Luxury trip : The best of Alsace by bike

Free time of arrival in Strasbourg, check-in at your accommodation during reception hours.

A city with a rich cultural heritage, don't miss the opportunity to discover the architectural treasures of the capital of Alsace, including the majestic Notre Dame Cathedral, the Covered Bridges and the Rohan Palace. Then take the time to stroll in the picturesque district of Petite France among the magnificent half-timbered houses where fishermen and tanners used to live.

You leave the cobbled streets of Strasbourg to join the Bruche canal built by Vauban to bring sandstone from the Vosges to build the city's fortifications. You pedal on a greenway along the shaded banks and the old locks. This bucolic itinerary leads you near charming Alsatian villages with colorful and flowery facades. Then, you join the famous Véloroute du Vignoble d'Alsace in Molsheim, a touristic and wine-producing city, cradle of the Bugatti car brand. You continue along the mountainside through the Alsatian vineyards and wine villages to reach Obernai and its Belfry Square.

Leave Obernai behind and visit in Gertwiller the Gingerbread House and later the pretty village of Barr. Take small country roads that meander through vineyards, old railway lines and segments of the former Roman road. Near Blienschwiller 2 routes options lies before reaching Saint-Hippolyte.

You can continue through the vineyards passing the charming villages of Blienschwiller, Dambach-la-Ville and Scherwiller, where you can see above you the ruins of the castle of Ortenbourg.

The other route is a little sportier. You leave the vineyards and discover the Vosges towards Val de Villé. Ride on wooded slopes and pass the villages Saint-Pierre-Bois and Thanvillé. From there, you take the former Salt Road, a beautiful cycle path through the forest to Saint-Hippolyte.

You leave Saint-Hippolyte, then ride into the fortified village of Bergheim, one of the few Alsatian villages which has preserved almost all of its medieval fortifications. Then you leave the Alsace Wine Route cycle path and ride up the hill to Ribeauvillé and its picturesque streets, Riquewihr, the "Pearl of the Alsatian vineyards," and Hunawihr, both referred to as one of the most beautiful villages in France. Finally, you end your day in Kaysersberg, one of the most charming towns in Alsace.

A short stage takes you through vineyards and apple orchards to the beautiful town of Colmar, capital of Alsace wines. Take the time to stroll through its flowery streets and canals while enjoying its tasty gastronomy.

You leave Colmar to reach the shady banks of the Thur. Then, continue pedaling in the Alsatian countryside to Eguisheim, classified among the Most Beautiful Villages of France and awarded many times for the quality of its flowering. Admire its beautiful and colorful 16th century houses and stroll through its cobbled streets. Continue through the vineyards to the pretty village of Turckheim where a night watchman continues to make his rounds every evening from May to October. You can stop in Ammerschwihr to taste a glass of Kaefferkopf, the last white wine to join the great Alsace wines, before returning to Colmar.