Riquewihr, in eastern France, has 1,050 inhabitants and... 450,000 visitors during the Christmas market. Faced with this influx of tourists seeking a festive atmosphere, the Alsatian town with its colorful facades is taking measures to remain hospitable while taking care of its residents, writes Agence France-Presse in a report, BTA reported.
Traffic around the medieval historic part, nestled among the vineyards, has been jammed since morning.
In this picturesque setting, buses arrive one after another, unloading streams of tourists eager to enjoy a glass of mulled wine, eat pretzels or take pictures in front of the half-timbered houses.
"There are more and more people", notes Marc, a 70-year-old resident. "Those who make a living from tourism are quite happy, but for the rest it is not so easy," he added.
The influx of tourists sometimes gives residents "the feeling that they are no longer at home," admits the city's mayor, Daniel Clack. "But it is also good," he added, welcoming the "economic gains" brought by visitors.
The challenge is to "get everyone to live together," both tourists and residents, during these six weeks of intense tourism activity.
That is why the city council has adopted an innovative approach. A street in the city center has been renamed "Street of Silence" so that residents can "take a breather".
"Residents, please be quiet", "Keep calm and eat pretzels", read small signs placed in this alley, where the noise level is far from the hustle and bustle of the main street. The measure is the result of a public consultation aimed at identifying the problems caused by the Christmas market and trying to solve them. "more secluded Christmas markets" in the area and encourages them to visit during the week rather than on weekends whenever possible.
In some villages, the Christmas market is only open on weekends to limit the influx.
"I am determined that there should be no Christmas market outside of Friday, Saturday and Sunday, so that the residents can live normally during the week", explains Martine Schwarz, mayor of Kaysersberg-Vignobelle.
The security measures required in view of the constant terrorist threat, "are very restrictive: it is difficult to move around, to park, to go home".
Kaysersberg and Riquewihr are among the most popular Alsatian towns with tourists. Last year, nearly 4 million people visited the Christmas markets in the Haut-Rhin department.
This is the third visit for Danny and Kathy Guillot, a French couple from the Alps (southeastern France), aged 50 and 54, attracted by the "magic and beauty of the towns".
"There are so many people", notes Danny, who says there is still room for improvement in terms of parking. "There is a serious lack of spaces"!
Lisa Kerwell, 37, from Argentan in Normandy (western France), is here for four days and plans to "visit all the little Christmas villages around Colmar and Strasbourg".
"We didn't expect so many people", admits the 30-year-old, who is adapting by leaving "quite early" and takes "breaks from time to time because it's quite busy".
But she doesn't regret coming: Christmas decorations, lights... "a feast for the eyes".