Bas-Rhin Holiday Guide
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A rich heritage, wonderful gastronomy and stunning countryside
Bas-Rhin is certainly not one of the largest departments in France, but it has an extraordinarily rich natural, cultural and architectural heritage to boast of. Imposing castles, distinctive villages of Alsatian style, delicious wines, beers and foods, stunning mountains and forests and the fabulous European capital city of Strasbourg should give you a taste of what you can find in this department!
Top 5 things to see and do in Bas-Rhin
1. Visit the northern Vosges Regional Nature Park
Designated as a UNESCO Biosphere area, this beautiful and completely unspoilt environment is made up of forests, mountains and plateaux. It is a paradise for walkers and nature lovers, with its peaceful atmosphere and clear air, and it attracts many rare species of flora and fauna.
2. Learn about the wines
The department is noted for producing excellent wines, and wine buffs can follow the wine route discovering and tasting wines that include Gewurtztraminer, Muscat, Sylvaner, Reisling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. Vineyard tours can be arranged, and courses in learning about wine form the basis of popular holidays.
3. Enjoy a beer festival
If beer is your preferred tipple, take heart, because this is one of the best beer producing regions in Europe. Beer festivals take place throughout the department, and are always colourful, vibrant events.
4. Mount Sainte Odile
The Mount Sainte Odile Monastery is well worth a visit. Guided tours of this important pilgrim site are available, in several languages (including English), and the views from the top of the mount are spectacular.
5. Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle
The Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle makes a really good place to include in a look at the best bits of the Bas-Rhin. In excellent condition, having been impeccably restored, the castle has retained its original appearance and even young children will enjoy a look around.
Top 5 towns and cities in Bas-Rhin
1. Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital city of Bas-Rhin, and also of Alsace - and Europe, being home to the European Council, the European Parliament and the European Court of Human Rights. Strasbourg's historic centre is on the UNESCO Heritage list, and the city offers enough to see and do to make it a perfect location for city breaks. "Must see" sights include the Notre Dame Cathedral and the cathedral square, the old tanners district and many superb museums and cultural centres. The city is also something of a mecca for shoppers, while gastronomes can enjoy a choice of excellent restaurants. Strasbourg hosts many festivals and other cultural events throughout the year.
2. Obernai
The beautiful town of Obernai, on the Alsace Wine Trail, is simply gorgeous, with traditional Alsace style houses of bright colours and external timbers, a charming market square and original architecture. Obernai is also well equipped with hotels and restaurants, and is a perfect base for holidays in the wine region of Alsace.
3. Mittelbergheim
This lovely historic village is listed as one of the most beautiful in France. Its tiny, winding streets and authentic renaissance buildings create a delightful atmosphere, and lovers of fine food and wine will be in seventh heaven, with excellent gourmet restaurants and wine centre on hand for added pleasure.
4. Saverne
Saverne is set in picturesque fashion on the Marne Rhine Canal, and has a large and lively marina where pleasure boats come and go all season. Sights in town include the fabulous chateau, the Katz House and many old houses with external timbers, typical of the region.
5. Sélestat
The elegant old town of Sélestat is another place well worth adding to a trip around the Bas-Rhin. Renaissance buildings create an immediate visual impact, and the town's "pièce de résistance" is the vast Humanist Library, home to many important, rare and valuable books.
Food and drink in Bas-Rhin
The gastronomy of Bas-Rhin is as exceptional as its heritage, beauty and culture. The decisions you will have to make involve what not to eat or drink, rather than what to try! Some of the best loved wines in France are made in the department, as are some fine Alsace beers, as well as drinks such as Eau de Vie. Foods that are popular in Bas-Rhin include Foie Gras, gingerbread, pretzels, a special fruit and nut brioche known as Alsatian Brioche, a delicious bacon tart known as Flammekeuche and, of course, the pride of the Alsace, Sauerkraut.
How to get to Bas-Rhin
To arrive by air, you could take a flight to Strasbourg (though there are currently no direct flights from/to the UK), or travel by rail, changing at Paris. Basel Mulhouse Airport in neighbouring Haut-Rhin, has direct flights to/from the UK with British Airways, Air France and easyJet. Meanwhile, those who want to take the car and make the ferry crossing will find the ports of Dieppe, Calais and Dunkirk convenient.
