The Christmas Market
For four centuries, the Christmas market has brought a touch of magic to the Christmas season. Created in 1570, it is one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe and the first in France. A look back at its history, behind the scenes of this unique success story with historian Jean-François Kovar.
At first, the Christmas market took place the three days before December 24, Place de la Cathédrale. He was already offering the inhabitants something to prepare for Christmas. There were wax shacks, gingerbread and other sweets merchants, but also herbalists, saddlers, cloth makers, mercerers and of course fir sellers.
Strasbourg became the Christmas Capital in 1992, thanks to Jean-Jacques Gsell.
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In an Alsatian Christmas market, you will be able to find some specialities.
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First, the "bredele", they are small Christmas cakes, cooked during Advent at home, often with friends or family. There is a wide variety of them: linzers, butterbredle, spritz, etc. They have different shapes: star, man, heart, fir tree...
Then, the "Männele", they are little brioche dough men which are made by the bakers on Saint-Nicolas Day, December 6. Their two eyes are often represented by raisins or chocolate, and so much more to discover !