From Strasbourg to Colmar: Christmas Market Hopping

Alsace is Europe's most famous Christmas region, and a campervan is the best way to see it. This road trip starts in Strasbourg, the self-proclaimed "Capital of Christmas," and follows the Alsace Wine Route south to the circular village of Eguisheim. Along the way you visit five Christmas markets, each with its own character: grand and historic, gourmet, artisan, fairytale and village-sized.

The driving is short. No day has more than 54 km behind the wheel, and most legs take under 20 minutes. That leaves your days free for strolling half-timbered lanes, sipping vin chaud (mulled wine), tasting Alsatian wine at family estates and warming up in your camper in the evening.

Expect twinkling lights on every street, gingerbread (pain d'épices) and bredele biscuits, tarte flambée cooked over wood, and the Vosges mountains on one side with the Black Forest on the other. Strasbourg's market dates back to 1570, which makes it the oldest in France. The smaller villages, by contrast, feel like stepping into a Christmas card.

Alsace is made for motorhome travel in winter. Every stop has a campsite, motorhome aire or wine estate within walking distance of the market, so you can park once and leave the vehicle for the evening. Nights alternate between full-service campsites with heated facilities and quiet pitches among the vineyards, where winegrowers welcome motorhomes and offer tastings on site. This Alsace Christmas market road trip suits couples, families and anyone who wants a festive, slow-paced winter getaway by motorhome. You can drive it in 5 days or stretch it with extra nights in Colmar, the natural base for exploring the wine villages.

Bucket List

• See the giant Christmas tree on Place Kléber in Strasbourg

• Walk under the lit-up Strasbourg Cathedral at dusk

• Drink Obernai's famous white mulled wine from the cauldron

• Spend a night parked among the vines at an Alsatian wine estate

• Browse hand-picked craft chalets below Kaysersberg's castle ruins

• Walk from your motorhome stop into Colmar's illuminated old town

• See Colmar's Little Venice reflected in the canal at night

• Taste Gewürztraminer at a winery in Eguisheim

• Cook a cosy Alsatian dinner in your camper after a cold market evening

Stopovers: Day by Day

Day 1: Strasbourg, the Capital of Christmas

Strasbourg, France · Overnight: Camping de Strasbourg

Strasbourg hosts the Christkindelsmärik, the oldest Christmas market in France. It has around 300 chalets across Place Broglie, Place de la Cathédrale and the surrounding streets of the Grande Île, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Start at the cathedral square, where the Gothic façade towers over the stalls. Then walk to Place du Château and Place Kléber, home to the city's giant Christmas tree.

In the evening, explore Place Gutenberg and finish with a glass of Alsatian wine at Black & Wine. For a quieter side of the Strasbourg Christmas market, look for the "Off" market at Place Grimmeissen, which focuses on upcycled and second-hand goods.

Don't miss: Place Kléber's tree after dark, bredele biscuits, and a hot chocolate on the cathedral square.

Day 2: Obernai, the gourmet market

67210 Obernai, France · 28 km · approx. 30 min · Overnight: campsite in Obernai

Obernai is a short drive south of Strasbourg and one of the most charming towns on the Alsace Wine Route. Its Christmas market focuses on regional food and crafts. The star is Obernai's white mulled wine, simmered in a large cauldron on the market square.

Visit the Six-Bucket Well (Puits aux Six Seaux), the ramparts tower and the old corn exchange. Pick up Alsatian treats at Robert Blanck Alsace before heading back to your campsite.

Don't miss: white vin chaud, kougelhopf cake and the Marktbrunnen fountain lit up at night.

Day 3: Kaysersberg, the artisan market

68240 Kaysersberg Vignoble, France · 54 km · approx. 50 min · Overnight: wine estate stay

This is the longest drive of the trip, and it runs straight along the Alsace Wine Route. Consider a stop in Ribeauvillé, known for its medieval Christmas market, or in Riquewihr.

Kaysersberg was voted the French people's favourite village in 2017. Its Christmas market is one of the most authentic in Alsace, with about 30 carefully selected artisan chalets in the Cour de l'Arsenal and behind the Sainte-Croix church. Climb to the ruins of Kaysersberg Castle for views over the rooftops and vineyards.

Don't miss: the castle viewpoint, the fortified bridge, and handmade ornaments from local craftspeople. Note: the market only opens Friday to Sunday.

Day 4: Colmar, the fairytale market

Colmar, France · 12 km · approx. 15 min · Overnight: motorhome stop (Stellplatz)

Colmar is the highlight for many visitors. The town runs several Christmas markets across its old town, each with a different theme. The gourmet market on Place de l'Ancienne Douane focuses on Alsatian food and independent winemakers, and the children's market sits in Little Venice.

Join a free walking tour to learn the town's history, then hop on the little tourist train. Visit the Maison Schongauer and the old town's colourful half-timbered houses. After dark, the illuminations along the canals are the best part of the day.

Don't miss: Little Venice at night, tarte flambée, and the Koïfhus (old customs house).

Day 5: Eguisheim, the village market

68420 Eguisheim, France · 7 km · approx. 10 min · Overnight: campsite or wine estate

Eguisheim is listed among the most beautiful villages in France, and its round layout makes it unique. Its Christmas market is small but very picturesque, with about 30 hand-picked artisans and makers.

Start on Place du Château Saint-Léon, then follow the concentric lanes around the village. Eguisheim is known as the cradle of Alsatian wine, so end the trip with a tasting at one of the family-run wine estates in the village.

Don't miss: the village circuit at dusk, a Grand Cru tasting, and the Saint-Léon chapel.

Where to Stay: Campsites & Motorhome Stops

Every night on this route has a campsite, motorhome stop or wine-estate pitch within easy reach of the Christmas market.