Alsace Accommodation Directory

Alsace hotel directory

The Town of Colmar (photo by Fr Antunes)

Franco-German Culture in Alsace, France

Bound by Germany to the north, Switzerland to the south, the Rhine River to the east and the Vosges Mountains to the west, Alsace is one of the most unique regions in France. Here, you'll find French spoken with a German accent, vineyards producing Pinot Gris as well as Riesling wines, museums that illustrate a commitment to culture and military relics that recall the region's often turbulent past.

The terrain is equally diverse. The lower areas of the Alsace Region are filled with vineyards, while the mountainous areas contain many monasteries and old castles. Tourists find a multitude of activities in the Alsace Region, from wine tasting to hiking.

An important industrial district in France, the Alsace Region is also recognized for its pottery, glassworks, sculpture and paintings. Food and wine are as important here as they are elsewhere in France, but again the German influence makes for exciting tastes. Chocolate, foie gras and goose and duck liver pates are decidedly French specialties, but sauerkraut and muenster cheese bespeak German heritage. Wines produced here include Pinot Blanc, Gewurztraminer and Muscat Ottonel. The Alsace Region is also known for its beer.

Strasbourg (a photo by PhillipC)

An important industrial district in France, the Alsace Region is also recognized for its pottery, glassworks, sculpture and paintings. Food and wine are as important here as they are elsewhere in France, but again the German influence makes for exciting tastes. Chocolate, foie gras and goose and duck liver pates are decidedly French specialties, but sauerkraut and muenster cheese bespeak German heritage. Wines produced here include Pinot Blanc, Gewurztraminer and Muscat Ottonel. The Alsace Region is also known for its beer.

The Alsace Region teems with vibrant towns and quaint villages, each with its own flavor. Strasbourg, often called the crossroads of Europe, is the capital of the Alsace Region, the seventh-largest city in France and home to the headquarters of the European Parliament. Colmar boasts half-timbered houses and canals. La Petite-Pierre is located in the Northern Vosges Regional Nature Park and offers 350 km of hiking trails. The 17th-century fortress town of Neuf-Brisach presents an excellent example of military architecture and is listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.