The region of Alsace Lorraine is located on the eastern border of France and contains the Haut-Rhin (Upper Rhine) and Bas-Rhin (Lower Rhine) areas. Lorraine joins Alsace at the Vosges Mountains and also borders Germany, Luxemburg and Belgium. The two regions are officially separate but are closely linked by history. These regions have been the subject of many battles and consequently contain many castles, fortresses, battlefields and memorials. The unique combination of French and German culture can be seen throughout the regions.

An Alsace Lorraine villa holiday is an opportunity to see a great diversity of natural beauty, from the mountains to the rivers. The region is rich in history, with many architectural and archaeological treasures. Follow the Route du Vin through the Vosges mountains and stop in the picturesque villages to taste the local food and wine at the many restaurants the line the route. High in the mountains is the Route des Crêtes (crests), providing the most spectacular views of the high peaks and the surrounding landscape, although it is sometimes closed due to snow.

Strasbourg, the capital of the Bas-Rhin, is a city that grew from its location as a port on the Rhine River. Hire a bike and explore the 300kms of cycle paths in this city or explore on foot. Don’t miss the gothic Notre-Dame Cathedral. Colmar is the capital of the Haut-Rhin. It has a very picturesque old town centre with a particular style of architecture. Here you can see the famous Issenheim altarpiece by Grünewald.

Metz is the capital of the region of Lorraine and is best known for its Gothic cathedral. Visit the beautiful historic centre and have a picnic lunch in one of the parks on the banks of the Moselle river. Nancy, Lorraine's historical capital, is well known for its Art Nouveau architecture, as well as its galleries and cultural events. Verdun is another large town that reveals a lot about this region. It was the site of one of the bloodiest battles from 1916 until 1918, and is a grim but historically fascinating reminder of the tragedies of World War I.

In addition to history, beautiful vistas and fine cuisine, a villa vacation in Alsace Lorraine gives you easy access to facilities for horse riding, cycling, hiking and mountain biking. The winter months are also a great time for cross-county skiing.

Both Alsace and Lorraine are known for their distinctive cuisines.
The food in Alsace can be very rich and the German influence is evident. Dishes will often be accompanied by Choucroute (sauerkraut), which is served hot and has the aroma of juniper berries that are used in the pickling process. Try it with the local sausages or pork dishes. Make room for local specialties such as Tarte Flambée, Strasbourg sausages, Baeckoffe stew, and the renowned fois gras. In Lorraine, try the quiche and the soufflés. Alsace produces some great tasting beers and is responsible for nearly half or all the beer production in France.

Your Alsace Lorraine vacation won’t be complete without a taste of the local pastries, for which these regions are well known. Try the Kougelhopf cake or the Tarte Alsacienne, made with the local fruit, such as the Quetsch or Mirabelle plums and cherries. These fruits are also used to produce brandies, such as Kirsch, which can add flavour to the local desserts or simply be enjoyed on their own at the end of a meal. The Wines from Alsace are distinctively dry, although the region does produce some dessert wines. Try the classic white wines such as the Pinot Blanc and the Rieslings. Lorraine is famous for its Moselle wines.

Festivals and Events in Alsace Lorraine
Colmar - Colmar International Festival (July)
Colmar - Alsace Wine Fair (August)
Colmar - Christmas Market (Late November- December)
Metz - Mirabelle Festival (Late August - early September)
Metz - Flea Markets in the Congress Centre (twice monthly)
Riquewihr - Fête des Vendnages (September)
Strasbourg - Route Romane Festival (August-September)
Strasbourg - Festival Musica (September-October)
Strasbourg - Les Nuits de Strasbourg (July-August)
Strasbourg - Jazz d'Or festival (November)
Strasbourg - St'art contemporary art fair at the Centre de Congrès (November)
Strasbourg - Christkindelsmärik Christmas Markets (Late November - December)