What to do, What to see
in Alsace and the Vosges
20 essential things to do
in Alsace and the Vosges
The Chalets de La Marcairie are located on the mythical GR5, the long-distance hiking trail that winds its way along the blue line of the Vosges mountains. Enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery in the Vosges, right from the chalet. There are more than 350 km of waymarked footpaths in the Munster valley, ideal for family walks, Nordic walking sessions or sporting hikes reserved for seasoned mountaineers.
A paradise for mountain bikers, there are more than 300km of circuits waiting for you, with unique views over the valley and the peaks, majestic flora and unspoilt nature.
The Vosges massif is an exceptional playground for everyone!
Take your pick: donkey rides (Pfeifferberg farm) and horse-riding, horse farms, paragliding, hot-air ballooning, stream fishing, sleigh rides, reindeer farms, climbing, archery, tennis, swimming in mountain lakes, numerous famous golf courses.
Set off to discover its heritage!
1/Visit Strasbourg, the capital of Europe, home of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament, its historic districts surrounded by canals and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its famous Vosges pink sandstone cathedral, its winstubs...
2/ Take a stroll through authentic Colmar, with its picturesque half-timbered houses and unique medieval streets, the Unterlinden Museum (link) and its famous Issenheim Altarpiece, the vineyards and wine route, small cafés and medieval villages...
3/ Discover Mulhouse and its exceptional museums, the national automobile museum (not to be missed), the railway museum and the Alsace ecomuseum, a witness to ancestral traditions and know-how.
4/The Haut-Koenigsbourg castle, the animal parks (monkey mountain, eagle aviary, stork park, etc.).
The Route des Crêtes winds its way along the crest line for over 80 km, from the Col du Bonhomme to the Ballon d'Alsace, a succession of breathtaking landscapes with panoramic views over the Vosges passes, peaks and lakes, dotted with farmhouse inns for gourmet stops and authentic mountain cuisine.
5/La Maison du Fromage and its restaurant invite you to discover our cheese specialities.
Alsace is also the leading region in terms of the number of Michelin-starred restaurants.
There's nothing like putting on a pair of snowshoes and setting off to conquer the great outdoors, carving your own path through the untouched snow to discover our snow-covered Munster Valley resorts in a whole new way. Young and old alike are invited to enjoy the joys of snow in the mountains, through enchanting landscapes of high stubble fields, high-altitude beech forests and glacial cirques.
Qualified guides offer a selection of beautiful snowshoe hikes in the Vosges. Along the way, they'll show you some of the most spectacular sites and share their extensive knowledge of the mountains with you.
6/Vosges Nature park
The Vosges balloons regional natural park extends over 3000 km 2 , between Alsace, the Vosges and Franche-Comté. It hosts remarkable natural and cultural heritage and offers emblematic landscapes which make it so rich. In the heart of the massif and the valleys, on the hillsides and paths, along the streams and lakes, the landscapes unfold their shades of green and blue and satisfy all the desires to escape.
This extraordinary biodiversity, made up of high stubble, peat bogs, glacial cirques, rocky cliffs, lakes and rivers, meadows, pastures, forests and vineyards will not fail to surprise you. You will go in search of the Lynx, watch for the peregrine falcon, the capercaillie, the hordes of chamois, deer and roe deer.
You will also admire remarkable and protected flora: peat bog plants, arnica, large gentian, foxglove, Vosges pansies, anemones, cornflowers... In Munster, the park house welcomes you all year round. Over 600m2 of exhibition space, young and old will be able to travel through natural environments, cultural heritage, landscapes, geology and human activities.
MUNSTER TOURIST OFFICE
1, rue du Couvent -
68140 Munster
tourisme.munster@wanadoo.fr
www.la-vallee-de-munster.com
+33(0)3 89 77 31 80
VOSGES BALLOON PARK
www.parc-ballons-vosges.fr
Download the brochure in pdf
to discover a selection of activities.
