Whitney The Alsace-Lorraine region is a place of breathtaking beauty with six lovely villages to explore. It’s said that history and nature have revealed themselves in equal measure here, making this a great destination for lovers of all things natural.
If you’re planning a trip to this region of France, here is a selection of six places not to be missed.
1. Colmar
This spellbinding city was once the centre of power for the bishops and counts who ruled Alsace, and so it’s no surprise that Colmar has plenty to offer today’s visitors. The beautifully restored half-timbered houses provide a wonderful backdrop for wandering around the cobbled streets and admiring the stunning architecture.
If you’re feeling hungry, you should enjoy the eateries in and around Place Kléber. Start with aperitifs or a glass of wine at one of the inviting cafés, before moving on to the quiche Lorraine or a homemade soupe.
Colmar’s principal attraction is the Dordogne Museum, which has some fabulous exhibits that are worth exploring for any visitor.
2. Emmurenced Castle
The impressive castle was built to defend Colmar on its eastern flank in 1575 by the counts of Oettingen-Wallerstein and was considered to be among Europe’s most magnificent fortresses at that time. The castle is still inhabited by the Count of Oettingen-Wallerstein as well as his family.
It’s easy to imagine how hard it was to conquer Emmurenced Castle. The sheer strength of its walls and defences speaks volumes, as do the 16th century maps that show the castle surrounded by a deep moat. Even today, it’s a monument to craftsmanship and military engineering.
3. Riquewihr
The smallest of the six main towns in Alsace-Lorraine, this picturesque spot is a charming mix of half-timbered houses and narrow alleyways. It’s a fabulous example of how to build a town to give it some character, not to mention ramparts that date back over 900 years.
4. Ribeauville
This hilltop village offers breathtaking views down onto the river. It was founded as a wine growing region back in the 14th century, and so you’ll find plenty of great restaurants that serve up local dishes and wines here too.
5. Belfort
The capital of Alsace-Lorraine is also a great place to sample some of the best local food and drink, with plenty of festivals on offer throughout the year. The town is home to the Museum of Fine Arts which has a number of excellent exhibits from all around France.
6. Alsace wine roads
You’ll find plenty of wineries dotted around this region, many of which are open to visitors who want to learn all about wine making and how they were able to produce some delicious wines in this part of France, despite periodic droughts and harsh weather conditions that often sweep in from over the nearby Vosges Mountains.
France is a country with a long and interesting history and much of it is preserved within the magnificent towns, villages and monuments that you’ll find dotted around the country. The Alsace-Lorraine region has very much taken its lead from this rich history, and so it’s a great place to visit if you’re looking for something different from the hustle and bustle of other parts of France.
