Here it is: a website which presents all cultural news, leisure and celebration in the area of : Alsace, Pays de Bade, North-West from Switzerland and it is Hopla net. Small and big events. People who stay in Alsace will love it, with a lot of things to do, for young and older people, and it's a good occasion to meet the local population and to enjoy this area from the '3 borders" which was european very early... Another precious adress and more cultural:  Artour, . Anyway, if you come in this area, take the Pass Musées for the 3 countries to enjoy the maximum of offers. Next inevitable appointment : le carnaval de Bâle on february!

Instead of everyone taking their own car, reserve Nicole's bus for the day (7 pers.) ! Following your wishes or the suggestions of the Regio à la carte discover the amazing sites on different sides of the border: lunch in the Vosges, rose gardens, cellar visits, rotating cuisine, wild plant meals, magic forest...Nicole knows everything and will tell you everything! It's a superb idea for a birthday gift added to a stay in Alsace ?

Discovering Alsace also means discovering the Rhin and its specific natural surroundings. The Rhin, a European river, has played a determining part in the history of the land.

The Association 'Rhin Vivant' (Living Rhin) created in 2005, strives to develop sustainable tourism in the naturel surroundings along the banks of the Rhin, in France and in Germany. It unites French and German tourist, environmental, sport, and down-time organisers and coordinates a European project to structure and extend the offer of sustainable tourism inthe protected spaces of the Rhin. This organisation develops French-German networks of ecotourism on the Rhin assuring the promotion of these unique areas.

Sculpted by the river, the marriage between the water and earth along the banks of the Rhin offers a diversity that is unique in Europe. This generous nature is preserved thanks to the establishment of protected zones: more than 30 000 ha of natural preserve is offered.

Support sustainable tourism by visiting Alsace by train.  With the PASS EVASION from the SNCFvisit all of Alsace with discounts for museums, natural parks, cultural sites, and more!  Basel, Selestat, Mulhouse, Strasbourg, the Val D’Argent, the Haut- Koenigsbourg, the Parc de Wesserling, the Vallée de la Bruche..everything is accessible! Interesting prices are proposed for individuals and groups. Think about the ticket Tri-Régio  that allows you to use French, German, and Swiss transportation. 

Escal’Arbre allows you to approach nature and trees without causing permanent damage because it's not a constructed course.  Perched on your tree you can observe the animals of the forest. For the bravest, you can even spend the night!!!!
 

This is an adventure for brave nature-lovers!  Discover Alsace from a different perspective by going on a two person paragliding session with the Centre Ecole du Markstein.  This activity doesn't pollute and allows you to admire the nature and reliefs of the country-side.  

Discover nature in an original way at the Farm of Pfeiferberg in Metzeral at 700m of altitude.  These animals are intelligent, sturdy, accustomed to the mountains, and not at all stubborn.  The expedition takes you to the glacier valley of Wormsa (la vallée glacière de la Wormsa).  You can go up to 1300 m.  Take the train TER from Colmar to Metzeral (you can start from the train tation, or it's a 45 min walk).  Reservations at 0389777158.

However, if you prefer poneys go to la Ferme du Chiblin.  The country side is magnificent and you'll discover the nature with calm and gentil animals.
Route du Col-des-Bagenelles
68650 Le Bonhomme
Reserve at 0389783502

Why not tempt an expedition on the water to discover the aquatic life and birds of Alsace?In the Riedyou can discover and listen to castors, king-fishers in the summer, herons, wagtails... You can choose to take the Bennwasser, Bornen, Schiwasser to travel the country-side.  Expedition solo, with the family, or with a guide. Visit:Canoë Kayak de l'Alpach, Itinerair' Alsace, Canoë Kayak Club de l’Ill Sélestat (Cakcis), Canoës du Ried.   

Le Centre de Réintroduction des Cigognes et Loutres (The Center for the Reintroduction of Storks and Otters) in Hunawhir is committed to the protection and conservation of endangered local species, especially the grand hamster, that is now only found in Alsace.  In the park, discover how this is done, play with the animals, and see shows about natural fishers.

