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Tourist information for Alsace-Lorraine and Franche-Comté
Alsace-Lorraine and Franche-Comté: Attractive medieval villages, woods
and quaint towns make Alsace a much visited area. Its neighbour Lorraine is less
well known although it was the site of the battle of Verdun, one of the most
tragic of the First World War. The adjoining mountainous Jura and Vosges has
high forests, lakes and meadows, gorges and waterfalls and is excellent for both
cross-country skiing in the winter and mountain biking and walking in the
summer.
Activities in Alsace-Lorraine:
Cross country skiing in the Jura and near Cernay in the Vosges, mountain biking,
cycling, walking and motoring, particularly in the Vosges and Jura mountains.
Special attractions in Alsace-Lorraine:
Parc regional des Vosges; ruined castles near Wissembourg and Selestat; Routes
du Vin in the southern Vosges and Jura; Le Struthof concentration camp (a bitter
reminder of the last war); Foret de Chaux and de la Jaux in the Jura, the latter
being a beautiful ancient pine forest; the stalagtite caves of the Jura.
Map of Alsace-Lorraine
Towns in Alsace-Lorraine and the Jura:
Saverne. Picturesque houses, a chateau, roserie and botanical gardens.
Good base to explore the Vosges hills.
Strasbourg. Seat of the European Parliament and Court of Human Rights,
this is a university city with many sights to see and lots to do: an impressive
cathedral; museums of decorative art, archaeology, sculpture, modern art; old
wooden houses, canals and the old centre as well as a municipal Turkish bath.
Frequent music festivals in the summer.
Official Web Site
Nancy. Capital of Lorraine. Ample wining and dining in this 18th century
town famous for its Art Nouveau heritage.
Metz. Battled over since Roman times this town has an interesting mixture
of French and Germanic influences. The cathedral has lovely stained glass, some
of it designed by Matisse. Plenty to do in the evening with many good
restaurants and cafes.
Colmar. Pretty old centre with famous Issenheim altarpiece and focal
point for the Route des Vins and the Southern Vosges.
Besancon. Besancon is a town divided by the River Doubs. On the Northern
shore is the modern town with its shops, modern hotels, railway station and town
hall. On the Southern shore is the old town with its attractive narrow streets,
dominated by the citadel. This was an old clock-making centre which is
commemorated in the local museum.
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