You’ve been to the Strasbourg and Colmar Christmas markets. And you’re looking for another fantastic festive market in Alsace? You’ll have to go to Mulhouse, Alsace’s second most-populated city, to the South of Alsace. The Mulhouse Christmas market is a not-to-miss event in the area. It will be celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2020. What started as a small market has become so popular over the years one of the most visited Christmas markets in Alsace, alongside Strasbourg and Colmar. Over Advent more than 1.5 million visitors come to experience an enchanting Christmas in Mulhouse. I hope you’ll like it as much as I did!
The location of the Mulhouse Christmas Market
The Mulhouse Christmas market occupies the very central Place de la Réunion.
This is the main square of old Mulhouse. Well-known monuments illuminated for Christmas border the square:
The neo-Gothic Temple St. Etienne (France’s tallest Protestant church at 97 metres high).
The neo-Gothic Temple St. Etienne, Mulhouse © French Moments
The remarkable painted-façade of the former Town-Hall, a masterpiece of Renaissance style in the Upper Rhine.
The former town-hall of Mulhouse © French Moments
And a number of old buildings dating from the Renaissance era.
Old buildings from the Renaissance, place de la Réunion © French Moments
A Ferris wheel dominating the market
During the Advent season, a 38 metre tall Ferris Wheel stands in the centre of the square.
The Ferris Well of Christmas in Mulhouse © French Moments
It offers a fantastic view over the Christmas market spread out across Place de la Réunion, as well as the neo-Gothic façade of the St. Etienne Protestant church and the roofs of the old town of Mulhouse.
The view from the Ferris Wheel, Mulhouse © French Moments
The market around the St. Etienne Temple
Originally the Christmas market only occupied the square.
Mulhouse Christmas Market on place de la Réunion © French Moments
Over the last couple of years it was extended to the streets around the St. Etienne Temple: rue de la Lanterne, rue Roger Jacquel and place Lambert.
Rue de la Lanterne, Mulhouse © French Moments
87 wooden chalets make up the Christmas market, including 25 dedicated to food and beverages.
By the fountain of the Hallebardier © French Moments
The rich fabric of the Christmas market
The Mulhouse Christmas market is themed on rich fabric. Each year in December, thousands of metres of fabric decorate the Christmas market and make it different from any other markets.
The 2018 Christmas Fabric of Mulhouse © French Moments
It is not by chance that Mulhouse uses extensively rich fabric in an extravagant way! In the past, the city was known for its powerful textile industry and the city hosts a renowned Textile museum. Between 2014 and 2016, the Christmas market was even renamed Les Étofféeries.
The 2018 Christmas Fabric of Mulhouse © French Moments
The Christmas tree on Place des Victoires
On Place des Victoires, just a stone’s throw from Place de la Réunion, stands the 30 metre-tall Christmas tree from the Vosges mountains.
The Christmas tree on place des Victoires, Mulhouse © French Moments
Each year the decoration at its foot is renewed. In 2018 it was themed on “a catastrophic slide”.
The Christmas lights in the streets of Mulhouse
Don’t miss strolling along the main streets of the historic town to discover the spectacular fairy lights.
Rue Mercière, between Place des Victoires and Place de la Réunion is adorned with gigantic luminous arches.
The luminous arches of rue Mercière, Mulhouse © French Moments
The shopping streets of rue des Boulangers and rue Henriette are finely decorated.
Rue Henriette in Mulhouse © French Moments
Maybe you’ll find some exciting animations when strolling in the old town.
Such as alpine horn players…
Alpine horn players © French Moments
And St. Nicolas!
St Nicolas in Rue Mercière © French Moments
In 2019, the Mulhouse Christmas market starts on 23 November and ends on 29 December (closed on 25/12).
English-French Vocabulary
Mulhouse Christmas Market © French Moments
(f) for féminin, (m) for masculin, (adj) for adjective and (v) for verbs
- Advent = Avent (m)
- Christmas market = marché de Noël (m)
- Christmas tree = sapin de Noël, arbre de Noël (m)
- fabrics = étoffes (f,p)
- Father Christmas = Père Noël (m)
- Ferris wheel = grande roue (f)
- holiday season = période de Noël (f), temps des fêtes (m)
- Santa = Père Noël (m)
- square = place (f)
- street = rue (f)
Find out more about Mulhouse and Alsace
- Discover the Christmas traditions of Alsace
- Book your stay in Mulhouse with our partner Booking
- The official site of the Mulhouse Tourist Board
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