STORKS AND STORYBOOKS

Editors: This story is ideal for 2007. Many people visiting France for the Rugby World Cup will be looking for something else to do before returning home after the matches.

Gabrielle, my French friend was stoutly adamant: "Alsace is not like Germany. Never!"

On first sight it was certainly confusing, though – even the place-names routinely ended with 'heim' or 'wihr' – and when we happened upon a Wein Festival, well, that sounded about as German as you could get – especially when it came with a side-order of thigh-slapping music and a German oompah band, with players dressed in leather shorts, waistcoats and straw boaters.

We ate bretzels too, just a consonant away from pretzels, yet identical.

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This article continues with details of  the many storybook villages and museums, restaurants and weinbars, and  includes information on accommodation, local food and cuisine, and things to do and see in this sometimes overlooked north-east corner of France.

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(finishes…)

Alsace itself is a bit like that too. Irresistible. No wonder storks, always connected with birth and delivery, are this region's symbol. Alsace certainly delivered us with a mixed bag of delights.

©Sally Hammond 2007

Picture Credits: ©Gordon Hammond 2007

(Sally and Gordon Hammond travelled as guests of Alsace Tourism)

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