Strasbourg is extremely expensive in December primarily due to its world-renowned, historic Christmas market (Christkindelsmärik), which attracts over two million visitors annually. High demand causes hotel prices to surge and availability to drop significantly. The city’s reputation as the "Capital of Christmas" drives premium pricing on accommodation, dining, and travel.
Strasbourg is beautiful, but staying overnight in December will cost you. Hotels skyrocket in price during the Christmas market season, and finding something affordable can feel like a holiday miracle. The good news is you do not have to stay there at all.
A downside to Strasbourg is that it can be expensive, especially during peak tourist seasons. Accommodation, especially in the city center, can be pricey, and dining out can add up quickly. I always recommend booking ahead.
From around the magnificent Cathedral to the city's most beautiful squares, Strasbourg, Capital of Christmas, invites you to share in the most marvellous of all the holidays.
Does Strasbourg Really Deserve the Title 'Capital of Christmas'?
Is Colmar or Strasbourg better for Christmas?
Nicer is subjective — but Colmar definitely feels more relaxed and visually charming. It's easier to explore without a map, more walkable, and offers better photography opportunities during the day. Strasbourg is dazzling at night, but also more intense.
Trécon, in case you missed it, sounds exactly like "très con" which means "really dumb" or "very stupid" in English. The mayor said that it wasn't uncommon for people to steal his village's road signs - something that many other villages with similarly strange names can relate to.
Today, both French and German can live and work in Strasbourg. So too can its cultural richness be enjoyed by all. It belongs both to the French and to the Germans. It's a city in many ways French, in some ways German, and in every way European.
As a general guide, for a single person to live comfortably (not lavishly, but with enough to enjoy life), you'd probably want at least 1,800 to 2,500 euros per month after tax. For a couple, something in the range of 2,800 to 4,000 is usually enough, depending on lifestyle and housing situation.
Does it snow in Strasbourg during December? Possibly. There's a chance of snow during December but not as much as you might think. Check the local forecast before you leave home so that you can pack appropriate footwear and clothing.
If you're wondering if you should bring cash or card to the Christmas markets, the answer is yes - both! Some vendors take cards, but you'll almost always need cash for smaller purchases (less than $20).
However, be aware that Strasbourg is very crowded in December, and on weekends, you should allow more time than usual to visit the city. If possible, avoid weekends at all costs and opt for a weekday visit.
Two days is ideal for a first-time visit or a weekend escape from Paris, and this itinerary is packed with highlights. Strasbourg's tall buildings provide plenty of shade in summer, but it can feel chilly at night. If you only have time for one thing, make it a walking tour of the UNESCO-listed Grand Île.
You can hardly go to Strasbourg without enjoying some traditional choucroute, an iconic dish. A few restaurants in Strasbourg have built up a great reputation for themselves with this speciality. The tarte flambée, served all-you-can-eat, is another local speciality you'll want to try.
The lispy th is absent in French, as it is in many other languages, which leads to its classic alternative, the z. “Zis is ze zermometer” (this is the thermometer).
The Zone Rouge, or Red Zone, is the name given to about 460 square miles of totally devastated land in the Meuse. Littered with unexploded ordnance, it became a physical and environmental catastrophe.
Given the close nature of the French greeting with kisses, the French are generally more at ease maintaining personal space. The French may seem reserved upon first meeting. However, during subsequent meetings, touching during a conversation is acceptable and considered a sign of affection.
Perhaps the most odd law of all is that it is legal in France to marry a dead person, though you do need the permission of the President and you must have a good reason to do so.
Are housing projects in France – particularly the French slums euphemistically termed Zones Urbaines Sensibles (ZUS for short) – comparable to American ghettos : i.e. enclaves of poverty resulting from geographic and ethnic segregation ?
1. Domme, Dordogne. This picturesque village in the south of France occupies a splendid position high above the Dordogne River. Honey-coloured streets, warm, welcoming locals and pretty views to match.
