HOW FAR IS IT TO FRANCE?
The answer: about 16 km. Baden-Baden is very close to the border with the beautiful Alsace.
Alsace
Going to Alsace for an evening feast or to Strasbourg for shopping is quite normal for the people of Baden-Baden. Delicacies and wine can be bought in French supermarkets, market halls and from good vintners. A special experience is the crossing with the Rhine ferry from Greffern to Drusenheim, from there you can travel quite comfortably from one village to the other. Or you can take the direct route via the feeder road to the west, go shopping for chic fashion at the outlet in Roppenheim and treat yourself to a delicious tarte flambée in Roeschwoog.
STRASBOURG
Only 50 km from Baden-Baden, the whole flair of the French way of life unfolds. Chic stores, nice cafés and restaurants and a colorful hustle and bustle in the alleys.
If you want to visit the 142-meter high landmark of the city, you should aim for Rue Merciére. From this alley you have the most impressive view towards the main portal of the Strasbourg Cathedral. However, all streets lead to the cathedral and you will inevitably pass through picturesque neighborhoods.
From the tower you have the widest panoramic view, from the water the most interesting. You could now go to the Ill River and explore the city on the water with a guided boat tour. You will be amazed at how many locks there are and learn why the roofs of the old town have such large warehouses.
LA PETITE FRANCE
The old tanners’ quarter, with its magnificent half-timbered houses and narrow canals, is the most charming quarter of the city. Here the river fans out into 5 arms, which earned the neighborhood the name “little Venice”.
The historic houses are beautifully preserved and lovingly maintained. You stroll past countless typical inns or take time to feast. At the end of the Rue du Bain-aux-Plantes, you will come across the Pont du Faisan (Pheasant Bridge), also called the “Pont Tournant” (swing bridge) by the locals. Sometimes it’s the pedestrians’ turn, sometimes the boats, for which this small bridge is turned aside.
THE SOUTH OF Alsace
It’s hard to know where to start. One place is more picturesque than the other, all have their own character and lovely floral decorations.
Highly recommended places are Eguisheim, officially the most beautiful village in France and Colmar as “Petite Venice” with the famous Isenheim Altar in the Musée unter Linden. Selestat is one of the most beautiful towns in the Rhine valley and reached its heyday in the 15th and 16th centuries. The Humanist Library has been a World Heritage Site since 2011.
Riquewihr is known as the pearl of the Alsace wine region and looks like an open-air museum with its medieval charm. Ribeauville, Obernai , Kayersberg, Barr… everywhere you will be delighted by the historic charm and will hardly be able to resist the good wine taverns and inns.
