Camping in the Alsace

There are numerous options for a holiday on a campsite in Alsace, for example the lush meadows along the Rhine between Strasbourg and Mulhouse. The shallow hills of the Vosges also tempt you to enjoy a relaxing holiday. Here you can embark on a hiking trip and get some exercise in the fresh air. The towns of Alsace fascinate with their Franco-German architecture and hearty cuisine.

Special features of camping in Alsace

Alsace is located in the north-east of France and stretches from north to south along the Rhine on the border with Germany. It is the many small, idyllic towns that make the region so attractive. Picturesque farms and historic old towns, country inns with typical Alsatian cuisine and the fascinating city of Strasbourg with its Romanesque-Gothic architecture are all good reasons to visit the region.

The Vosges offer the best conditions for camping in Alsace as well as for sporting leisure activities. There is a large selection of campsites with beautifully situated pitches, mobile homes for several people and pitches for travellers with tents. Hiking and cycling tours along the Alsace Wine Route are very popular with holidaymakers.

Campsites in Alsace

Alsace has a wide range of campsites with modern facilities. Travellers with a motorhome or caravan can book a pitch with electricity. Holidaymakers with a tent can look for a nice place to spend the night on the campsite. Alternatively, many campsites also offer mobile homes for several people. Depending on the category and number of nights, there are corresponding costs. A speciality is certainly the overnight stay in a luxury caravan or larger camping barrel. Modern sanitary facilities, bike hire, electricity and play facilities for children are a matter of course on the campsites.

How to get there

A holiday at one of the campsites in Alsace takes travellers to the east of France. From Germany, you can reach the region via the A5 motorway. The motorway runs parallel to the Rhine and the Black Forest on the Baden-Württemberg side. You can cross the river by motorhome or caravan at Baden-Baden, Kehl and Rust and are already in Alsace. Which bridge you choose depends on whether you are travelling to northern Alsace, Strasbourg or, for example, Colmar in the Vosges.

The A5 motorway provides a direct link from Frankfurt and Bad Hersfeld to the French border. The motorway can be easily reached via the A7, which leads south from Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg and Lower Saxony. From the federal state of Hesse with Frankfurt, travellers are around 200 km from Strasbourg.

Destinations in Alsace

Alsace is an ideal destination for anyone who wants to discover historic cities on the cultural border between France and Germany.

Strasbourg

Strasbourg fascinates visitors with its Gothic and Romanesque architecture in the centre. The cathedral in particular, with its magnificent red sandstone façade from the Vosges mountains, immediately catches the eye. You can stop off at one of the many cafés or restaurants on the cathedral square. Other buildings worth seeing include the city residence of the bishops, Palais Rohan, and the picturesque tanners' quarter, Petite France or Little France.

Colmar

Colmar is located in the heart of the Vosges and is the best starting point for a hike or cycle tour through this region. Gentle hills and tranquil vineyards are waiting to be discovered by camping holidaymakers. Situated on the Alsace Wine Route, you can sample delicious wines here. In the old town centre, visitors will find a number of wine bars in the picturesque half-timbered houses.

Hagenau

Hagenau is located in the north-east of Alsace, just 40 kilometres from Baden-Baden. Its proximity to the Rhine and the vast plains of the region is an advantage. Cycling tours are one of the most popular activities in this region. The baroque town houses built here in the 18th century are well worth seeing. Remains of the former imperial palace have also been preserved.

Top 5 sights

• Strasbourg Cathedral: With its Gothic tower and red sandstone façade, Strasbourg Cathedral is one of the most famous landmarks in Alsace.
• Old town of Colmar: In the old town of Colmar, you can admire the picturesque little half-timbered houses and the Renaissance-style head house.
• Mulhouse Town Hall: The town hall of the southern Alsatian town of Mulhouse was built in the 16th century in the Renaissance style and fascinates visitors with its trompe-l'œil paintings.
• Rhine meadows: In the east of Alsace, travellers can explore the Rhine floodplains by bike and enjoy the view across to the German bank.
• Vosges Mountains: The low mountain range entices travellers to go on extensive hikes and bike rides.

Activities and excursions

The Vosges Mountains and the Rhine floodplains in particular entice travellers to enjoy active leisure activities during their camping holiday, ranging from cycling tours along the wine route, to the Bay of Bouleaux and mountain biking through the impressive landscape, to rowing and hiking in Alsace.

Cycling tours on the banks of the Rhine

The Rhine in particular is a beautiful destination for excursions when camping with bike hire. From Basel or Mulhouse in Switzerland, for example, you can set off northwards along the banks of the river on your bike. Along the way are tranquil communities such as Blodelsheim and Hagenau. You can also make a stop in the Gothic-style regional capital of Strasbourg.

Hiking in the Vosges

The Vosges are the perfect destination for a hike. Starting from the campsites, the low mountain range is a wonderful place to explore. From peaks such as the Großer Belchen, the Storkenkopf and the Hoheneck, you can enjoy fantastic views over the region. Other possible hiking destinations include Lac Blanc, Lac Noir and Lac de Kruth Wildenstein, three tranquil lakes in the Vosges.

Sightseeing

It's not just the big cities such as Strasbourg and Colmar that are worth a visit. Many smaller communities such as Blodelsheim, Gresswiller, Ribeauvillé and Hagenau are always worth a visit thanks to their remarkable half-timbered architecture. The rural flair tempts you to stop off at one of the local beer gardens or country inns.

events

April

• Obernai Circus Festival: In this small community, residents and travellers alike can be wowed by jugglers, clowns and tightrope walkers. The highlight is the closing gala in front of the town hall on 1 May.

May

• Snail festival: At the beginning of May, Osenbach organises races with snails over a distance of 50 cm. The participants in this race can also be eaten with garlic butter and fresh baguette.

June

• Fête de la Musique: Free concerts are organised throughout France at the beginning of summer, including in the cities of Alsace. Strasbourg in particular is a top destination for music lovers at this time of year. In some villages in Alsace, large bonfires are lit on 24 June to celebrate the start of summer.

August

• Colmar Wine Festival: For almost two weeks, holidaymakers can sample Alsatian wines and regional cuisine in Colmar. The accompanying programme includes pop concerts and folklore dances.

September

• Festival Européen du Film Fantastique de Strasbourg: This unique science fiction and fantasy festival has been held in Strasbourg every autumn since 2008. The film events are accompanied by panel discussions and activities such as zombie walks

Gastronomy

The cuisine of Alsace is characterised by influences from France and Germany. The classic dish par excellence is the tarte flambée, an Alsatian version of pizza with cream, bacon and onions. Another favourite is the sauerkraut dish choucroute, which is usually served with smoked pork and sausages. The so-called Schiffala, a smoked piece of pork shoulder, is also often served with sauerkraut.

Best time to visit

Especially in summer, Alsace is a popular destination for anyone who wants to spend time on a campsite. Temperatures in July and August are up to 26 degrees Celsius. In June, you can expect temperatures of around 23 degrees Celsius. It's also worth travelling to Alsace in May and September, when temperatures reach a maximum of 21°C. Spring and autumn are ideal for hiking, cycling and other sporting activities in a pleasantly mild climate. Culture fans and lovers of city tours can also plan their holiday in March and April or in October when the temperature is around 16 degrees Celsius.