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Alsace

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Of the areas in France, the east is undeniably border country rich in culture and traditions. Estranged to a degree from other parts of France by the Vosges mountains and bordered from Germany by the Rhine, Alsace has been shaped by more than one nation with a history of occupation and conflict.

To really appreciate Alsace you need to know a little about its history as some things are not always how they first appear.

A bateau mouche in Strasbourg

A bateau mouche in Strasbourg

 

The prime example is language - the sing song lingua franca of their day to day parlance may sound like German but in fact it’s a high German dialect with various versions in use. Luckily Alsatians speak French for most daily transactions. But street signs in Strasbourg, since 1991, are bilingual in French and German.

Alsace became part of France in the 17th century and after a relatively quiet period things changed. Since 1871 Alsace - along with most of its neighbour Lorraine - has seen its nationality changed four times. Germany aggressively annexed the area on two occasions with the French assertively reclaiming it in 1918 and 1944.

The resulting combination of teutonic and gallic influences is a boon to both: the region’s Germanic specialities benefit from French refinement and the wines have grape varieties from both countries.

Bas-Rhin


Bas-Rhin

  • Cosmopolitan Strasbourg, home to the Council of Europe, bustles with students and politicians

  • A magnet for Christmas shoppers Strasbourg is dominated by the stark, pink cathedral

  • WWII defences of the Maginot line are largely intact and make for a fascinating visit

Haut-Rhin


Haut-Rhin

  • Follow the wine routes past timber framed houses for the best Riesling

  • Storks are being encouraged to nest in the area again

  • Colmar’s beautifully preserved 16th century townhouses and August wine festival

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