Gourmet Getaway in Alsace and the Vosges

We’re back with another chapter in our road books, and this time, we’re taking you on a getaway to Alsace and the Vosges, France. From tips, restaurant recommendations, hotels, shopping ideas and places to visit, I’ve got you covered!

Introduction

For this little post, I am doing a bit of a cross-posting with the other blog I’m curating, i.e. the Cruizador BLOG. In fact, I spend a considerable amount of time writing road books.

Highly appreciated by Cruizador’s users, these travel diaries are here to inspire them to go on a little adventure—not necessarily far, but definitely better—on two wheels 🙂

I’m convinced that riding a motorcycle, at any speed, is a different way of travelling. After all, it’s not just about the destination, it’s about the journey.

For this road book, I decided to broaden my horizons and write a blog that is not just for motorcyclists.

This time, however, we have created a guide aimed not only at motorcyclists, but at anyone interested in discovering this region.

Especially at this time of year. Christmas is just around the corner and Alsace is well known for its Christmas markets.

Of course, I have chosen beautiful scenic roads for you, but I have also highlighted sights, great restaurants, hotels, shopping etc.

So I hope you like it and don’t hesitate to contact me if you need any additional information.

And note for the reader, I did the extra-mile and translated the article also into French (here) and German (here).

And as usual, click the images to enlarge.

Ride on!

So, this time, we’re heading just across the border, not too far from Switzerland.

This little trip is perfect for a 2 to 5-day road trip, depending on your mood and schedule.

A quick heads-up: the mid-altitude mountain passes, especially the Col de la Schlucht, peaking at 1139m, mean this trip might not be doable year-round depending on weather conditions. Be sure to check for snow beforehand.

And even though Cruizador primarily caters to all kinds of bikers, the tips in this travel diary could also be useful for travelers using other means of transport. Alsace is easy to reach by public transport too, and the Christmas markets during the festive season make for the perfect little getaway. Just saying 😉

Lastly, this route can be easily combined with our other trip in the Doubs for those who want to extend the adventure!

Day 1

I’ve picked Basel as the starting point—arbitrarily, but also to suit both our French- and German-speaking users. Plus, the Rhine city offers plenty of attractions, like the Fondation Beyeler or the Tinguely Museum. Or the Vitra Museum for design lovers.

For those coming from further away and wanting to stay overnight in Basel, we recommend the Motel One chain. A good value for money and located in Basel’s old town. Of course, depending on your preferences and budget, a quick search on booking platforms will help you find the perfect place.

Option 1: Basel to Colmar

I chose Colmar as the destination for this first day. I was torn between Colmar and Strasbourg, each city having its own charms. While Strasbourg, as a bigger city, offers more shopping options, we opted for the more picturesque vibe of Colmar, with its pedestrian streets and canals.

Depending on the route, the ride will take between 45 minutes (if you stick to the highway) and almost 2 hours if you take the scenic routes.

getaway Alsace Vosges France

For people interested, you could make a detour via Belfort to visit the citadel, designed by military architect Vauban. However, this can also be done on your way back.

I also recommend checking out the Alsace Wine Route website for all the activities available in the region—wine towns, Alsace by bike, etc.

This section of the ride doesn’t offer much in terms of pure motorcycle thrills, so you might want to head to Colmar quickly to enjoy the town’s charm.

What do do in Colmar? Where to sleep/eat?  

For accommodations, I selected the Hotel Gustave. While it doesn’t have a ton of charm, it’s only a 5-minute walk from the old town.The price-quality ratio was decent—around €88/night.

For lunch, I hit the Colmar Covered Market, which has lots of options: flammekueche, Italian food, street food—there’s something for everyone. If you want a more traditional restaurant, a quick search on TripAdvisor should help narrow it down.

Fancy a coffee with a good pastry? Head for Thierry Mulhaupt, a well-known chocolatier on the square, who offers all the great French pastry classics: Paris-Brest, Tarte au citron, etc.

For dinner, I went to Le 3, where we enjoyed a delicious fish dish. They also serve traditional Alsatian dishes and meat options

getaway Alsace Vosges France

What about shopping and things to do?

Shopping will depend more on your luggage capacity, but there’s plenty to choose from—gingerbread, Alsace wines, candied fruits, terrines, crafts… you name it! I personally enjoyed Vinum, a wine shop where we picked up some Pinot Noir and Gewürztraminer (when in Alsace, right?).

As for points of interest, most are located in the old town and along the canals. You can even take a boat tour if you feel like it. Wander the pedestrian streets and let yourself get carried away by the mood.

getaway Alsace Vosges France

Picture gallery

Option 2: Basel to Strasbourg

If you’re more drawn to bigger cities, why not push a bit further north and stop in Strasbourg?

The ride will take between 1h40 (highway only) to 3h50 if you go the scenic route and set your TomTom to maximum twistiness.

Strasbourg offers many attractions, like its Gothic cathedral from the 15th century, the Petite France district, the pedestrian streets downtown, and the Orangerie Park.

Where to eat and sleep in Strasbourg? 

Your best bet is to do a quick online search, as prices can vary widely depending on the time of year.

In December, for example, prices can skyrocket due to the world-famous Christmas market.

But we had a good experience at Hotel Tandem, conveniently located opposite the train station. Perfect if you’re arriving by train!