7/Mountain Bike
The Munster valley is a true paradise for mountain bikers, with more than 300 km of marked circuits. From easy walks to more technical circuits, between 400 and 1363 m above sea level, everyone will find something to enjoy in this exceptional playground. Let yourself be carried away on the summits, criss-cross ridges and stubble fields, descend through vast forests into deep valleys and enjoy picturesque villages and welcoming farm inns. Mountain guides offer you their
Experience and knowledge for tours accompanied by qualified instructors.
www. cimesetsentiers.com
8/ Sleigh ride
In the heart of the Vosges, nestling in the Munster valley, Fabien, Marina and their pack of Nordic dogs invite you to share a unique moment of escape! The team is made up of 12 dogs: huskies, Greenlanders, malamutes and alaskans. Try your hand at dog sledding all year round: on the snow in a sled, or on the hiking trails in a go-kart. Half-day or 30-minute rides.
For more information, visit www.revedenord.fr
Tel: +333 89 77 74 25 / +336 78 06 48 50
Address: Lieu-dit Stritteren
68380 SONDERNACH
9/Paragliding
Paragliding is the ideal way to discover and learn about aerial sports. A first flight takes place in complete safety with an expert instructor to whom you will be firmly attached. The take-off and landing during your paragliding flight will be very gentle and, as well as the sensations, you'll be able to enjoy a fantastic panorama with a 360° view.
Some specialist centres :
www.centreecolemarkstein.com
www.cumulus-parapente.com
www.pascal-bannwarth.fr
Informations :
lavl.free.fr/site-parapente-vosges
10/ hot-air balloon flights
Take a seat in the gondola and experience the magic of a hot-air balloon flight, as the balloon slowly rises into the sky and the horizon opens up, allowing you to take in the whole of the Vosges mountains and the full expanse of Alsace in a single glance. It's even more magical when you brush up against the tops of the fir trees, the rolling hills of the vineyards, the rooftops of the villages or catch a glimpse of the chamois or wild boar. It's a magical experience, too, when high up in the ethereal blue, you experience the silence of the dawning day or the incredible light of the setting sun.
For a truly exceptional experience, Aérovision, a pioneer in hot-air balloon flights in the mountains, offers discovery flights over Alsace and the Vosges mountains in both summer and winter.
AÉROVISION SARL
34 Chemin de la Speck - 68000 Colmar
tél. : +33 3 89 77 22 81
contact@aerovision-montgolfiere.com
www.aerovision-montgolfiere.com
11/Golf
Golf courses in Alsace
Six prestigious golf courses in the region have come together to form Golfs in Alsace to offer you courses that will amaze you with their quality and variety.
Golf Kempferhof
A very large golf course. Ranked among the 1000 best golf courses in the world by the Rolex Guide. He gives the course a score of 90/100.
12/ ski resorts
Just 5 minutes from La Marcairie, the Gaschney resort offers 7 downhill ski runs that promise great skiing thrills for skiers of a good level and a magnificent view of the Hohneck massif in one of the wildest parts of the massif. Schnepfenried, 15 minutes away, is the ideal family resort. A dozen downhill slopes mean that skiers of all abilities can enjoy optimum skiing conditions, with safe snow cover thanks to the many snow guns in the resort. For cross-country skiers, the resort offers around twenty kilometres of safe, daily trails on the ridges or in the forest, offering spectacular views of the Hautes Vosges, the Black Forest and the Swiss Alps. The Trois-Fours Nordic site, located on the Route des Crêtes between the Col de la Schlucht and the Hohneck, offers cross-country skiing circuits accessible to all in an exceptional natural setting.
Finally, Le Tanet is a dynamic, friendly resort with an alpine feel that is unique in the Vosges. Surrounded by glacial cirques and pristine areas, the resort offers natural slopes ideal for ski touring.
>> Stations-munster.fr
13/Fishing
From mountain streams, swollen by the melting snow in spring, to lakes surrounded by glacial cirques, including the Fecht, which seems designed for fly fishing, the Munster valley is also a paradise for fishing enthusiasts. savage. Come and tease the brown trout, arctic char and brook salmon.
