Alsace
3
Day Itinerary •
France
Three days in Alsace gives you the essential experience of France's most extraordinary border region, from the magnificent Gothic cathedral of Strasbourg rising above the finest medieval city in France to the extraordinary Route des Vins winding through half-timbered wine villages of extraordinary colour, and the finest Riesling and Gewurztraminer vineyards in the world. This route covers the heart of Alsace. The extraordinary pink sandstone cathedral of Strasbourg with its extraordinary astronomical clock, the La Petite France quarter with its tanner's houses on the Ill canals, the most beautiful village in France at Riquewihr, the extraordinary Chateau du Haut-Koenigsbourg and the finest winstub cooking tradition in Europe.
Best Time To Visit
May to June or September to October, or December for Christmas markets
Getting There
TGV from Paris Gare de l'Est to Strasbourg, 1hr 47min
Getting Around
Rental car recommended, cycling possible on the Route des Vins
Budget Per Day
Approx 90 to 150 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, walking and driving
DAY 1
STRASBOURG
MORNING
STRASBOURG CATHEDRAL, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY GOTHIC SPIRE IN FRANCE
The Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg is the most extraordinary Gothic cathedral in France, its extraordinary single pink sandstone spire at 142 metres the tallest building in the world from 1647 to 1874. The extraordinary astronomical clock built in 1574 performs its mechanical procession of the apostles at 12.30 daily. The facade with its extraordinary carved tympana and the rose window are unmissable. Climb the platform for extraordinary views over Alsace. Entry approx 2 euros. Drive: 20 min walk
MIDDAY
LA PETITE FRANCE, THE FINEST MEDIEVAL QUARTER IN ALSACE
La Petite France is the most extraordinary medieval quarter in Strasbourg, its extraordinary half-timbered tanner's and miller's houses reflected in the four channels of the Ill river in extraordinary condition. The Ponts Couverts with their three medieval towers and the extraordinary Barrage Vauban give the finest panoramic view over the rooftops and cathedral spire. The Grande Ile is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Free. Drive: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
THE ALSATIAN MUSEUM AND A WINSTUB EVENING
The Musee Alsacien in a series of interconnected 17th-century houses is the finest museum of Alsatian folk culture in the region, its extraordinary collection of faience, traditional costumes, furniture and religious objects telling the extraordinary story of this border culture. The winstub tradition of communal dining at shared tables is the finest way to experience Alsace. Entry to museum approx 7 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Neustadt district of Strasbourg, built by the German Empire after 1871, is the finest example of Wilhelmine urban planning in France, its extraordinary boulevards of Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Gothic buildings around the extraordinary Place de la Republique entirely unknown to most visitors who stay in the medieval Grande Ile. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2017. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Patisserie Naegel, Strasbourg Coffee and extraordinary Alsatian kugelhopf before the cathedral opens. | Lunch: Chez Yvonne, Strasbourg The most celebrated winstub in Strasbourg. Extraordinary choucroute garnie and Riesling. | Dinner: Au Crocodile, Strasbourg Two Michelin stars in the finest restaurant in Alsace. Extraordinary local produce and Alsace Grand Cru.
DAY 2
HAUT-KOENIGSBOURG AND THE WINE VILLAGES
MORNING
CHATEAU DU HAUT-KOENIGSBOURG, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY CASTLE IN ALSACE
The Chateau du Haut-Koenigsbourg on its extraordinary 757-metre sandstone peak above the Rhine plain is the finest medieval castle in Alsace, its extraordinary restoration by Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1908 giving it the most complete and extraordinary medieval interior of any castle in France. The view from the keep over the Rhine plain to the Black Forest and across to the Alps on clear days is extraordinary. Entry approx 9 euros. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
RIBEAUVILLE AND RIBEAUPIERRE, THE WINE VILLAGE BENEATH THREE CASTLES
Ribeauville is the finest authentic wine town on the Route des Vins, its extraordinary main street of half-timbered houses overlooked by three extraordinary ruined castles on the Vosges above. The Pfiffertag festival in September is the most extraordinary folk celebration in Alsace. The Grand Rue with its fountains and the Tour des Bouchers tower are extraordinary. The Riesling from the Geisberg Grand Cru is the finest in Ribeauville. Drive: 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
RIQUEWIHR, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGE IN FRANCE
Riquewihr is the most extraordinary and best-preserved medieval wine village in France, its extraordinary 16th-century ramparts enclosing a single main street of perfectly preserved coloured half-timbered houses unchanged since the Thirty Years War. The Dolder tower, the extraordinary Tour des Voleurs torture chamber and the wine caves of the great Alsace producers are all extraordinary. The Riesling from Schoenenbourg Grand Cru is the finest wine in the village.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary ruined castles of Saint-Ulrich, Girsberg and Haut-Ribeaupierre above Ribeauville are the finest trio of medieval ruins in Alsace, their extraordinary towers visible from the wine village below. The 45-minute hike from Ribeauville to the first castle gives the finest view over the Route des Vins and the Rhine plain. Free. Almost entirely unknown to visitors who stay in the village.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Boulangerie in Ribeauville Coffee and Alsatian bretzel before the castle road opens. | Lunch: Zum Pfifferhus, Ribeauville Outstanding winstub beneath the three castles. Local baeckeoffe, tarte flambee and Riesling. | Dinner: Au Tire-Bouchon, Riquewihr Extraordinary Alsatian cuisine in the most beautiful village in France. Grand Cru Riesling.
