Sleek European Union structures and a medieval river fortification await you in the city, while the rural areas enchant with castles, vineyards and a ski resort.
With the cultural and political hub of Strasbourg at its core, Bas-Rhin is a vast and eclectic department on the border with Germany. It is known for its hilly forests that conceal an array of fairytale-like castles. Explore the religious monuments of the city and appreciate the serenity of the extensive countryside.
As the home of the European Parliament, Strasbourg has many important political structures. Visit the bulbous gray pod-like structures of the European Court of Human Rights and consider its importance in arbitration of cases across the European Union.
Walk along the waterways crisscrossing the city to reach the iconic Ponts Couverts and Barrage Vauban. These sights are part of a medieval fortification with three bridges, four towers and a dam. Appreciate the Gothic design and elaborate astronomical clock of the Strasbourg Cathedral. Admire the preserved architecture of the historic center, including the timber-framed Kammerzell House.
The countryside provides a stark contrast, consisting of sweeping vineyards and forests. Inspect the vast array of arms and medieval furniture in the 12th-century Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg, a little south of Strasbourg. Bring the whole family for the activities in the Fleckenstein Castle and its surrounding forest. Many other châteaux adorn the woodland terrain in Bas-Rhin.
Get a sense of the local culture in quaint villages, such as Selestat and Niederhaslach. With luck, you’ll spot folk entertainers in traditional red clothing.
Expect hot and humid summers, with occasional storms. The heat contrasts with cold winters, when snow turns the terrain white and Le Champ du Feu Ski Resort comes alive for skiing and other cold-weather sports.
Find the department on the German border in the northeastern corner of France. It straddles the Rhine River and is part of the vast Grand Est region. In a car, drive east for 5 hours from Paris or west from Stuttgart for 2 hours.
The Bas-Rhin region combines the historic religious buildings and museums of Strasbourg with castles in forests.