In the east of France, and even Europe, the Alsace region stands as one of the most culturally rich and historically unique regions and is perfect for a road trip. Many quaint towns are located near each other here and are super photogenic and Instagrammable, filled with half-timbered houses, colorful facades and flowers.
Bordering Germany and Switzerland, Alsace is an interesting mix of cultures, which can be seen in this region’s typical architecture, traditions, festivals, unique Alsatian cuisine and dialect.
This was shaped by centuries of both French and German rule, which has influenced and created the unique vibe, culture and traditions. Exactly why I like the Alsace region so much and what makes it so quaint and photogenic.
I was here once before, 6 years ago, just before Christmas start December, a unique experience with all the lights and elaborate Christmas decorations, which made this region even more magical, yet also quite busy. You can read all about it in this pre-Christmas blog.
This year I finally came back start September, to explore the wine route during harvest season and most Instagrammable spots throughout this colorful region of Northeast France, including towns that are lesser-known and much quieter.
I will happily share these hidden gems with you in this blog, including a custom-Google map and many of my own pictures, but first, how to get to Alsace?
Road trip to Alsace, France from the Netherlands
From the Netherlands it’s easy to drive there in about 6-7 hours. You can go via Germany, but from my hometown The Hague it's faster via Belgium, past Antwerp and Brussels, via Luxembourg entering France to the northeast.
This route also allows spontaneous stops in charming towns and scenic spots along the way, like Metz, which you pass by exactly.
That’s why we decided to break up the drive and extend the trip with a stopover for 2 nights in this lesser-known, but interesting city for a short exploration, which I can highly recommend as well.
Find my full route, from the Netherlands to Alsace, including a full Metz city guide, in this Google map:
Metz city trip stopover
This historic city, just a 5-hour drive from the Netherlands and 2 hours by train from Paris, really surprised me!
Metz is often overlooked, while it's quaint and easy to explore on foot, with many historic places from 3,000 years of German and French history, including sites even dating back to the Roman times.
It’s also Unesco-listed as city of music, with many festivals held yearly, an Opera-Theatre and unique cultural sites, like the impressive Centre Pomipdou-Metz, sister venue to the popular museum in Paris. An architectural marvel with its unique roof and 3 galleries with interesting and diverse modern and contemporary art exhibitions.
You can easily spend at least 2-3 days in Metz, and these are my recommendations for the ultimate city trip exploration:
What to do in Metz?
Explore the area around the Rue de la Citadelle with the Arsenal, Palace and Chapelle des Tempeliers
See the impressive Porte Serpenoise
Wander through centre ville with its many terraces and the stunning Saint-Etiénne Cathedral, dating back from 1240
Admire the decorations on en Fournirue street, next to the vibrant Place des Armes
Explore the Jardin l’Esplenade
Walk the Rue des Roches along the scenic Moselle River
Photograph the Temple Neuf on the river island Petit-Saulcy
Visit the Place de la Comédie, with the Opera-Theatre and temporary garden
Wander through the classy streets of the Imperial Quarter
See the impressive train station from start 1900
Marvel at modern art and the spectacular architecture of the Centre Pompidou modern art museum
Visit the Porte des Allemands
Have a French fusion dinner at the cute Restaurant La Table Metz
Where to stay in Metz?
We found an elegant, yet functional hotel in the city center, for a comfortable city trip stay with a touch of heritage and authenticity.
Hotel La Citadelle MGallery is housed in former military barracks, dating back to 1559. A unique combination of history, contemporary design and modern luxury in the heart of Metz.
See for yourself through my own pictures:
The accommodations range from classic rooms to spacious suites, all with modern amenities, and some with views of the surrounding gardens. The hotel also features private parking upon reservation, right in front of the hotel, meeting facilities and the use of free bikes is included with your stay.
It has a Unesco guide-listed restaurant with atmospheric outdoor terrace, La Réserve, that serves delicious local cuisine for lunch and dinner.
And the hotel's location is within walking distance of many of Metz's historic sites, including the Cathedral, and right next to the Arsenal.
Book your own stay at Hotel La Citadelle Metz MGallery here.
For more unique hotels in the city check this Metz hotels page or the Moselle region page.
Exploring the Alsace region in autumn
After that we drove on to a lovely Spa hotel in Ottrott, about which you can read more in my previous Alsace affordable luxury hotel blog.
This town is located quite centrally in Alsace, just a half hour’s drive from Strasbourg and about an hour from Colmar, but also very near other quaint towns and the famous wine route.
Instagrammable Alsatian architecture
What makes Alsace truly distinctive is its half-timbered architecture. This style, known as ‘Colombage’, can be recognized by exposed wooden frames and walls made of brick, clay, or stone. The buildings are often painted in bright colors like yellow, pink and blue, that make the streets even more photogenic.
The steeply pitched roofs are characteristic of Germanic influence, designed to withstand heavy snowfalls in the colder months.
Some of the most famed towns in the Alsace are Strasbourg, Colmar and Riquewihr.
