Alsace travel guide

The Alsace region is located in eastern France, on the country's border with Germany and Switzerland. It is therefore easily accessible for travellers catching ferries to Calais, Boulogne and other popular ports in north-east France.

There are many sights to see and locations to visit in Alsace, from secluded villages and wine-producing farms to cities such as Strasbourg and Colmar. The region also provides opportunities to try some active pursuits, with the Vosges mountains boasting impressive landscapes that visitors can explore on foot or by bicycle.

Alsace enjoys plenty of sunshine during the summer and cold winters that produce a lot of snow, making it a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding during the winter sports season.

Getting there

P&O Ferries and Seafrance both provide a Dover to Calais ferry service that enables holidaymakers to take a scenic drive along the French borders with Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany to reach Alsace.

Norfolkline operates a Dover to Dunkerque ferry service, while LD Lines provides ferries to Boulogne and Dieppe from Dover.

Travellers also have the option of catching ferries to Le Havre and Caen with LD Lines and Brittany Ferries respectively from Portsmouth.

Ferries to France timetablesThings to do

Wine tours are among the most popular activities on offer to holidaymakers in Alsace. Like many parts of France, the region is home to several vineyards, with most of its wines named after the type of grape that is used to produce them rather than the region in which they are made. There are dozens of vineyard trails throughout Alsace that provide a fascinating introduction to the region's winemaking, covering the various stages of vine growth and the work carried out by local producers. Alsace visitors can also take some time to discover some of the local cuisine. The region is particularly well-known for its fish, bread and cheese.

Travellers hoping to undertake some active pursuits during their holiday will have plenty of opportunities in Alsace. The two regional nature parks in the area are home to some 9,000km of hiking trails alone, which take in a variety of picturesque landscapes. There are also routes that pass by some of the local castles. Cycling enthusiasts can follow various trails that run from the south to the north of Alsace, stretching from the Vosges mountains to the Rhine. Those looking for a truly memorable adventure may fancy having a go at horse riding.

After experiencing the outdoor activities on offer in Alsace, travellers can visit some of the region's museums to absorb its culture and heritage. Attractions worth visiting include the Unterlinden Museum in Colmar, the Mulhouse Fine Art Museum and the Alsatian Museum in Strasbourg. A visit to Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace region, also offers the opportunity to see attractions such as the city cathedral, Place Kleber and the Saint Thomas Church.

Things to see

Historic castles are among the most popular attractions in many regions of France, and Alsace is no different. Ribeauville is part of a major wine-producing area and is home to three castles - the Saint Ulrich, the Girsberg and the Haut Ribeaupierre - each of which has a history stretching back hundreds of years. The castle of Haut-Koenigsbourg is one of the most popular monuments in France, with more than 600,000 people coming to see its panoramic views across the Alsatian plain and grand architecture every year.

Another impressive sight holidaymakers can look out for is the Nideck waterfall, which is situated near Nideck castle at an altitude of 534 metres. The falls run over ancient rocks thought to be some 560 million years old, which are part of a wider natural area that is highly popular for hiking and rambling. Nearby locations also offer panoramic views of the Bruche valley, one of many picturesque settings for Alsace visitors to admire during their stay.

The region is home to several other natural attractions, such as the White Lake near Orbey, the Vieil Armand area in the Ballon des Vosges park and the Schlucht pass, which offers stunning views of the Vosges hills and the Black Forest.

Alsace also boasts a fascinating variety of architecture that represents its culture and heritage. The military buildings and fortifications found throughout the region are a result of its strategic location on the border between France and Germany. There are also several examples of Renaissance and classical period architecture, with the Maison des Tetes in Colmar and the Palais des Rohan in Strasbourg among the most notable sites.

Places to stay

Strasbourg provides several accommodation options for travellers, such as the two-star Atelys in Lingolsheim, the three-star Le Grand in the city centre and the four-star Regent Contades, which is close to attractions including a cathedral and the church of Saint Paul.

Another popular location in Alsace is Colmar, which is home to the three-star Beausejour five minutes walk away from the city centre, the two-star Inter-Hotel Le Colbert on Rue des Trois Epis and many other properties.

Other options in the region include the four-star Hotel L'Europe in Horbourg Wihr and the three-star Bayerischer Hof in nearby Baden Baden, which provides an excellent base for exploring the Black Forest.

Written by Mark Robinson