Bergheim Christmas Market

A Fortified Town for an Exceptional Christmas

Bergheim is one of the few Alsatian towns to have retained almost its entire 14th-century medieval enclosure. The double rampart, flanked by round towers and pierced by the majestic Porte Haute, surrounds a maze of winding alleys lined with winegrowers' houses from the 15th to the 17th centuries. It is in this exceptional heritage setting, on Place du Docteur Pierre Walter, that the Christmas market is held each year, offering visitors a journey back in time to the heart of preserved and authentic Alsace.

Crafts and Flavors of the Region

The wooden chalets arranged between fountains and decorated facades offer quality crafts: traditional Christmas decorations, wooden toys, painted ceramics, artisanal jewelry, candles, and textile objects. Alsatian delicacies are generously represented: bredele, mannalas (little man-shaped brioches), gingerbread, mulled wine with Christmas spices, and crispy flammekueche. Bergheim's winegrowers, who cultivate the prestigious Grand Cru Altenberg de Bergheim, offer their best vintages for tasting.

The Nativity Trail, An Enchanted Walk

What sets Bergheim's market apart from other Alsatian markets is its remarkable Nativity Trail. More than eighty artisanal nativity scenes, created by local artisans using the most varied materials—wood, ceramic, fabric, paper, metal—are scattered throughout the alleys, courtyards, and windows of the fortified village. This enchanting walk invites visitors to look up, push open doors, and explore every corner of the medieval town in search of these little treasures.

Entertainment and Encounters with Santa Claus

Santa Claus himself, settled in his sleigh in the heart of the market, welcomes children for free photos with their families, a moment of magic much appreciated by the little visitors. Christmas concerts, live shows, and living nativity scenes liven up the weekends, while creative workshops allow children to make their own Christmas decorations. As evening falls, the illuminations highlight the ramparts, towers, and half-timbered facades in a magical atmosphere.

A Preserved Wine Village on the Wine Route

Bergheim, located on the Alsace Wine Route between Ribeauvillé and Sélestat, is an exceptional wine village. Its Grand Cru Altenberg de Bergheim produces some of the most renowned wines in Alsace, particularly exceptional aged Gewurztraminers. The village has preserved remarkable architectural heritage: the 14th-century Porte Haute, the three-hundred-year-old linden tree in the market square, the Gothic church, and the houses with oriels bear witness to the rich history of this fortified town, which Christmas enhances each year.