which city is best for Christmas atmosphere?

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Which of these two largest cities in Seine-Maritime has the most beautiful Christmas market, the most beautiful decorations, the best entertainment: Le Havre or Rouen? Which of the rebuilt city or the city of a hundred bell towers has the most beautiful magic of Christmas? We went to ask you. Testimonials.

Le Havre Christmas Market

Installed at the foot of the town hallthe Le Havre Christmas market is a ritual every year.

According to a passerby interviewed on site, “the Christmas market is well located, it’s right next to the town hall”. Its central place has also earned it many visits.

Two young women interviewed are satisfied with the stands offered: “ There is good food, good mulled winethat’s what interests us. » For them, the market remains “complete”. But not all Le Havre residents are satisfied with it. According to a mother, “ it's still quite simple. We need a little more creativity, craftsmanship.” Opinions differ.

A lack of entertainment?

According to this same passerby, what is missing in Le Havre are also complementary activities: “Christmas sledding was nice one year. » Today, the sled installed on Place Perret no longer exists. Which is not to delight the regulars.

However, there are many activities on offer such as the Christmas exhibition under six arcades and in the town hall forum, “a program of festive, cultural and commercial activities on the theme of Christmas” and the Parade white, which took place this year on Sunday December 15.

A ferris wheel and a carousel as well as the carousel Santa's Sleigh on the Saint-Michel square also enliven the city.

In terms of decoration, Le Havre is thinking bigger and bigger

All of the illuminations est « 100 % leds since 2013. They are lit every day from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to midnight, and all night on December 24 and 31. The cost of electricity for the city is around 15,000 euros per year. As for the Christmas market, its budget is 145,000 euros per year.

New this year, the city has installed illuminated signs on the roof of the town hall. We can read “MERRY CHRISTMAS” until December 25 then “HAPPY NEW YEAR” from December 31 to January 19.

Concerning Place Perret, two fir arches were installed. They measure approximately 5 meters by 5 meters. And a large tree is installed opposite the town hall.

Despite this, “there is a bit of a lack of garlands in the churches,” says a passer-by.

The Christmas market in Rouen

In Rouen, it must be said that the Christmas market has a great advantage: it is located on the cathedral square Notre Dame. “It’s a strong point, it does everything! », exclaims Clothilde, 68 years old.

A little further on, we question Rubin, 34, who is “frankly not convinced” by what the market is offering: “I find that it lacks “handmade” and real original Christmas products, what is sold in the chalets is industrial. »

Malou, a 63-year-old trader, also finds that something is missing at the market: “ Need more atmosphereno more little parades. We don't see any live stuffed animals passing by… It lacks pep. »

This is not the opinion of Camille, 19 years old. The student recently arrived in Rouen “likes this market” which he judges “ very friendly “. “The traders give good advice and it’s beautiful,” he says with a smile.

About the chalets elsewhere, many welcome the variety of products which are offered there. “There is a lot of choice and there is not one stand that is the same as another,” says Florence, 31 years old.

Some only have eyes for the carousel which enlivens the center of the square. But it too is controversial. For Emilie, 23, “he’s very beautiful, but super massive. It takes up a little too much space so there are fewer chalets.”

Of course, it is also forfill your belly that the Rouen Christmas market is popular. Valentin confirms that this year, “there are more things to eat, so we’re taking advantage of it.”

But outside the market, in Rouen, what is there?

Well for most of the passers-by interviewed, not much. There are mainly decorations “from the merchants, but not so much from the city” assures Valentin.

Howeverother animations There are indeed such things as the fairy garden and the Maison du Père Noël, Place de la Calende, where it is possible to take photos with Santa Claus and leave letters, or the “Refuge Givré”, Place Saint-Sever, where activities and shows intended for children and families are offered.

“It’s true that the market is the only place that has a bit of Christmas in Rouen. There is nonot enough budget to put lights everywhere and at the same time we understand it because if there were lots of lights and we said there wasn't enough money for anything else, we wouldn't be happy.” puts Florence into perspective.

When asked, the Metropolis does not wish to give the budget allocated to the illuminations. She indicates in a press release that “[l’éclairage]aims to be both more qualitative than last year (patterns more suited to these major streets, warm white LED lights) but also more compact in number of streets, at an equivalent budget.

In total, in Rouen there are 25 streets lit from 5:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. until January 5, 2025. They will be continuously lit on the nights of December 24 to 25 and January 31 to 1.

Finally, where is the best place to celebrate Christmas?

Malou, a seller at the Rouen market, explains that she only heard about the Le Havre market recently. “I was told, fortunately you are in Rouen, because frankly the Le Havre market is not great. »

In reality,drawbetween Le Havre and Rouen. If Rouen wins points for its Christmas market, larger and more varied than that of Le Havre, the rebuilt city stands out for its decorations in town.

With Vanessa Leroy and Clara Denieulle

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