If there’s one area in France that feels lifted from the pages of a storybook, it’s Alsace.
Suppose cobbled lanes, pastel-hued homes with wood beams, church spires rising over vineyards, and windowsills spilling with geraniums.
Add in a gradual provide of riesling, kougelhopf and tarte flambée, and also you’ve received a highway journey that’s as scenic as it’s indulgent.
This highway journey winds from Strasbourg to Eguisheim alongside the Route des Vins d’Alsace, a string of postcard-worthy villages linked by rolling vineyards and centuries of winemaking custom.
It’s a route greatest loved slowly – with frequent stops, lengthy lunches and detours into tasting rooms that at all times appear to seem simply whenever you have been pondering you is perhaps thirsty once more.
Route Overview
Strasbourg → Obernai → Barr → Ribeauvillé → Riquewihr → Kaysersberg → Colmar → Eguisheim
Non-compulsory addition: Haut-Koenigsbourg Fortress
Best journey size: 5 – 7 days
Finest time to go: Could to October – September for harvest, December for Christmas markets, and spring for flower-filled villages
This put up accommodates affiliate hyperlinks.
Begin: Strasbourg – the place France meets the rhine
Begin in Strasbourg, a metropolis that embodies Alsace’s distinctive identification.
Sitting proper on the German border, with a foot in each cultures and a allure that doesn’t really feel compelled.
Spend at the very least one night time right here to wander the Petite France district, the place slender canals weave between half-timbered homes that lean ever so barely, as if huddling collectively for heat.
For a captivating keep close by strive Hôtel Mercure Strasbourg Centre Petite France.
The Strasbourg Cathedral is a gothic masterpiece that dominates the skyline.
Climb the platform for sweeping views over tiled rooftops and, on a transparent day, all the way in which to the Black Forest.
Don’t rush town; it units the tone superbly for the countryside to come back.
Cease 1: Obernai – wine gateway with a storybook core
Roughly half-hour south, Obernai marks the start of your journey into wine nation.
It’s typically missed in favour of its extra well-known neighbours, which is a mistake.
It’s received a historic centre stuffed with timber-framed buildings, a market sq. that buzzes with native life, and easy accessibility to the encircling vineyards.
It is a good place to pattern your first Alsatian whites. Riesling is the headliner, however don’t skip Gewürztraminer or Pinot Gris – particularly when paired with native cheese or smoked meats.
Take a delicate stroll alongside the Winery Path simply exterior the city to stretch your legs and get your bearings.
Cease 2: Barr – quiet, characterful and underrated
Simply down the highway, Barr is smaller and sleepier, however filled with old-world character.
It has fewer crowds, a robust winemaking fame, and that nice feeling of getting stumbled into someplace actual, quite than curated.
It’s additionally residence to the Maison Klipfel vineyard, the place you may pattern Grand Cru wines in a relaxed, unpretentious setting.
The city sits on the foot of the Vosges, giving it a sheltered, sunny microclimate that makes for glorious grape-growing and nice out of doors eating.
Non-compulsory Cease: Haut-Koenigsbourg Fortress
Earlier than hitting Ribeauvillé, take a fast detour uphill to Haut-Koenigsbourg Fortress – one of many area’s most spectacular medieval fortresses.
Perched on a rocky outcrop, it affords panoramic views over the Rhine plain, particularly lovely when morning mist swimming pools within the valleys.
It’s been rigorously restored to look as it could have within the fifteenth century: turrets, ramparts, drawbridges and all.
It’s just a little theatrical, however in the very best approach. Youngsters find it irresistible, however so do grown-ups!
Cease 2: Ribeauvillé – character with a capital C
Subsequent up is Ribeauvillé, one of many area’s standouts. The city stretches alongside a single primary avenue, lined with historic buildings, painted shutters and wine retailers.
Above it, the ruins of three medieval castles loom on the hillside: the Three Castles of Ribeauvillé, which will be reached through a rewarding (and never too steep) hike.
