Grand Est is a vast northeastern French region created in 2016 from the historic provinces of Alsace, Champagne-Ardenne, and Lorraine. Bordered by Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Belgium, it is a crossroads of European culture, language, and cuisine. Strasbourg, the regional capital, hosts the European Parliament and flaunts one of Europe's finest Gothic cathedrals. Reims preserves the coronation church of French kings and the prestige champagne cellars of the world-famous Champagne region. In between, Colmar's half-timbered lanes, the vine-draped Alsace Wine Route, the Vosges mountain forests, and the solemn WWI battlefields of Verdun create an unrivalled diversity of experiences within a single region.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Alsatian wine (Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Crémant d'Alsace)
Price: €6–€20 (~$6.60–$22) per bottle
Where: Direct from wine estates or Caves Baumann (10 rue des Frères, Strasbourg)
Champagne (Reims or Épernay)
Price: €18–€60 (~$20–$66) per bottle; negotiable per case
Where: Directly from champagne houses or La Cave du Square (17 place Drouet d'Erlon, Reims)
Bredele (Alsatian Christmas biscuits)
Price: €4–€12 (~$4.40–$13.20) per box
Where: Markets and specialist bakeries like Maison Kieffer (8 rue du Vieux-Marché-aux-Vins, Colmar)
Faïence de Lunéville pottery (Lorraine)
Price: €15–€80 (~$16.50–$88)
Where: Musée du Cristal in Saint-Louis-lès-Bitche or ceramics shops in Nancy
Baccarat crystal
Price: €30–€500+ (~$33–$550+)
Where: Baccarat Boutique (2 rue des Cristalleries, 54120 Baccarat); or authorised retailers in Nancy
Mirabelle plum products (Lorraine)
Price: €4–€20 (~$4.40–$22)
Where: Épiceries fines and market stalls in Nancy and Metz: jam, eau-de-vie, liqueur, bonbons
Kougelhopf moulds (traditional Alsatian ceramic)
Price: €20–€50 (~$22–$55)
Where: Poterie Frick-Lutz (8 rue des Marchands, Soufflenheim)
Alsatian Christmas ornaments (Weihnacht decorations)
Price: €5–€30 (~$5.50–$33)
Where: Strasbourg and Colmar Christmas markets; Mille et Un Nœuds (15 rue des Cordonniers, Strasbourg)
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Marché Place Broglie (weekly market)
Fresh Alsatian produce, charcuterie, cheese, brezel
Where: Strasbourg
Hours: Wednesday and Friday 07:00–13:00; Saturday 07:00–14:00
Strasbourg Christmas Market (Christkindelsmärik)
Christmas decorations, vin chaud, bredele, Alsatian crafts
Where: Strasbourg
Hours: Late November – December 30; daily 11:00–20:00 (21:00 at weekends)
Colmar Christmas Markets (5 Villages)
Alsatian crafts, candles, nativity figurines, gingerbread
Where: Colmar
Hours: Late November – January 1; daily 11:00–19:00
Marché des Halles Boulingrin, Reims
Champagne-region produce, farmhouse cheese, charcuterie, local wines
Where: Reims
Hours: Tue–Sat 07:00–13:30; Sun 07:00–13:00
Place Stanislas Market, Nancy
Lorraine specialities, bergamot candy, mirabelle products, local crafts
Where: Nancy
Hours: Saturday 07:00–13:00
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Rue des Hallebardes and Grand'Rue, Strasbourg
Main pedestrian shopping street in the city centre; high-street chains and Alsatian food shops
Rue du Vieux-Marché-aux-Vins, Colmar
Alsatian wine boutiques, pottery shops, and Christmas decoration stores year-round
Rue de Vesle, Reims
Main commercial street; champagne boutiques, fashion, and department stores
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Centre Commercial l'Espace Européen de l'Entreprise (Les Halles, Strasbourg)
Hours: Mon–Sat 09:30–20:00; closed Sunday
Rivetoile Shopping Centre, Strasbourg
Hours: Mon–Sat 10:00–20:00; Sunday 11:00–19:00
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
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Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Items:
- Custom
- Shop hours
- Detail
- Shops typically open 09:30–12:00 and 14:00–19:00 Monday–Saturday; closed Sunday (except December Christmas market season and city-centre department stores in tourist areas)
- Custom
- VAT refund (Tax-Free Shopping)
- Detail
- Non-EU residents spending over €100 in one shop can claim a VAT refund (12–15%) at the airport. Look for the 'Tax Free Shopping' sign; complete forms in-store and stamp at customs.
- Custom
- Bargaining
- Detail
- Fixed prices in shops — bargaining is not customary. At flea markets (vide-greniers) and antique fairs, gentle negotiation is acceptable.