Rent an audio guide from the tourist office and take yourself on a walking tour of the city. The tours are available in several languages, including English, and run for 1.5 hours. You can stop the commentary any time you need a break and keep the player for up to 3 hours. A printed brochure lays out 15 marked sites...
Several companies operate multi-day barge cruises on canals and rivers in Alsace. This is a pleasant way to experience the beauty and flavor of the region in fine style. Virtually all cruises slide slowly along the waterway while guests take guided tours of nearby towns, eat gourmet French meals, sip excellent local wines, and walk or bike along adjoining footpaths....
Strasbourg, Colmar, and Mulhouse are ideal towns for touring by bike. Pedestrian areas, bike routes, and secure parking stands make this a safe and fun method of exploring the area. Pick up maps and information at the offices of tourism or bike rental locations. In Strasbourg, Vélhop operates a self-service bike rental system with dozens of stations around town. Get...
This is a must-do if you’re traveling with kids and a pleasant break for people of any age. Watch for signs pointing the way along the Wine Road near the villages of Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr. About 200 butterfly species live in this flowery indoor park. Many are quite exotic and come from regions along the equator. The park maintains ideal...
Alsace seems to have a specified route for all things wonderful, and chocolate is no exception. Several dozen shops are linked through the region, allowing chocolate lovers to pick up their favorite treats as they travel. You can pick up the brochure La Route du Chocolot at the Chocolate Museum ($) in Geispolsheim (just south of Strasbourg) or at the offices of...
Art and history enthusiasts will want to schedule plenty of time for this important Protestant church. It was named Saint-Pierre-le-Jeune (Young) because, at the time of the naming, Strasbourg already had churches using Sainte Pierre. The oldest part of this structure is the crypt and remains of a small 7th-century church on the lower level. The main building of this...
La Route des Crêtes is a 50m/80km ridge road running north-south the Vosges Mountains from the village of Sainte-Marie aux Mines, west of Sélestat, to Cernay, near Thann. A drive along this former military supply route makes an ideal day trip most of the year, but snow and ice close the passage during the winter. Ski areas are reached by shuttle from...
Colmar has about a dozen Michelin-starred restaurants, and another dozen or so are considered near misses. Unless you’re a true gourmand, you probably won’t be able to notice a difference between meals in restaurants within the same price range. The greatest concentration of top-quality eateries is in the old city, all within easy walking distance. Menus are posted outside, so...
Grande Ile has an abundance of good places to eat, especially in the Petite France neighborhood. Menus are posted outside each restaurant, which makes it easy to stroll about and pick something to fit your appetite and budget. To try: Kammerzell House Maison des Tanneurs Le Clou Special-occasion meals worth the splurge are found at Au Crocodile.
This attractive town sits below the southern Vosges Mountains, surrounded by terraced Grand Cru vineyards, about 25m/40 km southwest of Colmar. Walk along pedestrian-only streets and admire the 16th-century town hall and other ancient buildings surrounding Place Jeanne d’Arc (Joan of Arc Square). Places to visit The artistic abbots of Murbach built much of Guebwiller during the 13th and 14th...
The building that houses this exceptional restaurant is from the 1750s and complements the handsome chef’s creative menu. As one of the top restaurants in the historical part of Colmar, JY’S is the ideal spot for lunch after touring Le Petite Venise. Ask for a table on the terrace overlooking the Lauch River. Chef Jean-Yves Schillinger oversees the kitchen that...
Finished in 1480, this is the oldest public building in Colmar. It was originally a customs house set in the center of the town’s commercial district. The ground floor was used for storage of imported goods, and the upper level was a meeting room for a regional political group. Panorama of Colmar Climb to the top of the stone steps for...
When Michelin gives a star, you know the restaurant is excellent. Make a reservation and plan to dine early because the space is small and gets crowded by 8:00 pm. Lunch is less pricey, and usually less crowded. If the weather is good, ask to sit outside on the shaded terrace where you have a bit more privacy. Chef Loic...
Try this bistro-style winstub for regional specialties. The decor, from tablecloths to curtains, are down-home Alsatian, and the food is authentic and well prepared. Located near the Strasbourg Cathedral, the place gets crowded, especially during high-tourist season, so make a reservation.
This old tanners’ building in the Petite France section of the Grande Ilehas been a favorite with visitors for more than 50 years. It was constructed in 1572, became a restaurant in 1949, and was meticulously renovated in 1972 for its 400th birthday. Regional specialties include sauerkraut and Alsatian foie gras. Fish, escargot (snails), and chicken simmered in local white...
No doubt, you’ve seen photos of this 15th-century house, because it is one of the most famous and most-often-photographed buildings in Strasbourg. Today, the historic monument is a tourist attraction as well as a luxury hotel, a splurge restaurant, and a cozy wine bar. Take time to appreciate the ornate Gothic architecture, and consider staying overnight in one of the renovated...
A lot of legend and mystery surround this historic landmark 2,500f/761m up into the Vosges Mountains. A stone-block wall sits on the summit, probably a pagan ruin dating back to Celtic times. But, most visitors come to see the restored convent, which contains portions of Roman structures and tombs dating back to the 9th century. The chapel holds the coffin...
The original 12th-century church that once stood on this spot in the city’s center was demolished in the 1800s. The edifice that now stands majestically on Place de la Réunion, and is sometimes called The Cathedral of Mulhouse, is a Protestant church designed by J. B. Schacre and built between 1858 and 1868. The spectacular stained-glass windows are from the...
Many visitors associate the word munster with a, shall we say, aromatic cheese. But, this Alsatian village, near the Route des Crêtes, is an ideal base for touring the Vosges Mountains. The town is ancient, founded by monks in the 7th century, but the town was heavily bombed during World War II, and only a few significant historic sites remain....
Located directly across from the Notre-Dame Cathedrale in several old houses, this museum holds art, stained glass, and sculpture from the Middle Ages. Many of the pieces in the series of rooms and gardens are the originals that were salvaged from the Cathedrale during the French Revolution. Allow about an hour to zip through and stop at anything that catches your...