Lille Marché de Noël

There are a bunch of different lists that claim to be the "definitive list of Christmas Markets in France." Strasbourg tops every single one of them, partially because it's the oldest, partially because it's one of the largest, partially because it's really close to Germany and therefore has a leg up on everywhere else. But quite a few of these lists also include the Christmas Market here in my home-for-the-year of Lille. Some even rank Lille in the top five. These, my friends, are the lists you should trust.

There's even fake snow!

Lille has everything you want from a good Marché de Noël. It smells like sugar and pine, there are 83 different booths all nestled together in Place Rihour like a cute little village, there's a giant ferris wheel and a giant Christmas tree a few steps away at the Grand Place, and it's a five minute walk from the train station and literally right in front of a metro stop. It's perfect.

If you like ferris wheels, ride the Grande Roue. The lines are shortest in the afternoon and on weeknights. It's five euros, and it's worth every centime. You get some amazing views of Lille from up top.

You can see good old Saint Maurice in the background!

Marché de Noël from above

If you don't like ferris wheels, go to the top floor of Furet du Nord. There's a window in the reference section where you can make fun of people who do.

HA HA. YOUTHS.

The booths in the market are all pretty cool.

There are stalls representing Russia and Canada and Alaska and even the Alsace region of France, so you don't have to worry about what you're missing in Strasbourg. There's also a few stalls that sell traditional northern delicacies and Lille souvenirs.

There are figurine shops and Santa shops and magic shops and glass shops and sock shops. SO MANY SHOPS.

You can find anything you want in here. And I haven't even gotten to the food.

Crêpes. Gaufres. Sausages. VIN CHAUD. There are around five different booths selling different varieties of hot wine. 

Look how pretty it is!!

But the most important of all--the most glorious of all--is the raclette. 

Are you still conscious? Because honestly I felt a little faint just looking at that picture.

Just imagine: cheese sitting under heat and melting into gooey goodness. Potatoes mixed together with ham and onions. And, when the cheese is hot enough, it is scraped off the wheel and poured onto the potatoes to make a meal that can only really be described as heavenly. Save this for your last stop in the market. You'll be too emotionally overwhelmed to focus on anything else.

And just when you think it can't get any better...

No. It can't be.

Yes. It is.

They have pony rides. THERE ARE TINY FLUFFY PONIES AT THIS CHRISTMAS MARKET. Incredible. Thank you, Lille. In the words of Tiny Tim, "God bless us, everyone," and may the force be with you all.