It is a city for sluggish exploration. Pop into native caves for tastings, browse artisan retailers for conventional pottery or stork‑themed souvenirs (Alsace is obsessive about storks), and settle in for lunch on a terrace.
Keep: In case you plan to spend an evening right here, Domaine Jean Sipp is an efficient selection – a captivating base proper within the coronary heart of city.
Cease 3: Riquewihr – peak fairytale vibes
Simply 5 minutes down the highway is Riquewihr. You may guide a guided strolling tour to get pleasure from probably the most photogenic village in Alsace – no small feat.
Its completely preserved medieval core is crammed with brightly colored homes, wrought-iron indicators and flower-filled home windows. It’s busy in excessive season, however nonetheless magical.
Whereas there’s a contact of the touristy right here, the standard holds.
Go to Domaine Dopff for a top-tier tasting expertise or wander the encircling vineyards, which ripple out in each course.
At golden hour, the sunshine right here is dreamlike.
Cease 4: Kaysersberg – genuine and ridiculously fairly
Kaysersberg, as soon as voted the favorite village in France, and it’s simple to see why.
With a river working by the centre, a stone bridge arched elegantly over it, and a hillside citadel smash watching from above, it’s nearly too good.
There’s a refined distinction right here: much less vacationer sheen, extra real group.
Strive the foie gras from native producers (this is among the few elements of France the place it’s made historically and responsibly), and hunt down winstubs – native taverns – for hearty regional fare.
In case you fancy a brief hike, climb to the ruins of Château de Kaysersberg for sweeping views of vineyards and rooftops.
Cease 5: Colmar – vibrant canals and cultural clout
Alsace’s unofficial capital of cute, Colmar is larger than the others however nonetheless feels intimate.
Its Little Venice district, with its flower-draped canals and candy-coloured homes, will get a lot of the consideration. And sure, it’s each bit as fairly in actual life because it appears in photographs.
However Colmar additionally has cultural depth. Go to the Unterlinden Museum for works by Grünewald and medieval non secular artwork that’ll shock you with its depth.
The meals scene is strong too; from upscale eating places to old-school winstubs the place the parts are beneficiant and the wine retains coming.
It’s a good suggestion to remain an evening right here – to see the lights reflecting within the canal after darkish, when the day‑trippers have drifted away.
For a central and classy possibility, guide at Novotel Suites Colmar Centre.
Last cease: Eguisheim – spherical and ridiculously quaint
End your journey in Eguisheim, a round village that appears constructed purely for delight.
Its concentric lanes curve round a central sq., creating an nearly labyrinthine structure that’s excellent for aimless wandering.
Each flip affords a brand new view of ivy-covered beams, pastel partitions and overflowing flower containers.
Eguisheim can also be one of many area’s greatest spots to expertise safari wine villages & wine tasting, with native vintners welcoming guests to pattern distinctive Alsatian wines proper the place they’re made.
It’s well-liked – particularly in summer season – however nonetheless value it. Begin early or keep late if you need a quieter expertise.
It’s the type of place you’ll want you had extra time in, even in case you’ve already visited half a dozen equally fairly villages.
Keep: Take into account Hostellerie du Château – a comfy, well-rated spot with pleasant views over Eguisheim’s quaint, flower-filled streets.
Necessities
Driving time (with out stops): Approx. 3 – 4 hours whole.
What to pack: Layers, strolling footwear, a good urge for food, and area in your baggage for wine, jam and the odd stork-themed trinket.
Driving tip: Roads are scenic and straightforward to navigate, however parking in villages will be tight – goal for early arrivals and smaller vehicles.
Last Ideas
This Alsace wine highway journey is about going slowly and taking the time to lookup at balconies, pause for wine in sudden locations, and let the rhythm of sluggish journey set the tempo.
There’s a specific type of pleasure in sipping a calming riesling as church bells ring out within the distance, or discovering your self solely alone on a winery path with solely butterflies and vines for firm.
Alsace delivers that – after which some.
Come hungry, carry a gentle spot for crooked homes, and go away room within the boot for just a few bottles of wine. You’ll thank your self later.
