Find out about access, traffic and parking arrangements so that you can enjoy Strasbourg's Christmas Capital in complete peace of mind.
Security measures: pedestrians and cyclists may be subject to random checks at access points and inside the Christmas markets. Bulky objects (suitcases, rucksacks, cargo bikes) will be systematically searched when entering the Grande Ile.
The Strasbourg Christmas market will run from 2pm on November 27 to 9pm on December 27. The chalets will be open from 11.30am to 9pm every day except 24-25 December, from 11.30am to 6pm. On 25 and 26 December, which are public holidays in Alsace, some stands may be closed, with opening hours left to the discretion of the shopkeepers. The Marché OFF on Place Grimeissen is open from 27 November to 24 December.
The illuminations can be seen from 27 November to 5 January.
To help you find your way around the city centre and locate all the stalls and events, take along the Strasbourg Christmas Capital map, available from the info points at Place de la Gare and Place Kléber and in many other partner locations. To make the most of the Christmas atmosphere, I should plan my visit to the city centre in advance? The crowds are generally smaller on Mondays and Tuesdays, and larger on Wednesdays and weekends.
| Lundi | Mardi | Mercredi | Jeudi | Vendredi | Samedi | Dimanche | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11h30-12h00 | faible | faible | faible | faible | faible | moyenne | forte |
| 12h00-13h00 | faible | faible | faible | faible | faible | moyenne | forte |
| 13h00-14h00 | faible | faible | faible | faible | faible | forte | forte |
| 14h00-15h00 | faible | faible | moyenne | faible | faible | forte | forte |
| 15h00-16h00 | faible | faible | moyenne | faible | faible | forte | forte |
| 16h00-17h00 | faible | faible | moyenne | faible | moyenne | forte | forte |
| 17h00-18h00 | faible | faible | moyenne | faible | moyenne | forte | forte |
| 18h00-19h00 | faible | faible | moyenne | faible | moyenne | forte | moyenne |
| 19h00-20h00 | faible | faible | moyenne | faible | moyenne | forte | moyenne |
| 20h00-21h00 | faible | faible | moyenne | faible | moyenne | forte | moyenne |
By tram or bus
All tram lines are served, except Langstross Grand'Rue, Broglie and Alt Winmärik stations, which are not served during the market opening hours, from 11.30am to 9pm.
Bus routes crossing the Grande-Île will be diverted, for full details visit the Strasbourg transport company (CTS) website.
Here are the stations closest to the Christmas markets:
- Faubourg de Saverne (C)
- Faubourg National (B, F)
- Porte de l’Hôpital (A, D)
- Ancienne Synagogue Les Halles (A, D)
- République (A, C, E, F)
Dogs are welcome on CTS trams (with the exception of dogs classified as dangerous under article L211-16 of the French Rural Code). They must be kept on a short lead and muzzled. Small dogs may also travel in a closed basket. Guide and assistance dogs do not need to wear a muzzle.
From the train station
The town centre is a ten-minute walk from the station.
From the station, walk along rue du Maire Kuss to the Irréductibles Petits Producteurs d'Alsace Christmas Market, the Advent Village in Square Louise Weiss and the Marché OFF in Place Grimmeissen.
If you want to take public transport, you have a choice:
- Tram A (underground access from the station), direction Campus d'Illkirch or Graffenstaden
- Tram D (underground access from the station), direction Port du Rhin or Kehl Rathaus
- Tram C (access from the north hall), direction Neuhof Rodolphe Reuss
You can also get off at the Ancienne Synagogue Les Halles (A, D) and Faubourg de Saverne (C) tram stations to visit the Christmas markets.
From the national bus station (Parc de l'Étoile)
The city centre is a fifteen-minute walk from the bus station. The Christmas Market around the Cathedral and the Quai des Délices are just a few metres away on foot as you head towards Place d'Austerlitz, then Place du Corbeau and passing under the Strasbourg Capitale de Noël lights gate.
If you want to take public transport, go to the Étoile-Bourse tram station right next to the bus station, and take one of the following two trams:
- Tram A , direction Parc des Sports
- Tram D , direction Poteries.
Please note: the Christmas Markets are accessible on foot from the train station and bus station without using public transport. You can also get off at République, Ancienne Synagogue Les Halles, Faubourg National and Porte de l'Hôpital stations to walk to the Christmas Markets near these stations.
From the park-and-ride sites
Located on the outskirts of the city, the 10 park-and-ride facilities are the perfect solution for drivers who come to Strasbourg for the day and want to park in complete peace and quiet. A single low-cost ticket gives all occupants (up to 7 people, including the driver) unlimited access to the CTS tram-bus network.
Find all the information you need on the Strabourg transport company (CTS) website.
Note: You can also get off at République, Ancienne Synagogue Les Halles, Faubourg National and Porte de l'Hôpital stations to walk to the Christmas Markets near these stations.
