novembre 2022 - Blog Furnished

All I want for Christmas is Christmas Markets ! Christmas trees, wooden decorated chalets, “Glühwain” (warm wine- and yes it is drinkable, we promise). You guessed it correctly, Christmas is just around the corner! Fortunately, festivities in Luxembourg and its surroundings have started and we gathered a few Christmas Markets you should definitely visit.

First of all, of course, the markets in Luxembourg city. Located in different places between the Upper Town and the Station district, there will be activities for adults and children. Each little market has its own name and activities so if you are more interested in something in particular, click here to have all the info on the markets.

Germany – Trier

Christmas markets originally came from Germany and this one is one of the famous christmas markets in Germany with 90 beautifully decorated wooden chalets. Trier’s market offers a huge choice for sweet eaters and toy hunters, buyers of candles and spice tasters, fans of crafts and decorative objects, ornaments and useful tools for you and your family. It is easily accessible by train from the Luxembourg-city train station.

France – Metz

Less than one hour by train from Luxembourg-city you can also visit the Christmas market in Metz. Several squares are invaded by Christmas markets.The atmosphere of Christmas reigns on the various squares of the city of Metz with illuminations that will amaze young and old, as soon as night falls. Many exhibitors will settle in the chalets for the occasion: you will find hundreds of gift ideas, how to spoil all your loved ones (handicrafts, toys, Christmas lights and decorations, gourmet products…). For the entire program, please follow this link.

France – Strasbourg

This market is the oldest market in Europe and one of the world’s prettiest markets. Christmas markets in Alsace are world famous and attract millions of tourists every year. It is such a success that some chalets of the Strasbourg Christmas market are even exported to New York, Moscow, Beijing or Tokyo! The Strasbourg Christmas market also known as ‘Christkindelsmärik’ (Baby Jesus market in Alsatian) is a legacy of many Alsatian traditions.

The Christmas period is a very important moment for the Alsatians who prepare it up to a month in advance. This traditional spirit can be found during the market period in Strasbourg but also in other cities in the Alsace area. Click here for the program in Strasbourg and here if you are interested to visit other christmas markets in the area not so far from Strasbourg.

Belgium – Brussels

If you have read our article about Brussels, you must already have a little idea of what you can expect at the Winter Wonders. Ferry wheels, merry-go-rounds, Brussels’ market offers a lot of activities for everyone and every taste. As a cultural city, some of the activities revolve around this like for example the sound and light shows at Grand Place.or the Wonder Woods with musical programmes in the Bois de la Cambre. You can found the detailed program and even the map by clicking here.

Belgium – Liège

The most beautiful Christmas market in the heart of the Ardent City! The Christmas Village of Liège is the largest and oldest Christmas market in Belgium. Founded nearly 35 years ago, it has become the largest Christmas market in the country in terms of size, duration and spirit. Faithful to the long Germanic tradition of Christmas markets, the Christmas Village of Liège plunges us in the heart of the city into the magic of Christmas by respecting the typical Latin character of Liège. For the complete program, please follow the link.

Belgium – Bruges

Bruges is one of the most famous cities in Belgium. It is known internationally as “Venice of the North”. The center of Bruges is magical all year round but even more so during Christmas. With thousands of lights and the smell of waffles and warm wine, the Christmas atmosphere is at its peak! There are two Christmas markets in Bruges. The most important is on the Grand Place where there are many wooden chalets.

The second market is only a hundred meters away on Simon Stevin Square. Between the trees adorned with countless decorations are two rows of stands. You can also admire a nativity scene on a human scale.You will find many stands with pretty Christmas gifts, decorations and handmade items. While shopping, let yourself be guided by the smell of artisanal specialties. Stroll through the market and take a break to warm up with a nice hot chocolate and enjoy delicious roasted chestnuts. Happiness!

Feel free to let us know in a comment which market you have visited or plan to visit, and which one was your favorite 🙂

Waffles, fries, beer and chocolate. The perfect reference to our neighbor country, Belgium right? In this article we will tell you how to spend a week-end in Brussels, accessible with a direct train from Luxembourg-city.

