With its blend of German and Roman influences, Alsace is home to one of the oldest wine routes in France. Stretching from north to south, the 170km wine trail goes through over 70 wine-growing villages. Beyond its vineyards, Alsace is also a fantastic food destination gathering a countless number of top restaurants. We have made for you a lovely 4-day selection of wineries, hotels and restaurants. Want to know more on how to treat yourself to a unique weekend in Alsace?
First of all, you can reach Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace, by train in only 2h from Paris, or by air landing at Strasbourg airport or Mulhouse Freiburg. You can start your weekend either from the north or the south of the region, according to where you arrive from.
In our case, we had prefered to start our long weekend in Strasbourg, capital-city of the region, located in northeastern France. The city is home to powerful international institutions such as the Council of Europe or, the most famous one, the European Parliament. Thanks to numerous heritage sites, Strasbourg town centre has been listed as UNESCO World Heritage. Strasbourg is also the capital of Christmas hosting the oldest Christmas market in the country. Moreover, Alsace is a place where food is seen as a cause for joy and cheerfulness.
Photo credit: Philippe de Rexel for OT Strasbourg
While in the capital-city, stay at the Hotel Regent Petite France & Spa on your first night. This luxurious 5-star hotel is located in the historic centre of Petite France, walking distance from all the major sites. After a long day, their Champagne bar and/or their spa will be there to help you relax and unwind. Later, go for dinner at Au coin des Pucelles, a traditional Alsatian restaurant serving until late in the evening. The following day, enjoy a healthy breakfast at the hotel, relax, stroll around the city and lunch at the Brasserie les Haras for its unique decor and its great wine menu.
Photo credit: Hotel Regent for Winerist / Au coin des pucelles / Brasserie les Haras
In the afternoon, jump on the train to Colmar. It will take about 30mn to reach the second biggest Alsatian city. For an exceptional wine tasting, visit the Domaine Viticole of Colmar located in the heart of the city. For further discovery, tour the vines and visit the winery located outside the city. In the evening, stay in the old town at the charming family-run Hostellerie le Marechal.
On day 3, get in touch with us to arrange a winery tour with pick-up and drop-off at several places. Start with a visit at Pierre Freudenreich & fils winery in the quaint village of Eguisheim. For generations, they have been producing a great range of Alsatian wines such as Gewurztraminer or Riesling Grand Cru. After a few glasses, don’t miss, a few meters away, the Caveau Heuhaus for a traditional lunch.
Later in the afternoon, try the Domaines Schlumberger for a second tasting. Situated on the steep hillsides of the Vosges, the family specialises in biodynamic farming. The 130-hectare vineyard overlooks the valley, dividing the estate with 4 terroirs, and offers guided tours of the vineyard as well as mountain bike rides.
For peace, tranquility and comfort, spend your night at the Chateau d’Isenbourg in Rouffach, 15km away from the winery. Relax around the indoor pool before enjoying a dinner at their gastronomic restaurant.
Photo credit: Freudenreich / Chateau Isenbourg / Schlumberger for Winerist
It’s almost time to go home! On day 4, stroll around the Chateau after breakfast and pack to head back to Strasbourg. The drive back, along the wine trail, offers such beautiful views and will make you want to come back again. Hope to see you soon on the road or around a glass of wine!
Discover more about Alsace in the following article:
