Deep in the Eastern part of France, where the beautiful, old-timey, and elegantly looking villages of the famous mountains of Vosges are, is the city of Alsace. Alsace is a culturally rich place where the historical beauty of the different areas of France is featured.
The city has been occupied by the Germans for quite a long time; thus, it has been commonly mistaken as part of Germany. However, the city of Alsace is situated in the territory of France. Famous for its gastronomy, little villages funded with floral displays and vines, their Christmas markets, and their old-time joyous vibes during the holiday season, visiting the town Alsace is arguably the destination of a lifetime.
10 Colmar
Colmar is best known for its colorful display of petals and flowers and is titled “Ville Fleurie,” which means “The Flowering City.” Colmar is located in the northeastern part of France, close to the borders of Germany. The old town portrays the classic old luxurious Alsatian vibe since it is surrounded by half-timbered houses and balconies that have geraniums plants potted that bloom during spring and summer. Within the city lies significant emblems such as the Maison des Tetes, Maison Pfister, and Musee Unterlinden.
9 Riquewihr
Located in the heart of Vosges’s mountain ranges and the Alsace plain lies the small village of Riquewihr. It is regarded as “Most Beautiful Villages of France,” with its picturesque view of the village horizon from afar. Additionally, with a church centering the area, it is definitely something seen in a children’s fantasy book. Guests can enjoy a peaceful, cinematic, leisurely tour when visiting the village, whether it be fountains lying in the heart of the public parks to museums that feature the history of the town because Riquewihr has it all.
8 Obernai
For guests looking for that old-time medieval experience, the City of Obernai, also referred to as the “the Free Imperial City,” is the place to go. Located in the southern area of Strasbourg, France, it is filled with gothic and Renaissance-inspired houses, old rustic town gates, narrow crossing lanes, and burgher’s houses. The city is best visited during the holidays season wherein guests can enjoy the convivial spirit of the town as they celebrate Christmas, along with the lighting of their astonishing Christmas tree and vibrant decorations.
7 Kaysersberg
Filled with half-timbered houses, medieval designed walls, rustic Romanesque-inspired church builds, and historical mansions, the city of Kaysersberg is the place for a tourist to get that old-timey experience. During the holidays, the city is well visited due to its unique and extremely festive displays of old-timey Christmas decorations and themes that bring every tourist’s heart back to their childhood memories. Other attractions include the town’s Christmas Market, where the spirit of Christmas is felt from every inch of the place, the artisanal market, crafts, handmade collections, and many other seasonal offerings.
6 Ribeauville
Located in the northeastern part of France and locally identified as Ribeauvillois, the city of Ribeauville is regarded as a four-star “Village Fleuri” that showcases its beauty through its astonishing cobblestone pathways and ambiance. Guests are encouraged to visit the city during their festival season, i.e., first Sunday of September annually, where they will be enchanted by the village’s lively celebration of their Fiddlers, which is an inspiring event for all music arts and allows the visitors to learn a culture while traveling here.
5 Eguisheim
Located just a few kilometers away from Colmar, this Alsatian Village is famously known for its foothills, which are covered in vines from the Mountain ranges of the Vosges and give every tourist the old-timey, fairy-tale-like ambiance. With architectural designs from the 16th to 17th centuries and stunning floral displays, the village has been awarded multiple rewards and titles, including the country’s most prestigious award, “Grand Prix National de Fleurissement,” Eguisheim was also highlighted as the “Most Favorite Village in France” back in 2013.
4 Selestat
Just outside the city of Strasbourg lies the city of Selestat, a city renowned as the center of humanism back in the 15th and 16th centuries. The city is filled with historical places and is quite abundant with cultural heritage, one of which is the famous old library that was built in 1452. This library holds the oldest and most valuable manuscripts as far as the 7th century. Additionally, another piece of art is the city’s three-story Romanesque church, the Elise Sainte-Foy, which showcases the art glass windows made by Max Ingrid.
3 Valley of Munster
For travelers who seek to be in the center of the villages surrounding the Vosges Mountains, namely Hattstatt, Eguisheim, and Rouffach, and in a place where the famous cities of Colmar and even Turckhelm can be a side trip to the itinerary, then the Valley of Munster is the perfect place. The city is well known for its premium-class cheese and cheese trail. Because of their cheesy cuisine, visiting their marketplace for an exceptional cuisine experience is something one shouldn’t miss out on.
2 Andlau
Andlau village is popularly known for its enchanting symbol of a bear. It is the legend that the area was frequently visited by bears, and so later on it became the city’s symbol significantly dedicated to the Christians residing in the area after the significant moment with Saint Richard. According to golden times back in the 9th century, a bear pinpointed Saint Richard as the location for the Andlau Abbey, one of which is where it currently lies. This explains the church’s crypt, which features a carved bear from stone, while a smaller bear is encrypted in the exterior.
1 Mittelbergheim
Located just a few kilometers away from the village of Andlau is Mittelbergheim, a culturally rich village that features well-crafted buildings that were architecturally and geographically designed; there are beautiful landscapes filled with vines covering the vast fields. Since being built in the 17th and 18th centuries, this beautiful tiny village has been named one of the country’s “Plus Beaux Villages.” Additionally, Mittelbergheim is known for its gastronomy, since its full of traditional cuisines and dishes that are made specially from fresh local harvests.