Now that we have covered the main Christmas destinations in Alsace, it is time to share our impressions of a few less popular and small villages where we spent significantly less time than in the others. Of course, the focus of a first visit to the area falls on the large Christmas markets and iconic towns, but the smaller villages also possess their dose of authentic Saxon charm! We start with a town that we chose as our logistical base in Alsace – Sélestat.
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Sélestat – The birthplace of the Christmas tree
Sélestat, often overlooked in favor of its larger and noisier neighbors, became our perfect base during our tour of Alsace. We chose it for its strategic location – almost halfway between Strasbourg and Colmar – which gave us quick access to all the main settlements. Another reason we opted for it was the significantly cheaper accommodation options compared to the inflated prices in the big cities during Christmas.
See places to stay in Sélestat
We stayed in a small house (in the hosts’ garden), right by the banks of the Ill River. We parked freely in the yard and did not have to look for parking in Sélestat, but you will not find it difficult to find where to park near the center.
We did not have much time to wander around, but the town itself is quiet, peaceful, and possesses an appealing historical charm. It gained fame as “the birthplace of the Christmas tree,” as the oldest written record documenting the sale of fir trees dates back to 1521, precisely from here.
The Christmas market in Sélestat is not large, but it creates an extremely cozy and authentic atmosphere. It is spread across three main points:
➡️ Place d’Armes – The central and largest square with traditional huts.
➡️ Place de la Victoire – More intimate, but beautifully decorated.
➡️ Place du Dr Maurice Kubler – More craft and themed stalls are usually housed here.
Wandering the streets, we managed to distinguish the most beautifully decorated town house! It hosted the temptations of Pâtisserie Wach Benoît, and its windows were piled high with gift boxes, among which the French flag was waving.
Sélestat is home to several very good Alsatian restaurants, such as Au Pied De Boeuf. We had planned it for one of our evenings, but we did not make a preliminary reservation and unfortunately, we could not visit it… All seats were booked a week in advance – a common problem in Alsace during the Christmas season.
Bergheim – Another one of the French’s favorite villages
Another place for which we did not have time in the daylight was Bergheim – declared the favorite village of the French in 2022! And it is not hard to understand why. Unlike the larger and livelier towns, the feeling here is much more authentic! Located on the Alsace Wine Route, Bergheim offers wonderfully preserved medieval architecture, with the oldest half-timbered buildings dating back to the 15th century. The most impressive features are the entirely preserved ramparts with nine towers, completely surrounding it!
Parking here is extremely easy. We used the free parking lot right next to one of the main town gates – Parc de stationnement, which is very convenient for a quick tour. The Christmas market in Bergheim combines tradition and creativity, with most stalls offering various artisanal items. Its huts are arranged along the main streets, leading to the spacious market square (Place du docteur Pierre Walter) in front of the impressive facade of the town hall.
Although the decorations on the houses are not as lavish as in the popular towns, the atmosphere is extremely warm and authentic. And the highlight that impressed us the most were the many split logs, lit from within. These improvised fire pits created an incredibly cozy and magical mood in the cold night.
Rosheim – Between the Two Gates
Traveling between Obernai and Strasbourg, we decided to stop by Rosheim. The village is very small and you can park without any problem at Parking Braun, immediately next to the center. The town is structured around the main street, stretching between two imposing medieval gates and creating a sense of time travel. The main landmark, dominating the landscape, is the imposing cathedral, reminiscent of those in the larger Alsatian towns.
There are no rich decorations here, but there are a few Christmas huts located around the cathedral. Keep in mind that they only work on Saturdays and Sundays in December and during specific hours. This was the only Christmas market in Alsace whose working hours we did not check in advance, and naturally, they were closed. But we did have the opportunity for a short walk along the main street, enjoying the calm and beautiful architecture.
For a final
The small villages in Alsace are charming! You can easily use one of them as a base for exploring the area. And although we spent less time here, Sélestat, Bergheim, and Rosheim showed that the Christmas spirit and authentic charm can also be found far from the main tourist flows.
