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Photo
by Fabian Charaffi |
| Click
on the image for larger version |
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 A
region situated at the crossroads of Europe, Alsace is a frontier
land that is both open to the world and attached to its own traditions.
Although the Rhine now separates Alsace (and thereby
France) from Germany, the border has moved many times: the region
has changed hands 17 times in 20 centuries – but has never
lost its soul! Today, its strength of character makes it stand proud
as the central region of Europe. Alsace is a land of traditions
(a large number of its inhabitants still speak Alsatian), and one
notably renowned for its cuisine. Its proud list of culinary excellence
includes choucroute, foie gras en croûte and kougelhopf –
all best enjoyed with a glass of Alsace wine. Strongly influenced
by its industrial activity, it's a dynamic region which has managed
to preserve its architectural heritage, both in its villages and
its larger cities – and notably in Strasbourg or Colmar, departure
points along the wines route where the famous vineyards climb up
slopes towards the Vosges, wrapping around fortified châteaux
and villages with their colourful houses. |
