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OPENING DATE HAS BEEN PUSHED BACK ONE WEEK A French Christmas market recently damaged in a fire will open next weekend (Saturday, November 23), event organisers have announced.  A blaze at

the Village de Noël in Barcarès (Pyrénées-Orientales) began in the night between last Sunday and this Monday, causing up to 3,000m² of the Christmas market to set alight. The fire impacted

several chalets, stalls, and refrigerated trucks at the location. Read more: Major fire breaks out at one of France’s most popular Christmas markets It led to doubts the market would be able

to open this year, however the fire has only delayed the opening of the market – one of the largest in France with over 100 chalets and stalls – by one week.  It was originally set to open

this Saturday (November 16), one of the earlier markets to open in the festive calendar. “Despite the fire, we are delighted to announce the opening of the Christmas Village on November 23!

Thanks to the mobilisation of our teams, the magical atmosphere of the festive season will be present,” said event organisers in a social media post.  CAUSE OF BLAZE UNKNOWN  The fire was

put out by over 60 firefighters, minimising the damage to the Christmas market, and sparing the famous boat (named Lydia) moored near the site.  Thankfully, nobody was injured by the fire. 

An investigation into the fire is underway, and no cause has been stated, but members from from the techniciens en identification criminelle (TIC) who attended the scene on Monday night have

said that the cause so far appears “probably accidental”, said L’Indépendant. This is the 25th anniversary of the market, and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.  Other

popular Christmas markets in France soon to open include Colmar (November 26), Strasbourg (November 27) and Arras (November 29).