Alsace

Regional Overview

The Imperial Vineyards

The wealth of the Alsace comes from its fertile hills and bounty of the Rhine. So desirable was the Alsace that it remained under the direct control of the Emperors in Speyer, Vienna, Berlin, and Paris for centuries. Each subsequent power was determined to leave its mark. The region has a trove of historical heritage and local tradition, making it one of the best destinations in Europe.

Regional Identity

What to Lookout For

  • Gothic and Renaissance buildings in the “Alsatian Style,” combining both French and Germanic image programs
  • Romanesque monuments from the Salian and Staufen Emperors
  • A unique Alsatian building style mixing sandstone with half-timbered construction

8.6

10

8

Justin Bunch | CityscapeTravel

What is the Alsace?

Alsace is one of Europe’s most beautiful cultural landscapes. Rolling hills hide dozens of walled villages, and endless flowing vineyards cover them. A ruined castle crowns every hill, and every cityscape offers the old-world charm you want on vacation. Follow the traces of the Empire in the medieval churches and ruins and witness the arrival of the French court in the resplendent sandstone palaces.

Interactive Map

Traditional Recipies

Alsatian Gugelhupf

The Gugelhupf Cake comes from the court of Early Modern Vienna…

Frozen Cherry Gugelhupf

The Gugelhupf Cake comes from the court of Early Modern Vienna…

Plum Soup

A dessert recipe for those late summer evenings in the hills…

Roasted Semolina (Grießschnitten)

A simple dessert popular throughout Europe, this recipe for Roasted Semolina…

Fleischschnacka

A unique Alsatian dish where a ground meat filling is rolled…

Riesling Chicken Fricassee

This is a simple recipe from Alsace, where chicken is braised…

Hiking in the Region

Hike: The Legend of Sleeping Beauty

Hike: The Legend of Sleeping Beauty

The town of Bad Bergzabern and the Monastery of Liebfrauenberg have no connection to sleeping beauty or any other fairy tale, but for some reason,…

Hike: French-German Border Castles

Hike: French-German Border Castles

The Wasgau is a forested region between the Palatine Forest to the north and the Vosges Forest to the South. The region is known for…

Hike: Valley of the Dhaun

Hike: Valley of the Dhaun

The underrated Nahe Valley has numerous tributaries that extend into the Hunsrück Highlands. This one which goes up and around the Simmertal valley, visits several…

Hiking: Castles of the Wiligartswiesen

Hiking: Castles of the Wiligartswiesen

Hike among the sandstone spires of the Palatine Forest and uncover two ancient castle ruins and spectacular viewpoints. At one point, you will come across…

Hiking: Eußerthal Monastery and the Cliffs of Annweiler

Hiking: Eußerthal Monastery and the Cliffs of Annweiler

This hike takes you from the more famous castle of Trifels in the opposite direction. You will head north to see the remnants of the…

Hiking: Wasgau Vineyards

Hiking: Wasgau Vineyards

This hike takes you through the small towns and villages at the base of the Wasgau Mountains, where the Rhine valley ends. It’s a region…

My Subjective Travel Rankings

To understand where the categories come from, see this article here.

8.6 / 10

The score is based on the following:

  • Accommodation: 10
  • Transportation: 9
  • Volume/Capacity: 8
  • Infrastructure: 10
  • Interactivity: 6

10 / 10

The score is based on the following:

  • Context: 10
  • Monuments: 10
  • Quality: 10

8 / 10

The score is based on the following:

  • Abstraction: 6
  • Tradition: 10

Navigation

Upper-Rhine

The heartlands of the Holy Roman Empire

Leave a Reply