Alsace

Alsace is a cultural and historical region in northeastern France, along the banks of the Rhine. It lies between the Vosges Mountains to the west and the Rhine to the east, with a climate and landscape shaped by French and German influences. The region traditionally comprises two departments, Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin, whose historic capital is Strasbourg, the seat of several European institutions. Since 2016, Alsace has been part of the Grand Est administrative region, though the name remains widely used to describe the cultural area.

Historically part of the Holy Roman Empire, Alsace later became part of France in the 17th century under the treaties of Westphalia and had intermittent periods of German control during the 19th and 20th centuries. It was annexed by Nazi Germany during World War II and returned to France after the war. The area retains a strong Franco-German heritage, expressed in architecture, cuisine, and bilingual signage in many towns.

The population speaks French as the official language, with Alsatian, a Alemannic German dialect, still spoken in some communities. The region is renowned for its wine production, especially white wines such as Riesling and Gewürztraminer, and for picturesque towns with half-timbered houses. Notable sites include Strasbourg Cathedral, the historic district of Petite France, Colmar’s old town, and the perched castles of the Vosges foothills. Tourism, manufacturing, and services contribute to the economy, with significant cross-border activity in the Rhine valley and Strasbourg as a European hub.