| Alsace | |
 | |
| Information | |
| Country |  France |
|---|---|
| Area | 8 280 km² |
| Population | 1 734 145 hab. (1999) |
| Density | 209,44 inhab./km² |
| Spindle | UTC 01:00, UTC 02:00 |
| Location | |
 48 ° 17 ′ 39 ″ N 7 ° 25 ′ 17 ″ E | |
| Official site | |
| Touristic site | |
THE'Alsace is a region of France border withGermany, the Swiss and the regions of Franche-Comte and Lorraine.
Understand
Geography
Alsace is delimited by its natural borders: the Rhine and the Northern Vosges separate it from theGermany in the North and more in the South it is the Jura which forms the border with the Swiss. In France, the Vosges line delimits the region by separating it from the Lorraine and some Franche-Comte.
Because of this strategic geographical position, this region has always been highly contested. From 1870 to 1945, Alsace changed its nationality 5 times, between France and theGermany. These changes also explain the existence of a Local Law, specific to Alsace and the Department of Moselle.
Located at the crossroads ofEurope, which has its seat at Strasbourg, history has not spared the Alsatians who were at the heart of past great wars. This unique history has given rise to a strong regional identity which is expressed through various traditions, but above all through the still widespread dialect, "Alsatian".
Weather
Alsace has very contrasting seasons: winter can be very harsh while summer is often very hot and dry; in spring and autumn the temperatures can be very mild: hence the presence of many vines in the Alsace plain. In addition, the proximity of the Vosges allows certain towns in Alsace to experience a microclimate: Colmar, for example, is one of the driest towns in France with only 95 rainy days per year. The Alsatian climate is said to be "semi-continental"
During the fall (September 21 to December 21), the temperatures are very pleasant (around 14 ° C): this allows you to explore Alsace and enjoy nature: the spectacle of the harvest is worth a detour, as are walks in the plains and wet valleys: the fog appears and gives off a fascinating atmosphere.
Winter (December 21 to March 21) is cold (around 0 ° C) and the abundant snowfall near the Vosges mountains: don't hesitate to stop there if you like skiing. If you are more tempted by long walks, prefer the Alsace plain: the snow is less present and the winter atmosphere just as captivating.
Spring (March 21 to June 21) is generally very pleasant, although sometimes a few showers and cold winds continue to persist in March. In May the weather is favorable for visits and walks: the weather is clear, the plains are green and the evenings are very mild (14 ° C).
In summer (from June 21) it is not uncommon for temperatures to reach 30 or 35 ° C, the amount of sunshine during this period is comparable to towns in the south of France. Fortunately, the heights of the Vosges allow you to enjoy the most appreciable freshness and air.
Regional language
The regional language is Alsatian which is an Alemannic dialect derived from German. Very lively until the 1960s and 1970s, Alsatian has lost many speakers in recent decades despite the efforts of many associations and the creation of bilingual classes (French-German or Alsatian) in many schools, including from the first class. nursery schools, since the early 2000s.
Regions
 48 ° 15 ′ 0 ″ N 7 ° 30 ′ 0 ″ E Alsace region map |
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Cities
Do not hesitate to visit the very picturesque and unmissable big towns of Alsace such as:
- 1 Colmar – Nicknamed the "capital of Alsace wines", a tourist destination renowned in particular for the typical architecture of its houses.
- 2 Guebwiller
- 3 Haguenau
- 4 Mulhouse
- 5 Sainte Marie-aux-Mines
- 6 Saverne
- 7 Selestat
- 8 Strasbourg – And its famous Cathedral, its “Petite France” district and its European institutions.
- 9 Thann
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Resort locations
The main vacation spots favored by tourists are between Strasbourg and Colmar, along the Alsace wine route (map of resort areas)
Some Alsatian towns are known for their pleasant living environment. The latter are less touristy, and quite suitable for a stay focused on rest.
- Niederbronn-les-BainsThe official website of the tourist office
- La Petite-Pierre
- Wangenbourg-EngenthalThe official website of the tourist office
- the HohwaldThe official website of the tourist office
- Three ears
- The Upper Bruche ValleyThe official website of the tourist office
Picturesque towns and villages
Although heavily bombed during the Second World War, Alsace still has many typical localities.
Five Alsatian villages have been classified among the most beautiful villages in France:
The other remarkable villages are:
- Barr
- BouxwillerThe official website of the tourist office
- Gueberschwihr
- Hattstatt
- KaysersbergThe official website of the tourist office
- Molsheim
- Obernai
- RibeauvilleThe official website of the tourist office
- Rosheim
- Rouffach Its historical circuit of the ramparts and its Renaissance square.
- Seebach
- SeltzerThe official website of the tourist office
- Turckheim
- Munster ValleyThe official website of the tourist office
- Wissembourg
Other destinations
Unmissable sites
- The Strasbourg cathedral which was for 227 years the tallest building in the world. Each year, it attracts around 4 million visitors who come to admire it, as well as its pillar of angels and its astronomical clock.
