Today we are in Strasbourg, the self-proclaimed capital of Christmas.

0:05 There are some of the biggest and the oldest markets here

0:07 in the whole of Europe.

0:09 So let's see if the city its title.

0:12 What makes Strasbourg so special is that the main markets are spread

0:16 across the whole city, and not just in one square.

0:19 We'll dive right into the festive of the city's

0:23 traditional Christmas markets, before a market

0:27 which focuses on and social enterprise

0:29 for more eco-conscious Christmas.

0:32 And , we'll visit this quaint little advent village

0:36 selling local goods.

Where Strasbourg is located

0:39 Strasbourg is in eastern France

0:41 in the Alsace region,

0:42 which is close to the German border.

0:44 So there are lots of German and traditions here.

Christkindelsmärik

0:50 We are our tour at

0:52 France's oldest Christmas market, the Christkindelsmärik.

0:56 It's the most traditional and the most popular.

0:58 So let's go .

1:00 The Christkindelsmärik first started in 1570,

1:04 making this market almost 500 years old.

1:08 It's located at the Place Broglie in the center of Strasbourg.

1:11 And it's a central part of the larger network of markets here.

1:23 Let's be real, the main reason why you're coming to the Christmas market

1:26 is for the food.

1:27 There's so much on offer here.

1:28 It smells amazing, so let's go .

1:33 There's a great mix of international

1:36 like these Lebanese .

1:39 And of regional classics like Currywurst,

1:42 Spätzle, which is a kind of with mustard sauce or sauerkraut,

1:46 roasted and galettes.

1:51 These are essentially fried grated potatoes

1:54 topped with local Alsatian .

2:01 This one was super crisp and .

2:13 That's really good cheese.

2:16 We're talking real French cheese here.

Strasbourg Cathedral

2:29 One of Strasbourg's other main markets is just around the corner.

2:32 The walk over is itself an absolute must

2:36 as you so many lights and decorations.

2:39 Lots of shops and buildings here are parts of initiatives that ensure

2:43 the whole city is decked out in cheer.

2:47 And we've made it to our next location, the Strasbourg Minster!

2:52 This beautiful Gothic cathedral basically looks like it was made

2:56 for holiday .

2:57 Its construction began in the 11th century,

3:00 before it was completed in .

3:03 It stands at 142 meters and was once the building in the world.

3:08 Surrounded by lights and music, the cathedral provides the perfect

3:12 setting to get swept up in the Christmas .

3:20 And it wouldn't be a trip to the Christmas market without a hot drink

3:23 to wrap your cold hands around.

3:25 And here in Strasbourg, the mulled has a bit of a twist.

3:31 So mulled wine is typically made with red wine,

3:34 but here it's often made with white wine.

3:36 It's still spiced with the usual kind of nutmeg, ,

3:39 star anise flavours though.

3:41 So let's try it and compare!

3:49 Yeah, nice.

3:50 It's definitely a bit lighter.

3:52 Heavy on the star anise and maybe slightly less likely to give

3:56 me a headache!

3:57 Win win!

4:01 Now that we are fed and watered, it's time for some Christmas shopping.

4:06 The market is full of traditional treasures, from delicate

4:10 glass ornaments to crafted toys.

4:13 And there are also whimsical toys if that's more your vibe.

4:16 One of the most charming — these made from clay.

4:20 They're modeled on the traditional Alsatian buildings.

4:23 All the house here are a little bit magic.

4:25 Everything is handmade here and every house you see here is a real one.

4:35 These markets are really just like Christmas .

4:38 There's such a good energy and everyone's just up the festivities.

Marché OFF

4:44 Strasbourg has even more to offer than just

4:46 the traditional side of Christmas.

4:49 This market has a more modern, eco-friendly take on Christmas.

4:52 Even the chalets are made from repurposed shipping containers.

4:57 The Marché OFF is all about ethical Christmas shopping.

5:01 Think , second-hand clothes,

5:03 local crafts and and fair-trade food.

5:06 Over 30 local organisations this market.

5:09 And they're all united by a shared mission to support charitable causes

5:14 and foster community well-being.

5:18 This market is not based on profit.

5:21 It's more based on solidarity and human projects.

5:25 You know, that includes refugees and handicrafts

5:28 and things that are local as well.

5:33 Okay, so I am supposed to be buying Christmas presents for other people,

5:37 but these just look like the perfect gift for me.

5:41 They're made by an Afghani couple who collaborate with women back in their

5:44 home country to create these designs made with Afghani .

5:49 This market has versions of classic Christmas market food.

5:53 Here in Strasbourg, the local delicacy is the Tarte Flambée.

5:57 It's a spread with fresh cheese and traditionally topped

6:00 with onions and .

6:02 There are also great options too.

6:05 It's also very popular in neighboring regions of Germany,

6:07 where it's called Flammkuchen.

6:13 So let's give it a go.

6:19 That's so good.

6:20 It's got a really smoky taste.

6:26 And the saltiness from the cheese and the bacon, that's so nice,

6:31 especially since it's .

6:38 Delicious.

La Petite France

6:41 There's one more place on my list of things to visit in

6:44 Strasbourg at Christmas.

6:46 The Petite France district is a Strasbourg must-see all year round,

6:49 but the half-timbered buildings, the houses on the canal and the bridges

6:53 are especially magical at Christmas time.

6:57 The Advent village is right in the of the Petite France district,

7:01 and it's a much quieter, cosier setting, away from the main market.

7:05 There are just a few , as well as concerts and workshops where you

7:09 can learn about local Christmas traditions.

7:12 The few stalls here are all manned by people selling their own handmade

7:16 local produce, like organic wine from just 30 kilometers away or made

7:20 from fruit harvested just outside Strasbourg.

7:24 One woman is selling her own Alsatian Bredele biscuits.

7:29 These small biscuits come in lots of different shapes and

7:32 sizes and are also popular in parts of southern Germany.

7:37 That tastes...

7:39 ... just like my German grandmother's Christmas biscuits.

7:43 Perfect. Merci.

7:49 The Advent village looks even more lovely at night time when the

7:53 reflections of all the lights on the river.

7:56 A magical way to end the day.

8:03 I have loved all of the different takes on Christmas

8:06 here in Strasbourg.

8:07 On the one hand you have this real celebration of old holiday traditions.

8:12 And on the other, essentially reimagining of Christmas

8:15 for a more sustainable future.

8:16 So there's something here for everyone and I really think it

8:19 its title "Capital of Christmas".

8:21 Do you agree?

8:22 Let us know in the comments.