A weekend, exploring the Christmas markets of the Grand Est, by electric car
Are you desperately looking forward to your next getaway? Why not explore the Christmas markets of the Grand Est, by electric car? Depart from Reims, head towards Metz and Nancy, then visit the Alsatian towns of Mulhouse, Colmar and Strasbourg. Embark on a three-day trip to conquer the region’s Christmas markets, by electric car!
From Reims to Strasbourg, plan your electric car journey with ease
The festive season is synonymous with the return of Christmas markets! The Grand Est is no exception to the rule as it hosts a number of internationally renowned markets. With the markets of Mulhouse, Colmar and Strasbourg, Alsace is undeniably the historical region of Christmas. Not to mention, the illuminations of the Cathedral of Reims, the decorations of the fabulous Place Saint-Louis in Metz and the Great Village of Saint Nicolas in Nancy. There is so much to do!
Hit the road in all peace of mind, Chargemap takes care of everything. All you need to do is log into the route planner and indicate your departure point and destination, the battery level at the start of the journey and the level you want at the end of it, plus any midway stages. You can also change your vehicle’s reference consumption (number of kWh per 100 km driven). The route planner lets you customise your charging preferences for the best possible experience.
To prepare for your long weekend exploring the Christmas markets of Eastern France with peace of mind, start by (if you haven’t already done so) downloading the Chargemap application onto your smartphone. Then click on “Route” and indicate the details of your journey. Don’t forget to select the right vehicle model before you hit the road!
Access a number of functions linked to your charging preferences and filter the different types of charging stations.
Once you’ve indicated your route details, you can also order the Chargemap Pass, the multi-network payment card for charging at over 400,000 compatible charging stations! Combining the app and the pass will ensure a simple and reliable charging experience.
If you’re all set, all you have to do now is set off to conquer the Christmas markets of the Grand Est!
Day 1: Visit the Reims Christmas market, then head for Lorraine!
Reims, the third-largest Christmas market in France
Dates: 24 November to 24 December 2023
The weekend begins in Reims. The city’s Christmas market is the third largest in France! This is the perfect opportunity to discover the 150 chalets selling regional culinary specialities, handicrafts and gift ideas on the Promenades Jean-Louis Schneiter, right in the heart of the city centre. Young and old alike can enjoy the warm, celebratory atmosphere of the festive season. During the Christmas market, discover the famous Régalia show on Reims cathedral, a symbol of the history of Gothic architecture and the coronation of the kings and queens of France. Find out all about the Reims Christmas Market.
Where to park in Reims to easily get to the Christmas Market?
To visit the market in all peace of mind, it’s best to park in one of the city’s car parks, which is equipped with a charging station.
Car parks with charging stations:
- Parking CPA Erlon: about a 4-minute walk from the Promenades Jean-Louis Schneiter.
- Parking CPA Buirette: about a 8-minute walk.
- Parking CPA Cathédrale (place 1151): about a 13-minutes walk.
Looking for another charging station? See the list of all the charging stations in Reims.
After visiting the Reims Christmas market, it’s time to head for Metz and Nancy. Off to Lorraine! If you need to charge your car between Reims and Metz, you’ll find a fast-charging station at the Verdun Saint Nicolas Sud service area, among others.
Metz, one of Europe’s most beautiful markets
Dates: 24 November to 30 December 2023
At the end of the year, Metz will be decked out in its finest lights to immerse visitors in the magic of Christmas! Several of the city’s most symbolic squares, such as Place Saint-Louis, Place de la République and Place d’Armes, will host the market’s various chalets. With local crafts, delicacies, surprises and gifts, there are more than 120 chalets to discover.
The Lantern Path, for young and old alike, offers an enchanting interlude that amazes visitors year after year! More than 2,000 lanterns of all shapes and sizes will be illuminating the two-hundred-year-old trees in the Square Boufflers. This fairy-tale path, where you’ll be surrounded by elves, dolls and other marvellous decorations is an absolute must. There’s plenty to see and do at the Metz Christmas Market.
Where to park in Metz to easily get to the Christmas market?
For easy access to the Metz Christmas Market, we recommend parking in one of the city’s park-and-ride facilities. Some of them have charging stations if you need to charge your electric vehicle.
- Parking Indigo Pompidou: about 10 minutes by public transport to avenue Robert Schuman.
- Parking Indigo Metz Centre Commercial Muse: about 12 minutes by public transport.
- P+R Woippy: about 23 minutes by public transport to avenue Robert Schuman.
You can also find all the charging stations in Metz.
Now it’s time to head for Nancy to discover the Great Village of Saint Nicolas!
Nancy, the Great Village of Saint Nicolas
Dates: 24 November to 7 January 2024
Nancy is no exception to the rule, with its famous Christmas markets, known here as Saint Nicolas’ villages, which are installed on Place Charles III. Saint Nicolas, the patron saint of the people of Lorraine, is celebrated with fervour in the run-up to 6 December. The whole of Lorraine joins in! The Saint Nicolas festivities in Nancy are a major event, as the entire city invites the world to discover one of its traditions.
The famous Saint Nicolas parade takes place on Saturday 9 December 2023. The procession’s troupes and floats take to the streets of Nancy to entertain young and old alike. The Saint Nicolas float will bring the show to a close, handing out sweets to the most well-behaved children before arriving at Place Stanislas (a UNESCO World Heritage site and voted France’s Favourite Monument).
The Great Saint Nicolas Village is home to over sixty chalets overflowing with gift ideas, surprises and, of course, seasonal treats, such as shortbread, gingerbread, chocolates, hot chocolate, etc. So you’ll have plenty of good ideas for Christmas! Saint Nicolas’ village in Nancy is the ideal place to enjoy the festive season.
