News

When Alsace's Christmas markets become victims of their own success

30 November 2025 Other

The Christmas market season is underway, and Alsace's villages are particularly popular with the French every year. Riquewihr, in eastern France, is a village of just 1,000 inhabitants. But come Christmas time, the market attracts 450,000 visitors. Faced with this influx of fairytale-seeking tourists, the Alsatian village with its colorful facades organizes itself to remain welcoming, while taking care of its inhabitants. Story by Ethan Hajji.