The suppression of local culture led to the Francization of Alsace (and Colmar along with it). During World War II, Hitler reclaimed Alsace (which had been annexed by France after Germany’s defeat in World War I), and it is quite shocking to see photographs from that time with Nazi flags hanging in the streets. Alsace has changed nationality several times throughout history, shifting between France and Germany. From charming medieval towns and vineyard-covered hills to historic landmarks and a unique blend of French and German influences, Alsace has something to offer every type of traveler.
Haut-Rhin
- If you’re seeking a unique experience, consider spending a few hours at Chemin des Cimes, which offers an immersion in a remote spot of the Vosges forests, near Drachenbronn- Birlenbach.
- Alsatian is a minority language that is currently endangered, with fewer speakers among the younger generations.
- Textile manufacturing, based in and around Mulhouse, is one of the region’s oldest industries, though now it has little importance.
- During World War II, Hitler reclaimed Alsace (which had been annexed by France after Germany’s defeat in World War I), and it is quite shocking to see photographs from that time with Nazi flags hanging in the streets.
- In more recent years, the Alsatian language is again being promoted by local, national and European authorities as an element of the region’s identity.
- Saint-Louis and its suburbs form part of the Basel agglomération in Switzerland, which comprises 830,000 inhabitants in Swiss and German towns.
But by the 2010s, Alsace had entered glitzbets casino registration a new period of slow demographic growth, though the Strasbourg area had become one of France's fastest growing regions. High population growth during the post-WW2 economic boom of the Trente Glorieuses ended after the 1973 oil crisis. It doesn't rain much in the area because of the protection offered by the Vosges mountains. It includes the départements of Haut-Rhin and Bas-Rhin (known previously as Sundgau and Nordgau). French government institutions employ a variety of means to prevent the German-speaking Alsatians from publishing media in their native language.
Audioguides delve into the turbulent 900-year history of the castle, which makes a very medieval impression despite having been reconstructed, with German imperial pomposity, by Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1908. This is a great way to see the city from another perspective whether you’re traveling solo or with a group, the boats can hold 5, 7 or 11 people. Most dishes are based on pork and veal; specialties include baeckeoffe (meat stew), jambonneau braisé (braised knuckle of ham), (minced meat rolls) and choucroute garnie (sauerkraut garnished with meat). Dishes feature the freshest local ingredients, with a French knack for presentation and a German liking for extra large portions. Completed in all its Gothic grandeur in 1439, Cathédrale Notre-Dame is the unchallenged Strasbourg icon in the heart of the city.
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Alsace experiences a semi-continental climate characterized by distinct seasons, with cold winters and warm summers. Apart from Strasbourg, other towns in Alsace, like Colmar and Mulhouse, host enchanting Christmas markets during the holiday season. Explore historic towns like Obernai, Mulhouse, and Sélestat, each with its unique character and heritage. The region’s diverse landscapes include forests, lakes, and rolling hills.
- The Upper Rhine region, of which Alsace is part, is located at the heart of the European Megalopolis, which stretches from Liverpool to Geneva.
- Strasbourg began to grow to become the most populous and commercially important town in the region.
- The alsatian industry has been facing diversification, particularly since 2004 when many potassium mines (Mines de potasse d’Alsace or MDPA) were closed for good.
- As it underlines the Germanic roots of the region, it was replaced in 1949 by a new “Union jack-like” flag representing the union of the two départements.
- In 1951, Article 10 of the Deixonne Law (Loi Deixonne) on the teaching of local languages and dialects made provision for Breton, Basque, Catalan and old Provençal but not for Corsican, Dutch (West Flemish) or Alsatian in Alsace and Moselle.
- In addition to these three dynasties, the region was divided into many territories meshed with each other, operating under the authority of little lords, laymen or clergymen.
Where to Stay in Colmar: Best Hotels + Areas in This Fairytale Town
Pocket Guides are compact guides for short trips that offer the best local experiences. Epic Guides provide inspiration and first-person stories for a lifetime of unforgettable travel experiences. Language Guides help to let no barriers – language or culture – get in your way. For travelers looking to immerse themselves in local culture and language essentials. Take your time discovering its varied landscapes by bike or on foot, from the Rhine plain to the Vosges mountains, and join in the joyful celebrations that punctuate the year, from carnivals and Easter to the grape harvest and the magical Advent season. A tourist hotspot, the little city houses some of the most beautiful half-timbered houses of the Renaissance in Alsace in its entirely pedestrian centre.
Explore and experience Alsace
During the next century, France was to be militarily shattered by the Hundred Years' War, which prevented for a time any further tendencies in this direction. France began an aggressive policy of expanding eastward, first to the rivers Rhône and Meuse, and when those borders were reached, aiming for the Rhine. Though little is known about the early history of the Jews of Alsace, there is a lot of information from the 12th century onwards. Cities such as Colmar and Hagenau also began to grow in economic importance and gained a kind of autonomy within the "Décapole" (or "Zehnstädtebund"), a federation of ten free towns. In 1262, after a long struggle with the ruling bishops, its citizens gained the status of free imperial city.
The wines of Alsace (except for sparkling wine) are still sold in gracefully-shaped bottles, which are named “Alsace flûtes”. In Alsace, the wines are mostly named after the variety of the grapes and not after the land on which they are produced. The local microclimate is favourable for the slow and prolonged ripening of grapes and the formation of grapes of great finesse. Munster is still being made on either side of the Vosges mountains in Alsace and in Lorraine. In the Vosges mountains, many farmhouses (fermes-auberges) serve an authentic traditional farm meal called “marcaire”, which features pie as a first course and roïgabrageldi (potatoes with smoked pork shoulder) as a main.
Experience ecotourism in alsace
However, local antisemitism also increased and Napoleon turned hostile in 1806, imposing a one-year moratorium on all debts owed to Jews. They maintained their own customs, Yiddish language, and historic traditions within the tightly knit ghettos; they adhered to Jewish law. By 1790, the Jewish population of Alsace was approximately 22,500, about 3% of the provincial population.
French is the most commonly spoken language in Alsace nowadays. It is common to see new official bilingual street signs in Alsatian cities and villages. Alsatian does not have official status in France and can only be offered as an optional language at school. Locally known as Elsässisch, it is an Alemannic dialect, part of the High German language. The Alsatian dialect is estimated to be spoken by a population of 400,000 to 700,000.
Small in size but big in its diversity, Alsace is an endless source of surprises and variety, promising a truly exceptional time! As the seasons change, so do the festivities.Welcome to the official destination website #VisitAlsace Castles of Alsace, a unique heritage in EuropeWelcome to the official #VisitAlsace destination website Welcome to the official destination website #VisitAlsace All the towpaths of the canals in Alsace (canal des houillères de la Sarre, canal de la Marne au Rhin, canal de la Bruche, canal du Rhône au Rhin) are tarred.