In Alsace, events all year round
Alsace is a region with a wealth of events throughout the year. In winter, the Christmas markets are a must, with their illuminations and culinary specialities. In summer, there are numerous cultural festivals, including the Colmar Jazz Festival and the Strasbourg European Fantastic Film Festival. And theme parks like Europa-Park attract millions of visitors every year. Last but not least, Alsace’s vineyards offer wine tastings throughout the year. So there’s something for everyone.
Alsace in winter
Alsace is a beautiful region to visit in winter. Christmas markets are very popular, with festive decorations, culinary specialities and handcrafted gifts. The best-known Christmas markets are the Colmar Christmas market, the Kaysersberg Christmas market, the Strasbourg Christmas market, the Sélestat Christmas market and the Obernai Christmas market. But you can also find authentic Christmas markets in different towns and villages, such as the Noël Authentique in Barr on the 2nd and 3rd weekends in December.
As well as Christmas markets, there are many other winter events, such as music festivals and art exhibitions. What’s more, the Vosges mountains offer winter sports opportunities, such as skiing (downhill and Nordic) and snowshoeing. Alsace has several winter sports resorts, including Lac Blanc, Markstein and Champ du Feu, which can be reached in 30 minutes from Barr. You can look forward to some great outings with family and friends.
Alsace in spring
Spring in Alsace means mild temperatures, budding trees and blossoming flowers. It’s also the season for spring and Easter markets, where you can discover Alsace’s culinary specialities and local crafts. There isn’t a weekend without a flea market, craft market or gourmet market, where there are always good tarts flambées to be enjoyed in a convivial atmosphere. What’s more, the vineyards offer magnificent scenery as the first leaves of the vines appear.
Alsace in summer
Alsace in summer is a popular destination for its beautiful scenery, picturesque towns and delicious cuisine. Temperatures are both summery and mild, making it pleasant to stroll through the vineyards and visit the local markets. Summer festivals such as the Fête de la Musique, Décibulles in the Val de Villé, La Grange Rock in Nordheim, the Jazz Festival in Petite France, Summer Vibration Reggae and Rock Your Brain Fest in Sélestat, the Festival Au Grès du Jazz in La Petite-Pierre in the Parc Naturel Régional des Vosges and the traditional Foire aux Vins d’Alsace festival in Colmar, to name but a few, not forgetting all the summer markets, are also events not to be missed. There’s something for everyone!
And of course, there’s a wide variety of local wines to enjoy chilled throughout the summer in Alsace.
Alsace in autumn
In autumn, Alsace puts on a magnificent show, with its vineyards in shimmering colours and its forests in warm shades of red and orange. It’s also harvest season, culminating in the traditional Fêtes des Vendanges, the biggest and oldest of which takes place in Barr, usually around the 1st Sunday in October. Here you can enjoy wine tastings and traditional Alsatian dishes such as sauerkraut and kougelhopf. Finally, the temperatures are cooler, so it’s the perfect time to go for a walk and enjoy nature.
Alsace all year round - Activities & events
All year round, you can follow the wine route through hills and half-timbered houses. You can stop off in these typical towns and villages to take in the architecture, enjoy the various parks, watch the storks or drop into one of the countless wine cellars to sample some excellent Alsace wines.
Wine tourism activities
Alsace is one of France’s most beautiful wine-growing regions and offers a wide range of wine-tourism activities, including wine-tasting in the cellars, vineyard tours and cookery classes accompanied by wine-tasting. There are also wine festivals throughout the year. And for the more adventurous, you can even take part in the grape harvest yourself, to help out the teams of winegrowers.
The different leisure parks
Alsace also boasts a number of leisure parks, including NaturOparC and Jardin des Papillons in Hunawihr, Montagne des Singes, Volerie des Aigles and Cigoland in Kintzheim near Sélestat, at the foot of the Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg, to name but a few. The list goes on and on…
NaturOparC is a wildlife park in Hunawihr, Alsace. It offers a different approach to discovering local wildlife, with a sensory trail to help visitors better understand the relationships between different ecosystems. Visitors can observe animals such as lynx, storks and otters in their natural environment and learn more about their way of life. The park is also committed to preserving endangered species and runs programmes to reintroduce them into the wild. It’s a great way to raise awareness of nature and its preservation.
