Trip ideas · Champagne, Alsace and Black Forest Christmas markets

Champagne, Alsace and Black Forest Christmas markets: a One-Week Road Trip From the UK

Checked 8 October 2026 against each tourism board's, city's and operator's own page · skynomad

Day by day

Most hours at the wheel in a day No limit3 hours4 hours5 hours6 hours

Kilometres and hours are motorway estimates between the cities named, without stops or traffic. Where you sleep in a smaller place nearby, the real place and its distance are given.

1. Day 1

   Folkestone → Reims 331 km · about 3 h 35 driving · plus LeShuttle through the Channel Tunnel

   Champagne capital; Christmas market by the cathedral. Source

2. Day 2

   Reims → Strasbourg 356 km · about 3 h 45 driving

   'Capital of Christmas': markets across the Grande Île. Source

   

3. Day 3

   A day out from Strasbourg No long drive

4. Day 4

   Strasbourg → Freiburg 91 km · about 1 h 15 driving

   Black Forest gateway; Christmas market in the old town. Source

5. Day 5

   Freiburg → Mulhouse 64 km · about 0 h 55 driving

   Colmar's six Christmas markets and nearby wine villages. Source The place itself: Colmar, about 45 km (approx).

6. Day 6

   Mulhouse → Nancy 184 km · about 2 h 40 driving, plus the way back from Colmar

   Place Stanislas and 18th-century centre. Source

7. Day 7

   Nancy → Reims 248 km · about 2 h 50 driving

   Champagne houses on the Avenue de Champagne; last night before Calais. Source The place itself: Épernay (Habits de Lumière, 11–13 Dec), about 30 km (approx).

8. Day 8

   Reims → Folkestone 331 km · about 3 h 35 driving · plus LeShuttle through the Channel Tunnel, plus the way back from Épernay (Habits de Lumière, 11–13 Dec)

Why go in December

• Strasbourg Christmas market (Christkindelsmärik): opens Friday 27 November 2026; closing date not stated (2025 ran to 24 Dec). Source
• Colmar's six Christmas markets: 23 Nov – 29 Dec 2026. Source
• Freiburg Christmas market: 19 Nov – 23 Dec 2026 (closed 22 Nov). Source
• Habits de Lumière, Épernay (Champagne festival): 11–13 December 2026. Source

What to watch for

• Strasbourg: no driving or parking in the Grande Île during the market; use tram P+R (market period (late Nov – 24 Dec)). Source
• Strasbourg ZFE-m: permanent, applies to all vehicles incl. visitors; Crit'Air sticker mandatory (German green sticker not enough); fine €68 (all year). Source
• Winter equipment law (Loi Montagne) in Haut-Rhin mountain communes: winter tyres or chains carried (from 1 November to 31 March). Source
• Same obligation in Bas-Rhin and Vosges mountain zones (relevant if crossing the Vosges Colmar–Nancy) (1 November – 31 March). Source
• Épernay Avenue de Champagne closed to traffic and parking during Habits de Lumière evenings (Friday and Saturday festival evenings from 15:00 to 02:00 (2025 rules; 2026 order not published)). Source

What the week costs to drive

Not included: hotels, food and parking. For your own car and exact days, use the trip cost calculator.

The rules on this route

Driving in Britain and Ireland · Driving in France · Driving in Germany

Use this route in my plan to get every vignette, zone, kit rule and deadline for these countries in one checklist, with dates. The speed limits and sign words pages can then show only these countries.