Alsace has situated on the west bank of the river Rhine, and is located between the Rhine and Vosges mountains. To the north and east it is share a border with Germany; to the south share a border with Switzerland and the west with Lorraine and French Comte. Alsace is one of the smallest and densely populated regions in France. This region is very beautiful by the Vosges Mountains and river Rhine. It is a best place for grape cultivation and wine production. Amongst the varies wine, white wine is very popular and German wine tradition like Riesling, Sylvaner both are famous in Alsace and others European countries.
It is surprised that, most of the peoples speak German and their social life has influenced by the German tradition. It is a part of German speaking areas in central Europe. One can enjoy to seeing traditional attractive villages and scenic view of Vosges mountains range.
Alsace is a part of the Rhine valley corridor, and historically, it is an important trading route in Europe and its economic developments has always depended as much as on its neighbour’s country like Germany as link with other part of France. So as a result, the region could be most prosperous and trading centres in France.
Alsace has a very distinctive features is that, it is neither in France or nor in German. It is also known as friendly and welcoming regions in France and politically most important regions in European Union. Now a day a large proportion of the population speaks Alsacian. It is definitely Germanic with its village which elegantly painted with steep-roofed half timbered houses.
Northern Alsace:-It is a beautiful region in France. This is a basically forested region and is comfortable in all seasons. Strasbourg is the capital of the northern Alsace and significance in political, economical and cultural aspects. It is attracts a large number of an international visitors because it has constituted one of the two seats of the European parliament. There are also historical and traditional castles, monasteries and beautiful villages which are attracting the visiting travellers. La Petite-Pierre is an outstanding tourist’s village in the northern Vosges regional nature park in Alsace.
Southern Alsace:-This is a larger town in southern Alsace. Mulhouse and Colmar are one of the most beautiful cities in France. There are some exotic villages which are attracting the visiting travellers.
Place of attractions in Alsace:-
*Strasbourg: – Historical centre, Cathedral Petit France, River Boat tours, the seat of European Parliament etc.
*Colmar: – Historical city centre in Alsace with its half timbered houses etc.
*Molhouse:-It has a French national railways museum, and the Car Museum.
*La Route des Vine: – Wonderful view of Alsace wine vineyards and wine villages.
*Vosges Mountains: – Like enjoy the mountains bike riding, nature walk and water skiing etc.
Tourism: - Alsace is one of the most densely and populated regions in France. It is famous for its picturesque villages, churches and scenic view of the town. It is popular for its wine vineyards and Vosages Mountains. It is green forest and picturesque lakes that are attract visitors in France and around the world.
Culture: - Historically, it is a Holy Roman Empire and German realm of cultures. These regions have passed between German and France since the 7th century. So it could be a mixed cultural blend. Rural parts of culture still remained more traditional and German realm of culture, whereas modern institutions are totally dominated by French culture.
Cuisine: – Cuisine is still based upon traditional style of German. Alsatians are like to eat pork and cooked it in different ways. Such traditional item is baeckeoffe and flammkueche and in French is known as ‘tarte flambee.”
How to reach in Alsace:-
By road:-Spaghetti is the main motorways junction in Alsace, and its outlying areas of Strasbourg and Mulhouse. The A4 toll road towards Paris is about 20 km northwest of Strasbourg and A36 toll road towards the Lyon is about 10 km west of Mulhouse. Another A35 auto route which is links to Saint-Louis on the Switzerland border to Lauterbourg on the German border.
By trains: - One can go to high speed France national train, known as TGV, from Paris and vise versa.
By air: – The international airport at Strasbourg in Entzheim and Euro Airport, Basel-Mulhouse-Freeburg, its one of the seventh largest airport in terms of traffic. Strasbourg is about two hour’s journey from Frankfurt main airport, and it is placed one of the largest European airport.