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Seeking Alsace Suggestions

Posted by (Garden City) on

We are in the preliminary stages of planning a 10-12 day trip to Alsace next September. There will be four of us 60's to 70's. We like history, wine tours/tastings. One of our great grandmothers came from Alsace so we would like to learn more about the area.

Our initial thoughts are visiting Strasbourg, Colmar, Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé, Eguisheim and Kaysersberg. I figured a day each for Strasbourg and Colmar and two days total for the other four villages. We also intend to visit the American Cemetery in Epinal to pay our respects to an Uncle who is buried there.
We will probably be arriving in Strasbourg by train depending and renting a car for at least a portion of the trip.
Are there any other must see's in the area. Having a car will enable us to add other towns in the region.
Is Nancy worth a visit?
Should we consider Freiburg or other villages in Germany?
Should we include Dijon?
Can anyone recommend a tour guide for any on the areas.
While we probably don't need a guide sometimes it is nice to have the insight of a local on a trip.
Thanks

Posted by
762 posts

Since you like history, one that is probably not on your radar is Sarreguemines, about an hour away. It was the epicenter of Art Nouveau and Belle Epoque tilemaking, including the tiles used in the Paris Metro. The museum is really fantastic, and includes a theater program that is astonishing. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but what they accomplish with a theatrical device is really amazing. The town is cute and right on the French/German border.

I love Frieburg and it certainly is within driving distance. But if you want a terrific, well-preserved half-timbered village, Gengenbach is about half the distance. Maybe both? If you do go to Frieburg, both the cathedral and the Augustinermuseum should be on your itinerary.

Back on the French side you might consider Obernai. Again, very picturesque. Oh, and editing to include Sélestat, which is another beautiful town. It has a very nice gothic cathedral -- the interior decoration and stained glass is notable.

Posted by
16273 posts

You did not ask for lodging recommendations but I will offer one for Colmar. Reflects Sur La Lauch is a building with four very nice apartments, 3 with one bedroom and one, the loft apartment, with 2 bedrooms to sleep 4 comfortably. The building is right on the canal in Petise Venice, with a lovely view across to some lovely traditional houses. Two of the apartments have outside space (balcony or terrace) right on the canal. We had the apartment with terrace. All are very nicely furnished with modern decor.

I would suggest two nights there.

They do not have their own website ( as far as I could find) but it is very easy to book on booking.com.

https://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/reflets-sur-la-lauch.en-gb.html?aid=356980&label=gog235jc-1FCAsoTUIUcmVmbGV0cy1zdXItbGEtbGF1Y2hIM1gDaLQCiAEBmAEJuAEHyAEN2AEB6AEB-AEMiAIBqAIDuAK80ZmcBsACAdICJDA3ZWM4YzNhLWNiOGMtNGY1MC04ZGMwLTI2NzFlODExNTRlMNgCBuACAQ&sid=3e6494fa9bf820da9f93faa2b64aaa60&all_sr_blocks=185554802_266518853_2_0_0&checkin=2023-03-12&checkout=2023-03-14&dest_id=-1421049&dest_type=city&dist=0&group_adults=2&group_children=0&hapos=1&highlighted_blocks=185554802_266518853_2_0_0&hpos=1&matching_block_id=185554802_266518853_2_0_0&no_rooms=1&req_adults=2&req_children=0&room1=A%2CA&sb_price_type=total&sr_order=popularity&sr_pri_blocks=185554802_266518853_2_0_0__31900&srepoch=1669753197&srpvid=3d1b8ef6334200e5&type=total&ucfs=1&activeTab=main#room_185554801

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