Camping by the lake in Alsace

As a particularly water-rich region, Alsace in the north-east of France on the border with Germany and Switzerland invites you to enjoy a carefree family and active holiday. Long hikes take you to romantic glacial and mountain lakes and through one of the 21 nature reserves. Guests with children can splash around on the well-tended beaches by the water.

Top tips

• The doctor and philosopher Albert Schweizer is one of Alsace's most famous personalities. In the heart of the Nobel Prize winner's birthplace, Kayserberg, visitors can immerse themselves in the eventful life story of the thinker and admire numerous valuable exhibits from his time in Gabon, Africa. The museum is just 13 kilometres from Colmar, where there are well-kept campsites by the lake.
• Rhinau is an insider tip for water sports fans: when camping in Alsace by the lake, it's not just standing water that attracts you to be active, the Rhine also invites you to paddle and canoe. A visit to the Rheinau Island nature reserve in the middle of the river is also worthwhile. Take a boat trip on a flat-bottomed barge through the fascinating floodplain landscape.

Activities and excursions

Families feel just as at home at the campsite by the lake in Alsace as active holidaymakers: in addition to well-tended bathing beaches, there are well-developed hiking trails through the countryside.

Swimming fun and water sports in Alsace

Guests feel particularly at home at the campsites by one of the well-maintained bathing lakes. One of these is located near Rhinau on the left bank of the Rhine. In addition to a spacious sunbathing lawn, there is even a small sandy beach where the youngest children can build castles while their parents relax. Water lovers can also enjoy a relaxing outdoor holiday at the Bassin des Mouettes in Lauterbourg, which is located close to the German border. In addition to a fine sandy beach, guests can enjoy a playground and a climbing wall. The Total Jump water park is also an attraction for daredevils. Diving boards, inflatable water attractions and slides ensure hours of fun. Guests can actively explore Alsace on guided canoe tours: The Ill near Colmar, for example, is ideal for this.

Worthwhile hiking destinations by the lakes

Extensive hikes take you to the most beautiful lakes in Alsace. A round trip of just over 8 kilometres leads to the highest mountain lake in the Vosges, the Lac des Truites. Through the fascinating Gazon du Faing nature reserve, the route leads through the heath to the Taubenklang rock. The magnificent view of the water is well worth a rest here. Soon you will see Lac Vert, which is named after the green colouring caused by algae. The Lac de Krutz-Wildenstein in the southern Vosges is also a worthwhile excursion destination. A 6-kilometre, family-friendly tour leads around the reservoir, mainly close to the shore. Towards the end of the tour, explorers climb up the Schlossberg to admire the romantic Wildenstein ruins. At the end of the tour, families like to visit the Arbre-Aventure climbing park with its ten courses in the dense forest.

Events

Interesting events round off the varied holiday programme at Camping am See in Alsace.

May

• Jazz Festival Munster: The Jazz Festival in Munster has been delighting guests since 1988. Various genres of swing, blues and gospel music can be heard.

July

• Fête de la Sorcière Rouffach: The witches' festival in Rouffach begins with the traditional parade. Visitors are entertained by a medieval market and a light show at nightfall. The youngest visitors can look forward to face painting and the witches' carousel.

August

• Eguisheim Winegrowers' Festival: The picturesque winegrowing estates in Eguisheim open their doors for the Winegrowers' Festival and invite visitors to enjoy wine tastings. Live music and folklore performances also provide entertainment.