Best of Upper Rhine

Some years ago already, the Lonely Planet guides voted Alsace first among the top ten regions to be discovered in the world. Yes, Alsace is unquestionably spectacularly beautiful. A very special combination of history, culture, scenery, and especially food and wine makes it one of the most delightful places to visit in all of Europe. 

Regularly the city of Colmar, in the heart of Alsace but also in the middle of the Upper Rhine valley, came up among the awarded places to go.

Saint Nicholas is arriving with a small boat and cheered by singing children.

In the historical city of Colmar

Colmar was voted Best Easter Destination in Europe

The historical city of Colmar

As every year since 2009, the “European Best Destinations” reveals in January the cities in the running for the award of the Best European Destination of the year. This selection is established after examination of 260 localities through Europe.
This year, the little Colmar (70,284 inhabitants only!) has been designated among the 20 best places of interest in Europe, alongside very big cities such as Paris, London, Amsterdam, Berlin and many others.
From January 18 to February 8, 2018 it was up to Internet users (yes you too could vote) to decide on the candidate cities supreme title, by voting online.

On February 8, 2018 Colmar was voted the 3rd Best Destination in Europe !

Go to the website of European Best Destinations and see the results.
Click here: www.bit.ly/ColmarEBD2018

More about the city of Colmar 

The famous Retable (altarpiece) of Issenheim painted in the 16th Century and presented at the Unterlinden museum.

In the historical city of Colmar

Colmar from end of November to end of January is a Christmas fairy tale

Visiting the Small Venice (Petite Venise) area in the old city.

In the historical city of Colmar

Right in the middle of Alsace, there is Colmar. The wealth and fame of Colmar is dating back to the 13th century, making it a must-see historical center with prestigious monuments.
Colmar is full of romantic places to enjoy: the little Venice, the quai de la Poissonnerie, the area of the Tanners …
City of Art and Culture, Colmar offers some prestigious museums including the now famous Unterlinden museum, which is a must to visit. The four seasons are marked in Colmar by events such as the famous wine fair (August), Christmas and Easter markets, music festivals including the international music (July) and jazz (September) festivals.

• Colmar was declared 2nd best Christmas market in Europe, and 1st Christmas market in France, by vote audience of visitors in 2017
• Colmar was listed among the 52 destinations to see in the world, by the New York Times in 2016
• According to the survey conducted by European Best Destinations in 2017, Colmar was among the 19 best medieval cities of Europe,
• Colmar was awarded “Best destination for Easter”, following a poll directed by European Best Destinations in 2017
• According to TripAdvisor, Colmar is part of the top 10 places that seem straight come out of a fairy tale.

The pearls of the Alsace Wine Route

Colmar as a tourist destination is not only an isolated city. Colmar is the “capital city of Alsace wines”. The City is abeam some of the most famous Alsatian vineyards which are spreading over picturesque hills just some kilometres to the West. Colmar is crowned with a bunch of exquisite fairy tale villages of the Alsace Wine Route.

Riquewihr

Riquewihr, Alsace, main street in the early morning.

One of the romantic little streets of Riquewihr at Christmas time

Riquewihr, Alsace – Sunrise in Summer

Harvest on the hill Grand Cru Schoenenbourg

Famous vineyards in Riquewihr

The tall Dolder tower built in 1291 at the top of Riquewihr’s main street.

Riquewihr is a famous village of Alsace, very well-known for its architectural heritage, a picturesque medieval walled town of 1100 inhabitants, spared by the destruction of the two world wars. Riquewihr is also famous for its wines and its Christmas market.

In 2017 Riquewihr was voted “Most beautiful village of France” by the association of the Japanese travel trade.

Kaysersberg

Kaysersberg and the steep vineyards of the famous Schlossberg.

Church of Kaysersberg and Christmas market

This guided tour of Kaysersberg starts at medieval castle and the steep vineyards of the famous Schlossberg.

Beautiful medieval house in Kaysersberg.

Night is falling.

Kaysersberg (the hill of the emperor) is a pretty medieval city of 2700 inhabitants located some 10 kilometres West of Colmar. In the old medieval times, Kaysersberg was in important fortified position controlling the valley which connects Colmar to Lorraine through the Vosges mountains and the pass named Col du Bonhomme.

Following the vote of viewers,  Kaysersberg won the 2017 edition of the TV show Le Village préféré des Français (The favorite Village of the French). The Christmas market is a must visit.

Eguisheim

The conscripts celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Crémant d’Alsace at the Eguisheim wine festival in the summer of 2016 – photo jp krebs

Historical cellar in Eguisheim at Domaine Emile Beyer

Christmas market in Eguisheim, Alsace

Christmas market in Eguisheim, Alsace

Street along the medieval ramparts of Eguisheim

The small (1700 inhabitants) but famous wine village of Eguisheim lies at the foothill of the Vosges mountains, some 5 kilometers south-west of Colmar.

Eguisheim has pretty half-timbered houses and is one of the most beautiful villages in France. The village is famous for its wines (beautiful wine festival at the end of August) and its magnificent Christmas market. In 2013, Eguisheim was voted Favorite Village of the French by the TV show of the same name.

Ribeauvillé

Main street of Ribeauvillé

Pfifferdaj parade: a festival with a 600 years history!

Ribeauvillé, charming medieval town. A 4 kilometers walk through the vineyards will lead you there from Riquewihr.

Cook show at the Wine and Gastronomy festival end of July.

Castle St-Ulrich, one of the mediaval castle overlooking Ribeauvillé.

