The European Christmas where you’re most likely to see snow – and flights cost just £27
THE snowiest and most popular Christmas market in Europe has been revealed – and you’ve probably never even heard of it.
Every year, the French town of Montbéliard hosts an intimate Christmas market called Les Lumières de Noël.
The German-style Christmas market first opened in 1986, and it is believed to be one of the most popular Christmas markets in France.
Since it first opened, 140 wooden stalls selling handmade gifts and Christmas delicacies have set up shop in front of the Temple Saint Martin – the oldest Lutheran church in France.
As well as foodie delights, the French Christmas market also has another important draw – the strong possibility of picturesque snowfall in November and December.
A team of travel experts at European Waterways recently revealed the best Christmas markets to visit in Europe for a white Christmas.
European Waterways based their findings on factors like the average amount of snow fall in November and December, and they compared it against Europe‘s most popular Christmas markets.
Montbéliard took the top spot, with the possibility of 24 snow days between November 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023.
Salzburg Christmas market in Austria took second place, with an average of 22 snow days predicted.
Meanwhile, Metz in France and Basel in Switzerland were both predicted to have 20 days of snow.
While it’s hard to actually predict how much snow will fall later this year, Montbéliard is also home to festive lights that illuminate the streets, carol singers, and a Ferris Wheel.
The Christmas market will be open from November 25, 2023, to December 24, 2023.
While the Christmas market is free to enter, visitors will need to pay for rides and any purchases they make at market stalls.
Both British Airways and easyJet operate direct flights from the UK to Basel in the winter months.
Flight prices start at £27 for a one-way ticket, with journey times taking one hour and 40 minutes.
EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is an international airport that’s run by both France and Switzerland.
While the airport is based in France, it is divided into two different sectors, which represent each country.
From Basel Airport, it’s just over an hour’s drive to Montbéliard.
Hotels in the town are extremely affordable In December too.
Sun Online Travel have found an overnight stay at Ibis Styles Montbéliard, including breakfast, from £50 per person, based on two people sharing a room.
And there are cheaper options on the market too, including the Ibis Budget Montbéliard where prices start from £28.50 per person per night.
There are plenty of other Christmas markets across Europe, including Kerststad Valkenburg.
Kerststad Valkenburg is an award-winning Dutch Christmas market set inside a series of underground caves.
For those holidaymakers who don’t fancy heading abroad to visit a Christmas market, then you’ll be relieved to know that there are some great festive attractions in the UK.
One of those is The Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham, which is said to be the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany.
Meanwhile, this travel writer thinks their hometown has the best Christmas attraction in the UK.
Top 10 European christmas markets most likely to see snow this winter
- 1 – Montbéliard in France with 24 days
- 2 – Salzburg in Austria with 22 days
- 3 – Metz in France with 20 days
- 4 – Basel in Switzerland with 20 days
- 5 – Strasbourg in France with 20 days
- 6 – Valkenburg in the Netherlands with 20 days
- 7 – Edinburgh in Scotland with 20 days
- 8 – Riga in Latvia with 19 days
- 9 – Haguenau in France with 19 days
- 10 – Essen in Germany with 19 days