10 Things to Do in Strasbourg in December

Fortunately, the best things to see and do in Strasbourg are constantly changing throughout the year simply because the weather and cultural traditions readjust the type of experience that tourists can have when they arrive in this beautiful city. In the case of December, you should be aware that you are in one of the busiest months of the year and this means that certain plans are more favourable than others from a logistical point of view.

I recommend that you continue reading this publication, as it includes different activities that fit perfectly into a fun visit during this time of the year, which will help you to better organise your time, as well as the use of your money throughout your trip.

Strasbourg' s Notre Dame de Strasbourg Cathedral is the city's main tourist attraction and is definitely a must-see no matter what time of year you visit.

At the same time, December specifically is a very special time of the year to visit knowing that the whole city will be decorated with Christmas lights because there will be about 10 markets throughout the month.

That means you'll find a totally unique panorama where you'll see the roofs of the medieval buildings of the Grand Isle of Strasbourg standing out against a sea of Christmas lights, making this city look like a real fairytale.

My recommendation is to opt for a guided tour, as you will learn several important details about the past of this structure that at one point became the tallest building in the world. You will also learn important details about the importance of the church for France and Western Europe as you climb the 330 steps to the observation deck.

The cities of north-eastern France, and especially those closest to the German border, have a gastronomic area that is not to be missed during a Christmas visit to Strasbourg. I'm talking about the winstub, a kind of restaurant with a very popular character that was created by wine producers to sell the leftovers of their harvest at cheap prices.

For that reason, they became a warm and rustic environment ideal for the working population during the winter months. Over the centuries they have become a very typical tourist experience in the winter months because the food and drink on offer is intended to warm the diners' bodies.

So it is a type of restaurant that you should definitely visit during the month of December. That is if you take into account that for centuries it was the star type of establishment in this month of the year. Moreover, it is a culinary experience that you can perfectly complement with a gastronomic tour that takes you to discover the cheeses and wines of the region. So you can return home with a real insight into the gastronomic traditions of Alsace.

The Barrage Vauban is a very important point in the historic centre of Strasbourg. It is a bridge that doubles as a small dam and was created as a defensive engineering work during the 17th century over the River III, just at the southern end of the Grand Ile de Strasbourg. It is notable for its roofed structure and for the statues and gargoyles inside which are a direct replica of some of those found in the cathedral and on the exterior of the Rohan Palace.

At the same time, it's a great place to visit during the month of December for the simple fact that it offers excellent views of the Petite France neighbourhood, which is usually decorated for Christmas because it's such an important landmark of Franco-German architecture, which defines the buildings found throughout the city's historic centre.

It is also a major tourist attraction that tends to go a little unnoticed by most visitors, meaning that you can enjoy it in comfort at a time of year when many buildings and monuments have long waiting times due to the large number of visitors to Strasbourg.

For many people, December in Strasbourg is synonymous with Christmas markets. Strasbourg has one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe, located annually right next to the cathedral. Nowadays, there are about 10 different Christmas markets throughout Strasbourg that try to meet different needs, ranging from artisanal and gastronomic products to second-hand clothes and decorative items for the home.

Visiting these markets is definitely one of the best things to do in Strasbourg during Christmas time. But the truth is that they will be available to you all month long. So you don't need your visit to coincide with Christmas Eve to enjoy this important cultural event.

Also, bear in mind that throughout the month, and especially at weekends, it is possible for these markets to turn into a kind of festival with live music and people dressed up as Christmas characters. All with the intention of turning the atmosphere into a truly festive experience.

In fact, Christmas markets of this kind are a reality in many different villages in Alsace and an excursion to see the best of them is something you should do if you have enough time.

Christmas carols are one of the most distinctive aspects of the month of December. This type of Christmas music has had a significant success in all parts of the world and specifically in Western Europe they are a cultural element that for centuries has captivated locals and tourists who have the opportunity to listen to them.

If you are interested in learning a little about the carols of the Alsace region then I recommend that you visit the church of St. Thomas.

This site is a Protestant church that is very important for the musical history of this city. The organ, which is still on display today, was played by Amadeus Mozart. For this reason, year after year this church is usually a meeting point for different children's choirs to practise the Christmas carols they sing both at masses in this church and at other religious events throughout the city.

