Best Christmas Markets to Visit on a Day Trip from Paris
I love traveling to Paris during the holiday season. Paris becomes absolutely magical during Christmas.
The charm of Christmas, however, does not stop at the borders of Paris. There are many towns and cities nearby, and maybe a bit further away, that are just as enchanting and offer the most amazing Christmas markets that can be explored in a single day trip.
But let’s be honest, traveling can be a bit stressful, especially when you’re trying to fit in visits to multiple Christmas markets during your trip.
You might ask yourself which ones are worth your time and which ones aren’t, so you can make the most of your day without feeling rushed.
As someone who lives in Europe and not too far from Paris, I have explored many Christmas markets in the area, and I know exactly which ones offer the best experiences.
I can guide you through traditional crafts, festive foods, and the most amazing Christmas atmosphere.
This guide is for anyone looking to make the most of their holiday trip to Paris, whether you are a local, a tourist, or just eager to soak up the festive spirit and enjoy a unique day trip.
By the end of this article, you’ll have all the information you need for a successful day trip to the best Christmas markets near Paris.
1. Strasbourg Christmas Market
Probably the best day trip you can take from Paris to a Christmas market is to the Christmas market in Strasbourg. Strasbourg is known as the “Capital of Christmas.”
Why?
Well, it has one of the oldest and most famous Christmas markets in France.
There are over 300 stalls in several locations in the city center, offering amazing food and local crafts.
Highlights include the Christkindelsmärik, the main market located at Place Broglie, an ice skating rink perfect for festive fun, and stunning Christmas lights in the evening. It’s very easy to get to Strasbourg from Paris.
You can take a TGV from Paris Gare de l’Est to Strasbourg, and the journey takes about one hour and 45 minutes.
The market is within walking distance from the train station.
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2. Reims Christmas Market
Next up is the Christmas market in Reims. Reims is the heart of the Champagne region, and here you can find a Christmas market against the stunning backdrop of Reims Cathedral.
The cathedral, a twin of Notre-Dame in Paris, is where many French kings were crowned. Expect a lot of gourmet treats here, with around 150 stalls offering local produce, crafts, and amazing Champagne.
Highlights include gourmet food stalls with Champagne, cheese, foie gras, and oysters. There’s also a Christmas village at Place d’Erlon, with festive entertainment, and every evening, the cathedral lights up with a light show.
It’s very easy to get to Reims. You can take a TGV from Paris-Gare de l’Est to Reims, which takes about 45 minutes, and then the Christmas market is only a short walk from the train station.
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3. Lille Christmas Market
One of my favorite Christmas markets in France is the one in Lille. Because my parents lived in Ostend, which is quite close to Lille, we often visited the Lille Christmas market in winter.
Lille is a gorgeous town in Flemish style, and even outside the Christmas season, it’s worth a visit.
The market on Place des Rihours features about 90 stalls with crafts, gifts, and amazing food.
There’s also a large Ferris wheel, offering beautiful views of Lille, and a Santa’s Grotto.
Regional specialties like waffles, mulled wine, and Flemish fries are a must-try. It’s very easy to get to Lille.
You can take a TGV from Paris Gare de Nord to Lille, which takes about one hour.
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4. Colmar Christmas Market
In France, if you think about Christmas, you think about Alsace.
That means we can’t forget to include Colmar in our list of the best Christmas markets to visit on a day trip from Paris.
Colmar, located in Alsace, is one of the most Christmassy towns in the world. It honestly looks like it belongs in a snow globe. The market in Colmar is spread across the historic old town, with beautifully decorated stalls.
I absolutely love the markets at Place de la Cathédrale and Place de l’Ancienne Douane. The whole city feels like a fairytale. Here, you can taste Alsatian specialties like Brèdele (Christmas cookies) and, of course, mulled wine.
Getting to Colmar is quite easy. You can take the TGV high-speed train from Paris Gare de l’Est to Colmar, which takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes.
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5. Bruges Christmas Market
As a Belgian, I have to mention the Bruges Christmas Market. Often called the Venice of the North, Bruges transforms into a fairytale during Christmas.
The market is set in the picturesque medieval square of Grote Markt, with ice skating rinks and beautiful Christmas stalls.
You must try local delicacies like Belgian chocolate, beer, waffles, and Genever, a gin ancestor available in flavors like waffle, cinnamon, apple, and chocolate.
The market’s historical setting, surrounded by medieval architecture, makes it special. Nearby, there’s a high street for shopping, perfect if you visit just after Christmas to catch the sales.
Getting there is easy; take a Thalys train from Paris to Brussels, then transfer to a local train to Bruges, with the total journey taking about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
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6. Brussels Christmas Market (Winter Wonders)
And last but not least, we have the Christmas market in Brussels. Known as Winter Wonders, it’s one of the largest Christmas markets in Belgium, stretching from Grand Place to Place Sainte-Catherine.
There are over 200 chalets, an ice rink, and a large Ferris wheel.
The main highlight is the Grand Place light show, a spectacular display on the historic square. Of course, there’s plenty of food and drink, like Belgian waffles, chocolate, beer, mulled wine, and Genever. Christmas parades add to the festive spirit.
Getting there is easy; take a Thalys train from Paris to Brussels, which takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
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