For a period of about 75 years it was hard to know whether Alsace, the region bordering Germany and Switzerland that encompasses Strasbourg, Colmar, and Mulhouse, was French or German.
For most of its history Alsace was French, but it was ceded to Germany in 1871, then given back to France in 1919, given back to Germany again in 1940, then finally returned to France in 1945.
Today, despite its German-named towns, wine varieties, and local dishes, Alsace remains very French. Its tourism statistics of 19 million visitors a year make it a world-class destination with its 15th-century historical sites, romantic villages with cobblestone streets, and rolling hills lined with grapevines.
History and culture buffs, foodies and wine lovers, will enjoy a visit to Alsace just as much as families with children. The region has a lot to offer besides wine tastings. An amusement park based on the children’s book Le Petit Prince, several museums including the renowned Unterlinden Museum, the restored 15th-century Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle, and picture-perfect Colmar are just a few of the attractions.
But wine is Alsace’s raison d'être, and during our visit we toured vineyards and sampled wines from three different wineries, which represent the wide range of wines produced here—the majority of which are white (only a few wineries produce pinot noir wines). Fifty-one Alsace wines are designated grand cru, the highest accolade in the French wine industry.
The Alsatian Wine Route stretches for 170 km with over 50 trails for hikers and 1,200 miles of biking paths among the more than 1,000 wineries, where festivals and folk dancing take place from April to October.
Little Venice in colourful Colmar, renowned for its well-preserved Old Town, architectural landmarks, and museums. Courtesy of Access Alsace
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Colmar is a charming city that is culturally blessed with its world-famous Unterlinden Museum.
