Alsace
Présentation
Tucked between the Vosges mountains and the Rhine, Alsace is a singular region that exists in a world of its own — half French, half Germanic, entirely enchanting. Half-timbered houses draped in geraniums.
Cobblestone lanes winding through medieval villages. Vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see, their rows as orderly as sentences in a very old book.
Alsace seduces slowly, then completely. It is the scent of warm baeckeoffe drifting from a farmhouse kitchen. It is a glass of Riesling catching the afternoon light on a terrace in Riquewihr. It is Strasbourg's soaring Gothic cathedral, rose-pink at dusk, reflected in the still waters of the Ill.
This is a region where every season tells a different story — and where winter, when the Christmas markets transform each village square into something out of a dream, is perhaps the most magical chapter of all.
At Safrans de France, we know Alsace intimately — its hidden cellars, its artisan winemakers, its secret tables. We are here to share all of it with you.
Itineraries
Three ways to experience the very best of the region — each one crafted to reveal a different facet of this extraordinary destination.
The Alsace Wine Route
From the grand boulevards of Strasbourg to the jewel-box villages of Riquewihr, Kaysersberg, and Eguisheim, this itinerary follows the legendary Route des Vins through the heart of Alsace. Private tastings with celebrated winemakers, candlelit dinners at Michelin-starred restaurants, and afternoons spent wandering lanes unchanged since the Middle Ages. Alsace, savoured at its finest.
The Magic of Alsace Christmas Markets
Alsace invented the Christmas market — and nowhere does it more beautifully. This winter journey takes you through the most spectacular festive markets in France, from Strasbourg's legendary Christkindelsmärik to the intimate, candlelit squares of Kaysersberg and Ribeauvillé. Mulled wine in hand, the world feels briefly, perfectly, at peace.
Alsace in Depth
For those who wish to truly experience a place, rather than simply visit it. This week-long journey weaves together Strasbourg's architectural grandeur, the Route des Vins, the fortress of Haut-Kœnigsbourg, the great gastronomic tables of the region, and the quiet pleasure of life in an Alsatian village. The complete Alsace — unhurried, unforgettable.
Things to See & Do
Alsace rewards curiosity. Here are the experiences we consider essential — and a few that only insiders know.
Strasbourg's Grande Île — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful city centres in Europe. The cathedral of Notre-Dame, whose astronomical clock has marked time since 1574. La Petite France, where canals mirror half-timbered reflections at every turn.
The Route des Vins d'Alsace — 170 kilometres of vineyards, villages, and wine making heritage, best explored with a knowledgeable guide who can open the right cellar doors.
The Christmas Markets — from late November, Alsace becomes the most festive region in France. Strasbourg's market, founded in 1570, is the oldest in the country. Colmar, Kaysersberg, and Ribeauvillé each offer their own intimate, luminous version.
The Haut-Kœnigsbourg — a medieval fortress perched above the vineyards, with views stretching to the Black Forest and the Swiss Alps on a clear day.
Where to Stay
Alsace is home to some of France's most characterful luxury addresses — hotels where history, gastronomy, and exceptional hospitality converge.
Le Chambard — Kaysersberg (5 stars, Relais & Châteaux) A family-run jewel in one of Alsace's most beautiful villages, Le Chambard is the very definition of refined Alsatian hospitality. At its helm, two-Michelin-starred Chef Olivier Nasti — MOF and Gault & Millau's Chef of the Year 2023 — crafts cuisine of extraordinary creativity rooted in local terroir. With 33 rooms and suites, a beautiful spa, and a Winstub serving legendary choucroute.
Hôtel des Berges — Illhaeusern (5 stars) Set on the banks of the Ill river, this intimate 5-star property — 6 rooms and 10 suites — pairs an 800m² spa with the legendary two-Michelin-starred restaurant of the Haeberlin family. Four generations of warmth, precision, and culinary excellence. One of Alsace's most beloved addresses.
Régent Petite France & Spa — Strasbourg(5 stars) In the heart of Strasbourg's most romantic district, this converted 17th-century mill offers the perfect urban base for exploring the city. Elegant rooms, a refined spa, and the kind of location — steps from the canals of La Petite France — that makes every morning feel like a gift.
Guy's Alsace Pick
Few moments in France have stayed with me quite like an early winter morning in Kaysersberg — before the village awoke, before the first market stall opened, when the frost still clung to the half-timbered eaves and the only sound was the river running beneath the old fortified bridge.
If you visit Alsace in December, do so slowly. Resist the temptation to move quickly from one market to the next. Choose one village, arrive the evening before, and simply be there when it is still and quiet. That is when Alsace reveals its truest, most extraordinary self.
— Guy
The Safrans de France Experience
Our Alsace journeys go far beyond the itinerary. A private tasting with a fourth-generation winemaker on the Route des Vins, conducted in the cellar where his grandfather pressed his first harvest. An after-hours visit to Strasbourg Cathedral, guided by an art historian who has devoted his life to its secrets. A private Christmas market evening in Kaysersberg, mulled wine in hand, long after the day’s visitors have gone. These are the moments we live for — and the ones our clients carry home with them, long after the last glass of Gewurztraminer has been savoured.
France, delivered to your inbox
Stories, insights, and inspiration from the heart of France.