- The convent of Mont Sainte-Odile which, with its 1.3 million annual visitors, is the second most visited site in Alsace
- The historic city center of Strasbourg. The Little France is the picturesque district, located on the "Grande Ile de Strasbourg" which has been classified as a world heritage site by UNESCO since 1988. A boat trip is ideal for discovering the charm of the city over the water .
Find the list of the most visited sites in Alsace.
Castles in Alsace
The ruins of medieval castles are numerous on the Alsatian peaks. We can of course cite the most famous:
- The Haut-Koenigsbourg (near Séléstat) is undoubtedly the best known: it has been beautifully renovated and now offers many fun tours suitable for young and old alike.See the official website of the castle
- The Fleckenstein (near Niederbronn-les-Bains) is the most visited unrestored castle in Alsace. An impregnable old citadel, it offers a magnificent panorama.
- Hohlandsbourg Castle
- The Three Castles of Haut-Eguisheim
- The three castles of Ribeauvillé
- The Haut-Barr castle on the heights of Saverne
- The Convent of Mont Sainte-Odile, a convent whose origins date back to the Middle Ages (8th century). The site, located in the mountains not far from Obernai, offers an impressive view of the Alsace plain, and enjoys a calm and relaxing atmosphere. Do not hesitate to undertake a hike along the Pagan Wall, in the magnificent undergrowth.
You can access these castles on foot or directly by car.
Modern fortifications
- Fort of Mutzig-Feste Kaiser Wilhelm II, largest German fortress of the First World War in Mutzig, in 20 km from Strasbourg, direction Schirmeck. A great stroll of 2 h 30 to discover the world of modern fortification and one of the most beautiful views of Alsace. Hours: March to December, guided tours. Full timetables and prices on the website: [1]
Museums
- 1 European Center for Deported Resistance Members Route départementale 130, 67130 Natzwiller,
33 3 88 47 44 67, fax : 33 3 88 97 16 83, e-mail : [email protected] 
between 3 and 6 € per person. – The site of this former camp now houses the "European Center for the Deported Resistance", a museum and what remains of the concentration camp. This place can be visited in silence out of respect and for the memory of all the suffering that thousands of people endured here. - 2 The Ecomuseum Grosswald Road 68190 Ungersheim, 33 3 89 74 44 74, fax : 33 3 89 74 44 65, e-mail : [email protected] adult (14 €) and child from 4 to 14 years old (9,5 €). – Located near Mulhouse, the ecomuseum remains a must if you visit Alsace: a living museum in which authentic Alsatian constructions are reconstructed and where costumed actors present the traditional works of the region.
- 3 Carreau Rodolphe, historic potash mining center in Alsace Rue de Guebwiller 68840 Pulversheim, 33 3 89 48 86 54, e-mail : [email protected]
By appointment on Wednesday events. 5 €. – Former complete mine tile of Potasse with in particular a metal headframe and a concrete headframe, machines, vehicles, tools. - 4 Museum of modern and contemporary art 1 Place Hans Jean Arp 67076 Strasbourg, 33 3 88 23 31 31 – Located at Strasbourg, the museum has collections, enriched by several deposits of institutions and individuals, covering the period from 1870 to the present day. Its geographical area is mainly centered on Western Europe.
between 3 and 
By appointment on Wednesday eventsNatural parks
In Alsace there are not only storks, there are also ... monkeys! The mountain of the monkeys of Kintzheim is home to about 300 macaques in a freedom close to wild life, who will not hesitate to approach as close as possible if you hand them food!
And right next to it, the eagles' aviary offers an impressive and striking spectacle: the flight in complete freedom of the largest raptors in the world. You will be able to approach birds that are a priori unapproachable in nature and enjoy a show that will delight young and old.
Located on the Alsace Wine Route, Hunawihr Storks and Otters Park extends over 5 hectares. On foot, take the shaded path that goes around the park. It will lead you to discover the 200 storks that live there with ducks, nutria and even European otters as neighbors. Every afternoon, an unusual show is devoted to the natural swimming and fishing behaviors of cormorants, otters, penguins and sea lions. Smart! The park entrance ticket is valid all day: enjoy a quiet visit in the morning and come back in the afternoon for the show!
Christmas in Alsace
- See as well: Christmas in Alsace
Christmas markets have become a real institution in Alsace. From the end of November until December 24, Christmas markets and entertainment introduce their visitors to a warm and authentic atmosphere.
Candlemas opens the Carnival cycle (Fastnacht). Stakes, fires, throwing flaming discs (Schieweschlawe) are games that endure in some municipalities. In the past, these rituals were completed by reviewing the villagers' shortcomings, and a new social order could emerge. From house to house, we begged for Carnival donuts. A coarse figure of straw, materializing the threats of winter, often ended up being sacrificed at the stake. Ripailles, dances, disguises in devil completed this pagan picture which is recalled today by parades, cavalcades ...
