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USEFUL Information about Alsace

Climate of Alsace

If the Alsatian climate doesn't have a particularly good reputation, this is chiefly due to the region's harsh winters. However, the presence of winegrowing here clearly demonstrates the high levels of sunshine to be enjoyed in Alsace during the summer. Sheltered by the Vosges, Alsace also has lower rainfall levels than the neighbouring regions. Additionally, Colmar has an extremely dry microclimate all its own, and is the second driest town in France with just 550 mm of rainfall per year! The Alsatian climate is semi-continental, with major variations according to the time of year.
Alsace frequently enjoys an extremely pleasant Indian summer, which is simply perfect for anyone keen to discover the region. The sheer charm of the golden hues of the Alsatian vineyards and forests, makes a stroll there irresistible, providing visitors with an opportunity to admire nature and to watch the harvests. The mists which appear on the plains and in the damp valleys create a fascinating atmosphere
Winters are cold in Alsace, with abundant snowfall on the Vosges range, much to the delight of skiers. Out on the Alsatian plains, snow is less frequent than in the mountains, and the mist and fog tend to hang around longer. Frost is also commonplace on the plains, with approximately 80 days of frost per year.

Although sometimes highly changeable, spring is generally mild and bright in Alsace with a few showers and cold spells. The snow-covered peaks of the Vosges contrast with the greenery of the meadows. During May, nature really comes into bloom, brightening up the countryside and announcing the arrival of summer.

The summers are hot and dry here. Alsace is an extremely pleasant region to visit from June onwards. Out on the plain, temperatures frequently reach 30 or 35°C. Fortunately, the cooler and higher altitudes of the Vosges provide some relief from the heat. During this time of year, the levels of sunshine are comparable to those seen in the towns of southern France.
 

Tourism Office of Alsace

Comité Régional du Tourisme d'Alsace
20A, rue Berthe Molly
BP 50247
68005 Colmar cedex
France

Phone : +33 (0)3 89 24 73 50
Fax : +33 (0)3 89 24 73 51

GET IN ALSACE

By car

Wherever you're travelling from, getting to Alsace by car is simple.

From France

- From Paris, the A4 will take you to Strasbourg, passing close to Châlons-en-Champagne and Metz.
- From northern France, take the A1 followed by the A26 as far as Reims. From there, you can take the A4 which will bring you to Strasbourg.
- From the west and the south-west, the quickest option is to travel to Paris via the A8 or the A11. You can then continue your journey via the A4.
- From the south, you should take the A7 as far as Lyon and then take the A42 and the A40 to Bourg-en-Bresse. Next, the A39 followed by the A36 will take you to Besançon where you should head for Mulhouse via the A35.

From Switzerland

Take the N2 from Bern or the N3 from Zurich as far as Basel. You should then take the A35.

From Belgium

Take the E411 to Luxembourg and then branch off via the A4 to continue on to Strasbourg.

By plane

Alsace has two major international airports: Basel-Mulhouse airport in the Upper-Alsace and Strasbourg airport in the Lower-Alsace. Numerous national and international airlines offer daily services to and from the Alsatian airports.

Basel-Mulhouse airport

Air France operates flights from Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Marseille and Rennes. Easyjet also offers services to Mulhouse from Paris and Nice. When you arrive at the airport, renting a car or taking a taxi couldn't be simpler.

Strasbourg airport

Strasbourg offers regular services to and from around 30 destinations, including 11 French cities and 18 international cities.

By boat

How about travelling to Alsace by boat? Waterborne tourism offers visitors many opportunities to discover the region from a whole new angle.

You can travel to Alsace via two excellent canals: the Marne-Rhine canal in the north, and the Rhone-Rhine canal to the south.

The Rhone-Rhine canal

This canal offers a marvellous trip of approximately 200 km through the impressive landscape between Dôle and Mulhouse. During your journey, you'll encounter a number of outstanding canal structures including locks, tunnels and aqueducts. You can complete the entire journey within a week, during a trip which takes in the towns of Dôle – Besançon – Baume-les-Dames – Montbéliard – Belfort and Mulhouse. A new canal link between Strasbourg and Colmar is currently in the process of being created, thanks to the reopening of a 24 km section between Artzenheim and Friesenheim.

The Marne-Rhine canal

With its forests and lakes, the landscape around the canal is simply outstanding. On your way you'll see a number of monuments including castles and windmills. When you arrive in Alsace you will be using the Artzwiller lift with its tunnel and inclined plane, a feature unique of its kind in Europe! The boat lift carries boats and canal barges from the upper to the lower canal, travelling up a 41% slope for a distance of 128 metres. The Marne-Rhine canal crosses Alsace and Lorraine for a distance of 152 km including 58 locks, travelling via Nancy, Lagarde and Saverne.