Alsace Vineyards and Villages

One of the highlights of our 2023 visit to this part of France was a private day tour with Cédric Schuhler, the personable young proprietor of Détour Alsace, specializing in bicycle tours.

No bicycles for us, but it was an easy decision to arrange a tour for all four of us. We enjoyed a bonus. Cédric, with our approval, brought his wife along. Sophie earned a master’s degree in history from the University of Strasbourg and proved to be an informative guide.

Because of the upcoming All Saints’ Day, La Toussaint, childcare was a problem, so they also brought their cute and well-behaved three-year-old daughter. Coraline enjoyed the sticker book we’d picked up for her, and gave our tour the feel of a family outing.

Our first stop was Colmar, where we admired a much photographed view of the River Lauch.

Colmar is one of those places where pointing your camera in any direction results in a scenic photo.

Sophie pointed out the construction dates engraved into the stones of various structures, some dating back into the 1500s. She also mentioned that some medieval buildings were color-coded for the benefit of the largely illiterate citizenry. For example, the iron maker’s foundry was painted red.

We discussed this and other topics over a hearty Alsatian lunch at Restaurant Aux Trois Châteaux in Ribeauvillé, one of Cédric’s favorites.

Coraline enjoyed her kid’s plate, including Le Hot Dog and Les French Fries. We all look satisfied, don’t we?

After that memorable meal, it was time for some touring and tasting.

We drove past this Statue of Liberty replica. It memorializes Colmar as the birthplace of Auguste Bartholdi, Lady Liberty’s sculptor.

We imbibed a refined array of Alsatian whites, along with some Crémant d’Alsace, the sparkling wine that is a worthwhile bargain alternative to Champagne.

We two have been fortunate to visit wine regions in Europe, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the U.S. There’s a special magic about them, and the Alsace is second to none in that regard.

La Famille Schuhler dropped us back at the Strasbourg Hilton after this wonderful days, and we hugged our goodbyes.

We even made it to the Executive Lounge before the end of Happy Hour, and savored another glass or two of Crémant d’Alsace.

Une journée merveilleuse!