Strasbourg. Even schoolchildren, although, but heard about the existence of this city. But for some reason, adult tourists are in no hurry to travel to this amazing corner of France, and in vain. Especially fascinating and memorable will be a visit to Strasbourg in the Christmas period or on the eve of the New Year. In addition to sightseeing, tourists will have the opportunity to taste and have fun on numerous Christmas fairs. By the way, the French themselves call Strasbourg of the Capital of Christmas.
So, familiarity with the Christmas fairs of the city can be started with visiting the Cathedral Square. It was on it every year since the end of November a Christmas market starts to work. And small travelers will like not only his visit, but also acquaintance with Astronomical clock , adorning the South Tower of the Strasbourg Cathedral of Our Lady. I was convinced of this on my own experience. For my boys, watching clock has become a real entertainment. Especially children liked the calling in the bell angels and a rooster over the clock, grinding and the ammunted wings.
Figures on the clock come in motion once a day at 12:30. And since this entertainment is paid (in all days except Sunday), the ticket should be purchased until 12:00. It is 2 euros and is sold at the cassette of the southern portal. The very same fair starts to sound fun and attract tourists' attention closer in the evening.
Another pre-New Year Fair can be found on the square in the Voron Bridge area (Pont du Corbeau). It trades with special brown asterisks from almond dough. For one cinnamon arched and covered with icing, the asterisk will have to lay out 1.50 euros. In case of bad weather in the Christmas chalet, it will be possible to warm up a hot mulled wine or a cup of non-alcoholic Vin Chaud (Mulled wine) from apple juice.
The height of entertainment in the winter Strasbourg begins after five o'clock in the evening when the sun comes and turns on the festive illumination of the streets and squares of the city.
It is at this time that the fair of St. Thomas in St. Toma's Protestant Church begins to work with an unusual name Children's Village (Le Village Des Enfants) . This is a colorful bazaar in small visitors. For the singering penny for children in a children's village, there are cheerful master classes for the manufacture of Christmas tree toys. And exciting views and fun games will be delighted even adult visitors to the Fair.
Walking around the city will certainly lead to tourists to the Place Kléber Square. It is there that tourists will expect the most beautiful and highest tree of Strasbourg. At the same time, it was already for many decades. The peculiarity of this Christmas tree is still that it is customary to leave gifts in need. Many tourists, giving tribute to tradition, lay specially packed Christmas gingerbread cookies and cookies. You can buy these delicacies right in LE Village Du Partage . That is the so-called local fair.
At this fair, Strasbourg do not end. Tourists who still have strength can stroll or ride on the New Year's cart (Omnibus) to one of the largest and picturesque Christmas fairs of the city - Baby Fair Jesus (Christkindelsmärik) . That is where there is in the abundance of Christmas decorations and balls, and more sweets and mulled wine. Local residents, disguised in vintage costumes, draw all passersby in unusual christmas games. Laughter and fun do not leave the area to a deep night.
Another original, in my opinion, entertainment can be found on Place d'Austerlitz. All December works here Gastronomic Fair Christmas Charming Alsace (Le Marché des Délices de Noël d'alsace) . The fair feature is not so much in a large selection of sweets, as to be able to observe the work of the buns. It is unlikely that tourists will ever be able to see how to form and bake messy men - Menel.
For those who have no desire to wander in fairs Strasbourg prepared real winter entertainment - ice rink . You can find it on Place Du Château) not far from the tourists of the Strasbourg Cathedral of Our Lady. Entrance to the roller with rolling of skates is worth everything 3 Euro . For a squad that does not know how to skate, a special children's zone with tunnels is equipped with a slide for rolling on toboggans (robust sleigh). Opened rinking all December daily from 10:00 to 20:00.
Here are such entertainment prepared strict Strasbourg for winter guests. You only have to come and selflessly make sure how delicious mulled wine, gingerbread and baked chestnuts on the oldest christmas fairs of French Christmas tables.