Did you know that the Christmas market in Strasbourg, in northeastern France, is being upgraded from time to time?
The Strasbourg Christmas Market dates back to 1750 and is the oldest Christmas market in France.
This Strasbourg Christmas Market is one of the most popular Christmas markets not only in France but also in Europe.
In 2022, 314 chalets will be exhibited and 2.5 million visitors are expected ✍🏻 The Christmas Market in 2022 👉🏻 looks like this
The Christmas tree at Place Kléber, the most famous Christmas market in Strasbourg, is decorated according to a different theme each year.
On the other hand, the Christmas lights in the Old City of Strasbourg, which are displayed during the Christmas Market, are basically the same ones used every year, but they are upgraded on an irregular basis.
In this page, I will look back the history of the illumination on the main street leading to the Strasbourg Cathedral (Rue de la Mercière), with the help of photos.
Christmas lights in Strasbourg, transition of Angels adorn 👼🏻 (Rue Mercière)
The Strasbourg Christmas Market, which I saw for the first time after arriving in France, was like an oasis of warmth in the cold and dusky city.
I remember walking along this street many times, especially the illumination of the angels on the rue Mercière, with its warm and soothing light bulbs (incandescent bulbs).
At that time, the angels were monochromatic and were located on both the left and right sides of the street, making a total of 10 angels brightly illuminating Rue Mercière.
Illuminated Angels at Rue Mercière, Strasbourg 2013-2016
From 2011 to 2013, the illumination had the same design, but starting in 2014, it was changed to the type of illumination that is still displayed today (2022).
This change in 2014 was made to coincide with the millennium event, as the following year, 2015, was the 1000th anniversary of the foundation stone of the cathedral, laid in 1015. That is why the word 1000ans is added next to the angel's trumpet.
And for some reason, only in 2015, there are three angels on the left side and two on the right side facing Strasbourg Cathedral.
Illuminated Angels at Rue Mercière, Strasbourg 2017-2020
From 2017 to 2020, the 2014/2015 Millennium version was used. I noticed when I put the photos side by side that in 2020 there are two angels on each side.
Illuminated Angels at Rue Mercière, Strasbourg 2021-2022
And since 2021, the balloon has appeared from the angel's trumpet. I don't know what this change means, but for some reason I personally feel that it softens the Christmas lights.
From the time I moved to France until 2014, the Christmas market in Strasbourg, which I thought was normal when the season came, suffered major events in 2015, 2018, 2020, and 2021.
The warm, homey Christmas market feeling that I could feel in the beginning is not there now, but I believe it is still an indispensable event to get through this dreary, cold winter.
✍🏻 PS: I can't comment in general on the color of the photos, as much of it is due to camera changes.
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