100% Alsace, 100% Europe

Fancy sampling a nice sausage in the shadow of the cathedral? Or discovering the good life in a city in Bad-Würtemburg, on the edge of the Black Forest? Freiburg-im-Breisgau, founded in 1091, expresses its history in the future tense, a fine example being the Vauban eco-quarter.

The city of Strasbourg is our regional capital. But it’s also a European capital. At the heart of Europe, with its still unfinished cathedral crowned by its single spire, and at the heart of France, with its historic Petite France quarter and its flower-lined canals. So you can also discover Strasbourg by boat. Or by bike. Whichever you choose, all roads lead to the city’s little winstubs with their checked tablecloths...

The Statue of Liberty makes eyes at General Rapp. They arrange to meet in the Petite Venise quarter, where they love taking a boat trip on the River Lauch before sinking their teeth into a tarte flambée under the reassuring porch of the Koïfhus (Old Customs House). And the elegant belfry of the Collégiale Saint-Martin. Ah, Colmar’s mild microclimate...

What’s 61 years old, 170 km long, and is sometimes green, sometimes red, but often white? Here’s another clue: the locals cultivate their land like nowhere else. Need another clue? Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris, Sylvaner… You’ve got it! It is indeed the Alsace Wine Route, a serpentine route which snakes its way through the valleys of Alsace from north to south (or vice versa). Make sure you empty the boot of your car first...

The rhine flows beneath its bridges and its heart is turned towards France, Germany and Switzerland. But its heart beats to the rhythm of Herzog and de Meuron, Renzo Piano or Mario Botta, who have created its look, making Basel a city of culture, museums and constant architectural change.

First catch your stork, pluck it... oh, sorry, I digress. Open a bottle of kirsch liqueur. Pour yourself a good glassful. Oops, not too much. Keep a bit to marinate your sliced fruit. And hey presto, you’re all set to enjoy a good, traditional beraweka. What’s that? You didn’t understand the recipe?

In the words of the renowned Alsatian chef Marc Haeberlin, good living in Alsace is based predominantly on good fresh produce. And the finest example of this is Mulhouse’s Marché du Canal Couvert, with its 400 traders.

Soup, quiche, preserves, tarts, relish and even fried. They are believed to have diuretic and purifying properties and to act as stimulants. There are also red ones, but it is the golden ones which are feted in Mulhouse. Because the Mulhouse golden onion is famous. It even has its festival at the end of September.

Come on, come on, let’s get motivated: Yes, Mulhouse offers many opportunities for you to work in a relaxing atmosphere. So where do you want to go between two business meetings? Golf or wildlife? Nature or culture? Take your pick, there’s always something going on...

Is there anything more traditional in Alsace than Winstubs? They exude the wonderful aroma of local Alsace produce: hardaepfelkiechla (potato pie) and lawerknaepfla (liver dumplings) which compete with baeckeoffa (mutton, beef and pork casserole) on checked tablecloths. They’re places for eating with friends but strangers are always made welcome there. It’s like a diners’ club, where eating together and conversation go hand in hand...

In this southern region, carp is eaten fried. With fries. It certainly is. Because here, in this southern region, nature reigns supreme and people are happy to swap their cars for bikes. The Sundgau is best explored by pedal power. And even the fire brigade, with its new museum, has replaced the counts of Ferrette...

The Virgin Mary looks down from high on the hill. She has attracted attention and admirers since the Middle Ages. Clothed all in white, elegantly curved and with particularly soft lines (thanks to Le Corbusier’s genius), she has watched over and protected fallen soldiers for 60 years.

In this city of Art and History, in the shadow of the Grand Ballon, they really know how to honour their past. A past steeped in pottery and Romanesque architecture. And (wine) culture is very much a part of life in the present. The names Kessler, Kitterlé, Saering and Spiegel are synonymous with Guebwiller, along with its Dominicains cultural centre and the potter Théodore Deck.