Situated next to Germany and Switzerland, Alsace is a diverse region of France with an interesting history and culture owed to its heritage. Ruled by both France and Germany over the years there is a distinct German presence from the architecture to the cuisine. Holiday cottages in Alsace give visitors the perfect opportunity to explore this varied region with properties to suit romantic getaways for couples, family holidays and holidays for groups of friends.
The region of Alsace enjoys a mostly continental climate and receives some of the lowest levels of rainfall in France, perfect for visitors staying in a holiday cottage in Alsace. The hot summers are ideal for growing grapes with lots of sunshine, with the winter months experiencing colder weather.
Snow often falls on the Vosges Mountains in the wintertime, making it a desirable destination for skiers. The temperatures are pleasant in autumn, a little bit cooler than summer and perfect for those looking for a quiet break away from the hum of tourists. Holiday cottages in Alsace are available all year round, so you can getaway and enjoy whichever season you want.
The capital of the Alsace region of France is Strasbourg, one of France’s largest cities and a cultural hotspot. The city is famous for its impressive Gothic cathedral, medieval style, black and white timber framed buildings and the European institutions that are situated here.
When staying in Strasbourg at an Alsace holiday cottage there is so much to explore as the city has a wealth of fascinating museums, theatres, opera and festivals to celebrate the arts. While in Strasbourg visiting the parks, such as the Parc de l'Orangerie, is a must.
There is also an abundance of fine restaurants and shops in the lively district of Krutenau, popular with visitors of Strasbourg. The entire town centre of Strasbourg was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, a true testament to the beauty and cultural importance of the city.
When staying at holiday cottages in Alsace visitors to the region will be able to enjoy the delicious wines, beers and food that the region produces. Famous for its white wines, Alsace wine usually displays a noticeably Germanic influence and is one of the top wine producing regions in the country. Alsace is also the main beer producing region in France with many famous breweries, such as Heineken and Kronenbourg, brewed in and around Strasbourg. Traditional Alsatian cuisine includes sauerkraut, foie gras and tarte flambée, a pizza like dish, with much of the cuisine highly influenced by neighbouring Germany.
For lovers of the great outdoors there are two remarkable natural parks. At the Northern Vosges Regional Natural Park there is over 1650km of specially marked out trails for visitors to enjoy cycling or hiking, around 20 different fascinating museums and over 30 diverse castles. There are also organised discovery trips for visitors to explore the varied flora and fauna of the area up close. The second park is the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park, which is one of the largest parks in France. Visitors to the park enjoy a variety of flowers and plants that only grow at this higher altitude. The park hosts a variety of activities all through the year so when staying at holiday cottages in Alsace guests are never short of things to do. Activities include mountain biking, walking and hiking, paragliding with a range of different snow sports available in the winter.
There is so much to see and do in Alsace. The rich cultural history is waiting to be explored along with the landscape where thrilling outdoor pursuits are to be enjoyed. When staying at holiday cottages in Alsace visitors can either indulge in the traditional food of the region at some of the quality restaurants or have fun learning to prepare it themselves at their cottage in Alsace. Even in one of the smallest regions of France, there are so many beautiful towns and cities such as Colmar, a city next to Switzerland and Germany that has a preserved historical centre, and Mulhouse, a city famous for its museums about science and history.