Camping in Alsace
Why we love holidays in the Alsace
Family holidays in Alsace will uncover this spellbinding region of rainbow-hued houses, medieval castles, and vine-covered hills. We especially love how this enticing region blends French and German influences. This borderland offers a perfect mix of picturesque villages, outdoor adventures, and gastronomic delights. And that magical ‘two destinations in one holiday’ feeling.
Tucked between the Vosges Mountains and the Rhine River, a family holiday to Alsace promises a memorable experience, quite unlike anywhere else in France. The region's distinctive character reveals itself in every aspect of life here – from the half-timbered houses painted in cheerful pastels that line ancient streets to the tempting wine culture that has flourished along its famous Route des Vins. If your family are outdoor enthusiasts, there are lots of things to do in Alsace. You can explore everything from gentle cycling routes through wine country to challenging hikes in the mountain forests.
The essence of the Alsace
Cultural diversity
Alsace, nestled between France and Germany, boasts a unique blend of both cultures. This rich heritage is evident in its architecture, language, and cuisine, offering visitors a truly distinctive experience in the heart of Europe.
Picturesque landscapes
The region's breathtaking beauty includes rolling vineyards, medieval villages, and the Vosges Mountains. You can enjoy scenic drives, hikes, and bike rides while exploring the diverse landscapes and admiring the widescreen panoramas.
Wine and gastronomy
Alsace is renowned for its world-class wine production, particularly Riesling and Gewürztraminer. The region's food offer is no slouch either, featuring delicious Alsatian specialties such as tarte flambée, choucroute garnie, and kugelhopf (don’t worry, you don’t have to spell them).
Our favourite things to do in Alsace
Fun days out
There are lots of fun things to do in Alsace. Explore the majestic Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle, perched atop a hill overlooking the Alsatian plains, where fully-restored 12th-century fortress offers guided tours, interactive exhibits, and panoramic views that children will love alongside the medieval atmosphere with knights and weaponry displays. Visit the Ecomusée d'Alsace, an open-air museum recreating a traditional Alsatian village with over 70 historic buildings, where families can participate in hands-on workshops like pottery or bread-making, watch artisans at work, and interact with farm animals.
Experience up-close encounters with over 200 Barbary macaques at La Montagne des Singes (Monkey Mountain), where you can walk through the monkeys' habitat, learn about their behaviour, and hand-feed them popcorn. Thrill-seekers will enjoy Europa-Park, Germany's largest theme park just a short drive from Alsace's border, featuring over 100 attractions and 13 roller coasters inspired by European countries.
Getting active
The Alsace Wine Route stretches over 170 kilometres, offering scenic cycling routes through picturesque vineyards, medieval villages, and castles–perfect for a family bike ride with stops at wineries for tastings and local treats. And you don’t have to even touch a drop! The Vosges Mountains are the place to head for their hiking opportunities for all skill levels, on well-marked trails. Popular destinations include Lac Blanc, Lac des Truites, and Hohneck Peak. Water sport enthusiasts can rent canoes or kayaks for a paddling adventure along the River Ill.
Adventure parks throughout the region, including Parc Alsace Aventure in Breitenbach and Parc Arbre Adventure in Kruth-Wildenstein, offer treetop obstacle courses, zip-lining, and climbing activities suitable for various age groups. Horseback riding is a great way to experience Alsace's beautiful landscapes, with numerous equestrian centres like Ecuries du Ried in Muttersholtz and Ecurie du Giessen in Orbey offering guided rides and lessons for all ages.
Cultural hotspots
We love Strasbourg's historic quarter, Petite France – and we think your family will too. It’s a must. Its half-timbered houses, picturesque canals, and charming streets are, unsurprisingly, a UNESCO World Heritage site offering glimpses of Alsace's past alongside boat tours along the Ill River. The Unterlinden Museum in Colmar, housed in a former 13th-century Dominican convent, displays a remarkable collection of art and artifacts including the jaw-dropping Isenheim Altarpiece by Matthias Grünewald and Nicolas of Haguenau.
Colmar's Toy Museum showcases fascinating toys from ancient to modern times, showing kids that fun did exist before phones and tablets. The Battle of the Bulge Memorial and Museum in Schirmeck offers an in-depth look at this infamous WWII conflict and its impact on the region through comprehensive exhibits, documents, and artifacts. The Jardin des Papillons (Butterfly Garden) in Hunawihr houses hundreds of colourful butterflies from around the world in a tropical greenhouse.
Our favourite things to see in Alsace
Historic sites
Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle is an imposing medieval fortress offering panoramic views of the Alsace plain, the Black Forest, and even the Swiss Alps on clear days. Inside, beautifully restored rooms, medieval weaponry collections, and interactive workshops bring history alive, if in a grisly way. Strasbourg Cathedral is an outstanding example of Gothic architecture, its 142-metre spire dominating the skyline and its astronomical clock a medieval marvel. You won’t be able to move without seeing signs for the Alsatian Wine Route that traces 170 kilometres of the region's cultural heritage.
Perched high in the serene Vosges mountains, Le Linge offers a fascinating and deeply moving window into the region’s rich history. Site of one of the First World War's most fierce battles in 1915, this remarkably preserved battlefield allows you to walk through original stone trenches and explore the well-curated museum detailing the lives of the soldiers who served here.
Cities and towns worth seeing
Colmar’s Little Venice district, where colourful half-timbered houses line the Lauch River, is a pure delight for memorable family days out in the sun. Beyond its postcard-perfect streets, the town offers the Maison des Têtes, the Unterlinden Museum, and the Saint-Martin Collegiate Church for cultural exploration. Riquewihr, known as one of France's most beautiful villages, preserves its medieval character with cobbled streets, historic ramparts, and more of those vibrant half-timbered houses.
Eguisheim's unique circular layout, with concentric streets surrounding a central square with a beautiful fountain and the Saint-Leon IX Chapel, creates a magical setting enhanced by narrow lanes lined with colourful, flower-bedecked houses and great café culture. Kaysersberg nestles between the Vosges Mountains and vineyards, offering stunning landscapes alongside historical attractions.
Natural wonders
The Parc Naturel Régional des Ballons des Vosges is a great option for an invigorating day out. Its landscapes take in dense forests to high mountain pastures, with numerous hiking and biking trails allowing families to discover the region's rich flora and fauna. There’s a lot to explore, but highlights include the Hohneck, the third highest peak in the Vosges Mountains, offering stunning panoramic views. The forests surrounding Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle are a lovely setting for family hikes, with well-marked trails leading through woodland that feels as timeless as a fairy tale.
Lac Blanc and its surrounding area offer both natural beauty and adventure, with the clear mountain lake serving as a centrepiece for activities ranging from gentle walks to treetop adventure courses in the adjacent forest. The vineyards that blanket the eastern slopes of the Vosges, and the Rhine River offer a memorable backdrop that will stay in your memories forever.
Travelling to Alsace
Nearest airports
- Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg EuroAirport
- Strasbourg Airport
Nearest ports
- Calais
- Cherbourg
All parcs in Alsace
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