Things to Do in Alsace, France

Alsace is in the far northeast corner of the French border with Germany. Over the years, the French and German cultures have intermingled, resulting in a region that is both linguistically and culturally unique.

The Alsatian region, which is divided into the departments of Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin, is picturesque year around, and is famous for its wine routes and pretty medieval villages. The landscape is a mix of dense forests, pastoral vineyards and the mountainous Vosges range.

Food and Drink

Gastronomically, the Germanic and French tastes are fused, combining French flair with German heartiness. Alsatian food includes sausages, sauerkraut, rich stews and foie-gras, which was invented in Strasbourg. Other regional dishes include Spatzle, pastry, pork chacuterie and pretzels. A traditional staple of Alsace is baeckoffe, a delicious stew of mutton, pork and beef, marinated overnight in white wine and cooked for hours, which was traditionally served on laundry days. The main wines of the region are Riesling (usually drier than in Germany), Gewurztraminer (a heady wine that goes well with the local Munster cheese), and Pinot Gris, which is splendid with foie-gras.

Things to Do

Strasbourg, the regional capital, is a beautiful city to visit any time of year. At Christmas, the streets are filled with the sound of music and the glow of Christmas lights. There is an enormous Christmas market, the Christkindelsmarik and smaller ones dotted around including one in front of the Cathedral Notre Dame. The cathedral's single spire towers over the Old Town and is in the style of red-stone gothic: on sunny days the stained-glass windows are beautiful.

It is well worth visiting Petite France in the old part of the city, comprising of beautifully timbered houses right along the river. It is virtually an island, surrounded by scenic canals on four sides. The old city was listed by UNESCO in December 1988 as a world heritage site.

There are other large towns in Alsace including Colmar, which is filled with half-timbered houses and canals. Known as the Petite Venise district, one of the best ways to see the town is by boat.

The historical chateaux, forts, and churches of Alsace are complimented by the superb selection of museums; and the Regional Parks and family attractions prove that there is something here for everyone.

As might be expected, there are many outdoor activities in Alsace; the region is wonderful if you enjoy hiking, mountain biking, and winter sports. The mountain range of Vosges has spectacular scenery, and has walking trails for all abilities. The Lac Blanc, Lac Noir and "Routes des Cretes" attract walkers, cross-country skiers and snowshoeing enthusiasts. Skiing is also available in several resorts, including Le Champ du Feu, Markstein and Gerardmer. Popular hiking areas include the Vallee de la Bruche, the Vallee de Munster in the Ballons des Vosges nature park and, further north, the Vosges du Nord regional park.

Summer is a great time for wine drinkers, with festivals held every weekend in different towns. There is a well-marked route called the Alsace Route des Vins, running the full length of the vineyards, a distance of 75 miles. It passes through nearly every wine village, skirting the base of the Vosges mountains with occasional detours through the narrow valleys that lead west into the mountains. It has been designed to enjoy whether you wish to walk, cycle or drive the route.

Places to stay

Use our holiday search form to find a beautiful holiday home.

An example of holiday properties in the Alsace:

Holiday home for rent in the Alsace

Climate

Alsace has a semi-continental climate with hot and sometimes stormy summers. Winters are cold and are often accompanied by a great deal of snow. In the spring and autumn, oceanic and continental influences mix, leading to lovely temperate weather. The region has one of the lowest levels of rainfall in France at 700 mm per year.

Travel

Flights:
The only direct flights are from London Gatwick to Strasbourg, with Air France.

Car:
From Calais To Strasbourg Distance: 360 miles
Travelling Time: 6hrs

Rail:

There is no direct route, but you can get a connection from Paris.

Eurostar to Paris
Eurostar trains run from London or Ashford International to Paris Gare du Nord. Eurostar runs from London to Paris in approximately 2 hours 40 minutes. Check in for all Eurostar destinations is 30 minutes before departure. You will need a passport for travel, and a visa where necessary.
Paris to Strasbourg
Via Paris Est there are 12 Classic and Teoz train per day and the journey takes around four and a half hours.