Discover Benelux | Culture | Christmas Markets
WINTER MARKETS
Get into the festive spirit TEXT: ARNE ADRIAENSSENS
ing ‘tartiflette’ and other goodies. Away from the shopping spree, you can witness a marvellous light show on the façades of Grand Place www.plaisirdhiver.be
Le Village de Noël de Charleroi 1 December – 7 January, Charleroi, Belgium A modern winter bar and over 50 wooden houses create a cheerful atmosphere in the heart of Charleroi. With 15 new shops on the square, every corner will be full of surprises this year. Make sure you do not miss the traditional visit of Sinterklaas and his nutty helper Black Pete on and around 6 December. www.charleroi-noel.be
Louvain la Neuve.
Marché de Noël de Amiens
Louvain-la-Neige
23 November – 29 December, Amiens, France
30 November – 20 December, Louvain-la-
The holiday season starts off wonderfully with
Neuve, Belgium
the immense market in Amiens. Two kilometres
In one of the youngest cities of Belgium, tra-
of festivities and chalets promise you a festive
dition and a modern lifestyle go hand in hand.
walk from morning till evening. After twilight, the
The two main squares become a winter won-
impressive Notre Dame Cathedral becomes the
derland where you can hunt for all your typical
backdrop of a mesmerising video projection. See
Christmas gifts. Five chalets are dedicated to
opposite page for more.
pop-up concepts, in which a rotation of bud-
www.marchedenoel.fr
ding entrepreneurs will sell their products for
Mons, Coeur en Neige
up to to three days only.
8 December – 6 January, Mons, Belgium
www.louvainlaneige.be
A little fairy dust and fake snow transform Grand
Louvain la Neuve. Photo: © Louvain-la-Neige
Place and Marché aux Herbes into magical
Noël a Lille
Christmas paradises. The artisanal market gives
23 November – 30 December, Lille, France The market of Lille now twinkles like never before.
Plaisir Hiver / Winterpret
you plenty of opportunities to find the perfect gift.
The city has invested in new lights to brighten up
30 November – 6 January, Brussels, Belgium
Your kids, however, will be even more enthusias-
the darkest days of the year. Stroll past the more
Twinkling lights guide you through Belgium’s
tic to shake Santa’s hand (if they were good this
than 80 little shops to find the perfect gifts for
beautiful capital passing the ice-skating rink, the
year, that is).
your loved ones (and a couple for yourself).
enormous Ferris wheel and the 200 chalets sell-
www.monscoeurenneige.be
www.noel-a-lille.com
Cité de Noël Béthune 24 November – 31 December, Béthune, France The Christmas fair of Béthune is a winter paradise for all ages. While you do your Christmas shopping with a jenever drink and a crepe, your offspring will gasp at the multitude of thrilling activities to tickle their imagination. www.tourisme-bethune-bruay.fr
102 | Issue 59 | November 2018
Photo: www.plaisirsdhiver.be
Photo: www.plaisirsdhiver.be