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Alsace
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Explore Alsace through Strasbourg’s heritage, Colmar’s canals, vineyard villages, Vosges landscapes and a distinctive Franco-German food culture.

Alsace occupies France’s eastern frontier between the Rhine and the wooded Vosges Mountains. Its landscapes change noticeably from east to west: broad, fertile plains surround Strasbourg, Colmar and Mulhouse, while the foothills rise into vineyards, forests and high pastures. The region’s position has given it a distinctive cultural character, shaped by centuries of contact between French and German-speaking Europe. French is the everyday language today, but Alsatian traditions, place names, food and architecture still reflect a complex bilingual past.
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Strasbourg, the regional capital, combines a medieval centre built around its cathedral with an international role as one of the seats of European institutions. Its canals, covered bridges and timber-framed houses make the Grande Île a particularly coherent historic district. Further south, Colmar is known for its carefully preserved old quarters, waterways and museums, while Mulhouse has a more industrial character, with substantial collections devoted to motoring, railways, textiles and technical history. Smaller towns such as Obernai, Sélestat, Ribeauvillé and Kaysersberg reveal different versions of Alsatian urban heritage.
The Alsace Wine Route runs along the eastern foothills of the Vosges, linking vineyard communities, medieval settlements and family domaines. Riesling, gewurztraminer, pinot gris, pinot noir and crémant d’Alsace are central to the region’s modern identity, and tasting visits often provide a useful introduction to local geology and farming. Beyond the vineyards, the Vosges offer walking, cycling and winter activities, with long-distance paths crossing forests and open ridges. The Rhine plain is flatter and more intensively cultivated, while the southern Sundgau has a quieter, rolling landscape of villages, ponds and farmland.
Food is one of the clearest expressions of Alsace’s cultural history. Choucroute garnie, baeckeoffe, flammekueche, spaetzle and kougelhopf appear in traditional restaurants and family kitchens, although contemporary chefs increasingly reinterpret them with seasonal produce. Christmas markets are strongly associated with Strasbourg, Colmar and other towns, but the region’s appeal extends well beyond December: museums, fortified settlements, vineyard walks, village festivals and industrial heritage provide reasons to travel at different times of year. Alsace is compact enough for a varied itinerary, yet its towns, wine country and mountain districts reward being explored at a measured pace.

When is the best time to visit Alsace?

Best: July–September · 21–25°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January445
February640
March1145
April1550
May1965
June2270
July (best)2565
August (best)2460
September (best)2150
October1645
November1050
December555

Getting to and around Alsace

How to get there

Strasbourg is served by high-speed trains from Paris and by national rail connections through eastern France. Strasbourg Airport at Entzheim lies within Alsace and is linked to the city by regional transport. EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, outside Alsace but close to its southern edge, is a practical gateway for Mulhouse, Saint-Louis and the southern wine country. Colmar and Mulhouse have major railway stations, while road travellers generally approach via the A35 corridor or routes crossing the Vosges. International visitors may also arrive through Paris, Frankfurt or Zurich and continue by train, depending on their itinerary.

Transportation

Rail is effective between Strasbourg, Sélestat, Colmar and Mulhouse, with additional regional services reaching several smaller towns. Local buses extend coverage, but services are less frequent in rural vineyard and mountain areas. A car is convenient for linking villages along the Wine Route, visiting hilltop castles and reaching Vosges trailheads, although parking in historic centres can be restricted. Strasbourg has an extensive tram and cycling network, and Colmar is manageable on foot. Cycling is particularly rewarding on the flatter Rhine plain and along signed routes, while mountain walks require suitable footwear and attention to weather.

Top city travel guides in Alsace

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Destinations in Alsace

Resorts, valleys and scenic spots worth a trip of their own.

Best attractions in Alsace

Alsace offers an unusually varied concentration of attractions within a relatively compact area. Strasbourg’s Grande Île presents a dense historic environment of canals, medieval houses and monumental civic buildings, while the European institutions add a modern international dimension. Colmar’s museums include the Musée Unterlinden, and Sélestat’s Humanist Library provides insight into the region’s intellectual history. Mulhouse is especially strong in industrial and technical heritage, with major collections devoted to cars, trains and printed textiles. Along the foothills, the Alsace Wine Route links vineyard villages such as Obernai, Barr, Ribeauvillé, Riquewihr and Kaysersberg with tasting rooms, churches and fortified remains. The Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg presents a restored medieval fortress above the plain, while the Ecomusée d’Alsace at Ungersheim explores rural buildings and customs. West of the vineyards, the Vosges provide forest walks, ridge trails, lakes and winter recreation, and the southern Sundgau offers quieter cycling and countryside excursions.

