Alsace

Get to Know Alsace

The Alsace Lorraine Vosges region is located in north-eastern France and is famous for its wine, its colorful half-timbered houses, and its castles which sit enthroned on the summits of the Vosges mountains. The major towns in the region such as Nancy, Metz, Strasbourg, and Colmar have their own character and are a good starting point to start discovering the region. Nancy is the most typically French: elegant, classical, and home to a major Art Nouveau school. The beautiful square, Place Stanislas, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Metz’s architecture is more varied, with Roman, medieval, and German influences visible: the St Etienne cathedral is the main attraction. Strasbourg is larger than either of these towns and much more cosmopolitan, but its half-timbered houses and numerous winstubs (wine bars) retain a traditional feel. Further south, Colmar houses the celebrated Issenheim Altarpiece and the canal district nicknamed, inevitably, Little Venice. The region boasts a multitude of museums with the real museum capital of Alsace being Mulhouse. There, you can find the fabulous National Automobile Museum which has more than 500 vintage cars, including the impossibly expensive Bugatti Royale, manufactured up the road in Molsheim. Also, in the region, you can find crystal-making companies such as Baccarat and Daum still producing wonderful pieces. With regard to viticulture, there are seven official grape varieties: riesling; gewürztraminer, sylvaner, pinot blanc, tokay pinot gris, muscat d’Alsace, and pinot noir.  The Route des Vins from Marlenheim to Thann passes right through Alsace, taking in a succession of picturesque villages, such as Ribeauvillé, Riquewihr, and Kaysersberg past low vine-covered hills and castle-topped crags. Alsace is renowned throughout Europe for its food, with visitors coming on gastronomy tours especially to enjoy the ubiquitous choucroute, bäeckeoffe (three-meat stew), and kougelhopf (a round almond and raisin sweet bread). Munster cheese is best bought in one of the farms around the town of the same name.

History

Alsace boasts a storied history steeped in a captivating blend of influences and conflicts that have shaped its unique identity. Situated at the crossroads of Europe, this region has been coveted and contested throughout the ages, bearing witness to the passage of Celts, Romans, Franks, and Germans. Its strategic location along the Rhine River has rendered it a prized territory, leading to a tug-of-war between France and Germany over centuries. The rich tapestry of Alsace’s past is reflected in its architecture, language, and traditions, where remnants of Roman settlements, medieval castles, and stunning Gothic cathedrals stand as testaments to its diverse heritage. Despite the turmoil of wars and changing borders, Alsace has emerged as a resilient cultural mosaic, embracing both French and German influences while fostering a distinct Alsatian identity, celebrated in its art, cuisine, and warm hospitality.

Cuisine