- The carnivals of the Sundgau region are largely inspired by the festivities of the South of theGermany (carnival of Basel and its famous Morgenstraich, carnival of Lörrach), of the Swiss German and Swiss Jura. This is what gives Sundgau carnivals a special atmosphere.
- The carnival of Mulhouse, is one of the most dynamic ofAlsace. Many associations participate. This is the opportunity to be able to attend a parade of floats in the streets of the city. These evoke the great facts of local or national life.
- In the department of Bas-Rhin, it's the carnival of Strasbourg which is the center of attention. The parade made up of fifteen unusual floats and around forty troops of two thousand musicians, witches and strange creatures takes possession of the streets of the city center for a day.
To go
- By car:
- By plane:
- By train:
- The lines of TGV now make it possible to connect Paris (Gare de l'Est) to Strasbourg in 2 h 20 (with many stops in Colmar and Saverne), Paris (Gare de Lyon) in Mulhouse in 2 h 40 (via Dijon, Besançon, Belfort-Montbéliard), and also to provide daily service to the other regional cities of Marseille, Lille, Nantes, Rennes and Bordeaux, without a connection in Paris.
Circulate
Alsace has a very good, modern and fast road network.
- THE'A35 crosses Alsace from North to South and connects Saint-Louis to Strasbourg, in 1 h 30 about (details of travel times). In addition, the motorway is free, which will allow you to visit Alsace at a lower cost. If you want to take your time, the secondary roads are also of very good quality, so you can discover all the riches of the Alsatian villages and enjoy a change of scenery, in particular by traveling the "Alsace wine route".
- As for urban transport, it is booming in the main cities of the region: Strasbourg and Mulhouse have a very practical tramway and Colmar a very developed bus service that will allow you to travel the city without having to need a vehicle.
- The rail network in Alsace is very important and many regional express trains (TER) provide links between the various towns of Alsace and this even on weekends (in particular the Basel-Strasbourg line which offers trains every 30 minutes during the week and every hour on weekends and serves the stations of Saint-Louis, Mulhouse, Colmar and Sélestat)
- Finally, for those who would like to stroll along the banks of the Ill, the river that bathes the Alsace plain, Strasbourg and Mulhouse have a bicycle rental service called Vélocation and Vélocité respectively.
Do
Wine route
The wine route is located on the Vosges flanks and covers all the region from North to South. Along this route, you will find a number of wineries that will give you the benefit of a tasting but be careful, in moderation and even more so if you are the driver.You can also follow the wine route on foot or on foot. bike.
Cycle touring and mountain biking
Alsace with more than 2,000 km of cycle routes will allow you to discover many picturesque places. Whether you are looking for endurance or a simple family trip, Alsace is suitable for all your desires: mountain biking (mountain biking) in the Vosges and in the valleys, cycle paths throughout the Alsace plain ...
Hiking
Alsace has several hiking trails, suitable for everyone: whether you are a great athlete or simply curious, discovering the region by walking will be a real pleasure. The thousands of itineraries will take you to discover castles, vineyards or archaeological sites.
For your hiking support, contact the Club Vosgien, the oldest association of hikers in France, which maintains and signs nearly 18,000 kilometers of trails. This will allow you to find the level of difficulty that best suits your needs. [2]
Winter sports
Winter sports enthusiasts will inevitably find what they are looking for in the Vosges mountains: surfing, downhill skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, dog sledding and 1 000 km of marked trails for cross-country skiing between the Champ du feu and Ballon d'Alsace resorts.
Adventure Parks
Leave the city for a few moments and come and try your hand at the various Adventure Parks in the region: monkey bridge, footbridges, tarzan jumps, zip lines. Just two meters or twenty meters from the cow floor, discover the pleasure of jumping from tree to tree!
- Tree to tree park in Kruth
- Natura Parc in Ostwald
- Parc Alsace adventures in Breitenbach Official website
Ridge route
This road runs along the old border between Germany and France. It borrows the Vosges summits and offers exceptional panoramas over the Vosges valleys, the Alsace plain, and the Alps (in cold and dry weather)Map of Alsace and the crest route
To buy
Regional products are easily found in tourist areas. In order to benefit from typical products of Alsatian origin, it is recommended to acquire them at the manufacturing site. We can cite:
- Alsace wines (mostly white)
- Munster (cheese that is better not to transport over long distances)
- Pottery from the towns of Soufflenheim or Betschdorf: kougelhopf mold, sauerkraut or baeckeoffe terrine
- The bredele which are the Christmas cupcakes
- A local beer: Alsace produces 6 out of 10 beers sold in France
Eat
The farm inns, exclusively located in the mountains, offer a unique meal, based on farm products. A good solution for those who want to eat on the ridge route.