Whether you are an occasional or passionate fisherman, go solo, with friends or benefit from the unique experience of Mr. Gilles Bastos, your fishing guide, who offers you his support and valuable advice as a professional fisherman on the Fecht, the Weiss and the streams of the Vosges for unforgettable fishing and nature moments.
www.vert-peche.fr
14/Hiking
There are over 350km of walks in the Munster valley, offering you the chance to discover the exceptional flora and fauna of the region on foot, on the ridges or around the lakes. There are routes with breathtaking panoramas starting directly from La Marcairie, whether you're looking for a family walk, a sporting hike or an invigorating Nordic walking session. Whatever your pace, take advantage of the energy of this generous natural environment and the benefits of the pure Vosges air to recharge your batteries and recharge your batteries. Our mountain guides are on hand to offer you a wide range of themed outings to discover the natural environment, fauna and flora, and invite you to discover the ancestral traditions, cultural heritage and skills of the people who make up the region.
cimesetsentiers.com
15/On donkey or horseback
On the back of a donkey in the Vosges mountains, where the arnica blossoms, the slow steps of Romeo, Julia and Jarry are set to the rhythm of children for extraordinary half-day, full-day or longer family outings!
Laughter and good humour guaranteed with our pointy-eared companions, who know how to be facetious to amuse their audience.
>> http://pfeifferberg.free.fr/
Horse riding, trekking, private or group lessons, horse farms, ponies, Icelandic horses - there's something for everyone in the valley!
https://www.vallee-munster.eu/fr/active/sports-et-loisirs/balades-a-cheval
and much more…
The Munster valley is an extraordinary playground, offering a wide range of activities for young and old, families and sports enthusiasts, thrill-seekers and lovers of peace and relaxation.
- Swimming at the Munster swimming pool, an aqua-ludic centre with wave pool, wild river, giant slide, balneotherapy area, or swimming in mountain lakes.
www.vallee-munster.eu/activites/piscine.htm
- Paragliding: from the Schnepfenried site, solo or tandem, discovery flights with experienced, qualified instructors.
https://www.vallee-munster.eu/fr/active/sports-et-loisirs/sports-aeriens
- Climbing: several natural sites, equipped or not, from level 3a to 8a.
https://www.vallee-munster.eu/fr/active/sports-et-loisirs/escalade
- Tennis: in Munster, 2 clay courts, 2 outdoor hard courts, one indoor hard court. Also archery, ball-trap, summer sledging, etc.
16/The Storks of Alsace
In Alsace, it's the storks that give birth to children and leave the newborn on the windowsill if you've taken the precaution of leaving a lump of sugar on it.
Threatened for a long time, these elegant birds, the symbol of an entire region, can now be seen everywhere on the rooftops of our villages, soaring gracefully and elegantly above our heads. In Munster, they have set up their voluminous nests on the roofs. You can admire them at any time.
https://www.vallee-munster.eu/fr/curieuse/munster-cigognes-alsace.html
17/The Alsace wine route
From Marlenheim to Thann, the Alsace Wine Route passes through a picture-postcard landscape: ruins of medieval castles, flower-filled villages, Romanesque abbeys, rolling vineyards, welcoming winstubs... This 170 km itinerary can be travelled in either direction and will help you discover the charms of the vineyards. Take the time to meet the winemakers, taste their wines and lose yourself in the streets of medieval towns. Don't miss out on the wine trails to admire the vines or discover the Wine Route by bike.
https://www.route-des-vins-alsace.com
18/Gastronomy
Of all the regions of France, Alsace has long been celebrated as one of the most gourmet. Beautiful local produce, long-cooked dishes, simple, authentic flavours, a taste for the good things in life and, of course, the wonderful Alsatian wines breathe vitality, spirit and good humour into Alsatian cuisine.
Let yourself be seduced by the Alsatian art-de-vivre and try our flammekueche, baeckeofe, choucroutes, charcuteries, matelotes, tourtes, foie gras, kougelhofs, streussels, tarts and so many other specialities in the many inns, winstubs with their picturesque decor and generous restaurants that are the pride of the region.
