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Alsace Attractions

Colmar

The lively capital of Haut-Rhin, Colmar is one of the most attractive towns in Alsace and its streets abound with medieval and early Renaissance buildings. Its old quarter is more influenced by German architecture than French with chocolate –box houses painted in pastel colours. The streets have unexpected twists and turns and there are many historic houses, many of which are half-timbered. One of the most beautiful is the Maison Pfister, 11 rue des Marchands with its wooden balcony and painted facade. Tourists can also visit the wine boutique on the ground floor. Down by the River Lauch is the popular tourist haunt of the Petite Venise , with the famous Quai de a Poissonerie, a row of very cute fishermen’s cottages (several of which are now fish restaurants).

Enjoying a sunny micro-climate, Colmar is the second driest city in France with annual rainfall of just 550mm, thus making the surrounding area ideal for the production of the Vins d’Alsace.
 

Route du Vin

Starting at Marlenheim in the North and ending at Colmar in the South, the 120 km Route du Vin winds through sixty charming villages along the foothills of the Vosges. There are countless ruined castles, many of which have been there since the 12th century. The best time to visit is during the harvest in September and October. Opportunities for tasting the local produce are plentiful with free dégustations along the roadside and in the caveaux of most villages.

 

Haut-Koenigsbourg

The castle at Haut-Koenigsbourg is the most visited tourist spot in the whole of Alsace. Located at Orschwiller, its fairy-tale roof rises from the forest above Sélestat. It was used by successive powers from the Middle Ages until the Thirty Years’ War when it was abandoned. In 1899 the impoverished citizens of Sélestat presented the ruined castle to Kaiser Wilhelm 11 who oversaw its restoration. The castle was officially dedicated as a national historic site by the French Ministry of Culture in 1993. The castle is open all year round, every day except 1 January, 1 May and 25 December.

 

Ballons d'Alsace

The three highest summits at the southern end of the Vosges lie within 15 km of the central resort of Markstein. The highest, Grand Ballon (1424m) is topped by an orientation table and the monument to the ‘Blue Devils’ (the Chasseurs Alpins). The views from the summit are breathtaking, and on a clear day the Jura and the Alps can be seen. There are equally stunning views from the Petit Ballon (1267m) and the Ballon d’Alsace (1250m).


 

Guebwiller

Guebwiller is an ancient town which was developed by the abbots of Murbach, who also built the surrounding walls. The churches of Guebwiller are particularly interesting. Notre-Dame is one of the largest 18th century churches in Alsace. The St Léger church, which was built in the 12th century from magnificent pink sandstone, boasts some stately arcaded aisles and beautiful stained glass windows. The town also has some stunning parkland. The Parc de la Marseillaise features fine examples of cypress, lime, cedar and sequoia trees.


 

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