Christmas markets: authentic and fake
A report by Delphine Prunault
Difficult to escape it. As the end of the year celebrations approach, Christmas markets are everywhere: in large cities as well as in medium-sized towns. Over the years, they have multiplied like hot cakes and are enjoying growing success. Two million visitors are expected at the Strasbourg Christmas Market, 15 million at the Paris one. Originally, these markets were born in Germany and Alsace in the XNUMXth century to symbolize the arrival of Advent and prepare for the celebration of Christmas by offering only handicrafts and local products. A custom that smells of yesteryear Christmas and winter wonderland. But today, these stalls under wooden chalets have become a good business deal where the authenticity of the items is sometimes lacking and the excessiveness of prices is often legion. Thus, the city of Strasbourg is launching a regulation this year to monitor the quality of the products offered and prohibit "Made in China". False labels, scams on the origin of the products,… the agents of the Repression of Fraud keep watch. With such enthusiasm, tour operators have also seized the niche and offer weekend breaks to explore Christmas markets abroad. Germany and Austria are the popular destinations. Dream stay or suckers? Investigation in the aisles of the oldest Christmas market in France, that of Strasbourg but also in Paris and with tour operators.
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