doing this itinerary, and there are few hours. Try to arrive at the shuttle stop well in advance, as the seats on the bus are limited.
On Fridays and weekends, there are more hours but also more people, so it will be key to arrive at the shuttle stop well in advance to secure a seat on the bus.
Eguisheim is a town in the middle of nowhere. Still, it becomes a top tourist attraction during Christmas in Alsace, and I found that the bus service was not adapted to the huge number of tourists who relied on public transportation.
The alternative to the Christmas shuttle is the regular Eguisheim Colmar bus R030, which departs from Colmar train station. There are eight buses a day from Colmar to Eguisheim.
Where to Stay in Eguisheim
The real reason we think you should stay in Eguisheim overnight is because of how magical it becomes once the sun starts to set and the day crowds are gone. Then, the locals relax, and this beautiful village will be yours until late in the morning of the next day!
Book accommodation well in advance if you want to stay in Eguisheim during Christmas. This map shows the hotels and apartments available for your selected dates.
Eguisheim Christmas Market – Practical Information
Eguisheim Christmas market dates: 24 November to 23 December 2023. Then, from 27 to 30 December 2023.
Opening times:
- From 24 November to 15 December: Monday to Friday from 12 pm to 7 pm; Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 7 pm.
- From 16 December to 30 December: from 10 am to 7 pm.