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Best landmarks in Alsace

Strasbourg Cathedral is Alsace’s most recognisable architectural landmark, its pink Vosges sandstone and medieval astronomical clock dominating the historic centre. Around it, the Grande Île contains the Maison Kammerzell, riverside quarters and the timber-framed streets of Petite France. In Colmar, the old town’s canal-side buildings and the Koïfhus reflect the commercial importance of the medieval city, while the former Dominican church now houses an important art collection. Above the central plain, the Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg occupies a dramatic ridge position and evokes the region’s medieval and nineteenth-century heritage. Neuf-Brisach, designed by Vauban as a fortified town, is a landmark of military town planning in the Upper Rhine. The Vosges themselves form Alsace’s western natural backdrop, with the Grand Ballon and open crest landscapes offering broad views over the vineyards and Rhine plain. Mulhouse’s industrial buildings and railway infrastructure add a different, modern layer to the region’s visual identity.

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Best restaurants in Alsace

Alsatian dining combines Rhine-region ingredients with French culinary technique. Traditional winstubs and village inns serve dishes such as choucroute garnie, baeckeoffe, spaetzle, munster cheese and tarte flambée, while bakeries sell kougelhopf and other regional pastries. Tarte flambée is particularly associated with the northern and central parts of Alsace, although it is widely available throughout the region. Vineyard villages provide opportunities to taste dry and aromatic wines including riesling, gewurztraminer, pinot gris and pinot noir, as well as crémant d’Alsace. Strasbourg, Colmar and Mulhouse have the broadest range of contemporary restaurants, cafés and international cuisines; smaller towns tend to focus on seasonal menus, local produce and established regional cooking. Markets are useful for discovering cheeses, charcuterie, bread, fruit and vineyard products, while rural domaines may offer tastings alongside simple food by arrangement.

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Best bars in Alsace

Evening life in Alsace is led by cafés, wine bars, traditional brasseries and pubs rather than a region-wide club scene. Strasbourg has the greatest concentration of late-opening venues, particularly around the central districts and student areas, with cocktail bars, live music and cultural programming alongside restaurants. Colmar offers a quieter mix of wine-focused bars, cafés and hotel lounges, while Mulhouse has a more urban evening scene with independent bars, music venues and restaurants. In vineyard towns, evenings generally centre on winstubs, seasonal events and local wine rather than nightclubs. Breweries and distilleries provide opportunities to explore regional drinks, but visitors should plan transport carefully after tastings, especially in rural areas where late public services are limited.

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Best nightclubs in Alsace

Evening life in Alsace is led by cafés, wine bars, traditional brasseries and pubs rather than a region-wide club scene. Strasbourg has the greatest concentration of late-opening venues, particularly around the central districts and student areas, with cocktail bars, live music and cultural programming alongside restaurants. Colmar offers a quieter mix of wine-focused bars, cafés and hotel lounges, while Mulhouse has a more urban evening scene with independent bars, music venues and restaurants. In vineyard towns, evenings generally centre on winstubs, seasonal events and local wine rather than nightclubs. Breweries and distilleries provide opportunities to explore regional drinks, but visitors should plan transport carefully after tastings, especially in rural areas where late public services are limited.

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Best shops in Alsace

Shopping in Alsace ranges from Strasbourg’s established commercial streets and department stores to the independent boutiques, galleries and food shops of Colmar’s historic centre. Mulhouse has a more urban retail mix, with everyday shopping, design-related businesses and markets reflecting its industrial and cross-border character. Smaller wine towns are useful for locally made ceramics, textiles, craftwork, books and gallery pieces, although opening arrangements can be limited outside the main visitor season. Regional food is one of the most practical souvenirs: look for Alsatian wines, crémant, munster, gingerbread, kougelhopf, mustard, preserves and carefully packaged bakery goods. Christmas markets offer seasonal decorations and gifts, but prices and quality vary, so established producers’ shops and recognised market stalls are preferable for speciality purchases. Check customs and airline restrictions before carrying wine, cheese or other perishable items home.

