What is Alsace Famous For? 17 Things You Won’t Want to Miss

Wondering what Alsace is famous for?

Since moving to the capital of Alsace, Strasbourg, in 2019, I’ve been on a mission to uncover its hidden gems. I’ve immersed myself in the culture, indulged in the local cuisine, and traveled all over the region.

So, it’s safe to say I’m an expert on everything in this part of France.

Below I’ll go into detail about what Alsace is famed for and share some of the region’s best-kept secrets.

Table of Contents ▼

Overview: What is Alsace Famous For?

If you’re short on time, I’ve put together a quick summary of this guide.

Here’s a list of what Alsace is most known for:

The Alsace Wine Route
Fairytale Villages
Delicious Food
Christmas Markets
The Strasbourg Cathedral
Fine Wine

17 Things Alsace is Famous For

Alsace stands apart from any other region in France.

It offers a quaint mix of German and French cultures while showcasing medieval castles, vineyards, and traditional villages, all at the foot of the Vosges mountains.

Here are 17 things you won’t want to miss.

1. Fairytale-Like Villages

This is Turckheim's Hotel de Ville or City Hall. I took this photo from the Jardin de Ville or the City Garden. The garden is full of bushes and the City Hall is cream colored and every window has a basket of pink flowers. — Turckheim’s Hôtel de Ville

The villages in Alsace look like they are straight out of a storybook.

Their narrow, cobbled streets wind around rows of colorful timber-framed houses. And the windowsills on every building are decorated with hanging baskets of geraniums.

When I think I’ve found my favorite, I stumble on another. And, for some places like Colmar, where I visited a hundred times, I never get tired of wandering its streets.

One of the most charming villages is Riquewihr. Its main street, Grand Rue, is lined with colorful buildings and surrounded by medieval fortifications.

Then there’s Turckheim. It’s less than 30 minutes by train from Colmar, but it’s often overlooked.

I loved roaming down the side streets.

I discovered so many beautifully decorated houses. But my absolute favorite spot had to be the Jardin de Ville.

From there, I had a fantastic view of the Hôtel de Ville as you can see in the photo I took above.

2. Charming Christmas Markets

This is the Strasbourg Cathedral at the Strasbourg Christmas Market. It's a night so the decorative lights are on. There are white angles with gold trumpets and the lights of the cathedral are also on. — The Strasbourg Cathedral at Market

The Christmas markets in Alsace are, no doubt, the most famous in France.

Every winter, at the beginning of December, the region undergoes a spectacular transformation.

Local vendors fill wooden chalets with handmade crafts and buildings are decorated with festive displays. The air smells of roasting chestnuts and cloves.

It’s a real-life winter wonderland.

Strasbourg hosts one of the oldest and largest Christmas market in France, dating back to 1570. And it’s as enchanting as advertised. I’ve gone every year since 2019 and I still can’t get enough.

There are also smaller, more intimate markets in other cities that are equally charming. Colmar and Kaysersberg are the most well-known among these.

This is the Christmas Market in Munster. There are wooden chalets in front a church and a burning log. — The Christmas Market in Munster

But the one in Munster was my favorite.

They had a few wooden chalets and small burning logs where I could warm my hands.

Most of the market was in front of the Protestant Church (Place du Marché) so I was able to visit everything in a few hours.

And, best of all, there wasn’t a tourist in sight.

It does take some time to plan an itinerary so don’t wait until the last minute.

3. Amazing Wine

This is a bottle of Cremant d'Alsace from Alsace. It's on a wood cutting board and there are two glasses next to it. Wine is one thing Alsace is famous for. — Alsatian Wine

From the bright summer sun to the nutritious soil, Alsace offers the perfect environment for wine growers.

In general, there are seven varieties of grapes in Alsace, each one offering a unique wine. Some of the most famous include Gewürztraminer, Riesling d’Alsace, and Pinot Gris d’Alsace.

You can sample Alsatian wine at any restaurant or winery in the region. But I love going to dedicated wine-growing villages. Mittelbergheim and Dambach-la-Ville are my two favorite places.

In Mittelbergheim, I loved the wine from Domaine Armand Gilg Vigneron Indépendant Vins et Crémants d’Alsace.

And, in Dambach-la-Ville, the wine from Ruhlmann-Schutz and Alsace Charles Frey was incredible.