It's hardly surprising, then, that the region boasts a host of Michelin-starred restaurants and renowned chefs, all of whom have been recognised by gastronomic guides.
19/Christmas markets
Christmas has a country, and it's Alsace!
Here, the Christmas period takes on its full meaning and experiencing an Alsatian Christmas is an unforgettable experience. When you visit Alsace between the first Sunday in Advent and New Year's Eve, you'll enter a fabulous world sublimated by the magic of Christmas, for a journey filled with the gourmet scents of mulled wine, gingerbread and bredelés, a journey of initiation where, everywhere, in town and country, the illuminated decorations compete in beauty in the purest spirit of tradition.
From the north to the south of the region, 7 different Christmas countries and 7 unique atmospheres await your visit.
At the heart of this authenticity, you'll be transported by the songs, tales and legends, the colourful stalls, the myriad twinkling stars, the intoxicating perfumes, the irresistible tastes and flavours that fill the winter landscape, and you'll discover all the emotional richness of this festival, which here expresses all that is most sacred about it.
In Munster, the whole town lights up. Wooden chalets filled with treasures take over the market square. As night falls, the town is transformed into a fairytale setting, with the illuminations magnifying the huge fir tree at the centre of the festivities.
If you want to experience Christmas in Alsace, a stay at La Marcairie is a must!
noel.tourisme-alsace.com
20/Cities and villages
Flower-filled villages with narrow streets and half-timbered houses huddled around their steeples, welcoming winstubs, geraniums and storks all add to the inimitable charm of Alsace's picture-postcard scenery. From the north to the south of the region, you won't want to miss visiting the typical villages of the vineyards, some of which are listed among the most beautiful villages in France. Perhaps you'll attend one of the many traditional, friendly and popular festivals that punctuate the rhythm of the seasons.
Colmar, the capital of Alsace wines, is a cheerful, lively and deliciously beautiful city, with a gourmet cuisine and a proud architectural heritage, offering a concentration of idyllic landscapes between canals and half-timbered houses.
Strasbourg, the capital of Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will amaze you with its extraordinary pink sandstone cathedral of rare elegance.
In the Petite France district, you can stroll through the picturesque medieval streets and perhaps be tempted by a romantic discovery tour of the old town along the water, aboard a bateau-mouche.
Castels
The Haut-Koenigsbourg fortress, which overlooks the wine route and dominates the Alsace plain, is one of the most visited monuments in France. Once you cross the drawbridge, you'll discover the towers and keep, fully equipped rooms and collections of medieval weapons.
If the valiant knights had a country, it would be Alsace. There are almost as many castles here as there are hills in the Vosges foothills. Many are well worth a visit for their panoramic views and the historical and architectural interest of these powerful and proud fortresses.
https://www.haut-koenigsbourg.fr/fr
https://www.visit.alsace/patrimoine-et-histoire/chateaux-alsace/
The cheese house
It was here, in Munster, from the 9th century, that Irish Benedictine monks, passing through an abbey in the valley, developed the recipe for the famous cheese whose reputation has since spread widely across borders.
Munster cheese has a strong personality and unique character. Cheese made from raw cow's milk from the Vosges breed, matured by hand in cellars for 8 to 10 weeks, it is, still today, produced by hand on the farms of the valley in winter, in the summer marcairies, on the high altitude stubble in summer.
The Munster cheese house is a superb showcase. On an 8 hectare site, this agro-tourist complex highlights Munster cheese and the pastoral traditions of the valley.
In addition to the cheese-making demonstrations, the tasting of fresh Munster, the visit to the stable with its Vosges, films and exhibitions present mountain agriculture and the Vosges cattle breed as well as the rich heritage and know-how.
A fruit farm, a cheese cooperative managed in collaboration by the valley's farmers, allows the on-site processing of more than a million liters of milk into farmhouse Munster, tommes, bargkass and butter.
Finally, the cheese house is the starting point of the famous cheese route, which leads from mountain farms to generous inns via small bucolic roads winding between stubble and forests.
