Located in the Alsace region, on the border between France and Germany, the departement of Bas Rhin has been a dividing line between the two kingdoms and countries throughout centuries of European history, changing hands between the two nations on many occasions and often being at the forefront of many wars and battles. The famous Maginot Line of World War I passed through the area, and some of the existing structures have become museums to the conflict. The area has an intriguing history, with the Germanic influences plain to see in the architecture, local dialect and even the food you can expect to eat in restaurants. Rather than the fine dining meals you will be served in the rest of France, the cuisine in Alsace is more stews and casseroles; good peasant food that has been turned into an art form by quality restaurants in the cities and towns.
One of the culinary specialities that Alsace and the Bas Rhin are famous for is the white wine that is made in the region. Alsatian wine is so popular that local tourism bosses have even set up the “Wine Trail” for visitors to follow, to learn more about the wine industry and its history and, of course, to try some of the local produce! The route is nearly 200 kilometres long, so if you plan to follow it from beginning to end, you will need to pick out a couple of overnight stopping points. As well as passing through areas of vineyards, the route also takes tourists through some of the prettiest Alsace villages, such as Scherwiller on the banks of the River Aubach and Mittelbergheim with its famous Renaissance houses.
Bas Rhin is a very green and hilly area, with few large cities. Always popular with walkers and cyclists, there are also outdoor sports centres in the region where you can enjoy water sports or more extreme activities such as rock climbing or para gliding. The Northern Vosges Regional National Park is one of the most popular areas for outdoor activities, whether you want to explore forests, climb hills or canoe on its rivers and lakes. One of the most challenging climbs in the area is the Neuntelstein Rock. If you don't want to tackle the vertical route up the rock face, there is also a footpath to the rear, so that everyone can enjoy the panoramic view from the top.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Bas Rhin? Then below is a selection of gites in Bas Rhin and villas in Bas Rhin that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