4. Hearty Cuisine

This is a Tarte Flambée from the Binchstub Broglie in Strasbourg. It has cheese, meat, and lettuce on top. The edges of the crust are burnt. It's sitting on a wood cutting board. — Tarte Flambée

Alsace is renowned for its hearty cuisine. It combines the best of French and German traditions to make some tasty dishes.

One of the most famous is flammekueche, more locally known as tarte flambée.

It’s a pizza-like specialty that consists of thin dough topped with lardons, onions, and crème fraîche.

While many restaurants use a regular oven, it’s not considered a ‘real’ flammekueche unless it’s cooked in a wood-fired oven.

I’ve tried hundreds from all over the region and the best ones are from the Binchstub Broglie in Strasbourg. They even have dessert ones!

Another popular dish is choucroute garnie. It’s made up of sauerkraut, various cuts of pork, smoked sausage, and potatoes.

The best place to try this dish is at Restaurant Gurtlerhoft in Strasbourg. It reminded me of something my grandma would prepare, that’s how good it was.

Then, if you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss out on trying kougelhopf, a traditional Alsatian bundt cake.

5. Rich History

This is an exhibit at the Musée Historique de la Ville de Strasbourg. It's the history of the printing press and show a map of how printing evolved in Strasbourg. — The Musée Historique de la Ville de Strasbourg

Alsace goes back thousands of years, but its most recent history has had the greatest impact.

Fast forward to the end of the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871) and Alsace was annexed to Germany.

It remained German until the end of World War I in 1918, when Alsace returned to French control as part of the Treaty of Versailles.

The region was again taken by Germany during World War II but was returned to France once more at the end of the war in 1945.

It’s this complex history that has shaped the culture and traditions you see today. And, for an expat like me, it’s fascinating to see this melting pot of French and German customs.

There are also a ton of museums where you can learn more about its history.

Of the ones I’ve been to, the MM Park France and the Musée Alsacien are the best museums that cover the history of the entire region.

Then, the Musée Historique de la Ville de Strasbourg is the most comprehensive museum about the history of a single city.

6. Storks

This is the Stork Park in Cernay. There are three stork next and the one in the middle has a stork in it. — Stork Park in Cernay

Every year, during February and March, storks flock to the region to nest. And it’s for this very reason that the stork has become the symbol of Alsace.

In fact, the arrival of the stork marks the start of spring. If you keep your eyes peeled, you can often spot nests on the roofs of houses throughout Alsace.

But my favorite spot to catch a glimpse of these beautiful birds is at the Stork Park in Cernay. I’ve gone several times and it’s an impressive sight, especially during feeding times.

7. The Strasbourg Cathedral

This is the View of Strasbourg from the Strasbourg Cathedral. There are buildings with red rooftops that stretch to the top of the photo and in the distance there is the outline of the Vosges mountains. — View from the Strasbourg Cathedral

A must-see in Alsace is the Strasbourg Cathedral. Not only is it one of the most famous cathedrals in the region but also the country.

This stunning Gothic masterpiece took over 300 years to build and stands at an impressive 142 meters (465 feet) tall.

I love waking up early and watching the sunrise behind the spire. The area around the cathedral is always empty so it gives me time to admire the beautiful architecture.

But that’s not all there is.

It’s also home to an astronomical clock that comes to life every day at half past noon.

Then, there are the views from its platform. I have yet to find a better panorama of Strasbourg.

When I went, I could see as far as the Vosges mountains.

8. The Alsace Wine Route

This is a section of the Alsace Wine Route that I rode my bike on. It's a paved route and on one side there are vineyards and then red vines on the other. — The Alsace Wine Route

No visit to Alsace would be complete without exploring its picturesque wine route.

It stretches from Marlenheim to Thann totaling 170 kilometers (105 miles). Along the way, you will find over 120 villages, each one known for their wine production, history, and architecture.

There are so many ways to explore this route. The most popular way is to drive. And, if you don’t want to rent a car, you can also take the train, bike, and even walk.

If I’m short on time I take the regional TER Grand Est. It stops at some of my favorite villages like Obernai, Barr, Colmar, and Thann. It’s easy, affordable, and efficient.

But when I want to spend several days on the Alsace Wine Route, I hop on my bike.

The terrain is mostly flat, the scenery is stunning, and there are plenty of places to stop.

Of the sections I’ve explored by bike, riding from Ribeauvillé to Kaysersberg was my favorite.

It took me three days because I stopped in Hunawihr, Riquewihr, and Mittelwihr. But it could easily be done in a day.

