The departement of Haut-Rhin is located within the region of Alsace on France's border with Germany. This region has changed hands between the two countries many times over the centuries, something which is reflected in the local dialect, place names and even the kind of food that you might expect to eat in restaurants here; more sausages and casseroles than snails and frog's legs! While the region is home to many beautiful and historic towns and villages, most visitors to Haut-Rhin are those who enjoy outdoor activities. With mountains, rivers, lakes and forests within its borders, Haut-Rhin is the perfect destination for those who enjoy spending their holidays outside.
The mountains of the Vosges massif in the east of Haut-Rhin offer many outdoor activities, particularly walking and hiking. There are trails throughout this area of the departement, and details of each route's length and difficulty can be found on maps at tourist information offices. No matter what time of year you are visiting Alsace, make sure you are prepared if you are hiking in the mountains as the weather is not guaranteed to be as mild or as dry as other parts of France. The safest area to go walking in is probably the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park, as this has paths that are marked by signposts, making them much easier to follow. There are still some challenging routes, including different paths to the top of the highest mountain in Haut-Rhin at over 1,400 metres.
If you prefer to do your exploring on four wheels, the high Crest Road that runs along the mountains on the border between Haut-Rhin and the neighbouring region of Franche-Comte hugs the sides of the hills with fantastic views over the surrounding countryside. There are plenty of places for drivers to pull over and enjoy the view too. Make sure you stop for lunch in one of the inns on this road, which often serve rustic and traditional food. The Mountain Lakes, the Black and the White, are glacial lakes, surrounded by high cliffs. While you can swim there in the summer, the water temperature will still be very cold
There are several pretty historic towns in the Haut-Rhin area, many with medieval city walls and half-timbered houses. Ribeauville is one of the most visited and most photographed and is also a stopping point on the Alsace wine trail. The fortified town of Riquewihr has an interesting appearance, with many of its medieval buildings painted in bright colours and decorated with baskets of flowers. Finally, Eguisheim is home to the usual winding, cobbled streets but also has a 12th century castle which is open to visitors. Surrounded by the vineyards that make the famous Alsace wines, there is also a festival dedicated to the wine growers each year.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Haut Rhin? Then below is a selection of gites in Haut Rhin and villas in Haut 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.
