Practical Guides & Tips

Returning from Alsace and looking for the perfect souvenir for every budget? From magnets and postcards under 5 € to custom gift sets, Alsatian wines and exceptional craft pieces over 50 €, Alsace offers a range of souvenirs and gifts of incomparable richness at all prices. Complete guide to choosing the ideal Alsatian souvenir according to your budget, whether to treat yourself or to spoil your loved ones.

Rain in Alsace? No panic! The region offers a multitude of indoor activities that allow you to fully enjoy your trip even when the sky is grey. Museums unique in Europe, centuries-old wine cellars, cosy winstubs, lively covered markets and craft workshops: rainy-day Alsace reveals an intimate and authentic side that fine weather sometimes obscures. A complete guide for turning a rainy day into a memorable experience.

Kaysersberg - literally "Emperor's Mountain" - is one of the most captivating villages in Alsace. Nestled in the Weiss valley at the foot of the Vosges, it captivates with its ruined castle dominating the rooftops, its medieval fortified bridge unique in Alsace, its architecturally exceptional Renaissance half-timbered houses and its wines ranked among the finest in the region. Birthplace of Albert Schweitzer, 1952 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Kaysersberg wonderfully combines history, culture...

Mulhouse is the great misunderstood of Alsatian tourism. The region's third city with 110,000 inhabitants, it is too often ignored in favour of Strasbourg and Colmar. This is a mistake: Mulhouse houses a concentration of technical museums unique in Europe - the world's largest collection of vintage cars, France's largest railway museum, the electricity museum - and an unexpectedly rich Art Deco and Renaissance historic centre. A city absolutely worth rediscovering.

Eguisheim is often considered the most beautiful village in Alsace, and one of the finest in France. Its unique structure of concentric circles around a medieval castle, its cobbled lanes overflowing with geraniums, its shimmering colourful half-timbered houses and its Grands Crus among the most renowned in Alsace make it an essential destination. Birthplace of Pope Saint Leo IX, Eguisheim wonderfully combines exceptional historical heritage with authentic Alsatian way of life.

Giving a truly personalised gift is possible in just a few clicks. Our gift basket lets you freely choose the products that make up the set, adjust your selection at any time, and complete your order with ease. Follow this step-by-step guide to create the perfect gift.

Alsace is one of the most enjoyable cycling regions in France. Its moderate relief on the plain, its cycle path network among the densest in Europe, its half-timbered villages connected by greenways between vineyards and forests, and its generous gastronomy at every stop make it an ideal destination for discovering the region on two wheels. Whether you are an experienced cyclist or a Sunday rider, Alsace by bike promises unforgettable memories.

Riquewihr is nicknamed the "Pearl of Alsace" and the title is well-deserved. This medieval village of 1,200 inhabitants, nestled within its 16th-century ramparts at the heart of the Alsatian vineyard, is one of the best-preserved architectural ensembles in France. Its cobbled lanes lined with pastel-coloured Renaissance half-timbered houses, its flower-decked fountains and its renowned wine cellars make it a magical destination in every season - and particularly in winter when snow and...

Ribeauvillé is one of the most captivating medieval towns in Alsace. Dominated by three castles perched on the Vosges ridges, it stretches its main street lined with Renaissance half-timbered houses between the Alsatian plain and the first vineyard slopes. Town of the famous Pfifferdaj - the minstrels' festival - and cradle of wines ranked among the finest in Alsace, Ribeauvillé is an essential stop on the Wine Route that one never tires of revisiting.

Haut-Koenigsbourg castle is the most visited tourist site in Alsace after Strasbourg, with nearly 500,000 visitors per year. Perched at 757 metres altitude on a rocky spur of the Vosges dominating the Alsatian plain and the Rhine, this medieval fortress magnificently restored at the beginning of the 20th century offers an exceptional panorama and a fascinating immersion in the history of medieval Alsace. An absolute must for every visitor to the region.

Obernai is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Alsace. Nestled at the foot of the Vosges some twenty kilometres south of Strasbourg, it captivates with its lively market square, its Gothic belfry, its medieval ramparts and its colourful half-timbered houses. Birthplace of Saint Odile, patron saint of Alsace, and the natural starting point of the Wine Route, Obernai is an essential stop for those wishing to discover authentic Alsace away from the crowds of Strasbourg and Colmar.

Alsace in winter is a unique and unforgettable experience. When snow covers the half-timbered rooftops of the Wine Route villages, when Christmas markets illuminate the medieval squares and winstubs fill with the scent of mulled wine and cinnamon, the region reveals its most magical and authentic face. Far from the summer crowds, winter Alsace offers an incomparable way of life and atmosphere that alone justifies the journey.

Alsatian Christmas decoration is one of the richest and most poetic there is. Mouth-blown glass baubles, woven straw stars, table sets embroidered with traditional motifs, terracotta lanterns and fragrant fir garlands: each element tells a story and contributes to creating the magical and warm atmosphere that has made Alsace's reputation at Advent time. This guide accompanies you in decorating your home the Alsatian way with authenticity and elegance.

Alsace is one of the most romantic regions in France. Its flower-decked half-timbered villages, its vineyards turning gold in autumn, its intimate winstubs and its castles perched on the Vosges ridges naturally set the scene for a perfect couple's escape. Whether you are looking for a memorable weekend, a gastronomic getaway or an original gift for your other half, this guide helps you live an unforgettable Alsatian experience for two.

Sélestat is one of the most overlooked and most captivating cities in Alsace. Sandwiched between Colmar and Strasbourg on the Wine Route, it is all too often driven through without stopping. This is a mistake: this medieval city is home to one of the most precious libraries in Europe, two remarkable churches and an authentic historic centre untouched by mass tourism. This guide invites you to discover it differently.

La Petite France is Strasbourg's most iconic neighbourhood. Its half-timbered houses leaning over the canals of the Ill, its cobbled lanes and its locks make it one of the best-preserved medieval ensembles in Europe. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988, this former quarter of tanners, millers and fishermen attracts millions of visitors from around the world every year. This guide takes you on a journey through its history, its monuments and its best-kept secrets.

Do you live far from Alsace or want to give a typical regional gift without travelling? The decoalsace.fr online shop lets you order all Alsatian specialities - food, craft or decorative - and have them delivered anywhere in France and throughout Europe. This guide tells you everything you need to know for a smooth order: delivery times, carriers, packaging and tips for choosing the right products.

An Alsatian wine label is a wealth of information for those who know how to read it. Unlike other major French wine regions, Alsace puts the grape variety front and centre - a distinctive feature that makes choosing considerably easier. Vintage, appellation, late harvest mention or Grand Cru: this complete guide explains every element so you can choose your Alsatian wine with complete confidence.