9. Enchanting Castles

This is the View from the Château du Haut-Barr. On the left there is the side of the castle and on the right in the distance there is the countryside. There are farms, small towns, and forested sections. — View from the Château du Haut-Barr

Alsace is home to some of the most enchanting castles in France. And the list of my favorites continues to grow.

They all offer extraordinary views and are full of history.

The most popular is the Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg. It dates to the 12th century and has undergone significant restorations.

It’s one of the few castles where you can tour furnished rooms and see what it looked like at its peak.

But, of the intact castles, my favorite was the Château du Haut-Barr. The views were incredible, and it was free to visit.

It was also very easy to get to. I went on a day hike from Saverne and stopped off at several other viewpoints (Tour du Brotsch and Rocher du Brotsch) along the way.

Below is a list of other castles that I’ve been to and recommend:

Château du Hohlandsbourg
Château de Saint-Ulrich
Château de l’Ortenbourg
Château de Kaysersberg

10. Fascinating Museums

This is an exhibit at the Alsatian Museum in Strasbourg. THere is a huge copper pot and pots of spices. There's a wooden chair and a stone table in the middle. This is where they would prepare medicines for local Alsatians. — The Alsatian Museum

I’m a huge history buff and I love learning about Alsace’s history. It’s helped me understand more about the region and its culture.

And there’s no better place to learn about Alsace than in its museums.

One of my favorites is the Musée Alsacien in Strasbourg. It showcases traditional rural life and customs of the region.

They have a vast collection of objects, including furniture, clothing, and tools. And, besides my apartment, it’s one of the few places where you can walk inside a half-timbered house.

Then there’s the Musée Unterlinden in Colmar. This is the most visited museum in the region and rightly so.

It’s home to many famous works of art, including the Isenheim Altarpiece by Matthias Grünewald.

But the museum that had the most impact on me was the Struthof Concentration Camp.

It’s a sobering reminder of the atrocities that occurred during World War II.

I struggled to get through certain parts, so be prepared for an emotional experience.

Helpful Tip: Mulhouse is also well-known for its museums. The Cité de l’Automobile and the Cité du Train are the two most famous ones.

11. Colorful Half-Timbered Houses

This is Quai de la Poissonnerie. I took this photo at sunrise so you can see the sun's glow. There is a row of red, pink, blue, yellow, and light pink half-timbered houses. It's next to the canal so there is the reflection of the houses in the water. — Quai de la Poissonnerie in Colmar.

The first thing you’ll notice when you arrive in Alsace is the colorful half-timbered houses. It’s what makes towns like Colmar instantly recognizable.

But there’s more to these colors than just aesthetics.

Historically, the color indicated the homeowner’s profession.

Carpenters, for instance, used blue, while blacksmiths painted their homes red, bakers opted for yellow, tanners chose green, and those in stonework went for beige.

Another theory suggests that the colors blue and red stood for the religious affiliations of the household. Blue symbolized Catholicism and red represented Protestantism.

Over the years, these traditions have disappeared. Homeowners now select colors based on individual tastes.

And you’ll find most towns have at least a few streets that are full of colorful half-timbered houses.

A few of my favorite villages are Strasbourg, Eguisheim, and Turckheim.

But nothing beats Colmar.

Every street I went down had colorful houses, but Quai de la Poissonnerie was the most spectacular.

12. The European Parliament

This is the famous glass building of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. It's surrounded by trees on either side and the canal. — The European Parliament

Alsace, particularly Strasbourg, became a symbol of Franco-German reconciliation and European integration shortly after World War II.

Today, Strasbourg is the official seat of the European Parliament and one of the four capitals of the European Union. It’s also home to the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights.

And, of these institutions, you can visit the European Parliament (for free).

The visitor’s center or the Parlamentarium has self-guided tours where you can learn about the history of the European Union.

I enjoyed seeing how these 27 member states come together to create laws and policies that affect an entire continent.

I went for a second time after I submitted my application to become a French citizen, so it was a very meaningful experience for me. It was like going to Washington D.C. in the United States.

13. The Vosges Mountains

This is the view from the Grand Ballon. There are rolling mountains and there are small towns in the valleys. It's sunny so there is a haze of light over the mountains. — View from the Grand Ballon

The Vosges mountains are my home away from home. And it’s one of the many reasons I decided to move to this part of France.

