Every year during Advent, the German-style Montbéliard Christmas market is held to the delight of the town’s young people.
Since its first edition in 1986, the Christmas market has been one of the most popular of its kind in France, with more than 400,000 visitors.
Montbéliard, the City of the Princes
Montbéliard also nicknamed the City of the Princes (la Cité des Princes), is located in Franche-Comté, near the border with Alsace.
During the Middle Ages, it was the head city of the County of Montbéliard (or County of Mömpelgard).
The feudal county was part of the Holy Roman Empire and was held by the Princes of Wurttemberg from 1444 to the French Revolution.
It has been one of France’s few Protestant (specifically Lutheran) enclaves for centuries, similar to that of Mulhouse.
Today, Montbéliard is particularly known for being the birthplace of the famous car maker Peugeot.
Since 2011, the TGV Rhin-Rhône links Montbéliard to Paris in just 2h15.
Montbéliard Christmas Market: ‘Lumières de Noël’
Every year during Advent, a German-style Christmas market is held in Montbéliard.
Since its first edition 25 years ago, the Christmas market has been one of the most popular in France, with more than 400,000 visitors.
The market’s success is partly due to the spectacular illumination design of the old town’s streets.
Each day of Advent, the Christmas lights are an enchantment to visitors.
From Place Denfert-Rochereau to the Railway station, 115,000 light bulbs, such as volutes and arches, are displayed spectacularly.
Place Saint-Martin
Montbéliard’s Christmas market is located in the Place Saint-Martin, but it often spills over into the streets of the town centre: rue de l’école française, rue de l’hôtel de ville, Place Velotte and Square Sponeck.
The market comprises around 220 chalets, most grouped between the Saint-Martin temple and the town hall.
The town’s organizers rigorously selected the 160 artisans to respect the market’s tradition of authenticity.
Bordering the square is Temple Saint-Martin, the oldest Lutheran Church in France, constructed in 1601.
Although the Place Saint-Martin remains the focal point of the Montbéliard Christmas market, its chalets extend far beyond the square, along the adjacent streets.
L’Allée Nature
Along the rue de l’école française, several chalets specialise in selling natural, sustainable products: candles, honey, soaps, teas, and herbal teas.
They are called L’Allée Nature (the Nature Alley).
The Allée des saveurs sucrées
Alongside the Temple Saint-Martin (the oldest Protestant temple in France) are the chalets of the Allée des Saveurs Sucrées (Alley of Sweet Flavours).
A dozen stalls offer a wide range of confectionery. You’ll find chocolates, honey and caramel sweets, candied fruit, gingerbread, and other sweets from around the world.
L’Allée Gourmande
Several chalets also sell local produce, such as biscuits, cheeses, chocolates, foie gras, and cured meats.
Square Sponeck is the ideal place to sample delicious local dishes, l’Allée Gourmande (Gourmet Alley).
The Guest of Honour Market
In 2024, Normandy is the Guest of Honour of the Montbéliard Christmas Market.
The chalets of the guests of honour from previous years are at Place Velotte.
You’ll find specialities from countries and regions such as Franche-Comté (2021), Pays de Savoie (2019), Andalusia (2018), Corsica (2017), Austria (2016), Scotland (2015), Portugal (2014), Brittany (2013), Wallonia (2012), Canada, Ireland, Tuscany, the Basque Country, Peru…
The solidarity market
The Solidarity Market chalets are located on the Parvis des Droits de l’Homme (behind the Beurnier Rossel museum).
Humanitarian and solidarity associations from the Montbéliard region occupy them.
Christmas lights in Montbéliard
Montbéliard is famous for its sumptuous Christmas lights in the town centre.
They gave their name to the ‘Christmas Lights’ event (Lumières de Noël) and gave the town centre streets a magical atmosphere.
Along the main streets, you can admire some multicoloured arches.
These light sculptures resemble flamboyant arabesques.
As night falls, the houses’ facades along the town centre’s main streets are illuminated.
Cross the Parvis des Droits de l’Homme between rue Georges Cuvier and Place Saint-Martin.
This little passageway is beautifully decorated during Advent and features an enchanted forest.
Tante Airie: A Local Celebrity
The Holiday season in Montbéliard is personified by Saint Nicolas, Santa Claus and Aunt Airie, the local good fairy who wanders through the land with her little donkey, Marion.
Tradition has it that on Christmas night, Aunt Airie (Tante Airie) had her donkey, Marion, carry the wrapped presents to the well-behaved children.
She is still part of the local tradition of Montbéliard and has somehow resisted the strong influence of Santa.
More about the Montbéliard Christmas Market
The City of Princes (that’s Montbéliard!) is renowned in the run-up to Christmas for its illuminations and Christmas market.
More than 400,000 visitors are expected every year.
Rue Cuvier runs the length of the city centre, from the SNCF station to Place Denfert-Rochereau (Les Halles).
The backbone of the city centre should not obscure the small streets and alleys that run parallel to it and are often beautifully illuminated.
Here are a few practical tips for visiting the Christmas market with peace of mind.
When is the best time to enjoy the market without too many people?
To avoid the peak periods, plan your visit during the week.
The market is undoubtedly bustling on Saturdays and Sundays.
On the other hand, it can be a little less crowded on weekdays.
We visited the Montbéliard Christmas market during the week at dusk.
It was pretty easy to find a parking space (paid or unpaid) without too much difficulty.
We parked our car in the Parking de la Roselière (place du Champ de Foire) and then walked into the town centre across the Armand Bermont bridge over the Doubs.
Getting there by car
Montbéliard is located :
- 60 km from Mulhouse (A36) and 170 km from Strasbourg (A35 and A36)
- 75 km from Besançon and 160 km from Dijon on the A36.
- 320 km from Lyon (A39 and A36)
- Paris is 430 km away (A5 and N19)
Please be aware that peaks in traffic may occur on Saturdays and Sundays in good weather, causing delays or parking problems.
The town’s official website gives you the location of all car parks (both paid and unpaid).
Getting there by train
Take the train if you’re coming from Belfort, Besançon or Mulhouse!
The TER takes just 50 minutes to Mulhouse.
From Paris, the TGV journey takes 2h15.
The Belfort-Montbéliard TGV station is located in the fields, but a shuttle bus will take you to the centre of Montbéliard in no time (20 min).
Alternatively, you can book a taxi from Belfort-Montbéliard TGV station to the town centre, 18 km away.
Visit the official event website to learn all about the Montbéliard Christmas market and the ‘Christmas Lights’ event (dates, times, access, exhibitors, concerts).
Book your accommodation in Montbéliard during Advent by clicking here or browse the map below:
English-French Vocabulary
(f) for féminin, (m) for masculin and (v) for verbs
- Advent = Avent (m)
- Christmas = Noël (m)
- Christmas Eve = réveillon (m)
- Christmas market = marché de Noël (m)
- Christmas night = nuit de Noël (f)
- county = comté (m)
- craftsman = artisan (m)
- Father Christmas = Père Noël (m)
- holiday season = période de Noël (f), temps des fêtes (m)
- illumination = illumination (f)
- present = cadeau (m)
- Santa Claus = Père Noël (m)
- St. Nicholas = Saint Nicolas (m)
- Wurttemberg = Wurtemberg (m)
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