Article written by Elisa
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Ribeauvillé is one of the is one of the best villages in Alsace to visit. With an ideal setting between the Vosges and vineyards, Ribeauvillé still keeps part of its medieval fortifications, overlooked by the ruins of the three castles of the Counts of Ribeaupierre.
In December, Ribeauvillé hosts one of the most original Christmas Markets in Alsace. For two weekends, the whole town is transformed into a medieval Christmas village, and it’s a real show! I fell in love with this atypical and, above all, very authentic Christmas Market. Expect a super friendly atmosphere, many animations, beautiful costumes, medieval dishes, and “potions” to warm up!
The Ribeauvillé Christmas Market dates 2024 are the 7 and 8 December and the 14 and 15 December. Keep reading for the best things to do at the Ribeauvillé Christmas Market.
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- Book your train tickets to Comar
- Book your train tickets to Strasbourg.
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Top Experiences and Tours in Alsace:
- The 4 Wonders of Alsace Full-day Tour from Colmar
- Half-day Wine Tour from Strasbourg
- From Colmar: 3 Villages in France, Germany, and Switzerland!
- Best of Alsace Day Trip from Strasbourg
Top Places to Stay in Alsace:
- Hotel Le Colombier (stay in a traditional Alsace building in the Little Venice neighborhood)
- Hotel Restaurant Le Maréchal (the cutest place to stay during the Christmas time!)
- Hotel Cathédrale (with amazing views over the Cathedral)
- Hotel Cour du Corbeau Strasbourg (in a lovely traditional building)
Don’t leave for Alasce without travel insurance!
SafetyWing Essential plan works well for long and short trips (from 5 days up). Can also cover electronics theft through their add-on.
Christmas Market in Ribeauvillé – Things to Do
Ribeauvillé’s Medieval Christmas Market is a journey back in time and a unique show for all the family. In addition to the originality of the theme and the many activities on offer, Ribeauvillé’s charming half-timbered houses and squares are superbly decorated. A real gem!
Here, everybody is dressed in medieval costumes. The chalets are also unique, designed in the medieval style.
The Ribeauvillé Christmas Market stretches along the entire length of the Grand’Rue, and nearby squares. A first square offers activities for children and also for the older ones. Sheds offer pancakes and hot drinks, and you can even try your hand at the marble toss to win a beverage of your choice.
A little further on appears the Kingdom of the Elves. It is a large courtyard surrounded by pretty half-timbered houses with several activities in the center: chamboule-tout, wooden merry-go-round, and even the goose keeper show.
Then, continue to the Town Hall Square, with a small Christmas market and, at the foot of the church, the wild boar on the spit. From the square, you can continue on the main street, passing under the Tour des Bouchers (butchers’ tower). It is actually a remnant of the old city walls, whose name refers to the slaughterhouse next door.
Other activities take place, in particular, to pay tribute to certain trades, such as jugglers, storytellers, or gunsmiths.
In Place de la Sinne, with its beautiful stone fountain (1862), you may be able to see one of the shows by Dancerie des Ribeaupierre. This group offers medieval dances throughout the day, sometimes in couples and sometimes in groups.
The formidable Dragon of Ribeauvillé regularly descends from the Taennchel Mountain to participate in the Medieval Christmas Market! You will also come across three evil monsters perched on their stilts who roam the city to impress young and old alike!
Taste Ribeauvillés’ Medieval Gastronomy
The Ribeauvillé Christmas Market is also a great opportunity to taste the specialties from medieval times. Dishes are prepared with unique know-how passed down from generation to generation, including respect, tradition, and finesse.
You will find something to eat all along the main street, with several squares set up for gourmets. Enjoy dishes of small vegetables simmered for a long time with poultry and other cumin-based preparations cooked in a cauldron, large slices of country bread covered with ham or bacon smoked over a wood fire, and tartes flambées.