Where to park to easily get to the Christmas market in Nancy?
Traffic in the city centre is severely disrupted. To park and charge your electric car, use one of the park-and-ride facilities in and around the city:
- Parking Indigo Joffre Saint Thiebaut: a 4-minute walk to Place Charles III.
- Parking Indigo Nancy Carnot: 7-minute walk.
- Parking 2 Rives (P+R): about 17 minutes by public transport to Place Charles III.
Find all the charging stations in Nancy for charging your electric car.
Where to stay in Nancy?
After visiting the Christmas markets in Reims, Metz and Nancy, it’s high time for a break before hitting the road again. Are you looking for a hotel that is equipped with charging points for its guests? Why don’t you simply relax and unwind while charging your electric vehicle!
Below are a few examples of hotels that offer this type of service:
After a good night’s sleep, off to Mulhouse and Colmar! Passing through Gérardmer, you’ll find a charging station on the Chemin du Tour du Lac. It’s a great way to charge your car and stretch your legs by the town’s lake!
Day 2: Off to the Christmas markets in Alsace
Mulhouse, a new Christmas fabric
Dates: from 24 November to 27 December 2023
Right in the heart of Mulhouse’s historic centre, on Place de la Réunion, around the Temple Saint-Etienne and Place des Cordiers, you’ll find a traditional Alsatian market with a very particular feature. A Christmas fabric is designed each year to dress the town hall, streets and chalets, as a tribute to the town’s textile past. Come and discover a wide range of artisans, who are mainly local, and enjoy the authentic atmosphere of this typical Mulhouse Christmas market.
Where to park to easily get to the Mulhouse Christmas market?
During the Christmas market, we recommend that you park your car in one of the city’s covered car parks. You’ll find charging stations in Mulhouse for your electric car in the following car parks:
- Parking Indigo Mulhouse Gare Bâle: about an 8-minute walk to Place de la Réunion.
- Parking Mulhouse Centre: around 7 minutes’ walk.
- Parking Porte Jeune: about 8 minutes on foot to Place de la Réunion.
After Mulhouse, the tour of the Christmas markets continues in Colmar, with its warm and authentic market.
Colmar, a typical Christmas market
Dates: from 23 November to 29 December 2023
Indulge in the warm and enchanting atmosphere of the Colmar Christmas Market! Nearly 200 stallholders will be on hand in the town’s most emblematic locations, such as Place de la Cathédrale, Place des Dominicains, Place de l’Ancienne Douane, Quartier de la Petite Venise, etc. Everywhere you look, you’ll see decorated windows and houses, a succession of lively streets and alleys filled with the scents of oranges and cinnamon.
At nightfall, the decorations will highlight the architectural treasures of the city. To round off the day in style, there’s nothing like tasting local Alsatian produce at the Marché de Noël Gourmand, on Place de la Cathédrale. It’s a great opportunity to stock up before setting off again the next day!
Where to park to easily get to the Colmar Christmas Market?
During the festive season, traffic in the city centre is severely disrupted. If you want to charge your electric car, you should use the charging stations outside the city centre.
Charging stations are available in the following car parks:
- Parking Montagne Verte: about 5 minutes’ walk to the Place de l’Ancienne Douane.
- Parking ST Josse: about a 6-minute walk.
- Parking Place Rapp: about a 8-minute walk.
Where to stay in Colmar?
You should certainly manage to find the most suitable type of accommodation. However, it is advisable to book well in advance. The town attracts many visitors during the week, at weekends and especially at the end of the year!
Do you need accommodation with a charging point for your EV? Here are a few examples of accommodation offering this type of service:
The weekend is drawing to a close in style with a trip to Strasbourg, the Christmas capital endowed with a renowned market, which attracts vast amounts of visitors every year!
Day 3: Arrival in the Christmas capital
Strasbourg, one of Europe’s largest traditional Christmas markets
Dates: 24 November to 24 December 2023
To round off the weekend, head for the heart of the Christmas capital. Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmärik, or Christmas market in Alsatian, is the oldest in France and one of the oldest in Europe.
During the festive season, the ambiance in the city is magical. The facades, streets and shop windows are decked out in their finest finery, and the smell of cinnamon and spices brings back memories of childhood. Spread around the town’s emblematic squares, there are almost 300 superbly decorated chalets offering a wide range of artisanal products to gear up for the festive season in style. For instance, original gifts and traditional decorative items, not to mention regional delicacies such as bredeles and mulled wine!
The highlight of the show is the large Christmas tree, the town’s Christmas emblem, which stands at Place Kléber. In fact, it’s the tallest decorated natural Christmas tree in Europe! Find out more about Strasbourg’s famous Christmas market.
Where to park to easily get to the Christmas market in Strasbourg?
During the festive season, it’s difficult to get around Strasbourg city centre by car. So it’s highly advisable to park your car in one of the city’s car parks. Some have charging stations for electric cars:
- Parking Gutenberg: about a 4-minute walk to Place Kléber.
- Parking Austerlitz: about a 9-minute walk.
- Parking Saint-Nicolas: about 12 minutes by tram to Place Kléber.
See all the charging stations in Strasbourg for charging your vehicle.
Other Christmas markets in the Grand Est are also well worth a visit. For instance, in Champagne, Ardenne, Moselle, Lorraine, Alsace or the Vosges. Don’t miss the chance to discover some of them over the weekend! Which market would you like to visit next?
Other Christmas markets in the Grand Est are also well worth a visit. For instance, in Champagne, Ardenne, Moselle, Lorraine, Alsace or the Vosges. Don’t miss the chance to discover some of them over the weekend! Which market would you like to visit next?