From hiking and adventure cycling to skiing and snowshoeing, there are tons of outdoor activities. Plus, getting to the Vosges mountains is easy, even without a car.

I’ve hiked hundreds of trails here and never get tired of the breathtaking views.

Some of my favorite hikes have been to the Grand Ballon, Le Hohneck, and the Lac Blanc.

The Vosges mountains are also famous for its ski resorts, making it a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts.

But even if you’re not into skiing or hiking, you can still enjoy the beauty of these mountains by car. The Grand Ballon, Le Hohneck, and the Lac Blanc all have paved roads leading up to them.

There’s even a road called Route des Crêtes that weaves through the mountains. It’s one of the most scenic drives in the area.

14. Gingerbread

This is a photo of my Pain d'Épices. It's heart shaped and decorated in white and pink frosting. And the word Alsace is written on the front. — Pain d’Épices

Not only is Alsace known for its hearty cuisine, but also its gingerbread.

Known as “pain d’épices” in French, gingerbread has been a staple dessert in Alsace since the Middle Ages.

It’s typically made with honey, rye flour, and cinnamon. Then, it’s decorated with frosting or candied fruits.

This delicious treat is so popular there’s, actually, a museum dedicated to it.

The Musée du Pain d’Épices is in Gertwiller, otherwise known as the gingerbread capital.

Here you can learn about the history of gingerbread in Alsace and even sign up for a hands-on workshop. But my favorite part was getting to try some. It was so good I bought a few cookies to take home with me.

Helpful Tip: If you can’t make it to the museum, I recommend the Fortwenger Strasbourg Cathedrale shop. They have some of the best gingerbread cookies I’ve ever had.

15. Its Dialect

This is a street sign written in Alsatian in Strasbourg. — An Alsatian Street Sign in Strasbourg

While French is the official language in Alsace, you’ll also hear a unique dialect spoken by locals.

Alsatian, or Elsässisch, is a Germanic language with heavy influences from French. It’s often described as a mix between German and French.

Even though it’s not an official language, Alsatian has been recognized as part of the region’s cultural heritage.

When I first moved to Strasbourg, I noticed that street signs were written in both French and Alsatian.

I’ve also met quite a few locals who speak this dialect, especially in smaller towns like Molsheim.

It’s not something I hear often and many of my friends who come from Alsace don’t speak Alsatian. However, there have been efforts to promote this dialect in recent years.

16. Mont Sainte-Odile

This is Mont Sainte Odile at sunset. It's a redish stone church with an angle on its highest tower. The church is at the edge of a cliff and there are trees below it. — Mont Sainte Odile

One of the most spectacular places I’ve been to in Alsace is Mont Sainte-Odile.

It was originally a convent dedicated to the patron saint of Alsace, Odile.

While the church is still active, most who visit come for the hotel and views. You can tour the church and the grounds, and even eat at the hotel’s restaurant.

I visited on a hike from Rosheim and stayed at the hotel for one night.

The climb to the top was intense and long, but worth the effort. I got to watch both the sunset and sunrise from the terrace of the former abbey, and it was incredible.

You can also drive to the top and do a day hike in the area if you’re short on time.

Helpful Tip: The gate to the terrace opens at 7:00 am, so if you go in summer when the days are longer, you might miss the sunrise.

17. Alsatian Beer

Local Alsace Beers from Binchstub Broglie in Strasbourg. There are two mugs of beer on a wooden table. — Local Beers from Alsace

Not only is Alsace known for its wine but also its beer.

In fact, it’s one of the largest producers of beer in the country!

Météor and Kronenbourg are the most popular, but my favorite beers come from the microbreweries.

Both Brasserie Boum’R and Brasserie TAAL produce some of the best beer I’ve had. You can even tour their facilities and learn about their beer-making process.

But you don’t have to go to a brewery to try beer from Alsace. Most bars and restaurants have quite a selection.

My two favorite spots to try local beers are Les Berthom and Binchstub Broglie. Both are in Strasbourg and have a huge selection.

Conclusion: What is Alsace Known For?

Alsace is a magical blend of history, culture, and picturesque landscapes.

There are so many things that it’s famous for it’s hard to choose my favorite. I love that it has its own identity, and it stands out from all the other regions in France that I’ve been to. When you’re in Alsace you know you’re in Alsace.

As cliché as it sounds, there is something for everyone here.

Now that you know what makes it famous, it’s time to start planning your trip.

Here is a list of websites and applications that I use to plan my trips in France.