SÉLESTAT, CAPITAL OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE

It is in the heart of this humanist city that the world’s oldest known written reference to the tradition of the Christmas tree is carefully preserved.

And since the year 1521, Sélestat has celebrated the traditions surrounding the Christmas tree, a true symbol of the winter season and the Humanist City’s most distinguished guest.

Amidst the stillness of nature, the festive tree will be decked out in its finest finery, filling the air at our exhibitions with its fragrance and standing proudly in the town squares.

Undeniably, the Christmas season invites young and old alike to immerse themselves in a warm and cosy atmosphere, which we delightfully create with decorations, fairy lights, bredele and the delicate scents wafting from the ever-present Christmas tree. As the days grow shorter and darkness spreads ever further outside, the tradition of the welcome wreath honours us, whilst the Advent wreath lights up our homes, just as the Advent calendar marks the countdown to Christmas.

It is this season of preparation, rich in both time-honoured and more contemporary traditions, that Sélestat will celebrate at the foot of its Christmas tree from 20 November to 27 December.