Tatiana Geiselmann, edited by Sylvain Allemand / Photo credit: OLIVIER MORIN / AFP 09:44 a.m., November 24, 2023

Strasbourg's famous Christmas market opens its doors this Friday at 14 p.m. After three years marked by Covid-19 and the absence of foreign tourists, traders hope that this edition will be fruitful. Europe 1 went to the site to observe the final preparations.

Start for the Christmas market in Strasbourg. With one month to go until Christmas Eve, the famous Strasbourg market opens its doors this Friday at 14 p.m. A year that raises a lot of expectations on the part of local merchants after three difficult years marked by Covid-19 and the absence of foreign tourists.

At the foot of Strasbourg Cathedral, Isabelle displays her jewellery on her freshly set up stand. For her first Christmas market, the shopkeeper can hardly hide her excitement. "I'm very happy to have been selected, because it was very complicated. I really want to show my new collection, it's six months of work, so I hope people will be receptive," she told Europe 1. For this artisan jeweller, who does not own a boutique, the market is a pivotal event in her year. 70% of its turnover depends on December sales.

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Isabelle can count on the support of her cabin neighbour, Philippe. Last year, the shopkeeper was already selling snacks and mulled wine in the aisles of the market. "Since we've been setting up the chalet, there are a lot of people who ask us if we're already serving, whereas last year there weren't that people. It bodes well for a good year," he said. This enthusiasm can be explained by the return of foreign tourists after three years of Covid-19 restrictions.

"Hotels were fully booked much earlier than in previous years"

An increase in attendance is already being felt. Philippe's family owns hotels and is seeing an increase in bookings. "The hotels were full much earlier than in previous years," says the shopkeeper. Some establishments have even been fully booked for more than three months. The lights are therefore green for the merchants who are waiting for visitors. "We're ready! It's still a mess, but it's an organized mess," says Philippe.