At the forêt de L’Ill Wald  ("forest of the island") discover one of the biggest nature reserves in France that is home to more than 200 species of birds.  On the 23 waterways discover slamander, fish, frogs, and other aquatic life ...  Free and open all year round.  Route de Marckolsheim 67600 Sélestat.

This territory floods a couple of months every year and is an ideal space for the preservation of biodiversity.  Castors are being reintroduced in the area.  In Muttersholtz, La Maison de la Nature organizes guided outings during the year.  You can follow the circuits in place, ‘Mouette’ and ‘Belette’ with panels.  For more details call 0388851130. 

Don't forget to do a gondola ride with the Batelier du Ried, Patrick Understock, who talks about the activities of the Ried.

Since we love wine so much, we encourage you to visit the museum to discover the history of wine in Alsace and the methods of wine-making: a cellar, winepresses from the XVII century, as well as exhibitions on professions associated with wine, barrel and glass-making.  Take advantage of being there to visit the brotherhood of St. Etienne, winemakers  located right next to the museum. 

At the Musée de l’Impression sur Etoffes in Mulhouse you can work on impressions using methods from the XVIIIe century to decorate tableclothes, curtains, reversible bags, or bedquilts. Material will bring provided or bring your own cloth to decorate.  Don't forget to visit the museum and boutique while you're there.  To do something for the environment, take the train (the workshop is 400m from the train station).

L'Atelier Reliure du Val Saint- Grégoire.  Do you have an old book to restore?  Want to know how this is done?  This workshop is open all year except summer, Thursdays from 2pm to 5pm by appointment.  Phone 0389775185.  Take the bus n° 248 from Colmar direction Soultzeren. Get off at the Place du Marché, the workshop is 100m away.

Alsace, The Greenest Ever writes Philippe Farcy in la Libre Belgique May 25, 2008. "Seen in this way, Alsace shows an attentif aspect of respect for nature, omnipresent in this blomming region that must be preserved.  This is how tourism will endure." Thank you for talking about us in a country we love to receive visitors from. In Mont St Odile, in Ottrot à l'hotel Arnold, in Katzenthal at the Vignoble Klur, at the farm of Schmargult or at the Jardins de Gaïa there are so many ways to discover another image of this welcoming region.

The site of the ancient abbaye de Murbach is splendid though there rest very few vestiges from the Abbey (near Guebwiller). It is a high-ranking site in Alsace (as far as patrimonial value), and it's cousin the abbaye de Marbach closer to Colmar is worth the detour. A patrimonial path has just been installed. This is where the famous manuscript Codex Gustasintram was created. Both abbeys are found on the route romane d'Alsace (the Roman road of Alsace) which is home to festivals such as the voix et route romanes (voice and Roman road) and expositions like the Chemin d'Art sacré (path of sacred art). Take advantage and hike or bike around these beautiful sites.

Why scare the cows with your noisy vehicles?? From Jun 22 to September 28 2008 you can make a nice gesture for nature and take the Shuttle of the Crêtes !

Everyday, cars zoom on the road of the Crêtes, creating visiual, olfactory, noise, and air pollution, in a fragile and exceptional natural environment. Leave your car in the plain and use the shuttle on Sundays and holidays to reach the summits.  You can hike and hop back on the shuttle at another stop (there are 19 stops on the crête serviced every 30 minutes). You won't even have to worry about where you parked your car!!

Daily tarif: 3 euro. There's no reason not to try ! For more information and schedules please call: 03 89 77 90 34 e-mail : This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit the train station, offices of tourism and information points. www.navettedescretes.com

Take the train to Sélestat (TER Bâle - Strasbourg) and then the shuttle that takes you straight to the castle from March 20 to December 26th, 2010 (1 hour by train+plus the shuttle leaving from Colmar or Strasbourg, departures of the shuttle are coordiinated with the arrival of trains ) avoid traffic jams, parking 3km from the entry ... 4 euro for adults and 2 euro dicount on the entry to the castly. Shuttle accessible by wheelchair, reservations recommended at 03 88 58 22 66. Le Haut Koenigsbourg  celebrates the 100th birthday of its restoration this year.