World Travel

Alsace, France Travel Pictures

I had high epectations and was not to be disappointed. We traveled by car from Zurich to Mulhouse, Thann, Guebwiller, Colmar, Ribeauville and Riquewihr along the Route du Vin d'Alsace. Due to bad weather, we skipped the mountainous road leading to the Grand Ballon. The highlights were the beautiful villages with their restored streets and buildings, flowers everywhere, good food, strange mixture of Swiss, German and French culture with a sprinkle of French arrogance (at times). We visited just at the end of wine fair time, remnants of which could still be seen. This trip was from 20 to 22 September 2002.

Chef in Mulhouse storefront The town hall
Chef in Mulhouse storefront
The town hall
Individuals propagating untruths got this heavy stone hung around their neck and were paraded around town to the enjoyment and ridicule of the onlookers Two musicians of a trio playing local folk music during vine fair festivities
Individuals propagating untruths got this heavy stone hung around their neck and were paraded around town to the enjoyment and ridicule of the onlookers
Two musicians of a trio playing local folk music during vine fair festivities
Mulhouse used to belong to Switzerland and there are remnants of this legacy everywhere. Street names are also written in German, a lot of people understand German and here's the Son of Tell on a house Facade Colorful Mulhouse Facades
Mulhouse used to belong to Switzerland and there are remnants of this legacy everywhere. Street names are also written in German, a lot of people understand German and here's the Son of Tell on a house Facade
Colorful Mulhouse Facades
You can catch the lift to the top of the round rotating restaurant on the top of Tour de l'Europe for some nice views of Mulhouse View over Mulhouse from Tour de l'Europe restaurant
You can catch the lift to the top of the round rotating restaurant on the top of Tour de l'Europe for some nice views of Mulhouse
View over Mulhouse from Tour de l'Europe restaurant
Mulhouse from above There was a miniature rainbow to be seen in the spray of this wonderful fountain at Tour de l'Europe
Mulhouse from above
There was a miniature rainbow to be seen in the spray of this wonderful fountain at Tour de l'Europe
This is a rather flat building in Mulhouse Mulhouse restaurant bill
This is a rather flat building in Mulhouse
Mulhouse restaurant bill
The beautiful collegiate Church of Saint Thiñbaut at Thann The amazing entrance door of the Collegiate Church in Thann is composed of 150 scenes and 500 characters. Here's a small part of it showing the detail 
The beautiful collegiate Church of Saint Thiñbaut at Thann
The amazing entrance door of the Collegiate Church in Thann is composed of 150 scenes and 500 characters. Here's a small part of it showing the detail 
 
Doorframes in the middle of La Thur river in Thann The Witches Tower dating from 1411 with gun loopholes and it's onion dome from 1628
Doorframes in the middle of La Thur river in Thann
The Witches Tower dating from 1411 with gun loopholes and it's onion dome from 1628
This Thann dog was inspecting everything passing by Multicolored Thann houses by the riverside
This Thann dog was inspecting everything passing by
Multicolored Thann houses by the riverside
Curious Thann cat Relaxing in Colmar sun
Curious Thann cat
Relaxing in Colmar sun
Very nice 'Jugendstil' house in Colmar Colmar Pharmacy dragon
Very nice 'Jugendstil' house in Colmar
Colmar Pharmacy dragon
Martin Schñngauer's triptych of the Virgin in the Rose Bush inside the gothic ñglise des Dominicains Colmar facades
Martin Schñngauer's triptych of the Virgin in the Rose Bush inside the gothic ñglise des Dominicains
Colmar facades
Window of 'Jean Chocolatier Glacier' Stained glass entrance of posh restaurant 'La Maison des Tetes' in Colmar
Window of 'Jean Chocolatier Glacier'
Stained glass entrance of posh restaurant 'La Maison des Tetes' in Colmar
Look at all these pointy roofs in Colmar In Colmar
Look at all these pointy roofs in Colmar
In Colmar
Colmar house The Alsace region have a lot of these signs with a humorous note
Colmar house
The Alsace region have a lot of these signs with a humorous note
Musicians in the old city of Colmar An old Colmar alleyway
Musicians in the old city of Colmar
An old Colmar alleyway
Villa in Colmar In Colmar's 'Petit Venise'
Villa in Colmar
In Colmar's 'Petit Venise'
Eghuisheim is a circular town with concentric streets. You'll land up where you started if you follow one of them for a wonderful walk along the picturesque restored facades of it's old, rather small, houses Eguisheim postbox
Eghuisheim is a circular town with concentric streets. You'll land up where you started if you follow one of them for a wonderful walk along the picturesque restored facades of it's old, rather small, houses
Eguisheim postbox
Eguisheim restaurant sign. It proved to be rather difficult to get just a drink during meal hours in Eguisheim.. Storks are everywhere in Alsace, either live in their nests, high above street level, or in signs and souveniers of the region
Eguisheim restaurant sign. It proved to be rather difficult to get just a drink during meal hours in Eguisheim..
Storks are everywhere in Alsace, either live in their nests, high above street level, or in signs and souveniers of the region
Renaissance fountain in the centre of Eguisheim just below a medieval church dating from the 8th century Storewindow in Eguisheim
Renaissance fountain in the centre of Eguisheim just below a medieval church dating from the 8th century
Storewindow in Eguisheim
Eguisheim facade Even the bank has an appealing facade in Eguisheim
Eguisheim facade
Even the bank has an appealing facade in Eguisheim
The Alsatians are flower crazy. Look at this nice facade in Ribeauvillñ Traditional facade in Ribeauvillñ
The Alsatians are flower crazy. Look at this nice facade in Ribeauvillñ
Traditional facade in Ribeauvillñ
Playful Ribeauvillñ architecture Fountain at Ribeauvillñ
Playful Ribeauvillñ architecture
Fountain at Ribeauvillñ
Vineyard just outside Ribeauvillñ Ribeauvillñ facade
Vineyard just outside Ribeauvillñ
Ribeauvillñ facade
Doorway near Riquewihr town gate Unmistakable sign at Riquewihr
Doorway near Riquewihr town gate
Unmistakable sign at Riquewihr
There are a few parts of Riquewihr which are unrestored and look like this Cat outside Riquewihr bakery
There are a few parts of Riquewihr which are unrestored and look like this
Cat outside Riquewihr bakery
Riquewihr bakery selling delicious sweets and cakes. The most famous are the round Kugelhupfs, which you can see in the glass box at the center of the picture Plaque above the house of a wealthy businessman in Riquewihr
Riquewihr bakery selling delicious sweets and cakes. The most famous are the round Kugelhupfs, which you can see in the glass box at the center of the picture
Plaque above the house of a wealthy businessman in Riquewihr
Tarte Flambñe's are good and popular in Alsace Riquewihr staircase
Tarte Flambñe's are good and popular in Alsace
Riquewihr staircase
Riquewihr facade Vineyards outside Riquewihr
Riquewihr facade
Vineyards outside Riquewihr