• 20 Minutes

     asked its readers what they think of the return of the Strasbourg Christmas market, from November 26 to December 26, if sanitary conditions allow.

  • “Eagerly awaited” or “feared”, the Christmas market arouses passions and opinions are very clear-cut, often diametrically opposed.

Christmas is back in Strasbourg.

After being canceled last year for health reasons, the historic Christmas market is back in the Alsatian capital.

Announced by the mayor Jeanne Barseghian from November 26 to December 26, the 

Christkindelsmärik

, which dates back to the Middle Ages and largely contributes to the fame of the city.

“Awaited with impatience” or with “anguish”, the Christmas market does not leave

20 Minutes

Internet users indifferent,

 as evidenced by the many comments received.

Strong opinions, not to say divisive.

Spirit of Christmas, of sharing, are you there?

"How gloomy […] in the streets of Strasbourg last year"

Yes, for Roger who writes: “What a joy to see this atmosphere of dreams and hope again. The ingredients of this happiness? "There is nothing more beautiful than an illuminated Christmas tree and the delicious smells of cinnamon, mulled wine and other delicacies" explains Nadia. “The atmosphere, the life that goes with it, the smells, the sensations, the mixing of visitors amazed by the illuminations… I missed everything, adds Séverine. How gloomy one could feel in the streets of the city last year, it was not the same. […] And when I go to other cities during this same period, they seem sad without a Christmas market and what goes with it, I say to myself “wow” we are lucky! "

Patricia is delighted with the return of “chalets, local artisans” with “this magnificent city of Strasbourg as a backdrop”. Very popular chalets "with the pretty little decorations that we love to give to our friends ... Can't wait to go back!" », Says Cristelle. And she can be reassured because the mayor of Strasbourg has already indicated that "all the 2020 exhibitors who so wished have in fact been included for the 2021 edition". More than 320 chalets will therefore be scattered throughout the city.

It is “the ultimate family outing.

With unforgettable aromas in the air, eyes shining with joy, love, happiness ”, lists Lucienne.

“A moment that will be all the more appreciated since the year has been difficult with the health crisis, underlines Angelica.

We need so much to find a little dream, magic, to let our child's soul live and especially to find, for a moment, a world which is beautiful, benevolent… And human!

I rejoice!

"Memories too, like a perfume you won't forget and" reminds me every year of the wonderful times my grandparents and I spent there, Patricia remembers.

Strasbourg's indelible mark at Christmas.

"

"A hoax"

But the magic of the Christmas market does not work for everyone. "At Christmas, Strasbourg excludes the people of Strasbourg and turns into a stronghold where it is no longer good to come" assures Jean. Many Internet users relate the problems of traffic, parking, closed tram stations, accessibility - "amplified for people with reduced mobility", testifies Odile -, the hordes of tourists - more than two million each year -, interminable checks that make life or visiting very difficult, not to mention the fear of spreading the coronavirus. "A horror", a market "soulless" and ultimately bad for local commerce.

Another problem is “chalets, which prevent seeing the city” but also the financial cost of the big tree or the usefulness of cutting down a hundred-year-old tree every year.

So, an expected return from the Christmas market?

It is "a hoax", assures Gilbert who, like many others, calls for more authenticity, simplicity before being able to congratulate himself on a return.

Known grievances.

The new municipal team also indicated as soon as it took office that it wanted a different project for the 2020 edition which was finally canceled.

To see if it will be discussed this winter.

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  • Testimony

  • Tourism

  • Strasbourg

  • Christmas market

  • Xmas