History looms large here, and the region is redolent with memories of the brutal wars and occupations of the 19 th and 20 th centuries. What’s more, this corner of France is castle country, and there are many imposing, impressive reminders of the region’s medieval past in the ruins of Hohlandsbourg and Fleckenstein.

Stretching from the Rhine to the dramatic hills of the Vosges, the Alsace is a natural treasure, and there’s plenty to keep nature-lovers occupied. Outside the cities and towns, the luscious green landscape is the ideal place to retreat from the world. The Renaissance streets of Strasbourg and Colmar, with their painted timbered buildings and cobbled paving stones, offer charm in abundance, particularly at Christmas, when they are dressed in lights and filled with festive markets. Yet, Alsace has so much more to offer beyond its vineyards and its hearty food culture. Throughout the summer, a swathe of festivals and food markets crop up along the wine route, making Alsace an extremely attractive prospect for a summer road trip. The vintage is 1472, and it has survived the ravages of two world wars and countless fires.Īlthough they remain rooted in traditional winemaking, the producers of Alsace wines are also industry pioneers, and it was here that some of the first biodynamic vineyards were established. Indeed, the oldest barrel of wine anywhere in the world may be found in a dark cellar beneath the Hospice of Strasbourg. The Alsace wine route boasts more than 800 vineyards over a distance of 105 miles and offers a host of treats for lovers of viticulture. This is a region with its own dialect, a rich and distinctive gastronomic culture, and an extremely long history of winemaking: people have been producing wine here since the 2 nd century. As may be expected for a place-between-worlds, Alsace has forged its own unique culture and identity, neither totally French, nor completely German, but always, absolutely Alsatian. Simply click on the markers to reveal each location.Īlsace is a quintessential frontier zone, part of that northern French hinterland that has changed hands between France and Germany so often over the centuries. The below map plots out our suggestions of places to see in France, so that you can get your bearings easily. I have absolutely been won over by the diverse nature of France’s landscapes, so today I’m sharing some of my recommendations for the best places to go in France, besides Paris…įrance is a fairly large country (by European standards) and for the uninitiated, it can be a little tricky trying to visualise where everything is.

One that is sure to seduce you with its intoxicating charm and universally appealing lifestyle. Sure, spend a few days eyeing up the Iron Lady, sipping café noir in a quintessential curbside bistro, and learning the art of flaneur… But then drive, train or bus to another corner of l’hexagone to discover another world.

But how do you get to know a country as intricate as France? From the German-influence infiltrating the eastern border, to the Mediterranean flavour of the French Riviera, and the idyllic islands at a tickling distance from the country’s western shores, France is as complex as it is compelling.Īnd while most people who visit France land in Paris, you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you ventured no further than the world’s favourite capital.

Sight seeing in paris dordogne map