Strasbourg to Colmar:
What an extraordinary this one week trip with my eldest daughter tuned out to be. It’s a region I highly recommend anyone to undertake. Its so rich in history and culture. The ancient houses have their own architecture so different to other regions in France.
The country side is covered with grape vines as this is a renowned white wine growing region.
Alsace has changed from between under control of France and Germany no less than 3 times. It is currently part of France. People have their own dialect, Alsacien.
The EcoMusee:
Near Colmar, a must visit The Ecomusée d’Alsace (leave yourself at least half a day.)
The Ecomusée d’Alsace is the largest open-air museum in France, located in Alsace between Colmar and Mulhouse. It resembles a traditional Alsatian village from the beginning of the 20th century and comprises more than 80 buildings on a surface of 97 hectares.
When visiting with friends or family, take part in the activities that punctuate the days in the village: milking the cow, feeding the pigs, visiting the apiary, horse-drawn carriage rides…
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Mount Sainte-Odile:
Looking out over the plain of Alsace, Mount Sainte-Odile was an influential convent for many centuries. Today, it has been converted into a hotel and this sacred place once dedicated to Odile, the patron saint of Alsace, still attracts many pilgrims. However, Mount Sainte-Odile also welcomes a number of non-believers who simply wish to profit from the natural woodlands surrounding the area. Hikers can stride along the sign-posted paths and discover, in particular, the pagans’ wall built in around 1000 BC whose origins have given rise to a number of mystic speculations !
The Humanist Library:
Discover the secrets of exceptional works… The Humanist Library invites you on a journey through medieval manuscripts and 15th and 16th century prints, in a building designed by the architect Rudy Ricciotti.
In Seletat spend a few hours in the Humanist library. Follow in the footsteps of the famous humanist Beatus Rhenanus thanks to the precious testimony left by his library, which is listed in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.
The interactive devices offered throughout the tour allow everyone to enter the heart of the books and understand the richness of Rhenish humanism. Spend an unforgettable moment in this heritage facility ideally located at the crossroads of Alsace’s tourist routes.
Ribeauville, an all time beautiful village:
Ribeauville, located on the Wine Route, between the vineyards and mountains, half-way between Strasbourg and Mulhouse, Ribeauvillé is an attractive town with 5000 inhabitants, which has combined its historical heritage with modernity.
The town and neighbouring hills are dominated by the majestic ruins of the Three Castles of the Lords of Ribeaupierre. The Grand-Rue (main street) and its picturesque neighbouring streets, lined with 15th- to 18th-century buildings (flowered in season), are scattered with Renaissance fountain-decorated squares. Many buildings are worth a visit, including the Town Hall with its prestigious collection of silver drinking-cups, the Butchers’ Tower (13th century), the former Corn Exchange, the House of the Fiddlers, etc.
In addition to the tourist train, free guided tours of the old town and Town Hall are organised daily (except on Mondays and Saturdays) from May to October.
A local metropolis
The vineyards, which have been in existence since the Middle Ages, enable many winegrowers as well as the wine cooperative to offer visits to their cellars and tastings, in particular of the three Grands Crus, Geisberg, Kirchberg de Ribeauvillé and Osterberg.
The range of services available and variety of shops make Ribeauvillé an outstanding point of attraction. Its dynamic cultural life is internationally renowned, with the Spring Market, the Kougelhopf Festival (in early May), the Wine Fair (end of July), the Fiddlers’ Fair
And I could go on and on…