Undoubtedly, a visit not to be missed!
www.maisondufromage-munster.com
www.routedufromage-munster.com
and more..
The region is far too rich to make an exhaustive list of everything that would be worth your visit: animal parks, eagle aviary, monkey mountain, silver mines, historical museums, leisure park (including the famous Europapark, of across the border, in Germany, one of the largest amusement parks in Europe, with breathtaking rides and magical settings), sports courses in the trees, zoos, etc.
https://www.montagnedessinges.com/
https://www.voleriedesaigles.com/
Our friends
Photographers
Vincent GANAYE : Many thanks to Vincent, who has graciously offered us his wonderful photos of the Vosges countryside to illustrate the La Marcairie website.
An artist to be discovered as a matter of urgency!
www.vincent-ganaye.com
Benoit FACCHI
We owe him other magical photos, which bear witness to his passion for the Vosges mountains and Alsace vineyards.
www.cliche-bf.fr
Artisans
Chalets GICO:
Mr GERMAIN and his teams: the woodworkers, architects, joiners and carpenters who built Les chalets de la Marcairie
www.gico.fr
Christine FERBER, Alsace's most famous confectioner, whose reputation has spread across the continents.
www.christineferber.com
Thierry GILG an exceptional patissier-chocolate maker in Munster.
www.patisserie-gilg.com
Restaurateurs
-
Hotel-Restaurant “la Perle des Vosges”, in Muhlbach/Munster
3 km from La Marcairie: excellent gourmet cuisine, superb catering menu, delivered to the chalet.
For gourmands and gourmets.
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Restaurant La Nouvelle Auberge, in Wihr-Au-Val.
A Michelin star, great gastronomy in all simplicity.
www.nauberge.com
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The Auberge de l’Ill, in Illhaeusern (Marc Haeberlin)
Temple of very high French gastronomy, 3 Michelin stars.
Truly exceptional.
www.auberge-de-l-ill.com
farmers and innkeepers
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BRAUNKOPF Inn
Our neighbors at La Marcairie: marcaire meals, Munster, regional specialties, also offered as a catering menu
Ideal for large festive tables.
www.aubergedubraunkopf.fr
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LANDERSEN farm
Our cousins from the BESSEY family will be delighted to offer you products to take away from their mountain farm. Excellent Munster farmer, Barikas, Thatches.
Locality Landersen, 68380 Sondernach
Tel: 03 89 77 60 70
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BUCHWALD farm inn
Just below Petit-Ballon: local products, farm meats, marcaire meals, and excellent homemade desserts to delight you at any time.
68380 Breitenbach Tel: 03 89 77 37 08 – 03 89 77 29 0
auberge.buchwald@orange.fr
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SCHIESSROTH farm inn
Marcaire meal after a twenty-minute walk from Gaschney station, but also accessible by car.
The effort is rewarded by the beauty of the landscape: a fabulous panorama as far as the eye can see.
Tel: 03 89 77 63 63 – 03 89 77 31 50
Winemakers
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Wolfberger Cellars
The Wolfberger house, a true institution of the Alsatian vineyard and the great wines of Alsace for more than a century, passionately pursues its quest for excellence and authenticity.
Discover this great Alsatian vineyard house in its cellars and reception areas in Eguisheim and Colmar and take the opportunity to taste its exceptional wines.
At the forefront of innovation for sustainable viticulture and recognized for the rigor of its quality approach, the Wolfberger house produces and exports throughout the world regularly award-winning grands crus, fine bubble crémants, but also eaux-de-vie. life of Alsace.
https://www.wolfberger.com -
Schoenheitz wines
In the valley, in Wihr-au-val: excellent Alsace wines, regularly awarded, vinified by a family of enthusiasts. Cellar visit and tastings
http://www.vins-schoenheitz.fr
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Domaine Marcel Deiss (in Bergheim, next to Ribeauvillé)
Pioneering wine grower, planting, biodynamics; a large estate and great wines.
http://www.marceldeiss.com