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Alsace, a land of contrasts
Alsace is a land of contrasts. Set between the Vosges and the Rhine, it is made up of mountains, valleys and plateaus. Alsace is a region rich in history and culture, and many events and festivals take place here every year.
Alsace, between the Vosges and the Rhine
Alsace is a historic French region in the north-east of the country, on the border with Germany, and is now part of the Grand Est region. It is bounded by the Vosges to the west and the Rhine to the east. Alsace is a region of contrasts, shaped by both Germanic and French influences, and it has changed hands between the two countries several times over the course of its history. The Germanic influence is especially visible in the region’s culture and architecture. Alsace is rich in history and culture, with a wealth of sights to visit. Its capital is Strasbourg, a lively, cosmopolitan city. The region is also known for its wines, its cheeses and its distinctive cuisine.
The High Vosges, the mountain side of Alsace
The Vosges run from north to south along the western side of Alsace. Their southern part, the High Vosges, is home to the massif’s highest summits, rounded peaks known as “ballons”: the Grand Ballon, the highest point in the Vosges at 1,424 metres, and the Hohneck, which rises to 1,363 metres. Further north, in the Bas-Rhin, Mont Sainte-Odile (764 metres) is a major spiritual site overlooking the Alsace plain.
To explore the High Vosges, the Route des Crêtes runs for about 88 kilometres along the heights, from Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines to Uffholtz near Cernay, by way of the Col du Bonhomme, the Col de la Schlucht, the Hohneck, the Markstein and the Grand Ballon. It crosses the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park; some sections are closed to traffic in winter.
To the east, the Rhine marks the border with Germany. Around 1,230 kilometres long, it rises in the Swiss Alps and flows into the North Sea in the Netherlands. Navigable from Basel onwards, it is a major inland waterway.
The contrasts of Alsace
Alsace is bounded to the west by the Vosges, to the east by the Rhine, to the north by Germany and to the south by Switzerland. It has two départements, the Bas-Rhin and the Haut-Rhin, which since 2021 have been united within the Collectivité européenne d’Alsace. The capital of Alsace is Strasbourg. The region is known for its rich cultural and historical heritage, its vineyards, mountains, forests, lakes and rivers. Alsace is a popular tourist destination thanks to its many attractions.
Alsace is a region of contrasts. The Vosges, the Alsace plain and the Rhine offer a great variety of landscapes. The Vosges are a forested mountain range running from the north to the south of the region. In the south, the hills of the Sundgau and the Alsatian Jura line the border with Switzerland. The Rhine is the river that separates Alsace from Germany. Its banks are lined with forests, vineyards and fields.
Alsace is a historic and culturally rich region. Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace, is a historic city founded in Roman times. It is known for its Gothic architecture, canals, bridges, gardens and museums. Strasbourg Cathedral is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Europe. The city is also the seat of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament. Alsace is a wine-growing region: its vineyards cover around 15,600 hectares, mainly on the Vosges foothills in the Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin.
Alsace wines are renowned the world over, and its dry white wines are particularly popular. Alsace is a popular tourist destination, welcoming millions of visitors every year. Strasbourg is one of the most popular destinations in the region, and the town of Colmar is another major tourist draw.
The diversity of Alsace
It is a region rich in history, culture and tradition. The diversity of Alsace is a real asset for tourists and travellers, with a wide choice of activities, sights and restaurants. The Vosges are a mountain range stretching from north to south along the west of Alsace. The Vosges massif is largely covered in forest.
The Rhine is the river that separates France from Germany. It is navigable and is used to carry freight. The Rhine region is known for its vineyards and wines. Alsace is a mountainous, wooded region, and the Vosges and the Rhine offer plenty of opportunities for hiking and water sports. The region is also known for its spas and thermal baths.
The towns of Alsace are historic and charming. Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace, is a lively, cosmopolitan city. Colmar is steeped in history. Mulhouse is an industrial and cultural city. All three lie in the Alsace plain, between the Vosges and the Rhine, and are easy to reach by train.
Alsace is a region full of contrasts, between the Vosges and the Rhine, where you will find every kind of landscape, from town to countryside. The people here are warm and welcoming, and the cuisine is rich and varied. If you have the chance to visit, don’t hesitate: you won’t regret it!