Knepfelfacht a Quenelle festival in Riquewihr

This year the Knepfelfacht in Riquewihr (Quenelle festival) will take place on June 13-14, 2020. See the official 2019 programme, just to give you an idea. Details for 2020 to come. It’s now been four years since Riquewihr decided to pay homage to one of the most emblematic dishes of the Rhenish and Central European…

2019 events at the Brotherhood Saint-Etienne

The Brotherhood Saint Etienne (Saint-Stephan) is a mythical institution in the world of Alsace wine and one of the oldest in France. A few days ago, in its castle of Kientzheim, just next to Riquewihr and Colmar, the brotherhood announced its program for the next 12 months. All wine lovers are eager to learn more…

Spring & Easter markets in Colmar, Alsace

Spring is back. After 3 months of sleep, the beautiful city of Colmar finds visitors from everywhere. The birds of the Champ de Mars are singing, the storks are back and the half-timbered facades of the old city take on colors under the spring sun. Every year and for a fortnight around Easter, Colmar celebrates…

Christmas markets start now!

In our Upper Rhine valley, cities of Colmar, Strasbourg, Mulhouse, Freiburg-im-Breisgau (Germany), Basel (Switzerland) and Thann, are opening their Christmas Markets on November 23-24, 2018!

Whit Sunday & Monday picnics at the winemaker’s

We must admit the obvious fact, every year at Whit Sunday and Monday, the Holy Spirit is indeed descending on the Route des Vins d’Alsace to spead many language skills around: we can hear laughter and voices which are not only Alsatian but also Flemish, German, Belgian and Swiss (with all their regional variations) and…

Grape picking as in the early 1900’s

Grape picking as in the early 1900’s
In 2018 this very special harvest will take place on SEP 23, 2018 (the grapes are ripe much earlier this year). Come and join us!

Sled dog race at Lac Blanc

Next weekend I will attend the Nordic sled dog race at the ski resort of Lac Blanc, on the heights of the valley of Kaysersberg, not far away from Riquewihr. See my report and pictures about the sled dog race at Lac Blanc in 2016 Snow is forecasted for almost every day of this week…

Fantastic Morgenstreich – my Basel Carnival picture gallery

The Morgenstreich is a major and spectacular event that starts the Basel carnival. The Morgenstreich or procession of lanterns, is consistently held the Monday following Ash Wednesday. It is a must attend for many Alsatians … Here is my picture gallery of this year. See our updated Carnival page for the current year here. Wake…

Spring in Alsace and the real history of the Easter Bunny

Once more, Spring is here! Actually the past 15 days were pretty mild and sunny already. The music and noises made by Carnival succeeded in chasing away the cold spirits of the Winter. Nature is awaking: in the vineyards and landscapes … All over Alsace and the upper Rhine valley but also in the Vosges…