Self-catering holiday cottages, gîtes, villas, country houses in France - Alsace

Alsace in mid to north eastern France has 2 administrative regions:

Le Bas-Rhin

Towns include Barr, Boersch, Haguenau, Molsheim, Obernai, Riquewihr, Strasbourg, Saverne, Sélestat, Wissembourg.
Villages include Andlau, Châtenois, Dambach-la-Ville, Ebersmunster, Heiligenstein, Kintzheim, Lembach, Lichtenberg, Mittelbergheim, Mutzig, Neuwiller-lès-Saverne, Rosheim, Villé

Le Haut-Rhin

Towns include Colmar, Mulhouse, Neuf-Brisach, Thann.
Villages include Ammerschwihr, Bergheim, Eguisheim, Gueberschwihr, Hunawihr, Kaysersberg, Munster, Niedermorschwihr, Orbey, Ribeauvillé, Riquewihr, Saint-Hippolyte

• Self-catering holiday cottages and apartments to rent in Alsace

Alsace shares borders with Germany and Switzerland and offers the visitor a variety of landscapes and attractions. The Northern Vosges Regional Nature Park is the place to come for outdoor activities. Walking, horse riding and cycling trails cross this area of outstanding natural beauty, whilst the higher slopes give breathtaking opportunities for hang gliding and, in the winter, skiing. For family fun try an adventure park where all the family can walk on elevated platforms amongst the trees and the brave try an aerial assault course made up of rope slides and Tarzan ropes.

More leisurely enjoyment can be found cruising the waterways of Alsace. A popular route is Mulhouse to Strasbourg, taking in cultural sites along the way. The regional capital and seat of the European Parliament is at Strasbourg, view handsome Parliament Buildings and the traditional half-timbered houses, inland canals and waterways.

Mulhouse has a strong industrial heritage which is celebrated with extensive rail and car museums featuring many rare exhibits. The history of electricity can be experienced in a shockingly good interactive museum called EDF Electropolis. High culture also has a home in Mulhouse at the Unterlinden Museum where collections including Gothic and Renaissance pieces are housed in a 13th century convent.

The vineyards of Alsace produce several famous wines including Pinot Noir and Riesling. There are many vineyard trails across the region which allows the visitor to discover the secrets of wine production amongst beautiful countryside and traditional French villages.

The village of Riquewihr is located in the heart of the Reisling growing region. A centre of wine production for centuries, the village retains its medieval charm complete with half-timbered houses, courtyards and fountains. In the summer, ancient wells are decorated with flowers. Wine tasting is available in local vineyards. Traditional recipes are still served throughout Alsace including fromange blanc tart and locally made pies. At Christmas time shops and markets are full of bredele, Alsatian Christmas cakes.

Children will love close encounters with primate cousins at Monkey Mountain. Visitors are invited into the monkey's forest home and there are opportunities to make friends at feeding time. Just make sure its your own little monkeys you take home at the end of the day!

• Self-catering holiday cottages and apartments to rent in Alsace

• Self-catering holiday cottages in France