Summer in Alsace – Visit Metz, Nancy, Colmar and Strasbourg

The Alsace region is one of the most unique places in France. When you are there, you might be thinking, is it more German, is it more French? The answer is – it is Alsace. A unique and stunning combination of the best of both German and French cultural, architectural and cuisine experiences all in one place.

The Alsace region was originally conquered by the Roman’s in 1 BCE. In the 5^th century CE it was conquered by the Allemanni (Germanic peoples), but then later conquered by the Franks and became a Frankish duchy. This history of occupation and ownership continued over the centuries – then the region belonged to Germany, then to France, until today, where it is officially a region of and a part of France (see here). This complex history of ownership, however, affords us a rich cultural, culinary and architectural experience to enjoy when visiting this region. It is simply unique and a must-visit.

We did a self-drive road trip from Luxembourg to the Alsace region and had great fun! We stayed in a small town called Dambach-la-Ville which is centrally located between Colmar and Strasbourg. Here is our jam-packed self-drive trip itinerary.

DAY 1

Depart Luxembourg (ideally in the morning), drive to Metz +/- 1 hour drive

What to see:
Visit the Porte Des Allemands (German Gate) – a turreted city gate built in the 13^th and 15^th centuries, and Chapelle des Templiers (Chapel of the Templars) to enjoy some fascinating history.  

Where to stop:

#Fox Coffee – the first independent coffee shop in Metz. Offering a range of light meals, but most importantly, stunning coffees.

Depart Metz, drive to Nancy +/- 55 minutes

What to do:

Enjoy a stroll around the town, visit the old town (Ville Vielle) and if you enjoy art – we highly recommend spending some time at Musée des beaux-arts (Fine Art Museum) and enjoy rooms filled with stunning works of art from across centuries.

Where to eat:

Les Freres Marchand to enjoy delicious local dishes, but more specifically to discover some of the best cheeses from Lorraine.

Depart Nancy, drive to and stay in Dambach-la-Ville

We booked stunning Airbnb in this little town. It is nothing other, than simply an adorable small town to stay in. The quaint little houses, the building styles, the bakery and the entrance gates to the town all contribute to such a unique feel and atmosphere. Not only is this town unique in appearance, it is also a wine-producing village – the surroundings of vineyards are gorgeous, and their vineyards produce some of the finest Alsatian wines.  

DAY 2

Staying in Dambach-la-Ville meant that we were nicely located between Colmar and Strasbourg. Two main cities to see and explore in the beautiful Alsace region.  

Depart from Dambach-la-ville to Colmar (+/- 30 minutes)

What to see:

Take a leisurely stroll and enjoy the beautiful colour-framed houses and buildings. Visit the Quai de la Poissonnerie (Fishmonger District), the Quartier des Tanneurs (Tanner’s District) and the town square Place de l’Ancienne Douane

What to do:

Taking a boat trip is recommended. It is relaxing and great fun. The guide tells you all about the region, customs and history whilst you see Colmar from a different angle –  the river. Find the boats here.

Where to eat:

Book at Au Chasseur and enjoy a stunning lunch in a typical Alsatian setting.

Day 3

Depart from Dambach-la-Ville to Strasbourg (+/- 50 minutes)

What to do:

Strasbourg truly has a lot to offer. A great place to start is at Grande Île (the city centre) to enjoy the colourful surroundings and historical atmosphere. Palais Rohan (Rohan Palace) is at Grand île and hosts three museums to visit – archaeological museum, museum of fine arts and the museum of decorative arts. You can also visit to the Strasbourg Cathedral, and many of Strasbourg’s medieval churches (St Thomas church Saint-Ettienne church, St.Paul’s church – to list a few). The Gutenberg square is close to the cathedral and features a statue of the inventor of the printing press (Johannes Gutenberg). A picturesque area to also enjoy is Petite France (little France) to admire the old half-timbered houses and to walk at the water’s edge and soak up the scenery.

 Where to eat:

The Gutenberg square offers many lovely outdoor terraces where you may stop for a drink, light snacks or lunch.

Wine! On the way back to Dambach-la-Ville, stop in Gertwiller, and do a tour and wine tasting at Au Péché Vigneron – wines and Crémants d’Alsace ZEYSSOLFF. They are 11th-century winemakers (from the same family) and they grow the 7 Alsation grape varieties. This is a very informative and interesting tour at their beautiful cellars and of course, the wines are stunning.

The Alsace region is truly a magical place with much more to discover than what we could cover in this self-drive trip. Definitely a region with lots to see and to do, and worth a few returns.