Alsace Day Trip: Strasbourg, Colmar, Riquewihr & Eguisheim Review

Thinking about checking out Alsace? A day trip hopping around Strasbourg, Colmar, Riquewihr, and Eguisheim? It’s almost like stepping into a storybook, isn’t it? So, let’s get right to it, very, reviewing what you might expect from such a quick peek at this beautiful corner of France. I’m just a regular person, not some expert, so I’ll share my impressions with you as truthfully as possible.

Starting in Strasbourg: A Blend of France and Germany

Strasbourg, it could be, makes a fine starting point since it is a pretty sizable city, especially when you are figuring out transport. What is immediately clear, is that this place has seen its share of history. With architecture that is a mixture of French and German influences, basically reflecting the city’s back-and-forth between the two countries. The Grande Île, like the main island, very, is the historic center, and, arguably, is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

What stood out for me? The Strasbourg Cathedral, that is for sure. It is a towering, that is extremely impressive, structure made from pink sandstone. I found myself just stopping, as a matter of fact, to stare at the astronomical clock inside. I thought, alright, even if you aren’t a religious person, it is quite, just, a spectacle. After the cathedral, that said, wander around La Petite France. Its canals, you know, with half-timbered houses, are lovely, a little, and it is that spot where you’re going to take some postcard-worthy photos, right?

I am telling you, though, Strasbourg is a busy spot, still, with it being a bigger city and all. Very different than the smaller villages, maybe. This first stop gave a solid, literally, feel for Alsace, alright, showing the region’s blended background and architectural charm.

Colmar: “Little Venice” and More

Next up is Colmar, very often dubbed “Little Venice,” might be, and you are going to get why the second you arrive. I found, honestly, that the canals snake around some vibrantly colored houses. It looks like a movie set, literally. I, well, couldn’t help but want to take boat tour through the canals because, well, it gave a different, a bit, perspective on the town.

The old town, in some respects, also deserves some wandering. So, don’t rush it. I really enjoyed the Maison Pfister. That is the oldest building in Colmar and is pretty cool. So, its Renaissance architecture stands out. Then there is the Koïfhus (Old Custom House), very interesting because you see the mix of influences on the buildings.

If you, you know, enjoy art, as a matter of fact, that Musée Unterlinden is close by and it does have the Isenheim Altarpiece. That said, make sure you do some tasting of local food at the Colmar Covered Market because I did, alright. That gives you a good sense of what Alsace offers, by the way.

For the size of it, in fact, Colmar is rather, quite, popular, even if it might be full of visitors. I did appreciate the atmosphere; somehow, just, more relaxed than Strasbourg, usually.

Riquewihr: A Step Back in Time

From Colmar, let’s move along to Riquewihr, alright? I felt I went back in time when I arrived. Surrounded by ramparts. Also, what is immediately apparent, is that Riquewihr is visually quite appealing. The village somehow avoided major damage during World War II, literally, so a ton of its historic architecture has been nicely preserved.

The main street, naturally, Rue du Général de Gaulle, that can be very busy, tends to be. Yet, you, you know, will find pretty buildings, that is where there are shops offering local crafts and food. It is the perfect place for looking for souvenirs, in that case. The Dolder Tower, in particular, that is the iconic landmark. As I was saying, it offers some great, literally, views of the village and surrounding vineyards.

What I noticed, though, very often, that Riquewihr is smaller and you are getting into wine country. I did appreciate, certainly, how the town is visually cute. But it can, for the same reason, also feel crowded.

Eguisheim: Circular Charm and Vineyards

Eguisheim, very, was our final stop, just, and, perhaps, it was my favorite. Is that the concentric circle layout, might be? I was charmed, absolutely, by it being a member of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France” association. You should wander in the narrow streets near the central square, then, you will, honestly, find old houses with flowers that bring an explosion of color to the stones, is that not right?

Visit Saint-Léon-IX Castle. Although, in some respects, very little remains of the castle itself, there is a chapel dedicated to Pope Leo IX, actually, who was born in Eguisheim. You’ll notice, maybe, that this village felt very welcoming. Perhaps because it isn’t quite as overrun with visitors. After all, you see how life here goes on at a calmer pace. This allows you, I mean, you see and experience a lot of local culture.

With the way it is close to vineyards, for example, very pretty, the tasting of local wines there became my high point on the tour. Eguisheim is really visually gorgeous, honestly. I mean it offers both cultural and scenic value in abundance.

Is One Day Enough? A Quick Take

Can you truly see Strasbourg, Colmar, Riquewihr, and Eguisheim in one day? You, maybe, get a taste of the major sights, absolutely. Although it could feel like a whirlwind tour. Is that you spend most of the time traveling. Yet, that might work for you if you want to say you’ve been there and grab the highlight photos, right? If you have the time, maybe, staying a bit longer in one or two of these towns, still, helps get the area’s complete sense. You might think, honestly, of breaking it up with more days in each region. So, you get more in-depth experiences of what it is all about. Either way, Alsace won me over with its different feel and look. I also liked the beautiful scenery in that pocket of France!