For food, flammekueche is the obvious choice, right? And while every Alsatian has their go-to spot, we settled on La Fignette—a charming spot in the city center that serves flammekueche baked in a wood-fired oven, with a typical Alsatian accent to boot 😉

They also offer other dishes: salads, choucroute, burgers, tartare, etc. For something a bit more modern, Mama Bubbele is also a great option. If you’re in the Petite France district, why not try a buckwheat galette at Moulin du Diable?

Still not convinced? How about Lebanese food? Check out Le Petit Mezze for delicious mezze dishes in the city center.

Whether you go for a galette, flammekueche, or mezze, you’ll find plenty of vegetarian options too, because yes, some of our readers are bikers who don’t eat meat!

How about shopping?

Strasbourg offers plenty of shopping options for every budget and taste: clothes, gourmet food, and more.

But if we had to give two recommendations to combine the practical with the pleasurable: maybe you need some technical (under)wear for both your ski/snowboard trips and early/late season motorcycle rides?

Check out Le Vieux Campeur, a well-known outdoor retailer, for merino wool base layers—a must-have!

If you’re on a tighter budget, Uniqlo is a good alternative.

We’ve mentioned them in our Lyon and Annecy posts. Sure, Uniqlo might be fast fashion, but I bought my first Uniqlo down jacket on a trip to Japan in 2012, and I’m still wearing it today!

Ultralight, compact, and easy to carry in a top case or backpack, these jackets cost around €80.

And honestly, they can save your ride—when it’s getting chilly at night, just slip one under your motorcycle jacket, and you’re good to go!

Uniqlo also offers Heattech technical underwear that’s great for everyday winter use. In short, their stuff is way better quality than other fast fashion brands, and at a fraction of the price of big sportswear names.

Day 2: Colmar to Gerardmer

After a good night and a solid breakfast, we’ll set off to get a little lost on the roads of the Vosges, with Gerardmer, a low/mid-altitude ski resort, as our destination.

This day will focus on the joy of riding. The Vosges offer many winding roads, a few medium-altitude passes, and a nice mix of small lakes and coniferous forests.

At times, the landscape will have the feel of the great Canadian outdoors, making it quite the change of scenery!

As for the route, you should plan about 1.5 hours, taking the smaller roads. No need to head out at the crack of dawn.

Note: You could also make a detour to visit Château du Hohlandsbourg, a 13th-century castle situated at 620 meters above sea level, offering a panoramic 360-degree view of the Black Forest, the Alsace plain, and the Vosges mountains. The castle also hosts themed exhibitions and events. Check their website for more info.

Otherwise, you can continue your ride via the Col de la Schlucht or the Col de la Grosse Pierre, depending on whether you’re approaching from the north or the south. Eventually, you’ll arrive at Gerardmer and its small lake, offering opportunities for swimming, water sports, fishing, mountain biking, hiking, and more.

getaway Alsace Vosges France

Where to sleep and eat in Gerardmer? 

As always, a quick online search will give you the best rates depending on the season. It’s also a good way to snag last-minute deals.

I selected two accommodation options depending on your budget, both just outside of Gerardmer.

Option 1: La Bresse

Stay at La Demeure des 2 Trésors, which offers spacious rooms and a relaxation/spa area (for an additional fee). Breakfast is included in the room rate, and you can park your vehicle right in front of the hotel.

I booked directly upon arrival and paid around €100 per night (last-minute). For dinner, I went to Pizzeria Fontena. It was decent, but not the best pizza we’ve ever had. 😉

Option 2: Les Bas-Rupts

Alternatively, you could splurge a bit more with a stay at Relais & Châteaux Les Bas-Rupts, which offers a pricier but more luxurious experience. We also booked last-minute directly on the hotel’s website, and the night cost us “only” €170, excluding breakfast.

For that price, you get a cozy room with a balcony overlooking the forest, a large bathroom, and access to a wellness area with both indoor and outdoor heated pools (29°C), a hammam, and a sauna.

Additionally, you can book a massage or beauty treatment if you need some rejuvenation after spending the day on the road.

To top it off, I indulged in a delightful meal at their Michelin-starred restaurant, run by Chef Philippe Sublet.

It was a real treat for the taste buds. With a bottle of wine, two digestifs, and two menus, I ended up spending around €200. So, in total, the bill came to €380—a bit of a budget hit, we admit, but the experience was well worth it!

getaway Alsace Vosges France

Day 3: Gerardmer to Porrentruy

After a restful night, I took a small walk around the lake of Gerardmer. There’s a path that circles the lake: 6 km, with an 80-meter elevation gain, making it an easy walk. You should allow for about an hour of walking, not counting the breaks.

For breakfast, I first stopped for a coffee at L’EnchanThé and then grabbed something to keep us going for the road at the adjacent bakery, Vaxelaire—perfect for a picnic on the way.

Now it’s time to head back for the last part of this excursion, returning towards Switzerland. Several view points along the way, with highlights including the Grand Ballon d’Alsace.

Don’t hesitate to stop along the way according to your fatigue level or mood. Personally, we found a nice spot by a pond that wasn’t too shabby for a break.

Our final destination was set for the Roland Afolter garage, which happens to be the largest Lamborghini dealership in Europe! The dealership is open to the public and is full of exceptional vehicles from various brands. Just try not to show up with muddy boots!

And with that, our motorcycle escape through Alsace and the Vosges comes to an end. I hope you enjoyed it.

If you’re not ready to head home just yet, you can easily combine this route with our Doubs roadbook.

See you soon for another ride. And don’t hesitate to check out our BLOG for more inspiration. We cover all topics related to motorcycling.

Ride on!