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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.
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A bateau mouche in Strasbourg
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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.
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Cosmopolitan Strasbourg, home to the Council of Europe, bustles
with students and politicians
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A magnet for Christmas shoppers Strasbourg is dominated by
the stark, pink cathedral
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WWII defences of the Maginot line are largely intact and make
for a fascinating visit
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Follow the wine routes past timber framed houses for the best
Riesling
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Storks are being encouraged to nest in the area again
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Colmar’s beautifully preserved 16th century townhouses
and August wine festival
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