9 Christmas Market Tours in France Worth the Early Start

1.Christmas Market Tour from Colmar

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 64 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $162Our pick

Spend about nine hours touring Alsace Christmas villages from Colmar, with hotel pickup, a driver-guide, free time in Eguisheim, Riquewihr, and Kaysersberg, plus a wine cellar visit and tasting in Ribeauvillé. Guides such as Christian, Ivan, Laura, and Christopher have led this small-group outing, though the daily route can change with market dates.

“Best tour I’ve ever done, of many.We could never have done this on our own, even though we speak the language and have traveled often in France. Our guide Christopher was superb. He gave us detailed insider knowledge, like the local son of the region that he is, which added a deep and precious dimension to the experience. He expertly navigated the heavy traffic and challenging lack of parking, dropping us off near the markets so that we could have max time in them without worrying about trudging back to the vehicle. He made sure we were comfortable with a roomy van, water, WiFi, and cookies. We went to four…”

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2.Alsace Christmas Markets Day Tour from Strasbourg

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 48 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $180

Travel from Strasbourg to Colmar and one changing Alsace village market in a comfortable minivan for up to eight people. Your English-speaking guide leads a short Colmar walk, then gives you time to eat, shop, and explore. Stops may include Riquewihr, Kaysersberg, Ribeauvillé, Eguisheim, Bergheim, or Obernai.

“Although it was a dreary day, our tour guide made the most of our time together. On the way to Colmar, she talked about the landscape of the Alsace region, and pointed out various things like the mountains, valleys, homes and wineries. Our guide was very interactive. Our first stop to Colmar, she guided us as to where we needed to go to see all of the Christmas markets and made some wonderful recommendations which we did. We had a wonderful time in Colmar. Then we stopped in Ribeauville, which was very different and Medieval. It was a bit overcrowded as expected for a Saturday. We enjoyed walking through the…”

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3.Strasbourg: Christmas Markets Walking Tour with Mulled Wine

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 36 reviews · 2 hours · from $41

Join a bilingual guide for a two-hour stroll through Strasbourg’s Christmas markets, illuminated streets, and decorated squares. You’ll visit as many as seven markets, hear Alsatian holiday traditions, sample foods such as bretzels and spaetzle, and finish with mulled wine or hot juice. Groups are limited to 10, with tours in English, French, or Spanish.

“Our guide was a excellent he made the experience 🥰”

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4.Strasbourg 7-Hour Christmas Markets Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 29 reviews · 7 hours · from $176

Leave Strasbourg for Colmar’s five Christmas markets, then ride the Alsace Wine Route to Obernai, Bergheim, or Riquewihr. An English-speaking driver-guide leads this small group of up to eight in a comfortable minivan. Leticia has earned praise for her lively explanations, though guide involvement can vary.

“The guide, Leticia was so much fun and very informative, a fount of knowledge.”

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5.From Colmar: Christmas Markets Across 3 Borders

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 24 reviews · 8 hours · from $159

From Colmar, join a small group of up to eight people for an 8-hour Christmas trip through Switzerland, Germany, and France. Didier or another French and English-speaking driver-guide takes you by air-conditioned minivan to Basel, Freiburg, and Eguisheim, with free time at each stop and bottled water included.

“Didier was an excellent guide!! Our tour destinations were altered a tiny bit from the order on the listing but we still went to three different markets in different cities in three countries. We got through borders easily and around quickly with our very kind and knowledgeable guide, Didier. He communicated with me any changes in timing and worked with us to make sure we were able to go on our trip. Would highly recommend to anybody wanting to see the Christmas markets and wanting to get multiple countries travel in one day!!!”

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6.Strasbourg Christmas Market Small Group Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 14 reviews

Begin at Place Gutenberg for a 90-minute small-group walk through Strasbourg’s Christmas scene. Your guide covers the Cathedral, Christkindelsmärik, and Place Kléber, with local history, Alsatian customs, shopping tips, and time to spot treats such as hot wine, pretzels, sauerkraut, and kugelhopf. Guides may include Catalina or Dean.

“Catalina was a wonderful guide. She did an excellent job of leading us on a beautiful journey of the Christmas markets of Strasbourg. She shared history of Strasbourg and how the Christmas markets began. The markets were very crowded, but Catalina knew the best routes to take to avoid the congestion as mush as possible. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour an experience in Strasbourg!”

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7.Strasbourg Christmas Market tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.1 · 13 reviews · 1 hour - 90 minutes · from $35

Walk Strasbourg’s Christmas markets with a local guide for 60 to 90 minutes. You’ll hear about Alsatian Christmas customs, browse ornaments and gifts, and can buy hot wine, pretzels, or kugelhopf. Meet near the statue at Place Gutenberg and look for the blue UTG Experience badge. Guides are listed in German or Spanish.

“Notre guide Émeline a été super, cependant elle n’était pas prévenue de notre venue . Elle a tout de même accepté de nous prendre dans le groupe , je l’en remercie ! Strasbourg is magic !”

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8.Strasbourg Christmas market tour and culinary city tour with tastings

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 3 hours · from $123Top rated

Join Céline, a Strasbourg native and bilingual food professional, for a three-hour small-group walk through the Christmas market and downtown. You’ll visit five to six carefully chosen stops for Alsatian sweets, savory bites, and drinks, with seating, local traditions, and practical Advent tips included.

“Celine is an excellent guide! Very knowledgeable about the food, traditions, and history of the city. We tried many different types of food and saw many christmas markets. Would highly recommend this tour.”

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9.Christmas Market Guided at Notre Dame & Food Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $27Best value

Spend one festive hour around Notre Dame with an English-speaking guide, tasting holiday pastries, mulled wine, and regional cheeses. You’ll hear the cathedral’s story, see restoration displays, browse the bouquinistes, get shopping tips, and pose at Santa’s stall. Linda may lead the walk, bringing humor and strong local knowledge to this compact Christmas outing.

“Linda was a wonderful guide! Incredibly knowledgeable and loved her sense of humor. Highly recommend this tour.”

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