Hotels near Christkindelsmärik at Place Broglie

Place Broglie is where the Christkindelsmärik, the market of the Christ Child, settled in 1871 after moving between the cathedral square, Place du Château and Place Kléber for three centuries. It is still the historic heart of the Strasbourg Christmas market, a long avenue of wooden chalets under a lit arch, with the Opéra du Rhin at one end and the Hôtel de Ville along the side.

The stalls here are the most varied in the city: Alsatian pottery, glass ornaments, straw stars, wooden toys and cheaper souvenirs side by side. Food stalls sell tarte flambée, grilled sausages, roast chestnuts and gingerbread (pain d'épices). Every hot drink comes in a cup with a €1 deposit, which you can reclaim at any drinks chalet or drop into a charity collection point.

Broglie is also the most crowded square in the evenings, especially on Wednesday afternoons, Friday nights and weekends.

Pro Tip: Come on a Monday or Tuesday morning, as the city recommends, and walk the full length of Place Broglie before 1pm. Keep your cup if you like the year's design; it costs €1 and makes a cheap souvenir.