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Alsace essentials

Currency and Payment
Alsace uses the euro, with the currency code EUR, as part of France. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in cities, hotels, supermarkets, museums and established restaurants. Carry some cash for small bakeries, village markets, rural cafés, parking machines or occasional tastings, as acceptance can vary in smaller communities. Bank opening arrangements and payment practices are broadly French rather than distinctively Alsatian, and visitors should not rely on foreign-currency cash being accepted.
Safety
Alsace is generally straightforward for visitors, but normal precautions apply in busy stations, markets and dense historic areas. Watch belongings in crowded parts of Strasbourg and during major seasonal events. On vineyard and mountain paths, carry water, check the weather and stay on appropriate routes; steep terrain, heat and sudden storms can create real hazards. Winter conditions may affect Vosges roads and trails. Cyclists should use lights and follow local road rules, while drivers need patience on narrow village streets and winding mountain roads.
Emergency Situations
In France, call 112 for the European emergency number, or 15 for medical assistance, 17 for police and 18 for the fire service. The 114 service supports people who cannot hear or speak by text and other accessible communication methods. In the Vosges, call 112 for urgent incidents and give a precise location or trail reference; rescuers may need time to reach remote terrain. For serious problems, ask accommodation staff, a tourist office or a local authority to help communicate with emergency services.
Do's and Don'ts
Greet staff when entering small shops, bakeries and rural establishments, and allow time for meals rather than expecting rapid service. In churches, memorials and historic buildings, dress and behave respectfully and follow photography rules. Keep to marked paths, close gates and avoid entering planted vineyards without permission. Tipping is not compulsory in France, although rounding up or leaving a modest amount for good service is appreciated. In restaurants, check whether service is included and do not assume every local dish or wine will be available outside its usual season.
Local Tips
The Wine Route is best approached as a series of short visits rather than a single continuous drive, with time for village walks and appointments at producers. Strasbourg is particularly rewarding early or late in the day, before the busiest visitor periods. Combine the major museums of Mulhouse with its industrial history, and use Colmar as a base for southern vineyard towns. If travelling during harvest, confirm access arrangements because agricultural work can affect roads and tastings. Regional tourism offices provide current information on walking routes, public transport and local events.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloSalut[sa-lu]
GoodbyeAu revoir[o ruh-vwar]
YesOui[wee]
NoNon[non]
Please/You're welcomeS'il vous plaît[seel voo pleh]
Thank youMerci[mehr-see]
Excuse me/SorryExcusez-moi[ex-kew-zay mwah]
How are you?Comment ça va?[koh-mohn sah vah]
Fine. And you?Bien. Et vous?[byan. eh voo]
Do you speak English?Parlez-vous anglais?[par-lay voo ahn-glay]
I don't understandJe ne comprends pas[zhuh nuh kohm-prahn pah]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseJe voudrais voir le menu, s'il vous plaît[zhuh voo-dray vwar luh meh-nu, seel voo pleh]
I don't eat meatJe ne mange pas de viande[zhuh nuh mahnzh pah duh vyahnd]
Cheers!Santé![sahn-tay]
I would like to pay, pleaseJe voudrais payer, s'il vous plaît[zhuh voo-dray pay-ay, seel voo pleh]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Au secours![o suh-koor]
Go away!Allez-vous en![ah-lay voo zahn]
Call the Police!Appelez la police![ah-peh-lay lah po-lees]
Call a doctor!Appelez un docteur![ah-peh-lay uhn dohk-teur]
I'm lostJe suis perdu[zhuh swee pair-due]
I'm illJe suis malade[zhuh swee mah-lahd]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Je voudrais acheter...[zhuh voo-dray ah-she-tay]
I'm just lookingJe regarde juste[zhuh ruh-gard zhoost]
How much is it?C'est combien?[say kohm-byen]
That's too expensiveC'est trop cher[say troh shair]
Can you lower the price?Pouvez-vous baisser le prix?[poo-vay voo beh-say luh pree]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Quelle heure est-il?[kel uhr eh-teel]
It's one o'clockIl est une heure[eel eh ewn uhr]
Half past (10)Dix heures et demie[dees uhr eh duh-mee]
MorningMatin[mah-tan]
AfternoonAprès-midi[ah-preh-mee-dee]
EveningSoir[swahr]
YesterdayHier[ee-air]
TodayAujourd'hui[oh-zhoor-dwee]
TomorrowDemain[duh-mahn]
1Un[uhn]
2Deux[duhr]
3Trois[trwah]
4Quatre[ka-truh]
5Cinq[sank]
6Six[sees]
7Sept[set]
8Huit[weet]
9Neuf[nuhf]
10Dix[dees]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Où est un/une...?[oo eh uhn/oon]
What's the address?Quelle est l'adresse?[kel eh lah-dress]
Can you show me (on the map)?Pouvez-vous me montrer (sur la carte)?[poo-vay voo muh mohn-tray (sur lah kart)]
When's the next (bus)?Quand est le prochain (bus)?[kahn eh luh pro-shen (boos)]
A ticket (to ....)Un billet (pour ....)[uhn bee-yay (poor ....)]

History of Alsace

Roman Argentoratum and the Rhine Frontier

The Roman settlement of Argentoratum developed on the site of present-day Strasbourg as a military and commercial centre on the Rhine frontier. Roads, bridges and river traffic connected the settlement with other parts of Roman Gaul and the wider imperial network. Archaeological remains found in Strasbourg and elsewhere across the Rhine plain testify to a landscape of forts, farms, workshops and trading communities. Roman influence did not erase earlier Celtic settlement, but it introduced administrative systems and infrastructure that helped shape the region’s later urban geography.

