Alsace & Colmar – France in 35 minutes
Cross the Rhine and immerse yourself in one of the most picturesque regions of France. Colmar, the wine route and the villages of Alsace await you.
France right next door
Half-timbered houses, wine &
French savoir-vivre
Alsace is one of the loveliest and most distinctive regions of France – shaped by Franco-German history, picturesque half-timbered villages, world-famous wines and a cuisine that brings both cultures together.
From Hotel Andante in Rust you can reach Colmar in just 35 minutes – across the Europabrücke at Breisach, through the Rhine plain and rolling vineyards. No visa, no currency exchange: Alsace has been part of the euro area since 2002 and is easily accessible for EU citizens.
Colmar & Alsace
The finest highlights
Petite Venise, Colmar
Colmar's most picturesque quarter: half-timbered houses reflected in the canals of the Lauch – often called the loveliest townscape in France.
Musée Unterlinden – Isenheim Altarpiece
The most important artwork of the German Middle Ages: the Isenheim Altarpiece by Matthias Grünewald is a world-famous masterpiece of painting.
Colmar Christmas market
One of the most atmospheric Christmas markets in Europe – set across several picturesque squares and lanes in the historic old town.
Route des Vins d'Alsace
The 170 km Alsatian wine route links more than 70 winegrowing villages through Riesling and Gewürztraminer vineyards at the foot of the Vosges.
Riquewihr – The fairytale village
The best-preserved medieval wine town in Alsace: Riquewihr is ringed by its old town walls and has scarcely changed since the 16th century.
Eguisheim – France's most beautiful village
The circular village of Eguisheim has repeatedly been voted the most beautiful village in France – geranium-decked half-timbered houses set in concentric lanes.
Practical information
Well prepared for France
Border crossing
Breisach – Neuf-Brisach
Over the bridge at Breisach in around 25 minutes from the hotel. No traffic jams, free movement within the Schengen area.
Entry
No visa required
EU citizens travel with an ID card. No visa and, as a rule, no border checks.
Parking in Colmar
City-centre car parks
Park on the edge of the old town (Place Rapp or Unterlinden car park) and explore the centre on foot.
Recommendation
A full day
Allow at least one full day. Colmar, the wine route and a village such as Riquewihr can easily fill two days.
Cuisine
Alsatian cuisine –
two cultures, one pleasure
Alsace is a stronghold of European cooking: tarte flambée (Flammkuchen), hearty baeckeoffe and tender choucroute garnie sit alongside fine wines on every menu. The restaurants in Colmar and the winegrowing villages range from down-to-earth winstubs to top-flight gastronomy.
The Route des Vins d'Alsace runs from Marlenheim to Thann through more than 70 winegrowing villages. Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Crémant d'Alsace – the grapes grow right at the foot of the Vosges.
Recommended wine route
Turckheim
Medieval wine town with a night watchman – the starting point of the southern wine route
Kaysersberg
Birthplace of Albert Schweitzer, known for Riesling and a magnificent old town
Riquewihr
Best-preserved winegrowing town, famed for Riesling and Gewürztraminer
Eguisheim
Concentric lanes, geraniums, award-winning wines – a must on any wine route
Rouffach
Charming little town with a mighty minster and Grand Cru vineyards
Hotel Andante as your base
France by morning,
the hotel pool by evening
Start early with our breakfast buffet – daily from 7:30 am –, explore Colmar and the wine route all day long and return in the evening to Hotel Andante. Our hotel pool and restaurant are waiting for you.
7:30 am
breakfast daily
35 min
to central Colmar
10 € / day
parking at the hotel
own pool
to unwind
Your next holiday
Europa-Park & Alsace –
the perfect combination
Book now and discover France just 35 kilometres away. Hotel Andante – your ideal base for Europa-Park, Rulantica and Alsace.