We are spending some time in the small villages in Alsace, France, Colmar, Equisheim, Ribeauville, and Riquevihr, would Gengenbach be too much like them to bother? I know it's really a beautiful village. I hope some of you have visited both areas.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7162 posts
To me, yes, but it is a nice town and worth visiting if you have the time.
Depending on how much time you have and how you’re getting around, you could visit Gengenbach, Triberg, Staufen im Breisgau, and then cut over to Eguisheim and Colmar. We used Colmar as a base to visit Strasbourg, Ribeauvillé, Barr, Hunawihr, Obernai, and Kaysersberg.
While in Alsace consider visiting Chateau du Haut'Koenigsbourg. The Three castles of Eguisheim would be a nice walk from town if you don’t have a car.
Posted by
OP
Denver, CO
303 posts
Are all those places accessable without a car?
Posted by
Greeley, co, usa
2588 posts
Gengenbach is an easy train ride from Strasbourg. In fact there is a special train pass, the Europass 24H. see
cts-strasbourg.eu
If you can go when the Narren Museum is open, be sure to visit it.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33852 posts
I agree that Gengenbach is very easy by train from Strasbourg - but it doesn't look from your question that you will not be in Strasbourg. From Colmar it is first a train to Strasbourg and then a change of train to get onto the Black Forest train line. That's a long way to see a really nice place when there's a lot on your doorstep.
Colmar is south of Strasbourg and about parallel with Freiburg im Breisgau south of the Black Forest.
I love both the Alsace and the Black Forest area, and when I have a car I hop back and forth between them. Relying on the trains and buses, and with all the Alsace around you I might stay on one side. If you were in Strasbourg already then I would say that a pop over to Gengenbach is a very good idea.
Posted by
Niagara, Ontario
1678 posts
Well worth visiting. If anything, the Alsace villages are more colourful but some of the timber-framed structures in Gengenbach are more impressive. If you have a car and the time, also consider Staufen im Breisgau in the Black Forest - if you park at the Bad Krozingen train station, there is a very pleasant and easy walk of about an hour alongside a creek to Staufen.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7162 posts
We had a car, so no idea how easy it is to reach the German towns by train or how frequently the trains run. For the castles I mentioned, a car is needed.
Posted by
496 posts
We had 4 nights In Gengenbach last Aug. Loved this town! We had no car. Train easy to Strausbourg which was wonderful! Also Freiburg which we enjoyed more than we though we would. Colmar difficult to get to from Gengenbach…so we did not see. We considered train to visit Basil also but didn’t. The free train card mentioned for Black Forest works well for travel in area.
Posted by
OP
Denver, CO
303 posts
Where do you get the free train card for the Black Forest? How does it work?
Posted by
OP
Denver, CO
303 posts
Thank you. We are definitely going to Gengenbach from Strasbourg. I think we'll stay in Strasbourg.
Posted by
496 posts
What we used….called KONUS card. But one needs to stay in Black Forest area in Germany. We got ours through our hotel in Gengenbach. It allowed free train travel in that region. Staying in Strausbourg I don’t think would qualify.
Posted by
Paradise
7072 posts
Posted by
14 posts
If you plan on using Colmar as a home base, you can look into the Kutzig Bus to explore some of the nearby towns along the Alsatian Wine Route.
You make a reservation that is good for the whole day and then you just hop on and off at whichever towns you feel like seeing along the route.
We really enjoyed it. Good way to check out a few towns , enjoy some wine or beer without worrying about driving, and it was really simple.
Have a great trip