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Alsace Route des Vins — France — Food
Europe

Alsace Route des Vins

France

In short: Alsace Route des Vins is a 170 km food road trip in France, typically driven over 2–4 days, best in Sep–Nov (harvest). Highlights: Strasbourg, Obernai, Sélestat.

Distance
170 km
Duration
2–4 days
Best Season
Sep–Nov (harvest)
IconicEasyFoodEV-friendly

The Route des Vins d'Alsace winds between the Vosges Mountains and the Rhine plain through a string of medieval villages, half-timbered houses hung with geraniums, storks on every chimney, and Riesling in every cellar.

Practical notes
This is an easy, paved route, but the villages are narrow and summer weekends bring heavy traffic and tight parking. In harvest season, book cellar visits ahead and expect some Saturday closures in the smallest centers; a standard car is fine, but driving slowly through pedestrian zones is essential.
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Stops along the route

Strasbourg — Departure — Alsace Route des Vins — France
Departure
Strasbourg
The Alsatian capital where the wine route begins. Gothic cathedral, La Petite France canals, and the European Parliament within one medieval island city.
Hotels
Obernai — City — Alsace Route des Vins — France
City
Obernai
The first great wine village, enclosed by intact medieval walls. The six-bucket well on the market square dates from 1579 and still defines the town.
Hotels
Sélestat — City — Alsace Route des Vins — France
City
Sélestat
A Renaissance town with the oldest lending library in France. Its 1521 Christmas market is widely credited with launching the global tradition.
Hotels
Ribeauvillé — City — Alsace Route des Vins — France
City
Ribeauvillé
Three ruined castles crown the hill above this handsome town. The Grand Cru Kirchberg de Ribeauvillé Riesling vines fill every slope below them.
Hotels
Riquewihr — City — Alsace Route des Vins — France
City
Riquewihr
A perfectly preserved 16th-century wine town unchanged since Habsburg rule. Cobbled lanes, half-timbered facades, and no through traffic.
Hotels
Colmar — City — Alsace Route des Vins — France
City
Colmar
The wine capital of Alsace. Petite Venise canals, the Isenheim Altarpiece at Unterlinden museum, and the region's best tarte flambée all converge here.
Hotels
Eguisheim — Arrival — Alsace Route des Vins — France
Arrival
Eguisheim
Elected France's favourite village. Concentric rings of colour-washed half-timbered houses form a perfectly intact medieval world built around a 13th-century castle.
Hotels

Things to Do

Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg — Historic Site — Alsace Route des Vins — France
Historic Site
Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg
A restored medieval castle offering panoramic views of the Alsace plain and the Vosges mountains.
Unterlinden Museum — Museum — Alsace Route des Vins — France
Museum
Unterlinden Museum
A renowned museum in Colmar housing the famous Isenheim Altarpiece and diverse art collections.
Mont Sainte-Odile — Nature — Alsace Route des Vins — France
Nature
Mont Sainte-Odile
A sacred mountain offering hiking trails and a monastery with stunning views over the Alsace region.

Where to Eat

La Maison des Têtes — French — Alsace Route des Vins — France
French
La Maison des Têtes
A historic restaurant in Colmar offering traditional Alsatian dishes in an elegant setting.
Wistub du Sommelier — Alsatian — Alsace Route des Vins — France
Alsatian
Wistub du Sommelier
A cozy eatery in Bergheim known for its authentic Alsatian cuisine and extensive wine list.
Auberge de l'Ill — Gourmet French — Alsace Route des Vins — France
Gourmet French
Auberge de l'Ill
A three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Illhaeusern offering exquisite French cuisine by the Ill River.

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Frequently asked questions

How long is the Alsace Route des Vins drive?

The Alsace Route des Vins covers 170 km from start to finish.

How long does the Alsace Route des Vins take to drive?

Most travellers spend 2–4 days on the Alsace Route des Vins, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Alsace Route des Vins?

The recommended season for the Alsace Route des Vins is Sep–Nov (harvest).

Where does the Alsace Route des Vins start and end?

The Alsace Route des Vins runs from Strasbourg to Eguisheim.

What are the main stops on the Alsace Route des Vins?

The Alsace Route des Vins passes through Strasbourg, Obernai, Sélestat.

Can I drive the Alsace Route des Vins in a regular car?

Yes — the Alsace Route des Vins is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

Is the Alsace Route des Vins EV friendly?

Yes — the Alsace Route des Vins has charger coverage along the route and works as an EV road trip.

Is the Alsace Route des Vins safe to drive?

This is an easy, paved route, but the villages are narrow and summer weekends bring heavy traffic and tight parking. In harvest season, book cellar visits ahead and expect some Saturday closures in the smallest centers; a standard car is fine, but driving slowly through pedestrian zones is essential.

What scenic tier is the Alsace Route des Vins?

The Alsace Route des Vins is a iconic drive — Iconic road trips that anchor a region's reputation — postcard scenery, headline highways, and the routes most travellers want to drive.