Medieval Cities, Bishoprics and the Decapolis

During the Middle Ages, Strasbourg grew as an important trading city and ecclesiastical centre, while towns across Alsace developed under a mixture of imperial, episcopal and aristocratic authority. The Alsatian Decapolis, formed in the fourteenth century, linked ten imperial cities in a defensive and political association within the Holy Roman Empire. Fortifications, guild institutions, churches and market rights helped towns such as Colmar, Sélestat and Haguenau prosper. Much of the region’s timber-framed architecture and historic street planning has roots in this period.

Humanism and the Printing Age

Strasbourg became a significant centre of late-medieval and Renaissance scholarship, printing and religious debate. Its location between German-speaking lands and the French world encouraged the circulation of books, ideas and artists. The city was associated with reformers, printers and humanists, while Sélestat’s former Latin school preserves evidence of the educational culture that flourished in the region. The Reformation gained substantial support in parts of Alsace, although religious patterns remained mixed and Catholic institutions continued to shape many towns and villages.

French Incorporation and the Seventeenth Century

The political map of Alsace changed during the seventeenth century, particularly after the Thirty Years’ War. The treaties associated with the Peace of Westphalia in 1648 transferred important rights and territories to the French Crown, while Strasbourg remained outside direct French rule until its capitulation in 1681. Louis XIV’s government strengthened frontier defences, and Vauban’s planned town of Neuf-Brisach later became a major example of military urbanism. The region retained many of its established legal, religious and linguistic practices within the French state.

Industrialisation in Mulhouse and the Rhine Plain

From the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Mulhouse became one of continental Europe’s important textile-manufacturing centres. Cotton printing, engineering and chemical production transformed the city and attracted capital, workers and technical expertise. The surrounding Rhine plain also benefited from improved roads, canals and railways, connecting Alsace to French, German and Swiss markets. This industrial inheritance remains visible in Mulhouse’s museums and converted industrial areas, as well as in the region’s traditions of engineering, design and applied science.

Alsace-Lorraine Between France and Germany

After France’s defeat in the Franco-Prussian War, Alsace and part of Lorraine were annexed to the German Empire in 1871. Strasbourg was reshaped with a new imperial quarter, planned boulevards and public buildings beside the older city. Following the First World War, Alsace returned to France in 1918, bringing difficult questions about language, administration and identity. Nazi Germany annexed the region de facto during the Second World War, and the post-war period saw renewed integration into France alongside the continued survival of regional cultural traditions.

European Cooperation and Contemporary Alsace

Strasbourg’s location on a historic border became an asset in post-war European cooperation. The city hosts the European Parliament, the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights, institutions that give Alsace an international political role distinct from its regional heritage. At the same time, wine production, tourism, cross-border commerce and advanced manufacturing have become important parts of the contemporary economy. Alsace today combines French civic institutions with a visible regional culture shaped by its Rhine geography and layered past.

Alsace in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Alsace

Discover Alsace with Evendo, the 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, hotels, and more. Plan and book your perfect trip seamlessly.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities.
  • Rich set of information including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details.
  • Easy booking for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences.
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Unlock the beauty of Alsace with Evendo, your comprehensive, free travel guide. Explore landmarks, savor local cuisine, and experience the best the region has to offer with ease.

  • In-depth history of Alsace and travel essentials.
  • Local advice to maximize your visit.
  • Seamless navigation through the app and city.
  • 'Near Me' feature to find nearby attractions.
  • Curated local tips for an authentic experience.
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases.

Planning a trip to the enchanting region of Alsace, France? Look no further than Evendo, your ultimate travel companion. From the picturesque canals of Colmar to the majestic Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg, Evendo offers detailed information on all the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities. With rich descriptions, stunning images, and local tips, discovering Alsace has never been easier.

Imagine strolling through the charming streets of Strasbourg, visiting the iconic Strasbourg Cathedral, or indulging in a culinary adventure at Michelin-starred restaurants like Auberge de l'Ill. Evendo has it all mapped out for you. The app also makes booking hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences a breeze, saving you from the hassle of planning and allowing you to focus on enjoying your trip.

Evendo's user-friendly features include a 'Near Me' function to find nearby attractions, curated local tips to experience Alsace like a local, and easy navigation to explore the city and beyond. Plus, the app is 100% free with no hidden costs, ensuring you get the most value out of your travel experience.

Whether you're visiting the wine routes of Alsace or exploring its rich history and culture, Evendo ensures you won't miss a thing. Download Evendo today and start your journey!

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