French Christmas Market Magic

I’ve been living in Annecy for a while now, and it’s truly starting to feel familiar. I’ve discovered little shortcuts to my favorite places, making the city feel even more like home. Right now, I’m getting ready for a visit from my daughter, and as always, we’ve packed our agenda with exciting places to explore.  There is never a dull moment when we’re together. She’s the ultimate adventure planner, always finding unique experiences wherever we go. It’s going to be a visit full of French Christmas market magic.

The last time she visited we drove from Paris to the Cote D’Azur with the two dogs in tow, such a fun unforgettable journey. I’m beyond grateful for these moments with her. They truly create memories I’ll treasure forever. 

First Stop at at Market

One of our first must do’s this time was visiting the festive Christmas Market just down the street from my apartment. As soon as we entered, the festive atmosphere wrapped around us. Christmas music filled the air, and the chalet type booths lined the market offering everything from handcrafted gifts to mouthwatering treats. 

We started with warm drinks from the first stand. There was mulled spiced wine, hot chocolate and hot cider served in this year’s souvenir cups. They were beautifully decorated with an Annecy festival design. Strolling through the market, sipping warm  drinks and soaking up the wonderful festive atmosphere  was pure joy.

French Christmas Market Magic

The food stalls were undeniably irresistible! One stand featured pasta made fresh to order with toppings scraped from an enormous wheel of cheese, mac and cheese on a whole new level! There were sizzling sausages, decadent waffles covered with whipped cream and different toppings, as well as artisan homemade chocolates, and tempting drinks. Craft booths dotted the market offering beautiful, cozy mittens, scarfs and hats as well as festive house décor. Strolling through the market was definitely a feast for the senses. The vibrant colors, the Christmas music playing , the delicious aromas wafting through the air, and the laughter of the strollers made it a most unforgettable holiday experience. 

Here is a great summary of the French Christmas Markets

Raclette Delights

Next on our list was indulging in raclette at a local restaurant. It is definitely a must try, this Swiss specialty is the ultimate  comfort food experience. Raclette is both the name of the cheese and the dish itself. The magic is in the presentation, a thick slice of cheese is placed on a raclette grill hanging with its point downward. The grill’s heated flaps on either side melt the cheese, causing it to drip onto the plate below.

Watching the cheese melt was mesmerizing. Then you scrape the gooey golden goodness on the potatoes, chunks of bread or charcuterie was absolute bliss! It was like creating your very  own fondue experience at the table. If you ever get the chance I highly recommend it !

The next episode we will be exploring underground caves and a gondola ride over 4000 ft in elevation admiring some of the beautiful peaks in the Alps in Switzerland. 

Thank you for coming along on the journey with me,

-Soraya

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