HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS AT 6717

AWARDS 2023

THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS BEGINS IN ALSACE IN NOVEMBER...

customs...

As December approaches, the towns and villages of Alsace are decked out in their most beautiful decorations and lights. 

Celebrated on 6 December, Saint Nicholas' Day is a particularly popular tradition in Alsace. According to the legend, Saint Nicholas travels from house to house on a donkey accompanied by the bogeyman ? If Father Whip threatens the children who have not been good, Saint Nicholas rewards them with delicacies such as oranges and gingerbread. 

The Christmas tree is a widespread tradition in France. But did you know that it was in Selestat that the "first written mention of the Christmas tree" was found? In 1521, the town of Selestat, located 30 minutes from 6717, entered in its account book the authorisation for the inhabitants of the town to take a tree free of charge in order to decorate it.  At the time, Christmas trees were not displayed in our living room, they were hung from the ceiling to prevent the natural gourmet decorations that adorned them from being nibbled away.

 

...and Christmas treats

While strolling through the Christmas market, warm up with a Glühwein ( hot wine) or a hot juice and taste a typical Alsatian delicacy.

Enjoy the well known gingerbread or the small Christmas biscuits called Bredele or bredala. The recipes have been passed down from generation to generation and you will never tire of discovering all the different kinds that exist. Don't forget to try a Manele biroche in the shape of a typical St Nicholas man, which is said to represent either the saint himself or the children he saved according to legend.

Christmas markets around 6717

Eguisheim

25 November to 30 December

Colmar

24 November to 29 December

Mulhouse

24 November to 27 December

Kaysersberg

25 November to 20 December

Riquewihr

26 November to 21 December

Strasbourg

25 November to 24 December

Obernai

25 November to 31 December