Alsace is a wonderful region to visit. It has a very strong identity, very distinct from the rest of France, due to its intense history. Once German, once French, Alsace's culture is influenced by the two countries. The region offers a lovely countryside with mountains and vineyards, charming typical towns and medieval cities, impressive castles and beautiful religious sites. Its festive atmosphere and gastronomy also are some more reasons to go.
1. Visit Colmar
Nestled among vineyards, the city owns traditional half-timbered houses, canals, floral displays, a delightful cuisine, great wines and charming accommodations. Colmar represents very well Alsace lifestyle, conviviality and hospitality.
2. Bike on the Alsace wine route
The 170 km long Wine Route run alongside the foothills of the Vosges Mountains from Thann in the South to Marlenheim in the North, passing by more than 1000 wine producers. It offers stunning panoramic views between mountains and picturesque wine-growing villages.
3. Visit Strasbourg
Strasbourg has been recognized as one of the finest cities on the “Old Continent” with its outstandingly rich heritage. The city’s historical centre, the Grande-Île, has been listed as a Unesco’s World Heritage List since 1988. Its cobbled streets, canals, and half-timbered houses charm every single visitor. Throughout the centuries from the Middle Ages up to today, Strasbourg has forged its distinctive character, based on its two major influences - French and German.
4. Hike in the Vosges
The Ballons des Vosges is one of the largest parks in France. Explore the Regional Nature Park of the Northern Vosges listed as a “World Biosphere Reserve” by UNESCO. The Vosges mountains offer a rich array of flora and fauna as well as many activities such as hiking and downhill skiing, snow-shoe rambles and dog sled rides.
5. Visit a Château
Fleckenstein, Haut-Barr, Haut-Koenigsbourg, Hohlandsbourg, Kaysersberg, Ferrette – Alsace has so many castles to discover. An ideal visit for families with small intrepid knights! Many of them may be in ruins today, but their silhouettes still stand proud over the plain of Alsace and continue to fascinate ramblers and visitors alike.
6. Discover Alsace's religious heritage
Romanesque, gothic and baroque - the religious sites testify from the region's rich historical past where Catholicism, Protestantism and Judaism lived side-by-side. You might want to explore the Romanesque Route, visit Strasbourg Cathedral, the Ebersmunster Abbey, the Haute-Alsace Dominican Monastery in Guebwiller, the Mont Sainte-Odile Convent in Ottrott, or the Ingwiller synagogue.
8. Visit charming typical villages
In Alsace, cities and towns seduce with their half-timbered houses, colored facades and flowered windows. You will be charmed by their typical Alsacian style. Discover Ribeauvillé, one of the oldest medieval town in Alsace; Eguishem, the lovely medieval village surrounded by vineyards; Riquewihr, ranked as one of the most beautiful Village de France; Kaysesberg and its medieval sites; Obernai, the second most visited city of the region.
9. Visit a WWII military Fort
The Shoenenbourg Fort is the largest fortification open to the public in Alsace. It was heavily bombarded during the Battle of France in 1940, with no significant damage. In 1945, retreating German troops used explosives to destroy much of the ouvrage. After the war, it was fully repaired and placed back into service as part of a programme to resist a potential Warsaw Pact advance through Europe. By the 1970s the plan failed and Schoenenboug was abandoned.
9. Taste Alsace local gastronomy
Alsace gastronomy, influenced by French and German gastronomy, is quite distinctive from the rest of France. Taste the Bretzels, the savory heart-shaped salted biscuit has been the emblem of bakers since the 14th century; the Choucroute (sauerkraut): the grated cabbage accompanied with cold meat or by fish; the Flammekueche: this thin pastry covered with cream, onions and bacon pieces; the Munster: the delicate flavored and tasty cheese that can be enjoyed cold or melted on baked potatoes; the Spätzles, the thick and irregularly shaped noodles, and of course the beer and wine. More than half of all beer consumed in France is produced in Alsace and Alsace is a major wine producing region with its "Appelations d'Origine Contrôlée" named after their 7 grape variety: Gewurztraminer, Muscat, Pinotblanc, Tokay Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Sylvaner.
10. Visit a Christmas Market
Christmas in Alsace is famous worldwide. Strasbourg market was founded in 1570 and the oldest Christmas Market of the country and Colmar market was ranked as France’s most beautiful market in 2018. In addition to the Christmas markets, exhibitions and concerts are organized in every town and village. Taste some hot wine, it is the star product at the Christmas market with its spellbinding fragrance of spices and cinnamon.
Please do not hesitate to contact us (at info@inland-travel.com) if you have any question, if you would like to receive our free Alsace guide or if you would like to organize a trip there. We will be more than happy to help!
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