Started in 1987 by a union of businesses in Montbéliard, the Tourist Office, the Montbéliard festival committee and the town of Montbéliard, the aim of the ‘Lumières de Noël’ was to liven up the city with a thousand lights, entertainment and a Christmas market during the Advent period.

Over thirty years later, this magnificent event has grown. It has become a tourist attraction and its Christmas market (with 180 traders) is one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in France and Europe.

Wooden arches, created in Italy, line the historic centre and sparkle at nightfall, while tiny lights overhead lead into the squares and the buildings are illuminated. There are 115,000 LEDs in total!

As part of its revival of Germanic traditions, Montbéliard hosts a very traditional Christmas market with craftsmen selected for the quality and authenticity of their products. People come from far and wide to stroll between the wooden chalets nestling at the foot of Saint-Martin Protestant church and in the neighbouring roads and squares. Here you will find a multitude of handmade gift ideas or tasty savoury or sweet products.

During the Christmas lights, there is also a multitude of events and activities for young and old alike, with exhibitions, concerts, shows, the little elves’ workshop and the ‘Randonnée des Lumières’ (lights walk). As for Father Christmas, he is there together with the lovely ‘Tante Airie’, a good fairy from the Pays de Montbéliard region.

For more information: "Les Lumières de Noël"