Best of all, if you take a stroll around this site during the evenings in December you will probably come across these practice sessions that blend the musical traditions of French and German carols, meaning that in the evenings the interior of the church is flooded with this almost angelic music that is definitely one of the most important cultural heritages of Strasbourg and the entire Alsace region.

Mulled wine is a favourite drink throughout France during cold weather. This is interesting, as the month of December represents the change from autumn to winter, so I recommend that you make a point of enjoying this unique gastronomic tradition in any of the restaurants or street stalls that offer this drink.

You should know that in this case we are talking about red wine, as the taste of mulled white wine is not as pleasant as you might imagine. At the same time, you will realise that it is such a common drink this month that you can start trying it in different places until you discover which is your favourite establishment. But the truth is that drinking mulled wine during the month of December is so essential that you could also do it on a two-day visit to Strasbourg.

Christmas and the New Year mean that school students and university students alike have a short holiday. Many workers also take advantage of this time to relax, and the second half of December is often a popular time for partying in Strasbourg.

My advice is to join in on these experiences, especially if you're looking for nightlife to help you experience a much more diverse and entertaining trip. There are different areas throughout the city to party in style and La Salamandre, Le Studio Saglio and La Kulture are just a few of the establishments you could visit within the city's historic district to enjoy yourself.

Indeed, partying is a recommended plan for a one-day visit to Strasbourg, but one thing I do make clear is to bring coats, as most of the establishments have cloakrooms. This knowing that as soon as you set foot out of the place, the cold is quite strong. Especially in a month like December.

December can also be an ideal time to take a trip to any of the cities closest to Strasbourg. With its tourist focus and Christmas festivities, this month is an ideal opportunity to explore other parts of the Grand Est region in the north, where the town of Metz is located. This city is distinguished by its old town as well as its beautiful gothic cathedral.

The city is also known for being home to the Pompidou-Metz centre, which is a museum with several locations throughout France that focuses on showcasing the best of contemporary art. So this excursion is one of the best day trips from Strasbourg.

So if your trip to Strasbourg is long enough for you to spend a couple of hours in another location, then you should take advantage of this opportunity. Especially since on the way between the two cities you can also enjoy the scenery that characterises this region, which has some of the best-preserved virgin forests in France.

December has been a peculiar month for many centuries in Western cultures. Indeed, the existence of Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve means that this time of year brings a change of customs for people regardless of their role in society. For this reason, visiting a museum focused on the history of Strasbourg is one of the best things to do during a December visit to the city.

You'll find models, paintings and objects that show what daily life was like in Strasbourg in both medieval and later periods. You will also learn about the urban, social and political planning that Strasbourg has undergone throughout its different centuries of history.

At the same time, the museum becomes even more recommendable during the month of December as it is common to see temporary exhibitions related to Strasbourg' s Christmas customs, which have made it a favourite city to spend Christmas in the north-east of France.

Strasbourg is one of the seats of the European Parliament and throughout the year the building remains open for tourists to visit to learn about the history of the European Union and the importance of its legislative body.

At the same time, December is an appropriate time to learn how to visit the European Parliament in Strasbourg because of the fact that there are usually special lectures and activities with very diverse themes because it is such a touristy time

. Of this site you should know that it is located within the European Quarter, which is an area next to the Parc de l'Orangerie and is distinguished by its fairly innovative and modern buildings, which contrast very well with a city in which most of the buildings follow medieval or neoclassical architectural patterns.

These types of exhibitions are always free of charge and are usually available for most of the month. Especially in the second half of the month due to the fact that the influx of tourists increases a lot on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. The themes are almost always related to European culture and traditions.

The month of December represents an increase in the cold in Strasbourg and, as a result, the maximum temperatures are usually around 5°C while the minimum temperatures will easily be below freezing.

December is one of the most touristy times for the city of Strasbourg outside of summer because the Christmas markets make it a favourite destination in Western Europe.

As tourist demand is so high during the month of December, then you should be aware that a trip at this time of year is significantly more expensive than in other winter or autumn months. However, prices are quite similar to the cost of a trip to Strasbourg during the summer.

You should pack a good quality waterproof coat for your December visit to Strasbourg and footwear suitable for walking in the snow is a must. There is a good chance of snow at some point during your trip.