Alsace, a town combination of sorts

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It may be hailed as France’s growing winery town, but beyond all the vineyards is the beauty that can summon you as the place offers a great mix of flavors that are influenced by near territories such as Germany and Switzerland.

While the city serves as a melting pot for anything you can find between the two cultures, needless to say France’s own flavor is mixed into it. Alsace is an ideal place to relax, sightsee and get engaged with the beautiful history it boasts as evident in some of its must-visit structures.

Location

Alsace is found at France’s eastern border. To its South is Switzerland, while Germany is situated on its east. Due to its location, the city is filled with plains, fields and forests.

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Alsace is divided into two counties namely Upper and Lower Alsace. The city is a home to over 1.7 million people residing within.

Climate

Alsace has a continental climate which is divided into four seasons. However, due to its location, Alsace does not experience much rainfall compared to other parts of France. Because of this, grapes, which happen to be a primary ingredient for wine making, can grow here without any disturbance from heavy rain.

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Autumn is every September to December. Winters happen between December to March. Spring is from March until June while summers occur between the last part of June until September.

Transportation

The city can be reached mainly though major roads connecting it to nearby towns and cities. For example, Bas-Rhin leads travelers through Paris and France in general via the A4 highway road and N4 road.

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Those who travel by air can use the Euroairport located in Haut-Rhin and just arrange transfers from this destination going to Alsace.

Attractions

Chateau du Haut-Koenigsbourg

This medieval castle provides a good view of the Upper Rhine Plain together with the majestic nature that fits perfectly with the entire view. It is believed that the castle was first built in 1147 and has gone through several renovations since then.

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Considered as one of the most visited tourist destinations in all of Alsace, this castle holds over nine centuries of history which truly worth experiencing first hand.

Chateau Andlau

This is another medieval castle that was built between 1337 and 1344. The rocky spine makes up the sturdy castle which is unique in a sense that it lacks a courtyard, which is a common structure of castles. This is probably because it also served as a defensive edifice that protects its nearby areas from attacks.

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Aside from its physical make-up, the castle also gives a good view of the alluring rivers of Kirneck and Andlau.

Mont-Sainte-Odile

The once sacred convent has been turned into a hotel that gives a good view of Alsace’s plains and other forms of nature surrounding it.

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While the place has been commercially converted for the purpose of tourism, many still go here for pilgrimage and to pay respects to Alsace’s patron saint, Odile.

http://laurenceourac.com/alsace-a-town-combination-of-sorts/

Images:
(1) http://www.upperrhinevalley.com/sites/default/files/public/styles/colorbox/public/content/278/alsace_haut-koenigsbourg_c_crta.jpg?itok=PQnLeAI7
(2) http://kehilalinks.jewishgen.org/maps/alsace.jpg
(3) http://www.frenchmomentsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Thann-French-Moments-39-1024×768.jpg
(4) http://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/alsace/sites/regions_france3/files/assets/images/2016/02/18/maxnewsworldthree272377.jpg
(5) https://i.ytimg.com/vi/XcokQHLJrhY/maxresdefault.jpg
(6) http://www.skypic.fr/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/skypic-chateau-andlau.jpg
(7) http://photos.tourisme-en-france.com/petitesregions/alsace/vosges-centrales/2_mont-saint-odile-alsace.jpg