The first is the capital of the region, with a beautiful old town, the Grande Île, a UNESCO site.
And the La Petite France district is a must-see as well, with its winding canals and charming medieval houses, one of the most picturesque parts of the city.
The town of Colmar is particularly well-known for its stunning architecture and canals, which have earned it the nickname 'Little Venice'.
And Riquewihr, surrounded by vineyards, has 2 city walls and narrow streets lined with colorful houses that date back to the 16th century.
It was voted one of the most beautiful villages in France for a reason, see why in this gallery:
Read all about it in my Alsace X-mas blog, with many recommendations for Strasbourg, Riquewihr, Kaysersberg and Colmar, especially before Christmas.
This trip I did however also visit many of the smaller towns, which I really liked, and are much quieter. Therefore also better for those Instagrammable shots, as you can see in below pictures.
Alsace’s most picturesque villages & Instagrammable spots
Alsace is well-known for its fairy-tale-like villages, which are straight out of a storybook, with their cobbled streets, half-timbered houses, and colorful facades adorned with flowers and Baroque influences.
But did you know that there are many hidden gems in this region, towns that are smaller, lesser-known, but evenly photogenic as Colmar and Strasbourg?
I explored 6 more during this trip and am happy to show you their beauty through my own pictures:
Obernai
Ottrott
Barr
Dambach-la-Ville
Beblenheim
Ribeauvillé
Ribeauvillé is where we stayed secondly during our France trip.
Where to stay in Alsace - France?
For our last days in the northeast of France we found the perfect spa hotel to unwind and explore more of the south of Alsace from.
Hotel Barrière Ribeauvillé stands out for its great combination of luxury and affordability. Located near Colmar, Riquewihr and Kaysersberg, in a quaint town between the vineyards, it has the perfect location.
Ribeauvillé is one of the region's most enchanting villages, renowned for its charming half-timbered houses and medieval ambiance.
The town is framed by 3 castles and has the scenic Vosges mountains as its backdrop.
What sets Hotel Barrière Ribeauvillé apart for me was its hospitality, beautiful location in nature and extensive wellness and relaxation facilities.
It features complimentary parking, a lively casino, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars. And its 3,600 m² wellness center is very popular and accessible for free to all hotel visitors.
The Balnéo spa offers soothing warm waters at 34°C in 2 indoor pools and an inviting outdoor aquatic area, complete with massage jets and a counter-current river. It also has a large sauna, hammam, and a 300 m² relaxation space with restaurant and terrace.
Surrounded by wide views over Alsace’s vineyards and the Vosges Mountains in the distance, with direct views from our superior vineyard view room. Barrière Ribeauvillé had everything we needed to completely relax and enjoy the stunning setting. Get a preview in this gallery:
Moreover, the resort offers 55 rooms and suites to choose from, all with modern amenities. As well as unique activities, from wine tasting tours nearby, to hiking trails through the vineyards and surrounding landscape.
Book your own stay at Barriére Ribeauvillé here.
For more unique hotels in this quaint area check this Ribeauvillé hotels page, the Alsace region page or find a hotel along the wine route.
The Alsace wine route & tastings
No visit to Alsace would be complete without exploring the region’s famous wine route. Alsace is renowned for its white wines, which thrive in the region's unique microclimate.
The wine route stretches over 170 kilometers, passing through charming villages and verdant vineyards. Even more fun to explore by bike which I can highly recommend, because this allows you to follow the bike paths almost directly through the rows of vines.
When you come earlier in the season you will also see many sunflower fields along this route. Unfortunately they had already finished blooming when we visited start September, but it must have been a very Instagrammable sight in August!
Family-run & biodynamic wineries
A factory tour and wine tasting should not be missed here, especially for Alsace’s renowned Riesling and Gewürztraminer wines. We had 2 diferent 5 course wine-tastings at family-run wineries, where we learned about the traditional winemaking process from unique biodynamic vineyards.
We visited Achillée Winery in Scherwiller and Domaine Jean-Huttard in Zellenberg, which I can highly recommend! Find the exact locations for both wineries and our full vineyard route in my Google map.
A drive along the Alsatian wine route is a must for wine enthusiasts, as this scenic route goes directly through the vineyards and quaint villages like Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé, Dambach-la Ville and Colmar.
All filled with authentic wine houses, winstubs and surrounded by lush fields.
Get a taste through this gallery:
And for nature lovers, the Vosges Mountains and the nearby Parc natural régional des Ballon des Vosges are the ideal setting for outdoor activities.
Alsace truly is a region like no other. Its blend of French and German culture, colorful medieval towns, unique architecture, Instagrammable sites and world-class wines, make it a must-visit destination in my book.
Find all info for the beautiful and diverse Eastern France region on the website of Grand Est tourism.
And more French blog inspiration on this France page, with many tips, based on my own experiences from previous trips to this diverse country.
I hope that I inspired your next road trip to the east of France and the Alsace region, as they're easy to reach by car and the perfect destinations to visit in September-October, during wine season. But also extra nice in December with all the Christmas decorations and that typically cozy atmosphere.
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