Alsace Lorraine
Alsace is located in the region Grand Est. Its flowery villages with the typical half timbered houses, the splendid big cities, the magnificent landscapes, the typical gastronomy and the diversity of its vines make that region one of the most visited in France. You will have a wide choice between history, culture, nature and leisure activities during your trip to Alsace. Visit Strasbourg, seat of the European Parliament with its cathedral, charming Colmar, prestigious museums of the industry of Mulhouse, the Chateau de Haut Koenigsbourg or have a hike on the “Grand Ballon d’Alsace”, highest point of the region. Follow la “route des Crêtes” or the wine route (“la route des vins d’Alsace”), stretching out to 170 km from north to south, and discover the wine of the region and its gastronomy: Why not taste the famous “Sauerkraut”, some Munster Cheese or a slice of Kougelhopf accompanied by a glass of Gewürztraminer wine? The Alsatian Christmas markets are real institution of the region and attract thousands of visitors each year.
Visit the beautiful cities of Lorraine: the Place Stanislas in Nancy, capital of the “Art Nouveau”, Metz and its “Centre Pompidou”, Baccarrat and its Crystal Museum, the stunning cathedral in Toul. In Verdun you can visit the battlefields of first world war and the Fortifications of the Maginot Line. Drive or hike through the hills, plains, and forests of the region. The massif of “The Vosges” will impress you. You surely already heard about the “Quiche Lorraine”, the emblematic tart for the region, as well as the mirabelle (plum) used in pies and alcoholic beverages.
Sample Tour
Here is how we could organize the program for this tour
1
day
ARRIVAL IN STRASBOURG
Arrival in Strasbourg
Wander through the old town with the cathedral, the “Petite France”, the “Ponts Couverts” and pass by the European Parliament. Relax during a 1-hour boat trip through the canals on the river Ill. Enjoy dinner at the Maison Kammerzell, one of the world’s most beautiful brasseries.
2
day
WINE ROUTE: MOLSHEIM, RIBEAUVILLE, RIQUEWIHR, COLMAR
Follow the Alsatian wine route with nice villages like Molsheim, Obernai, Barr, Ribeauvillé, Riquewihr…. wine tasting in one of the vineyards. Arrival in Colmar, city tour to discover the “Maison Pfister“, the “Ancienne Douane” and the collegiate church Saint Martin with the famous painting « Madonna of the Rose Bush ».
Check in to your hotel in Colmar for 3 nights.
3
day
COLMAR, UNTERLINDEN, HAUT KOENIGSBOURG, SELESTAT
Visit the (new) Musée Unterlinden with the «Isenheim Altarpiece”. Château de Haut Koenigsbourg is one of the biggest castles in Alsace and has been a constant witness to both European conflicts and rivalry between lords, kings and emperors.
Last stop will be the city of Sélestat, with a very well preserved medieval center and the humanists’ library established in 1452.
4
day
MULHOUSE, HARTMANNSWILLERKOPF, LE GRAND BALLON, COL DE LA SCHLUCHT
Mulhouse shows two different faces - industrial city with numerous technology museums as well as City of Art and History. Discover the Regional Parc of the Ballons des Vosges with the Hartmannswillerkopf or also named "Vieil Armand" - memorial site reminding of World War I with a national cemetery, a crypt and an ossuary.
Pursue your road up to the Grand Ballon driving along the “route des crêtes”.
5
day
KAYSERSBERG, LUNEVILLE, “MIRABELLES”
Stop in Kaysersberg, one of the highlights of the Alsatian vineyards to visit doctor Albert Schweitzer’s birthplace. Passing by Saint-Dié-des-Vosges you arrive at the Château des Lumières in Luneville. A specialty of the region is a fruit called Mirabelle. Discover the Maison de la Mirabelle, taste their home-made brandy and savor a piece of Mirabelle Pastry. Arrival in Nancy, hotel for 2 nights. Dinner at the art-nouveau Brasserie Excelsior.
6
day
NANCY, METZ
City tour of Nancy and its architectural heritage: Place Stanislas, Place de la Carrière and the Place d’Alliance as well as the Musée des Beaux-Arts dedicated to the “Ecole de Nancy” - artistic movement at the approach of the 20th century touching all creative and technical domains. After lunch in Nancy, departure to Metz. Visit of the historic center, the St. Etienne Cathedral and the “Centre Pompidou” which is museum and architectural masterpiece. Overnight in Metz.
7
day
DEPARTURE
Departure from Strasbourg.