On foot
Walking is THE best way to discover the city! Surrounded by the River Ill, Strasbourg's historic city centre is entirely pedestrianised for the duration of the event. The 21 bridges leading to it are accessible to pedestrians 24 hours a day.
During Market opening hours (11.30am-9pm), bulky luggage will be checked at the entrances. If there's ever a bit of a wait, don't hesitate to use the next access point on your right or left - it's never far away!
The Christmas Market is set up in various squares. There's no recommended itinerary: just look out for the stalls that catch your eye and feel free to wander around, letting yourself be swept away by the enchantment of Strasbourg as Christmas Capital!
Bringing your dog to the Christmas Market
You can bring your dog, on a lead, to the Christmas Market. However, dogs are not allowed everywhere in the city: certain places are off-limits to them, such as food shops, establishments that refuse dogs (at the discretion of the person in charge), and CTS buses.
By bike
Like pedestrians, cyclists can access the historic city centre via all the bridges crossing the River Ill.
During Christmas Market opening hours (11.30am-9pm), a bypass route is recommended for anyone wishing to cross without stopping. Pedestrians still have priority and bicycles must travel at a ‘walking pace’.
Would you like to hop on your bike and take a stroll through the Christmas Market? Take one of the special routes that will take you to one of the large parking areas set aside for the occasion. This way, you can leave your bike close by and wander around the city in complete freedom.
If you're just passing through Strasbourg and want to explore all the city has to offer beyond its historic centre, you can use the Strasbourg Eurometropole's bike hire service: Vélhop. This service is available on a self-service basis, at a branch or by click&collect.
Download the cycle map
By car
How do I get around on Grande-Île?
Traffic is totally banned on Grande-Île from 11.30 am to 9.00 pm, except where authorised. Driving is possible outside Christmas market opening hours, i.e. from 9.00 p.m. to 11.30 a.m. It is also important to obey the temporary signs posted outside the area reserved for the Christmas market.
For more information, consult the FAQ
How do I park in town?
On-street parking is prohibited throughout Grande-Île 24/7 from 10pm on 26 November.
For more information, consult the FAQ
For residents of Strasbourg
Special measures have been put in place for residents with on-street season tickets (zones 2 and 3) and for motorists and motorcyclists with private garages or off-street parking spaces.
For more information, consult the FAQ
For all other residents of Strasbourg and visitors to the Christmas Market
Use the park-and-ride facilities (P+R) and then hop on a nearby tram to get to the city centre:
- 10 car parks are ideally located on all the network's lines and cost €4.20.
- The car parks are open 7 days a week, and you can get out 24 hours a day. You can park from 4.30am until 2am the following day.
- With a P+R ticket, all passengers in the vehicle have unlimited access to the CTS bus-tram network, up to 7 people including the driver.
For more information on the P+Rs, visit the CTS (Strasbourg transport company) website. 3 temporary P+R sites are also open under certain conditions.
To get around on the Grande Île, the 3 DAY PASS offered by the CTS is the real deal. This pass, valid for 1 person, gives unlimited travel on the CTS network for 3 consecutive days in the Strasbourg Eurometropolis. It is available on the CTS app and from vending machines at tram stations and certain bus stops for as little as €9.20 (€9.30 for the first purchase of a contactless ticket). This is the ideal ticket for occasional travellers staying in the Strasbourg Eurometropolis for a few days, particularly during the Christmas market. For groups of up to 3 people, there's also the 24h Trio pass, which gives unlimited travel on the entire CTS network from €10.20 (€10.40 first purchase on a contactless ticket). Citiz
Citiz
CITIZ vehicles are banned from all parts of the Grande-Île during the Christmas Market. Temporary parking spaces will be set up on the outskirts of the Grande-Île to replace the no-parking bays.
For more information, consult the FAQ
Motorhome parking in Strasbourg
There are no specific parking regulations for motor caravans in Strasbourg. You can park in the parking spaces provided for light vehicles, provided that you do not impede the flow of traffic and that you pay the parking fee.
A ‘motorhome stopover’ area equipped with a service point and an emptying area is located at the entrance to the Strasbourg campsite for visiting motorhome owners.
Please note that during the Christmas market, access to the Grande Île is strictly regulated.
For more information, see the FAQ..
Parking is permitted in all car parks (except where there are height restrictions), but there are no reserved spaces. During the day, it is advisable to park in the ‘Elsau’ tram relay car park. The motorhome rate is €6.10 (€18.60 for those over 3 metres high) for a daily space between 4.30 am (5.30 am on Sundays and public holidays) and 0.30 am.
Please note that there is a penalty for parking after 0.30 am.
This rate entitles all occupants of the motorhome, up to a maximum of 7 people, including drivers, to a return journey on the CTS tram-bus network.
For more information, visit the CTS website..
Access: Rue Eugène DELACROIX 67000 STRASBOURG. Follow signs for ELSAU then P+R ELSAU
GPS: (North) 48.56755° - (East) 7.73057