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Although modest in size, Alsace's geography is such that it offers an incredible variety of landscapes and climates.
This geographical richness also contributes to the diversity of the region's local products, providing countless possibilities for tourists to take interesting souvenirs back home with them.
Chiefly comprised of plains and hills, the region also offers a landscape ideal for anyone keen to enjoy mountain activities and to admire the outstanding views over the plains and towns of Alsace.
The transport infrastructure is well developed here, enabling visitors to travel in or to Alsace easily, by car or motorcycle, thanks to the motorway, by train with the TGV Est high-speed train service and the TER Alsace regional rail services, by plane thanks to the two airports (Basel-Mulhouse and Strasbourg), and finally by boat for those looking for a more leisurely trip.
An ideal geographical location
Located in north-eastern France, alongside Switzerland and Germany, Alsace enjoys an ideal location in the heart of Europe.
The region has 1.7 million inhabitants, and comprises two départements (counties), the Upper Alsace to the south and the Lower Alsace to the north.
At 190 km in length and 50 km wide, Alsace is a moderately sized region. Its modest surface area (8 280 km²) makes it easy to discover, while at the same time offering a wide variety of landscapes ranging from forests and valleys to plains and peaks.
A dynamic local economy
Alsace is one of the most dynamic and prosperous regions in France. With its border location, Alsace is situated at Europe's economic crossroads around the Rhine.
The region boasts an impressive modern infrastructure enabling it to fulfil its role as a trading centre between northern and southern Europe.
Industry continues to thrive here, representing approximately 30 % of Alsace's GDP. Alsace also plays a leading international role, being one of France's top regions when it comes to attracting foreign capital.
Industrial activities carried out here are extremely varied, and include the automotive and petrochemical sectors. However, the main driving force of the local economy is now the service sector, with the biotechnology industry taking pride of place.
Where agriculture is concerned, Alsace's farming sector is chiefly represented by winegrowing and hop production.
A region with a distinctive local identity
You don't need to be a history lover to appreciate Alsace's rich heritage when you first visit the region.
A great many events, both happy and tragic, have shaped this region with its distinctive identity, being the birthplace of numerous leading Alsatian celebrities.
The extensive use of the Alsatian dialect is definitely one of the most visible signs of this sense of identity felt by many people in Alsace, and reinforced by local laws which apply in various fields.
Alsace is also a land of art and culture, inspired by the openness of the Alsatian people and the seemingly limitless creativity of its artists.
Alsace's local arts and fine arts are extremely diverse. This is not forgetting the area's civil architecture, which includes many buildings inherited from the Renaissance and classical periods, its military architecture which bears witness to the highly strategic position that Alsace has always occupied in Europe, and its religious heritage which has given rise to countless architectural treasures.
Finally, thanks to their richness and diversity, the region's traditional rural buildings reflect the many faces of Alsace's varied geographical and cultural identity.
Culture and heritage
More than 250 museums and collections throughout Alsace look forward to welcoming visitors keen to discover their rich heritage, ranging from prehistory through to contemporary art.
The Unterlinden museum in Colmar features among other things the famous Isenheim altarpiece, a masterpiece in the field of religious art.
In Mulhouse, classic car enthusiasts can have the time of their lives at the world's largest motor museum, which is home to the famous Schlumpf collection.
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Do you love visiting castles? Alsace boasts Europe's highest concentration of feudal castles, bearing witness to its turbulent history.
Without a doubt the most famous of these is the Haut Koenigsbourg castle which is one of France's most frequently visited monuments.
Alsace has more than 400 ruined castles, including the recently restored Hohlandsbourg castle.
The region has also been heavily marked by warfare throughout the ages.
The Alsace-Moselle Memorial traces the tragic history of the Alsace and the Moselle areas from 1870 through to Franco-German reconciliation and the beginning of the European construction process.
The Struthof concentration camp (the only camp of its kind built on French soil) and the Maginot Line including in particular the "Four à Chaux" fortifications in Lembach bear witness to the region's tragic history.
Running from the north to the south of Alsace, the Alsatian Romanesque Route invites visitors to discover a fascinating and influential aspect of the region's religious heritage, while at the same time admiring the sheer beauty of the Alsace's changing landscapes.
Gastronomy
All year long, traditional Alsatian festivals and events represent opportunities to get together and enjoy culinary specialities and customs.
Indeed, Christmas in Alsace would simply not be the same without the famous bredele, the Christmas cakes with countless shapes and flavours.
And a long walk just wouldn't be complete without a tasty marcaire meal at a farm inn, including a pie of the valley together with a green salad, Munster cheese and fromage blanc tart, bilberry pie or apple pie.
And Sundays would be bland and boring without Baeckeoffe (vegetable and meat stew) or traditional Alsatian-style sauerkraut. Several gastronomic trails invite you to discover this rich culinary heritage.
The Fried Carp Trail is an excellent excuse for travelling all over the South of Alsace. The Sauerkraut Trail, which is more well-known, will satisfy all the lovers of this typical dish.
And not to forget the Cheese Trail, which will ensure that you can serve exceptional cheeses to your guests!
This array of flavours goes very well with the wine produced by the Alsatian vineyards, whose wines offer bouquets of astounding diversity. The easiest way to discover them is to take the Alsatian Wine Route.
Activities
Alsace's natural and cultural attractions offer its visitors a huge range of leisure activities.
Cycle touring and mountain biking make it possible to discover the region as a family while enjoying a sporting break at the same time.
With almost 2000 km of cycle trails, you'll certainly be spoilt for choice! Hiking and horseriding are also very popular here, thanks to more than 17,000 km of trails marked out by the Club Vosgien.
During winter, the Vosges range with its 11 ski resorts offers a remarkable variety of activities for winter sports lovers.
Whether you enjoy hang gliding, paragliding or parachuting, the Vosges area is also perfect for airborne sports of all kinds.
And for those who love nothing better than climbing trees, the region's adventure parks are definitely well worth a visit!
Golf enthusiasts will love the seven high-quality greens, which also provide the opportunity to discover Alsace's many treasures.
Ideally suited for families, the different wildlife parks dotted throughout Alsace offer a complete change of scenery before enjoying one of the many shows put on by the region's theatres and concert halls, or before spending an evening in one of Alsace's casinos or cabarets.
Finally, visitors can also take advantage of their visit to the region to explore some of Alsace's neighbours.
As an example, the charming and surprising town of Basel in Switzerland combines modernity with an impressive local heritage. The ultimate ecological and university town, Freiburg in Germany is ideal for those who enjoy strolling through shopping streets.
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