Top-of-the-range Christmas weekend in Eastern France

DAY 1 - 10.00 am

Advent wreath workshop in Strasbourg

If you're feeling like an artist, head for the Maison Magique workshops in Strasbourg, where you'll be welcomed by Amandine Louise, an inspired native of Strasbourg who has set up shop in a former dairy that's been converted into a cosy space where you can express your creativity. We kick off our Christmas theme with an Advent wreath workshop! Sharing, advice, creation and good humour, we relax while sipping a good Christmas tea and tasting manneles. You'll leave proud to have made your own Advent wreath, to hang at home or give to a loved one.

12h30

Lunch at the Buerehiesel

Nestling in a green setting in the Parc de l'Orangerie, this half-timbered building is characterised by the charm and authenticity of an old farmhouse. Take a seat in the sublime glass roof, where you'll be treated to cuisine handed down from generation to generation. Eric Westermann, the restaurant's chef, offers fine, bold cuisine that reinvents itself with the seasons. Try his signature dishes: pan-fried frogs' legs with chervil, schniederspaetle with Isigny cream, or chicken from the Klein farm cooked like a baeckeoffe, with potatoes, leeks and melanosporum truffle. The meal ends with one of the chef's classics, a caramelised brioche with beer, ice cream made with the local beer "Perle" and roasted pear from the brew.

16h00

Strolling through Strasbourg's Christmas Markets

The closer you get to the city centre, the more magical it becomes: the illuminations, the scents of cinnamon, gingerbread and roasted chestnuts, the smoke from glasses of mulled wine and the glittering decorations on the half-timbered houses create a unique atmosphere. The walk begins in the Place de la Cathédrale, where Notre-Dame de Strasbourg dominates the scene, providing a majestic backdrop for the little wooden chalets set up at its feet. Craftsmen offer their creations: hand-blown Christmas baubles, sculpted nativity scenes, handcrafted jewellery, decorative objects and gourmet specialities. During our stroll, we made a short diversions to Erithaj, a company that promotes an ethical, family-friendly approach and showcases Vietnamese cocoa in a wide range of products. Let yourself be tempted by a piece of chocolate and enjoy a culinary journey between Strasbourg and Vietnam.

19h00

Overnight at the 5-star Hotel Maison Rouge

Strasbourg's oldest inn takes its name from its red brick façade. Today, the building has retained the colour for which it is famous: a top-of-the-range hotel, the beauty of the premises has been preserved over the years. The Art Deco style is both modern and elegant. Settle into one of the hotel's 131 suites, following the same artistic line: a mix of contemporary facilities and 1920s Art Deco style, some with views of the sublime cathedral. Before leaving the hotel, take a moment to yourself in the hotel's SPA area to experience the benefits of vinotherapy.

DAY 2 - 9.00 am

Departure for Champagne

We head to the station to catch a TGV train to Champagne Ardenne. As soon as you arrive, the charm of the Champagne region begins to take hold, with its hypnotic rows of vines stretching as far as the eye can see. The Champagne region owes its reputation to the drink of the same name, which can be tasted* during a visit to one of the houses, such as Veuve Clicquot or Ruinart. In Reims, start your visit by contemplating the three monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Reims Cathedral, the Basilica of Saint-Rémi and the former Royal Abbey of Saint-Rémi.

12h30

Lunch at the Bellevue du Royal Champagne

In Champillon, the hotel building blends into its natural, unspoilt setting. Take a seat in the Bellevue bistronomic restaurant, which offers a 180-degree panoramic view of Epernay, the capital of Champagne and the Marne. The à la carte menu includes blue prawns from New Caledonia, sea bass in a beurre blanc sauce with vine leaves and Sicilian caponata. What's more, we love the unexpected collaboration between chef Christophe Raoux and pastry chef Claire Santos Lopes and Dr Olivier Courtin-Clarins, an expert in nutrients and cosmetics, who have worked together to create wellness menus that are both delicious and well-balanced.

15h00

A sensory journey at Pressoria

In Aÿ-Champagne, enjoy a unique experience at the sensory interpretation centre for Champagne wines. Located in a former press house belonging to the Aÿ cooperative, the building's contemporary architecture is set in a natural environment, with a magnificent view over the surrounding vineyards, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pressoria offers a fun, interactive tour that explores every stage in the champagne-making process, from the soil to the glass. During our visit, we discover the terroirs, understand the vine cycle, admire the magic of wine-making and enjoy a multi-sensory experience. Finally, the various workshops invite us to use our 5 senses to identify the notes of fruit, flowers and minerals that make up the aromatic profile of the different cuvées.

19h00

Overnight at the Loisium and evening at the Habits de Lumière

A room awaits us at the Loisium hotel in Mutigny, just outside Epernay. With its large picture windows, the hotel gives pride of place to nature and the surrounding valleys of the Champagne region. The warm colours, natural materials and open spaces create an atmosphere of well-being, giving the impression that the forest or vineyards are close at hand. The same tranquillity pervades the bedrooms, designed by French designers Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku. When night falls, head to the Avenue de Champagne in Epernay for the flagship event of the Champagne region's festive season: Habits de Lumière. A festive evening where the facades of the Champagne houses and the sky are lit up in sparkling colours, and where entertainment and parades are organised, creating a festive and unique atmosphere.

*Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, consume in moderation.