Must-see in Brussels

You can not go to Brussels without looking for the street with the Manneken Pis. A legend tells that this young boy saved the city by peeing by accident on the fuse of a bomb. If you want an additonal challenge, try to find his girlfriend, Jeanneke-Pis, also hiding in a tiny street of Brussels. Within walking distance from there, you will find the main Grand Place and the Chocolate Museum (this should also be a stop in your day!).

Depending on the period you will visit, the Grand Place of Brussels hosts different events such as a giant flower carpet, the enormous Christmas tree, sound and lights shows and even concerts.

After walking around the city center, walking through the Galeries Royales St-Hubert, passing by the Palace, the Mont des Arts, you can go in the direction of the Palace Of Justice with its famous forever ongoing reconstruction. We recommend you to go there around sunset time, the view over the lower and older part of the city looks beautiful!

At the end of the day, you can take a direct metro from there to the Atomium. This is the Symbol of Belgium since the 1958 universal exposition. It is very nice to see it by night, and you can even visit it inside! Finally, if you are looking for a good place for dinner, there is a restaurant as well in the Atomium, which has a breathtaking view of the city.

Luxembourg has an important place within the European Union so does Brussels, the home of the European parliament. If you are interested, you can book a visit to the parliament to better understand the work they are doing, or you can just go and walk around it.

Brussels also has a few of beautiful green areas such has the Parc du Cinquantenaire (where Stromae made the clip of Fils de joie), the Royal Park next to the Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium and the Bois de la Cambre with a delicious restaurant in the middle of the lake called The Chalet Robinson.

If you are into plants and nature you can also visit the Botanical Museum and the beautiful Serre Royale in Laeken.

Shopping time!

If you are looking for some shopping, Brussels is full of places to shop and for all tastes! Besides the few shopping malls, there is several very known shopping streets: Avenue de la Toison d’or, Chaussée d’Ixelles, Avenue Louise and Rue Neuve.

If you are looking for more vintage shopping, there are also several thrift shops like Foxhole vintage or Episode.

Finally you can also go to the Brussels Vintage Market every first Sunday of the month not so far from the Royal Park. If you know how to look for it, you will find unique pieces, guaranteed!

Someone said food?

*Legendary Belgian fries with mayonnaise*

Our favorite part, of course! Brussels is a cosmopolitan city which means that you can find food for all tastes. But first thing first, you can not come to Brussels without grabbing a waffle from the foodtruck from the street or the Belgian (yes, it is not French) fries with mayonnaise.

As already mentioned earlier, The Chalet Robinson is a good restaurant in the Bois de la Cambre where they serve brunch formulas that are exquisite.

If you want to try one of our famous Belgian dishes such as mussels (from the north sea) or chicons gratin, we suggest you head up to Sainte-Catherine Square. The Mussel Mongers or any restaurants nearby will satisfy you. Nearby Place Jourdan and Flagey square, you can find some good places as well for dinner and for drinks.

If you are looking for some street food, there is a street called “la rue des pittas” with Greek and Turkish origins food.

Finally, if you want to buy the famous belgian chocolate as a souvenir, near the Manneken Pis is the perfect area for it.

Never too late to go party

After a good dinner, you should definitely go for at least one drink just to see the spirit of the city! Young folks, students and workers will be there cheering with friends for sure 🙂

If you are in the area of Place Jourdan, the most famous bar is probably Café Belga, always crowded, with its red chairs terrace open all around the year. Within walking distance from the Grand Place or Sainte-Catherine square, you can go to the Saint-Gery Halles, a festive district in the city center with lots of bars and good music.

Furthermore, the Cemetery of Ixelles district, Luxembourg Square and the Flagey square are smaller versions of the Halles which are just as lively and crowded!

Did you know that in Brussels they turned a church into a club? That’s the Spirito club and you should definitely check it out, it’s insane! You can find several other night clubs such as les “Jeux d’Hiver” , a famous place to be in the Bois de la Cambre and few other clubs around the Central Station.

As winter times approaches, you should visit the Winter Wonders with the Christmas market located in the old center not so far from the Grand Place.

As you may have understood, Brussels is a capital full of culture, a city that never sleeps where you will find museums for all tastes and other events such as concerts, art expositions and more! Find out what is happening now here.

We hope you will enjoy your week-end in Brussels, feel free to let us know in a comment which places you went to visit!

Christmas Markets: Luxembourg and its surroundings