Provence West

Alsace

The Alsace-Lorraine departement of France, comprising approximately 5,500 square miles of area adjacent to the German border, is, justifiably in our opinion, France's most schizophrenic region...during the past several centuries, residents have changed their citizenship from French to German and back again, more times than we can keep up with, with a brief period of independence from both countries as the Republic of Alsace after World War I.

In the 21st century, Alsace-Lorraine remains French by citizenship, but retains the cultural and historic characteristics of both countries. The architecture, cuisine and language is decidedly Franco-Germanic...buildings feature timbered accents, menus at traditional restaurants are likely to feature traditional French offerings (including the eponymous quiche Lorraine) paired with Gewürztraminer wines, and even the most classically-trained French linguists will have difficulty understanding banter among the locals at the neighborhood bistro/winstub.

History buffs will find this region to be filled with monuments, museums and battlefields...gourmets will swoon over the specialties du region, including foie gras, choucroute formidable, and kugel aux pommes, and wine lovers will tour, taste and buy the region's most famous vintages as they follow the famed Route des Vins which runs along the Vosges foothills, between the major cities of Strasbourg in the north to Colmar in the south, with more than 60 charming and historic wine villages in between.

Alsace-Lorraine is a perfect destination for traveling in any season...in the spring and summer, hikers and cyclists will find the climate perfect for walking, riding or enjoying a picnic along the Route des Vins...in the fall, wine enthusiasts will revel in in the many village celebrations of the vendange, or wine harvest.,,and in winter, shoppers will find unique treasures at the seasonal Christmas fairs held throughout the region.
We invite you to experience this very European, yet still quintessentially French, region...we know you'll understand why it has been fought over for centuries!