Regions of France : Alsace

To really appreciate Alsace you need to know a little about its history as some things are not always how they first appear.

A bateau mouche in Strasbourg

The prime example is language - the sing song lingua franca of their day to day parlance may sound like German but in fact it’s a high German dialect with various versions in use. Luckily Alsatians speak French for most daily transactions. But street signs in Strasbourg, since 1991, are bilingual in French and German.

Alsace became part of France in the 17th century and after a relatively quiet period things changed. Since 1871 Alsace - along with most of its neighbour Lorraine - has seen its nationality changed four times. Germany aggressively annexed the area on two occasions with the French assertively reclaiming it in 1918 and 1944.

The resulting combination of teutonic and gallic influences is a boon to both: the region’s Germanic specialities benefit from French refinement and the wines have grape varieties from both countries.

Hotels Strasbourg

Maison Rouge Hotel Strasbourg  This hotel is located in the centre of town on one of the main shopping streets and just a few steps from the old town. All bedrooms have different styles, shapes and sizes, ranging from medium to large. They are in very good condition and are all attractively appointed with either modern or traditional furniture. There is no restaurant in the hotel. This is a very charming property of a good standard and with a very central location.

Haut Koenigsbourg and The Alsace Wine Route with Wine Tasting This tour has it all! Take in the superb vistas from Haut-Koenigsbourg, spend some time in the medieval village of Riquewihr exploring the courtyards and alleyways and end your tour with a wine tasting provided by wine producer Dopff and Irion.

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Bas-Rhin

• Cosmopolitan Strasbourg, home to the Council of Europe, bustles with students and politicians
• A magnet for Christmas shoppers Strasbourg is dominated by the stark, pink cathedral
• WWII defences of the Maginot line are largely intact and make for a fascinating visit

Haut-Rhin

• Follow the wine routes past timber framed houses for the best Riesling
• Storks are being encouraged to nest in the area again
• Colmar’s beautifully preserved 16th century townhouses and August wine festival

Novotel Colmar   Novotel Colmar welcomes you for holidays, weekend escapes, meetings or business trips near the historic centre of the wine capital of Alsace. The 3-star hotel offers 66 air conditioned rooms which are suitable for families of 4. Enjoy the Novotel Cafe restaurant with panoramic terrace overlooking the Vosges Mountains, an outdoor swimming pool, garden and free secure parking. You will be just 5 minutes by car from the historic town centre and Unterlinden Museum. More Hotels in Colmar

Morning Tour to Ribeauville and Kaysersberg The little village of Ribeauville, in the region of Alsace, is picture perfect. The ancient walls, the streets, the old houses and their wood beams will leave you captivated. Spend the second half of your tour in Kaysersberg. It's unusual silhouette and numerous ancient constructions make it the prettiest city on the Wine Road.

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Gastronomy

The gastronomy of Alsace combines the heartiness of German cooking with the sophistication of French. Restaurants range from typical Winstubs to elegant award winning restaurants. Alsace is also famous for its wine and beer, and a wide variety of each is available to supplement an excellent meal.