Right next to the NaturOparC park, you can visit the Butterfly Garden. It’s a magical place where you can admire hundreds of butterflies in a natural, tropical setting. This little paradise is perfect for an outing with family or friends, to marvel at the beauty of nature.
La Montagne des Singes is a wildlife park in Alsace where visitors can see Barbary macaques roaming free. This park offers a unique experience where you can walk through the park and see the monkeys playing, eating and interacting with each other. It’s an ideal attraction for families and nature lovers looking for a fun day out in Alsace. In the shade of the woods and high up in the mountains, it’s the perfect summer activity for escaping the heat of the plains.
The Volerie des Aigles in Alsace is a bird park offering visitors the chance to discover majestic birds in free flight. Also located in Kintzheim in the Bas-Rhin, the park is home to over 60 birds of prey, including eagles, falcons and vultures, as well as shows of birds of prey in flight, falconry demonstrations and educational workshops. It’s a unique experience for all the family, not to be missed on a visit to Alsace.
Cigoland is an amusement park near Sélestat in the Bas-Rhin department. Its main theme is storks, which are emblematic of the region. The park offers a variety of attractions for all ages, including rides, puppet shows and interactive stork exhibitions. Visitors can also discover Alsatian culture through activities such as wine tasting and local specialities. Cigoland is an ideal destination for a day out with family and friends to discover the Alsace region.
Who hasn’t heard of Europa-Park, the famous theme park located in Rust, Germany, very close to the French border and easily accessible via the Rhinau-Kappel ferry crossing the Rhine. Since it opened in 1975, it has become one of the most popular theme parks in Europe and even the world, having been voted “World’s Best Amusement Park” for 8ème consecutive years, with over 5 million visitors every year. It offers over 100 attractions, including roller coasters, rides and shows. The park is divided into different themed districts, each representing a different European country, not forgetting the new Rulantica aquatic complex, which opens to the public in 2019.
You’ll also find plenty of other attractions in the north and south of Alsace, including Mulhouse Zoo, the Parc du Petit Prince and the Alsace EcoMuseum, both in Ungersheim in the Haut-Rhin.
Your ideal base at Logis du Printemps - Alsace Events
Strategically located in the heart of Alsace, our accommodations at Logis du Printemps are the perfect base from which to enjoy all these activities ans events. From Barr, reach the Strasbourg Christmas markets in 30 minutes, Europa-Park in 1 hour 15 minutes, or the Vosges ski resorts like Champs du Feu in just 30 minutes. Our gîte “Au p’tit Bonheur de Laura” welcomes you in a charming setting with a private garage, ideal for storing your Christmas market purchases or ski equipment.
Unique experiences every season
Each season reveals a different Alsace from your accommodation. In winter, head straight from our home for an authentic Christmas in Barr, then explore the large Christmas markets. In spring, our bicycles are available to explore the vineyards in bloom. In summer, enjoy our air conditioning after your days at festivals , events or amusement parks. In fall, take part in the grape harvest before relaxing in our cozy lounge.
Alsace with the family from our gîtes
Our family accommodations are designed to make your outings with children easier. Secure parking for strollers, baby equipment available upon request, and above all, a location that allows you to easily alternate between cultural activities events and theme parks. Morning at Cigoland, afternoon in the vineyards, evening on the balcony: Alsace with the family has never been easier!
Your local concierge
With our intimate knowledge of the region, we recommend the best activities to suit your tastes and the season. From discounted tickets to select parks, to winemaker recommendations for your tastings, to itinerary tips to avoid the crowds at the Christmas markets, your stay at the Logis du Printemps is authentic Alsace with added service.
Book your multi-season stay
Alsace is experienced differently in each season, and our preferential rates for long stays allow you to discover this richness. Book your Alsatian getaway now and let yourself be carried away by the rhythm of the seasons in our beautiful region. From the winter magic of the Christmas markets to the flamboyant colors of the grape harvest, each moment will be an unforgettable memory.