Alsace and Lorraine

And, the twain finally met. Like a love story with a happy ending. For centuries, the love-torn, twin territories-Alsace and Lorraine were passed back and forth between France and Germany. Understandably so. Alsace and Lorraine are among the richest provinces in France today. They have been steadily strengthening the French economy by yielding many resources like iron ore, coal, oil refineries, breweries, vineyards, forests, food processing, metallurgy….the list is endless. It is definitely France’s gain and Germany’s loss.

Today, tourists can feel at home by speaking French and German. After all, the latter’s hold on the province region of Alsace and Lorraine goes back not too long back-till 1945. It ended with the end of World War II. Educating oneself in the traditions of both, Germany and France therefore, is an added advantage as Alsace and Lorraine has other things in common besides a border line. Cuisines, culture, topography, politics are as German as they are French. Even the wine here is exotic as it is made from a blend of French and German grapes. So they say.

Running along these historically disputed provinces is the river Rhine. On one side, in Alsace, the Rhine valley and the mighty Vosges Mountains are scenically positioned. On the other side, in the Lorraine region, the Moselle valley snakes up the mountasins. One can charter a boat ride to view the picturesque castles, chateaus, gardens, museums, and other such divine destinations.

And then there is much more for the adventure zealots. Cross country skiing, mountain biking, cycling, and motoring in the Vosges and Jura Mountain ranges are some favorite activities among tourists.

The most frequently visited towns in the Alsace and Lorraine belt include Colmar, Nancy (Capital of Lorraine), Saverne, Strasbourg and Metz. What’s common between all of them are the picturesque lakes and meadows, breathtaking waterfalls, old-fashioned villages with quaint-shaped houses. For instance, the houses in Strasbourg have a charm of their own, designed like ginger bread that are almost leaning onto the streets.

Special attractions that are worth a mention are the ruined castles near Wissembourg and Selesta, Routes du Vin in the southern Vosges and Jura, Le Struthof concentration camp, Forest de Chaux and de la Jaux in the Jura, the latter being a beautiful ancient pine forest; the stalactite caves of the Jura.

Idyllic attractions coupled with exotic cuisine (thanks to the prevalent German influence) make Alsace-Lorraine one of the most popular tourist destinations of France. What is evident here is that the turbulence of the past is exactly what it is-the past that has been left far behind.