The Christmas market 2014 will start officially in Riquewihr Nov. 29, 2014 and will welcome you until late December, 28.
Here is a set of pictures taken on a Sunday evening between 5 pm and 6 pm. At that time, especially on a Sunday evening, a large part of the crowd had already departed and so the streets were again practicable.
The stalls of the plaza near the City Hall are open daily. But this year there are also other stands in some private courtyards of Riquewihr and even in some side streets. The late afternoon, just before it is completely night, is probably the best time of the day to visit a Christmas market. When the daylight is fading, then the full magic of the Christmas lights and atmosphere is coming live.
Hints and tips for a more convenient visit
Prefer weekdays
Every year, Christmas market means a magical atmosphere in the streets of Riquewihr … And like every year we are advising visitors to avoid weekends when possible. Riquewihr is one of the most beautiful villages in France.
And Riquewihr is even more popular during Christmas times. Most of the families living in a 2 or 3 hours drive radius are day trippers and will favor weekends since children are in school and parents at work during weekdays.
Should you have the opportunity to visit Riquewihr during weekdays, take it without any hesitation. In the evening, you will enjoy the romantic atmosphere of the old streets for yourself.
Struggle for parking spaces will be much easier on weekdays. And you will enjoy the markets a lot more.
If you have no other choice than visiting the Christmas markets during weekends, you should definitely consider the park and ride facilities.
Park and ride
To reach Christmas destinations without a car, use the special means of transport available during the period of Advent (Christmas Shuttles lines, TER regular lines (train and buses of the Alsace Region), which drop you off close to many markets and Christmas events.
Christmas Shuttles are operating between Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé and Colmar.
EUR 4,00 per person / day. Children under 12 years old are travelling free of charge.
Program of 2013 Christmas events from end of November to beginning of January
Here are two interesting documents to download :
- The program of Christmas events in the Ribeauvillé – Riquewihr area (including the Christmas markets, concerts, events in the winemaker’s cellars, religious events, nativity scenes, information about public transportation, etc.)
- Same as above but for a larger area including Colmar, Kaysersberg and Eguisheim.
Documents above also include some useful practical information.
- Access to the Christmas destinations without a car!
- Map of the transport network
- Where can you buy your ticket and at what price?
- The Christmas destinations accessible without a car
- Timetables for Christmas Shuttles and TER lines
- Contact details for the tourist information offices in the Land of Stars
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This page is an initiative of Les Remparts de Riquewihr – luxury and romantic holiday homes in the heart of Alsace, France – ideal base to visit all of Alsace as well as nearby Germany and Switzerland.
We arrived home last week from there Dec 17th, we also enjoyed the Christmas Market it was beautiful and I bought so many beautiful Christmas tablecloths to remember this market. We spent 5 nights there in this beautiful one bedroom apartment.
We were there in late September. It was beautiful then but we would love to be there at Christmas
wonderfull wish we were able to be there kevin&robyn beaumaris australia