In the centre of the Grand’Place in Arras which is covered with a festive red carpet is a German style winter bar with the tallest tower in Europe for one of these types of buildings. Lit up and rotating, it is charmingly kitsch and a magnet for revellers. Inside, the chalet style bar and stalls with fluffy covers are alluring and the scent of hot gluhwein makes cheeks rosy in anticipation and even rosier once it’s been consumed.
Arras Winter Bar
Thomas Delforge who owns and runs the bar is on fine form as he ladles out a hot mug of wine or adds a shot of Baileys to coffee “everyone is happy here, it makes me happy too” he says. And he is typical of the people who are here to sell at the Christmas market. Many of them have come a long way and with good reason – last year this market attracted around 800,000 visitors. It is one of the most popular Christmas markets in France.
There are more than 100 stalls and the sellers are local, regional and from further afield.
