French Christmas markets are reaching a “saturation point” say fuming locals. It’s the time of year that people from around the world go in search of the most traditional festive markets. But in one region in France the booming markets are becoming a bit of a challenge due to traffic jams and crowded public transport.
And the success of the Strasbourg and Colmar Christmas markets is now annoying some local residents and shopkeepers, reports Le Fiagro. It says they are absolutely packed this year in the region of Alsace – with millions of visitors hitting the streets of the region in record numbers.
“It’s oppressive, especially with three children,” Ambre Flanagan, a 38-year-old American tourist told the publication. However, she also says she’s had a wonderful time in Strasbourg, where the Christmas market takes place every year from November 24 to December 24.
And Guillaume Libsig, deputy mayor in charge of the Strasbourg Christmas market echoed the concern saying “it should not increase even more” and that “we are reaching the limit” as “public space is not expandable.”
A local resident association also waded into the debate saying that their daily life is disrupted.
Nicole Nussbaum, president of Calme Gutenberg, a neighborhood association, said that the situation was “getting worse and worse.”
Sassi Ben Mourdi, who sells sausages and mulled wine at the market in Strasbourg says that by 9pm they have already had their fill because it’s “too many people concentrated at once” and they’re “very tired”.
Turnover is expected to increase by 15 percent to 20 percent compared to last year in the two destinations.
And smaller markets are also feeling the pressure in the country.
“We are perhaps reaching a saturation point,” said Ms. Kaltenbach, mayor of the small town of Barr (Bas-Rhin).
Strasbourg has held its Christmas market since the 1500s, making it one of Europe’s oldest markets.
The city’s Christkindelsmarik has over 300 chalets and stalls, spread across squares throughout Strasbourg.
The air there is heavy with the smell of cinnamon and sugar, houses are bedecked with lights and it boasts one of the continent’s tallest trees.
The city has recently been named as one of Europe’s prettiest winter holiday destinations.
