A quirky mixture of French and German culture and architecture, Alsace is a truly unique corner of eastern France. Situated between the rushing Rhine and the mighty Vosges mountains, it is a patchwork of dense forests and verdant pastures, gentle valleys and, of course, vineyards. It’s a region dotted with sites that bear witness to a turbulent past: ruined castles perch atop hills and Le Struthof, France’s only concentration camp, squats stark and sinister in the north of the region.

Points of interest: Strasbourg | Alsace Wine Route | Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg | Le Mont Sainte-Odile | L’Ecomusée d’Alsace | Colmar

Sorry, this map cannot be displayed.

The following consent is required:
Tracking & performance, Targeting & advertising.

Allow Consent Settings

Bas-Rhin

Hunspach

Hunspach is one of the most well preserved towns in Alsace however it is different to most Alsation villages in that its houses are painted uniform white instead of the usual pastels. Another interesting architectural feature are the convexed windows that allow inhabitants to see out without being seen! There is also a small church in the village, notable for its red stone clock tower.

Mittelbergheim

Set at the foot of Mount Saint Odile, and surrounded by gently sloping vineyards, this village is the home of the Zotzenberg grand cru. Because of the village’s placing near the Vosges, a rain shadow is cast leading to a dry and relatively warm climate during the summer months. However, its winters are cold and it’s not unusual to see the Alsation vineyards dusted with snow.

Haut-Rhin

Eguisheim

The dreamy village of Eguisheim is the image of Germanic Alsace. Its streets of baby boy blue, rose pink and minty green give it its fairytale feel and hark back to its past when it was part of neighbouring Germany. The village is laid out in concentric circles with its castle, magnificent fountain, main square (or circle) and colourful Saint-Léon-IX chapel in the centre. It also sits on the Alsatian wine trail and in the summer the village comes alive with the Stork and Wine Growers festivals.

Hunawihr

Also located on the wine route and built in a narrow valley, Hunawihr shares many of its features with Eguisheim including its colourful half-timbered houses and central square with fountain. The fountain dates from the 6th century and was used by Hune, the wife of one of the first lords of the country, to wash the clothes of the poor. The fortified church is steeped in history and is one of the few examples of defensive religious architecture.

Riquewihr

Nestled at the bottom of a valley alongside vineyards of plenty is the fortified village of Riquewihr. A staple on the Alsace Wine Route and often nicknamed ‘Pearl of the vineyards’, it is steeped in history having been spared by two past wars. No less than 40 monuments in the village are classified as Historic Monuments.

Campsites in Alsace