Your base for the Haut-Rhin Christmas markets

A characterful gîte at the gates of the Haut-Rhin, about thirty minutes from Colmar, Riquewihr and Kaysersberg — Christmas magic by day, the calm of the vineyards by night.

Beamed living room of the gîte, dressed for Christmas

Colmar, Riquewihr, Kaysersberg, Eguisheim — southern Alsace is home to some of the loveliest Christmas markets in France. The catch is the crowds, and the way room rates across the Haut-Rhin climb sharply through Advent, especially at weekends. Staying right in the heart of Colmar or in one of the postcard villages comes at a price, and usually means contending with the bustle and with nowhere to park.

Let's be straight with you: our gîte, Au Cœur de l'Ours, is not in the Haut-Rhin itself but just at its gates, in Dambach-la-Ville (Bas-Rhin). That is precisely what makes it a smart base. You are roughly thirty minutes from Colmar and the great villages of the Haut-Rhin, in a peaceful wine-growing village, with free parking in the village — a genuine luxury in December — and a stay that is usually quieter and easier on the budget than booking in town.

Set in a 1723 Alsatian half-timbered house, the gîte holds three self-contained apartments. In the morning the bakery is right across the street; in the evening you come home to the hush of the vineyards after a day of wooden chalets and mulled wine.

The great Haut-Rhin Christmas markets from the gîte

Every flagship Haut-Rhin market is an easy drive from Dambach-la-Ville. A car really is the most practical way to move between the villages during Advent — public transport thins out in the evenings. Here are the highlights, with real driving times from the door:

Colmar and its illuminated old town
~30 min
Half a dozen markets spread across the historic centre, the Unterlinden Museum and its Isenheim Altarpiece, and the floodlit canals of Little Venice — one of the most photographed Christmas settings in France.
Riquewihr
~30 min
Medieval lanes and ramparts dressed for the season — a true picture-postcard village. Best visited on a weekday or first thing in the morning to beat the crowds.
Kaysersberg
~35 min
A warm, authentic market in the village voted France's Favourite Village in 2017, gathered at the foot of its imperial castle.
Eguisheim
~40 min
A village of concentric lanes with a snug market and beautiful lighting, regularly listed among the most beautiful villages of France.

At the gates of the Haut-Rhin: a smart place to stay

Why stay in Dambach-la-Ville rather than deep in the Haut-Rhin? First, for the quiet. Colmar and the tourist villages are wonderful but very lively in December. At the gîte you return to a calm wine village, with its ramparts and timbered houses, well away from the rush.

Then there is the budget. Accommodation in central Colmar, or in a sought-after village, quickly commands steep rates through Advent and books out months in advance. Thirty minutes out, you keep access to exactly the same markets while staying with rather more breathing room.

Finally, parking — the real headache of the season. Here you have free parking in the village. You leave the car, carry your finds back without circling for a space, and head off with a clear head. The gîte also sits perfectly for pairing the Haut-Rhin and the Bas-Rhin in a single trip.

Fortified gate of Dambach-la-Ville lit up during Advent

Getting here, and practical tips

From farther afield, Alsace is well connected. The TGV reaches Strasbourg from Paris in about 1 hr 50 min; Strasbourg airport and EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg both serve the region. From either, a hire car is strongly recommended — it is what lets you roam freely between the Haut-Rhin villages once you arrive. Dambach-la-Ville also has its own TER station on the Strasbourg–Molsheim–Barr–Sélestat line.

The Haut-Rhin Christmas markets generally run from late November to around Christmas, with Colmar often extending the festivities to the end of December. Dates shift slightly from town to town and year to year, so do check the current season before you book.

To make the most of the villages, visit Riquewihr, Kaysersberg or Eguisheim on a weekday or late morning if you can; December weekends draw big crowds. In Colmar, expect a busy Saturday — arrive early and finish with the evening lights. Wrap up warm and enjoy what gives these markets their soul: spiced mulled wine, pretzels, gingerbread and bredele, the little Alsatian Christmas biscuits. And book your stay well ahead — Advent weekends fill up early right across the region.

A gîte for families and groups of friends

Au Cœur de l'Ours gathers three independent apartments within the same 1723 house: Cœur de l'Ours (60 m² / 645 sq ft, sleeps 4), Rêve de l'Ours (70 m² / 753 sq ft, sleeps 5, with a mountain view) and Grenier de l'Ours (a 90 m² / 969 sq ft loft, sleeps 7) — up to fifteen guests in all if you take the whole house. Each has a fully equipped kitchen and a private bathroom, handy for cooking in peace after a day on the markets.

Your hosts, Corinne and Mathias, welcome guests to a 9.8/10 rating on Booking. Wi-Fi, free parking in the village, a bakery across the road and three restaurants about 200 metres away (a couple of minutes on foot) make for a relaxed Christmas stay. And if you linger a few days, the Monkey Mountain and the Eagles' Aviary are about 15 minutes away, and Haut-Koenigsbourg castle about 25 minutes, to round out the trip.

Dining area of the gîte with a large table and caramel upholstered chairs

Your home base

The Au Cœur de l'Ours gîte

A 1723 Alsatian half-timbered house, fully renovated, in the heart of Dambach-la-Ville on the Alsace Wine Route. Three independent apartments for 4 to 7 guests, free parking in the village, Wi-Fi and a bakery across the street. Guest rating: 9.8/10.

House from 1723
3 apartments
up to 15 guests
9.8/10 on Booking

Discover the gîte →

Frequently asked questions

Is the gîte actually in the Haut-Rhin?

No, and we'd rather be upfront about it: the gîte is in Dambach-la-Ville, in the Bas-Rhin, right at the gates of the Haut-Rhin. Colmar, Riquewihr, Kaysersberg and Eguisheim are a 30- to 40-minute drive away. You enjoy the Haut-Rhin markets while staying somewhere quieter, and usually at a better price.

How far are you from Colmar?

Colmar is about a 30-minute drive from the gîte. Riquewihr is also around 30 min, Kaysersberg about 35 min and Eguisheim about 40 min. A car remains the most practical way to move between the villages during Advent.

Is staying here cheaper than staying in central Colmar?

Often, yes. Accommodation in central Colmar or in the busiest Haut-Rhin villages sees rates rise sharply through Advent and sells out early. Thirty minutes out, in Dambach-la-Ville, you keep access to the same markets while typically staying with more breathing room — and with free parking.

Where can I park to visit the Haut-Rhin Christmas markets?

In December, parking is scarce and paid in Colmar and the tourist villages alike. The advantage of the gîte is free parking in the village for your car; you then use the village or town car parks for the duration of each visit. Arriving early is still the best strategy at weekends.

Which Haut-Rhin markets can I do in a weekend?

A classic plan: Saturday in Colmar for the day and its evening lights, Sunday morning in a medieval village — Riquewihr or Kaysersberg — then Eguisheim in the late afternoon. If you stay an extra day, add Haut-Koenigsbourg castle, about 25 minutes from the gîte.

Is the gîte suitable for a family Christmas stay?

Very much so. The three apartments sleep 4 to 7 guests each (up to 15 in total for the whole house), each with a fully equipped kitchen and private bathroom. The village is quiet, parking is free, the bakery is across the street and three restaurants are about 200 metres away — an ideal base for exploring the Haut-Rhin markets with ease.