As the days grow shorter and the winter air gently envelops the landscape, a special magic emerges. It’s the start of the Christmas season! Discover our selection of four enchanting and unusual Christmas markets, all easily accessible by train. There’s only one step from the station to the Christmas market!

Just 2h40 by train from Paris and 1h35 from Lille, immerse yourself in the historic centre of this medieval Belgian town. Stroll among the stalls and discover the romantic “Venice of the North”. The picturesque canals and festive alleyways are sure to amaze you.

The Bruges Christmas market is also an opportunity to savour comforting Belgian specialities such as Brussels or Liège waffles (the best!).

The market is held mainly on the Place du Markt and the Place Simon Stevin (for craft and local products).

Further information

It takes around 6 hours and 30 minutes by train from several towns in the south of France (Toulouse, Nîmes, Montpellier, Narbonne, Perpignan…) to reach Madrid and discover Spain’s oldest Christmas market. The origins of the market date back to the 19th century, with the turkey, nougat and sweets market. Even if the products may have changed, one thing remains the same: the spirit of Christmas is still celebrated in the Plaza Mayor!

Further information

Just 1 hour 30 minutes from Paris and Lille, the Picardy capital offers a bumper Christmas market! 100 red chalets are set up from the Place René Goblet to the Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, offering a multitude of options for finding gifts, sampling local specialities such as ficelle picarde, or simply indulging in a glass of mulled wine.

Further information

In 4 hours and 30 minutes from Lyon or Paris, discover the Swiss capital’s Christmas market. Enjoy the fondue chalet at the Kleine Schanze, Bernese specialities on Waisenhausplatz, and explore local crafts at the market near the collegiate church of St Vincent de Berne, which also has the highest bell tower in Switzerland (100.6 metres!).

Further d’information