1. Up until just a few years ago, Alsace was not a region of France I’d ever visited before. I knew about it, of course, in the vague sort of way one learns about places in history books: its status as a region passed back and forth between France and Germany through the ages. But after a visit to Strasbourg with my sister (and one to Selestat to report on a man operating a tiny traveling bookshop), I started to get to know the region a bit more.
2. I must admit that the impetus behind my most recent visit was my discovery of – and love for – the region’s wine. With a richness of varietals and of innovative natural winemakers, Alsace has quickly become my new favorite wine region.
3. But that’s far from all this region has to offer. We started our journey in Strasbourg, one of France’s largest cities and home to this glorious cathedral that shares the name of the one in Paris.
4. Boasting beautiful stained glass of a beautiful emerald color, it is certainly a sight to behold.
5. Due to confinement, some of Strasbourg’s better known tourist attractions remain closed or limited. But all you really need to do to get an idea of its richness is take a walk along the river that runs through it, lined with brightly colored homes.
6. This less ostentatious one was my favorite.
7. Strasbourg is easy to access from Paris, with a 3-hour TGV or 5-hour TER bringing you right into the city from Gare de l’Est. But we stayed just a day: we had other horizons to discover.
8. Driving along the départementales, it’s impossible to miss some of the beautiful little villages of Alsace.
9. Following them deeper along the Route des Vins, one is catapulted into masses of green, which will soon be transformed into Riesling and Gewurstraminer, Sylvaner and Pinot Noir and Auxerrois.
10. Clé du Sol has quickly become a favorite following a discovery at one of my favorite local wine bars, Chez Monsieur Henri. These natural wines are made to last, though they’re still tasty drunk fresh and young.
11. I had considered spending the next night in Colmar, but seeing as I was keen to get some fresh, countryside air, we settled for a walking tour through the small city center. Next time, this will surely be my home base.
12. Like Strasbourg, Colmar boasts a beautiful cathedral made of sandy red stone.
13. And also like Strasbourg, Colmar’s cathedral has some truly unique panes of stained glass.
14. I loved this little house, set on the block like a snaggletooth.
15. And I loved, too, the bright red of this house, set against the pink of the church behind it.
16. Baby pink and baby blue, set side by side, add to the charm of this village.
17. After Paris’ limestone, I just couldn’t get enough of these colors.
18. (Or the wild storks.)
19. I hadn’t even boarded the train back to Paris before beginning to plan my next trip back – for beautiful vistas, for wine, and for food. (Yes, of course there’s food. Check back tomorrow for more!)