Tatiana Geiselmann (in Strasbourg), edited by Laura Laplaud 07:28, November 26, 2022

The oldest market in France opened its doors on Friday evening in Strasbourg.

After two years marked by the Covid-19, the organizers hope to attract more than two million visitors until December 24, even if this time the energy restrictions, and not health, could play the spoilsport.

Kick-off of the Strasbourg Christmas market.

After two years marked by the Covid-19 epidemic, the oldest Christmas market in France, 450 years old, expects more than 2.5 million visitors.

Europe 1 went to meet tourists and traders happy to rediscover the magic of the end-of-year celebrations, even if energy sobriety risks playing spoilsport.

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"It's fabulous, it's a real show"

In Spanish, German or English, the reactions are unanimous in the face of the large 30-metre high tree, the cherubs of the cathedral and the hundreds of luminous stars scattered throughout the city.

"It's magic", "we come every year and we always have light in our eyes", "it's fabulous, the angels who greet, we were afraid that with the restrictions, there would be less lighting, but it's fabulous, it's a real spectacle", enthuse these visitors.

However, the municipality has effectively reduced the airfoil, confirms Guillaume Lipszyc, deputy to the city: "We have between 10 and 20% fewer installations. We are between 5 and 10% savings in electricity consumption."

The illuminations now turn off at 11 p.m. compared to midnight in previous editions.

The chalets, meanwhile, close an hour earlier and will turn off the lights at 8 p.m.

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 In Strasbourg, the Christmas market opens on Friday against a backdrop of inflation and the energy crisis

Energy savings well perceived by merchants

In the chalets, energy sobriety goes through the disappearance of the heaters in the sheds.

"The energy was finally so cheap that we allowed it, while I am very well in my chalet, I can even work barefoot", says this trader who will have until December 24 to offer an unforgettable souvenir to the many visitors.