Info on the Alsace region?

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cb0257

I am from Alsace, so you can ask any question you want!
Alsace is famous for its wine, food (strong German influence), Germanic dialect, being one of the political capital of Europe and weird accent. Its symbol is the stork, the wood timberred houses and also the big bow that women wear on their head in the traditional costume.
the 3 main cities are Strasbourg, Colmar and Mulhouse.
The best places to visit are: the Strasbourg cathedral and its clock, the "petite france" neighbourhood, the Europeen council. Colmar is very pretty also. You can drive down la route des vins (the wine road) visit the Haut Koenigsburg, a medieval castle, go to Mont St Odile an abbey up in the mountains called Les Vosges, go hiking and sleep in farm- auberges, go skiing in the winter. You can also go to visit pottery workshops in Soufflenheim (a bit hit for my US friends) and cross the Rhein river for a day trip in Germany to visit Baden- Baden (roman baths) or the several medieval castles along the river. You can also go to Switzerland in Basel and visit their world-famous zoo.

And of course in the Christmas season we have the Christmas markets all over Alsace, the more interesting ones are in smaller towns like Munster or Obernai. the biggest one (and where most tourists go) is in Strasbourg!

Do not hesitate to contact me if you have more specific questions.

What part are you going to stay at?

Kito

Alsace is famous for white wine : Gewurtztraminer, Riesling, Muscat, Pinot
Alsace is famous for his marvelous way to prepare Christmas. Hopefully you will be in Alsace in december, it is marvelous.

Best Places : Strasbourg (old town, highest french cathedral)
Colmar, beautiful old town
Haut Koenigsburg, old castle lost in the mountains

3 major towns :
Strasbourg : biggest town of Alsace (450 000 inhabitants), is one of the 3 European capitals with Bruxelles and Luxembourg).
Colmar
Mulhouse

You have to know that Alsace has a particular history.
Alsace became german in 1870
Alsace became french in 1918
Alsace became german in 1940 (so alsacian had to fight with german during 2nd world war...)
Alsace became french in 1944 since today.
This cas explain lot of things if you come to Alsace. It is sometimes difficult to speak of that subjects with alsacian. Sometimes, in the same family, one wasfighting in german army, and the brother in french one... This was terrible.

But you will see, Alsace is a very very beautiful area, one of the most beautiful in France.

I am living in Strasbourg.

pasanjes

All previous answers are good. I'll join a link to many photos here :http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/alsace/

Message to @Erin K : I believe that THIS is the Patisserie you're trying to remeber...http://www.paul.fr/fr/magasins-adresses.php?region=tous

Erin K

Everyone else seems to have adequately answered the question, but I wanted to toss a few things out there:

There is a pastry shop in the Strausbourg train station and that the MOST AMAZING raspberry torte I have ever had. If I could remember the name, I would find a way to import it to the US - you must try it.

Also, take a weekend trip up to Luxembourg. I lived there for 6 months and it often gets overlooked because it's so tiny, but it's a very pretty place and easy to get around.

Loren S

http://www.swisswuff.ch/alsace-pn.html

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