Strasbourg in November

December transforms Strasbourg into Christmas market central. The Christkindelsmärik dates to 1570 and sprawls across 11 locations. Vin chaud (mulled wine) costs €3 per cup, bredele cookies appear in every bakery, and the cathedral gets a massive Christmas tree. Book hotels months ahead – this is peak season. April through June gives you mild weather, blooming parks, and reasonable hotel prices. The European Parliament is in session, so the city buzzes with international energy. Restaurant terraces open along the canals in Petite France. September and October deliver perfect weather for walking and wine harvest season in nearby Alsace villages. The leaves turn golden in Parc de l'Orangerie, and new wine festivals happen every weekend. Avoid July and August if possible. It's hot, crowded with German tourists, and many locals flee to the mountains. The European Parliament shuts down, making the EU quarter feel like a ghost town. Winter outside Christmas season can be gray and dreary, but hotel prices drop 40% and you'll have the museums to yourself.