In the North of France, not far from the Belgian border, the town of Béthune hosts one of the most wonderful Christmas markets in the region.
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Béthune Christmas Market
Cité de Noël
Location: Grand Place.
The Christmas market of Béthune takes central stage in the Grand Place which has been beautifully enhanced with Christmas lights. The Grand-Place is the historic square of Béthune and is bordered by the belfry (built in 1346), the Town-Hall, and houses of Flemish-style façades. Rue du Carillon links the square to the St. Vaast church.
Béthune – La Cité de Noël © JM Hecquet
More than 45 wooden chalets offer original gifts, traditional objects and local produce.
Cité de Noël de Béthune © Ville de Béthune
The Christmas village features a living Nativity scene, an ice-skating rink, a merry-go-round and a Ferris Wheel. in 2014, a new feature will be inaugurated: a 6 metre-high and 22 metre-long sledge course.
Béthune – La Cité de Noël © JM Hecquet
![Béthune Ice-Skating Rink © Noeldebethune - licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons](https://i0.wp.com/frenchmoments.eu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Béthune-Ice-Skating-Rink-©-Noeldebethune-licence-CC-BY-SA-3.0-from-Wikimedia-Commons.jpg?resize=538%2C404&ssl=1)
Béthune Ice-Skating Rink © Noeldebethune – licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons
Cité de Noël de Béthune © Ville de Béthune
Cité de Noël de Béthune © Ville de Béthune
Béthune – La Cité de Noël © JM Hecquet
English-French Vocabulary
(f) for féminin, (m) for masculin, (adj) for adjective and (v) for verbs
- Advent = Avent (m)
- belfry = beffroi (m)
- Christmas = Noël
- Christmas Eve = veille de Noël (f) / réveillon (m)
- Christmas lighting = illuminations de Noël (f,p)
- Christmas market = marché de Noël (m)
- Christmas Tree = sapin de Noël (m), arbre de Noël (m)
- church = église (f)
- Father Christmas = Père Noël (m)
- Ferris Wheel = grande roue (f)
- holiday season = période de Noël (f), temps des fêtes (m)
- ice-skating rink = patinoire (f)
- merry-go-round = carrousel (m)
- mulled wine = vin chaud (m)
- Nativity scene = crèche (f)
- Santa = Père Noël (m)
- sledge course = piste de luge (f)
- square = place (f)
- street = rue (f)
French Moments would like to thank the Tourist Office of the region of Béthune-Bruay for giving us the opportunity to share their photos on this page.
Visit the Tourist Office website of Béthune.