DAY 3
COLMAR
MORNING
COLMAR, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CITY IN ALSACE
Colmar is the most extraordinary and beautiful small city in Alsace, its extraordinary old town of coloured half-timbered houses in better condition than anywhere else in the region. The extraordinary Pfister House of 1537, the Maison des Tetes and the Dominican church with its extraordinary Schongauer Madonna are all unmissable. The city was spared the worst of wartime destruction and its extraordinary preservation is remarkable. Free to walk. Drive: 20 min walk
MIDDAY
THE UNTERLINDEN MUSEUM AND THE ISENHEIM ALTARPIECE
The Musee Unterlinden in Colmar contains the Isenheim Altarpiece by Matthias Grunewald, the most extraordinary and emotionally devastating painting in northern Europe. Commissioned in 1512 for a hospital treating skin diseases, its extraordinary polyptych of the Crucifixion with Christ's tormented body covered in sores is the finest piece of German Renaissance painting in existence. Entry approx 13 euros. Drive: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
LA PETITE VENISE AND THE ALSACE WINE ROUTE SOUTH
La Petite Venise quarter of Colmar, its extraordinary coloured houses reflected in the Lauch river canal, is the most photographed corner of Alsace. The quai de la Poissonnerie with its extraordinary flower-decked facades is extraordinary at any season. The wine village of Eguisheim 5km south, with its extraordinary circular street of coloured houses around the castle and white stork nests, is the most extraordinary small village in Alsace.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary village of Eguisheim 5km south of Colmar is the finest circular medieval village in Alsace, its extraordinary concentric streets of coloured houses around the 13th-century octagonal castle entirely encircled by Grand Cru Eichberg and Pfersigberg vineyards. White storks nest on every rooftop. Voted the favourite village in France. Almost no coaches compared to Riquewihr. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Patisserie Gilg, Colmar Coffee and kugelhopf in the finest patisserie in Colmar before the museum opens. | Lunch: JY'S, Colmar One Michelin star. Extraordinary modern Alsatian cuisine in the finest restaurant in Colmar. | Dinner: Winstub Brenner, Colmar Outstanding traditional winstub. Local baeckeoffe, munster cheese and Gewurztraminer.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Strasbourg, Night 1 Hotel Regent Petite France or Hotel Cour du Corbeau. Approx 110 to 200 euros. Riquewihr or Ribeauville, Night 2 Hotel le Sarment d'Or or Hotel de la Tour. Approx 80 to 140 euros. Colmar, Night 3 Hotel le Marechal in the Petite Venise quarter. Extraordinary location. Approx 100 to 170 euros.
Top Tips
1. Strasbourg cathedral at 7am before it opens to the public, light through the rose window, is extraordinary.
2. Riquewihr on a weekday morning before the coaches arrive is the most beautiful village in France.
3. Alsatian tarte flambee (flammekueche) is the finest fast food in France. Order it in a winstub, never a tourist trap.
4. Riesling Grand Cru from Domaine Zind-Humbrecht or Domaine Weinbach is the finest white wine in Alsace.
5. The Christmas markets in Strasbourg are the oldest in Europe, running since
1570. Arrive on a weekday.
6. White storks nest on the rooftops of Alsace villages from April to August. Eguisheim has extraordinary nests.
Total Budget
90 to 150 euros/day