Places to visit
Christmas Markets 2002

The North's Chrstmas markets include fairs, entertainments, and market stalls with regional produce and other unusual and different present ideas...(pictured: Lille, Rinxent)

Christmas Markets In past centuries, housewives in rural France would spend much of the two weeks before Christmas baking and preparing typical festive food - hence the markets, which grew up to supply them with all the supplies they needed. Today, Christmas markets and fairs are enjoying a rennaissance! Bigger and better than ever, they give an opportunity to buy unusual and different foodstuffs, local produce, regional specialities, rich cakes, beautifully packaged sweets and chocolates, traditional decorations, local crafts and other present ideas - and often to save money, compared with UK High Street prices!

...[Christmas markets in Lille]... really are wonderful. There are so many Christmas present ideas and something for everyone. It's the only time of the year when Lille actually feels culturally together. The atmosphere is great and this is the only reason I would return! ... Why not send in YOUR review of somewhere you have visited?

Where to go.. Locations of some of the bigger Christmas markets: towns in red are in the Nord; blue in Pas-de-Calais Characterful Christmas market close by the Belfry in Bethune (11) - easy to find just off the A26 motorway.

Events in Xmas 2002 - Places to visit: NOTE: DATES in light grey are 2001. Please check all details & times with the relevant tourist office or local website 1. Bergues: 9-10 Dec, special Christmas market in histoic walled town: crafts, local produce. 2. Calais: 30 Nov-1 Dec Christmas market, with spectacular illuminations and other events through until 7 Jan - by the Theatre: Christmas chalets, cultural performances, craft stalls. 2. Calais: 30 Nov - 31 Dec 450 sq.metre open-air ice skating rink in Place d'Armes: hire skates (3.5 euros for 30 mins). Christmas village, fairgound rides, Father Christmas grotto. Father Christmas opens a window daily in a giant 'Advent Calendar' at 6pm - with fireworks on Christmas Eve (rue du Commandant Mengin ). 3. Cambrai: 14-24 Dec - market in the Place du St.Sepulcre in front of the cathedral. See traditional crib in the Jesuit chapel. 4. Dunkerque: 14 - 24 Dec, in Place Jean-Bart in the town centre - stalls selling regional produce. 5. Dunkerque / Malo-les-Baines: 8-9 Dec - about 40 stalls. 6. Gravelines: 15-24 Dec - market with fine foods from all over France in the colourful summer beach huts! stock up with regional cheeses, sweets and champagne! 7. Lille: 1 -30 Dec - Funfair in the Place Rihour; concerts, exhibitions, entertainment, and more than 50 stalls selling original gifts. 8. Vaucelles Abbey near Cambrai: "A Dream of Christmas" on 23-25 Nov, Nov 30-Dec 2 - stunning illuminations light up the 12th century abbey, plus Santa on his sledge, musical events and Christmas market [charge for admission]. 9. Licques: Dec 14-15 - traditional turkey parade and market (high quality traditionally-reared organic poultry) 10. Arras: Dec 6 Spectacular descent of St. Nicholas down the face of the Town Hall in Grand Place (with sweets for children); Dec 7-23 Christmas Market with 40+ craft stalls and giant tree also in Grand Place. 11. Bethune: Dec 1-31 - Christmas market with around 40 Flemish-style chalets selling decorations, regional produce and other gifts by the Belfry in the town square. Children in the North traditionally look out for visits from Saint Nicholas rather than Father Christmas - look out for him in processions around 6th December! Some of the most spectacular annual events are in Boulogne [picture below] and Arras.

1. Boulogne - St.Nicholas parade. 2. Calais - Christmas Market by Theatre. 3. Licques - famous turkey festival

	Link to the Tourist Board websites to check times & dates, and for lots of other events at Christmas time: Nord / Pas-de-Calais www.crt-nord.fr/an/villes www.pas-de-calais.com

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