Indeed, it is a good pressed apple juice that is immediately offered to the amateurs!

15 kilometers north-west of Colmar and 4 kilometers from Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé (4700 inhabitants) is a pretty medieval town dominated by three castles. Surrounded by renowned vineyards, Ribeauvillé is known for its wine and gastronomy fair which takes place every year in July. The first weekend of September is the fiddlers’ festival, a 600-year-old event. During the first two weekends of December is held the very famous medieval Christmas market.

Bergheim

Summer street festival in Bergheim, Alsace

Church of Bergheim at night and ramparts.

Grape harvesting in Bergheim. Black Forest in the far.

Surrounded by its medieval ramparts, Bergheim is 17 km north of Colmar and 10 km south-west of Sélestat. For centuries and up to the present day, the vineyard culture has marked the seasons of some 2100 inhabitants. There are some good restaurants in this pretty village and during the month of December, a path of Christmas cribs runs through the streets of the village.

The international reputation of Colmar is actually seen by a clientele from all continents and by laudatory qualifiers on the websites and in the world press.
Welcome to Colmar, a destination to discover throughout the year.

Sélestat

Medieval churches in Selestat and sunrise over the Black Forest in the far.

Flower parade in August.

Storks looking for food.

Sélestat is a famous place for vegetables. In former times they were ferried by small boats.

Carnival night parade in Sélestat.

Exhibition of Christmas firs hanging in the church.

Only 25 km North of Colmar, Selestat is the third largest city in Alsace for heritage wealth, behind Strasbourg and Colmar. The city (20,000 inhabitants) has two large medieval churches, a medieval urban ensemble, as well as a very rich collection of Renaissance books preserved in the Humanist Library (World Cultural Heritage). Selestat is also endowed with an important natural heritage since the territory of the city is largely included in the natural reserve of Illwald. The town is very close to the Alsace wine route and the Haut-Kœnigsbourg castle.

Sélestat has been labeled “Ville d’Art et d’Histoire” (City of Art and History) since February 19, 2016. Sélestat is also known for the oldest written mention of the Christmas tree (1521). Every year in December there are several exhibitions around the Christmas fir topic.

Colmar and the wine route under the supervision of so many castles!

Sunrise and moon set on the Haut-Koenigsbourg castle.

In Alsace, the characteristic silhouette of Haut-Koenigsbourg castle has been rhythming the seasons for centuries.

Chateau de Kintzheim and chateau Haut-Koenigsbourg creating an impressive stage setting for the eagle show.

The village of Saint-Hippolyte and the Haut-Koenigsbourg castle

Castle Haut-Koenigsbourg overlooking Alsace and the plain of the Rhine river.

25 km north-west of Colmar, the impressive castle of Haut-Kœnigsbourg, a former castle of the twelfth century, dominates the vineyard and the plain from the top of its pointed mountain, 750 meters above sea level. The castle is seen from far away. I always thought that his silhouette lit up at night was the beacon of Alsace. The Haut-Koenigsbourg castle is worth a visit, whatever the season.

Eagles are making the show at Kintzheim castle

Haut-Koenigsbourg at night in the Winter.

Eagles are making the show at Kintzheim castle

Birds of prey are starring at the Eagle Show of chateau de Kintzheim. They are even playing with the public!

Castle St-Ulrich, one of the mediaval castle overlooking Ribeauvillé.

Haut-Koenigsbourg castle overlooking the plain of Alsace. Black Forest and Germany in the far.

But there is not only the castle of Haut-Koenigsbourg. From north to south of Alsace, there are more than 80 strongholds, mostly ruined, which still stand on the heights of the Vosges. All year round, they are favorite destinations for hikers. In the heart of Alsace, not far from Colmar, I particularly like the castles of Ortenbourg (at the entrance of the Val de Villé near Sélestat), the Eagle’s park at the castle of Kintzheim, the 3 castles of Ribeauvillé (Saint-Ulrich, Girsberg and Haut-Ribeaupierre), the castle of Kaysersberg, Hohlandsbourg overlooking the access to the valley of Munster, the 3 dungeons of Eguisheim … But there are many others still hidden in the forest.

Colmar, gate to the Rhine and Germany

Less than 20 kilometers East of Colmar, after passing Neuf-Brisach and its World Heritage fortifications built by Vauban, we find one of the most magnificent and important river in Europe: the Rhine. Cross it at Breisach am Rhein and you will be in Germany and almost immediately in the Kaiserstuhl vineyards and a little further, at the foothills of the Black Forest, near Freiburg im Breisgau (with a wonderful cathedral), you will get to know the wines of Baden. Climb a little further and you will reach the HochSchwarzwald, the highest part of the Black Forest.

Breisach-am-Rhine, 20 kilometres East of Colmar, is a must stop for all passenger cruise ships on the Rhine.

Terraced vineyards in the Kaiserstuhl, Germany

At the wine festival of Burkheim, Kaiserstuhl, Germany.

Main entrance to the cathedral of Freiburg, Germany – Details

Traditional carnival parage in the Rhine valley.

The Vogtsbauernhof is the only farm in the museum still standing in its original location. It was built in 1612. In 1964 it was the first building to be opened to visitors.

Cruise on the Rhine near Breisach-am-Rhein

From the top of the Vosges to the Black Forest, our Upper Rhine region, encompassing both banks of the Rhine with Colmar right in its center, ranks definitely high among the best destinations to visit in Europe.

February 8, 2018 Colmar was voted 3rd European BEST Destination 

Click here to check the results of the vote: www.bit.ly/ColmarEBD2018