I have approximately 10 days to spend in Alsace & Lorraine and I plan on using the train or bus to get around. What would be the best home base to take day trips? I was thinking of Strasbourg, Colmar, Metz, or Nancy or a combination of those. I wouldn't object to having two (or three) home bases if there is more than one town that requires more than a day trip. I like museums, gardens, food halls, shopping, and speak passable French. I will be coming from Paris.
1
kenko
Although the TGV train will take you from Paris to Strasbourg, the metro area of Strasbourg is quite large with more than 700,000. COLMAR is much smaller with about 70,000 residents. After Paris, you might find Colmar more alluring. In any case, the two are only a half-hour train ride apart. Be sure to get out to see some of the historic towns in the Alsace-Lorraine
such as RIQUEWIHR, Obernai and Ribeauville; most can be reached by train or by local bus.
2
raindog2k
How many days each for Strasbourg and Colmar? Thanks for the suggestions about the historic towns.
3
basie
Although Strasbourg has a large population, the part of interest to most tourists is compact, and easily reached by walking from the train station.
I think that splitting your time between Strasbourg and Colmar would make sense. The villages mentioned in earlier posts are very much worth seeing, and are close to Colmar ( 15 km), so I hope that you'll be able to see them. I had a car, so it was easy to drive along the route des vins, and even up into the Vosges Mtns., and I can't comment about whether public transport in that area is easy to use.
4
louisxiv
A few years ago I spent about 5 days in the area. We stayed in Obernai at the Hotel des Vosges https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g196497-d631741-Reviews-Hotel_des_Vosges-Obernai_Bas_Rhin_Grand_Est.html
We found it a great location. Directly across from the train station and plenty of free parking. Trains could get you to other areas. It would be helpful to have a car, there are many exceptionally beautiful small villages in the area and RIQUEWIHR as mentioned above is just one of many in the area. Mont St. Odile is in the area a makes a nice visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mont_Sainte-Odile There is a lot to do in the area and Strasbourg can also consume a day or more.
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5
stcirq
I have been to Alsace-Lorraine a handful of times, and if it's a pleasure trip as opposed to a working trip, I always stay in Obernai. But I do always have a car.
6
kerouac2
If using public transportation, Nancy is a good base because there is very frequent service on the Metrolor (local TER) to Strasbourg as well as to Metz and Luxembourg up the North-South axis.
7
Thorn Tree
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