Europe has a special feel during Christmas time. "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire" become a reality, not a dream (as you can literally buy them on the streets), and Christmas lights that adorn the town centers have a particularly festive twinkle. I've been looking forward to visiting a European "Christmas Market" since it dawned on me that Christmas was on it's way. In the spirit of the season, myself and a couple of friends headed to Switzerland this weekend to the Marché de Noël of Montreux. Montreux is a beautiful town sitting on the edge of Lac Léman, an impressive body of water on the border of Switzerland and France.
Arriving at the market, it was easy to get caught up in the buzz of the Christmas season. Hundreds of people were milling about happily, inspecting the various wares at each merchant's booth. The aroma of mulled wine, bretzels, waffles, and crêpes wafted through the market, and we happily indulged in a number of these treats. Christmas carols played over loudspeakers, and the sound mingled with a mix of languages to be heard in the crowd (French, English, Italian, German). Being at this market highlighted my favourite part of Christmas: being in good company with people you love.
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| Barba Papa - a classic comes to life! |
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| Chestnuts (roasting on an open fire) |
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| The crowds milling through the market in Montreux |
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| Hand-blown glass |
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| No snow? No problem - that can be made too. Posing with a festive reindeer to complete the scene. |
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