At the Town Hall Square, you can also taste the wild boar on the spit that cooks throughout the day. To give you an idea, no less than 35 wild boars are cooked every weekend for the Christmas Market!
To wash things down, you will be offered mulled wine with spicy notes of cinnamon or fruity notes with mirabelle plum. There’s also cervoise (barley wine), hot chocolate, and apple juice from the press. And don’t forget to taste the medieval elixir concocted with spices and liqueur; it’s delicious!
Of course, you will also have the opportunity to taste specialties from Alsace: hearty food like tarte flambée, raclette, tartiflette, bredeles (Alsace’s Christmas cookies), and drink hot chocolate or mulled wine to warm up.
Just before the Tour des Bouchers, you can stop in the pretty shop Les Confitures de Nicole (68 Rue Grand’Rue, Ribeauvillé), which is full of treasures. You will find delicious jams cooked in cauldrons (special mention of the seeded raspberry and pink jam from the valley!), as well as Christmas decorations, gingerbread, and typical Alsatian Christmas cakes. There are lots of good things!
Wine Tasting in Ribeauvillé
Ribeauvillé is a wine-growing town along the Alsace Wine Route, so you can combine sightseeing with wine tastings.
The Alsace Wine Region is reputed for its white wines, which are aromatic, floral, and spicy. Here, you can find delicious Rieslings, Gewurztraminers, and Pinot Gris. There are also wines made from the Pinot Noir grape variety, which are pale reds, and sparkling wines known as Crémant d’Alsace.
Domaine Jean Sipp offers visits to the cellar with wine tastings in English and French. One kilometer south of Ribeauvillé, along the D1B road, Bott Frères offers wine tours with tastings in English, German, and French. Both wine cellars are open from Monday to Saturday and require advance booking for the tours with tastings.
How to Get to the Ribeauvillé Christmas Market
Ribeauvillé is located 16 km north of Colmar and 66 Km southwest of Strasbourg.
By car
Visit the best Christmas markets in Alsace by car. If you don’t have a car, you can rent one in Colmar or Strasbourg – Click here for my best tips for renting a car in France.
By bus
If you decide to combine the Christmas Market in Ribeauvillé with the Colmar Christmas Market, two Christmas shuttles – Navettes de Noël #1 and #2 – depart from Colmar to Ribeauvillé every 30 minutes on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
The buses start just in front of Colmar’s train station and stop in Ribeauvillé, Riquewihr, and Kaysersberg before returning to Colmar. The shuttle bus ticket costs 15 EUR (free for kids under 12) and is valid for one day with unlimited rides.
- Line 1: Colmar > Kaysersberg > Riquewihr > Ribeauvillé > Colmar
- Line 2: Colmar > Ribeauvillé > Riquewihr > Kaysersberg > Colmar
I recommend buying your tickets to the Christmas shuttle online. With online tickets, you skip the line to buy them! There will be a line to board the bus, though.
I don’t recommend taking the Navette on Friday: the Ribeauvillé Christmas Market does not work on Fridays, and the Kaysersberg Christmas Market works at half speed.
The alternative to the Christmas shuttle is the regular bus 68R016, which departs from Colmar Kestner. You can find the bust stops and schedules here.
Where to Stay in Ribeauvillé
The real reason I think you should stay in Ribeauvillé 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 Ribeauvillé for the two weekends of the Christmas Market. The map above shows the hotels and apartments available for your selected dates.
Ribeauvillé Christmas Market – Practical Information
The Ribeauvillé Christmas Market dates 2024 are the 7 and 8 December and the 14 and 15 December. Because of its originality and short time window (only two weekends), the Ribeauvillé Christmas Market is always very crowded, but it is worth it!
Ribeauvillé Christmas Market Opening times:
- Saturdays: from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Sundays: from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Ribeauvillé’s Tourism Office: 1 Grand’ Rue, Ribeauvillé. Opens Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 2.00 p.m. to 6 p.m.