In Strasbourg, the magic of the Christmas market threatened by overtourism | EUROtoday

It’sis a second that’s each extremely anticipated and feared. On Wednesday, November 27, the Strasbourg Christmas market opened its doorways and the town placed on its costumes of sunshine to the delight of vacationers from all around the world. But what do the folks of Strasbourg say about it?

“We are witnessing their return to the aisles,” rejoices Jeanne Barseghian, the inexperienced mayor of Strasbourg. The transformations that now we have step by step carried out are appreciated. » And to acknowledge: “The occasion is a sufferer of the success of those modifications! With 3.3 million guests in 2023, and as many introduced this 12 months, it isn’t straightforward to protect the magic…”

If the local economy benefits fully, some do not hesitate to talk about overtourism… Finding the right balance is not easy. “We must reconcile the activity of traders, the well-being of residents and visitors and also reduce the carbon footprint,” underlines the mayor. This year, the municipality has planned 3,000 additional parking spaces outside the city. Not sure that this is enough to make the Big Island breathe and calm the grumpy people… V.P.

Full success for the book capital

Between workshops, exhibitions, the literary ball and the White Pages artistic installation, which attracted 45,000 visitors, more than 1,000 events have enlivened the UNESCO 2024 world book capital since its launch, the April 23. The first French city to obtain this label, Strasbourg benefited from the sponsorship of Fatou Diome, Dima Abdallah, Kamel Daoud and Émilie Clarke.

Writers like Nancy Huston, Laurent Gaudé, Jérôme Leroy have written texts which will be shared during the closing ceremony, in April 2025. “Unesco ensures that this event creates a passion for reading that lasts over time », Underlines the mayor, Jeanne Barseghian, who wants to perpetuate actions against illiteracy and the promotion of culture among young people.

“Damned” allies for the municipal elections

They occupy what they have nicknamed the “corridor of the damned”. It is in this corridor of the administrative city of the Eurometropolis that all the opponents have been allocated an office. If, at first, this made them grumble, today, this proximity delights them. “This allowed us to get to know each other better and work together,” says municipal councilor Pierre Jakubowicz (Horizons) with a smile.

Since then, Renaissance elected officials, Republicans and socialists have made joint contributions and meetings… On the route of the North tram, on the future of the Grüber stables. “Leaving united for the municipal elections is an absolute necessity,” says LR Jean-Philippe Vetter. This is possible by relying on a base of common values ​​and on purely local issues. A cycle path is neither right nor left! » The LR and the Macronists have revised their strategy for future municipal elections: the opposition leaders assure that they are determined, this time, to join forces from the first round.

A thirty-year-old tram

Thirty years is the age of the first tramway put into service in Strasbourg, on November 25, 1994. Until December 30, an exhibition at the administrative center (Parc de l’Etoile) traces the history of what became the largest mesh network in France and which continues to grow. At the end of 2025, line F will gain eight stations between Koenigshoffen and Wolfisheim. And since mid-November, the new Paul-Éluard station, the first opened in France on a 2 x 2 lane (the M351 motorway), connects four intercity coach lines to the tramway.

“The great news of the territories”

To Discover



Kangaroo of the day

Answer

Cyril Viguier, who’s having fun with viewers success on TV5 Monde and the regional each day press websites, will dedicate two particular editions to Strasbourg and its worldwide attraction, one throughout the closing of the Christmas market, on December 27, the opposite early 2025 for the opening to the general public of the European Parliament.