Alsace Rally 2024

In Colmar, you are awaited by the ideally located Hotel Le Rapp****. The old town of Colmar is just a short walk away. We will meet together at 5 pm in the hotel lobby. We will then take part in a city tour, and will explore the old town of Colmar, which is worth visiting. We will end the day with an enjoyable dinner together.

After the adjustment of our bicycles, we will leave awakening Colmar on small side paths and will first follow the river course of the Lauch southwards. A first glimpse of the foothills of the Vosges mountains soon comes into view. The route leads through the first vineyards of our journey and to Eguisheim, renowned for its picturesque old town. We will then continue cycling via Turckheim to Kaysersberg, located in the midst of vineyards. Kaysersbergs‘ most famous son is without a doubt the Nobel peace prize winner Albert Schweitzer, who gained worldly fame as the so-called “jungle doctor”. The route then leads from Kaysersberg back to Colmar, and we will enjoy dinner together.

After breakfast, we will leave Colmar by bike in the direction of the Rhine. Shortly before the German – French border, we will reach Neuf-Brisach, an impressive testimony of the fortress construction of the 18th century. None other than Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban himself is responsible for the planning and construction of this ideally considered type of fortress construction. We will soon cross the Rhine and will then reach Breisach, with its striking Stephansmünster (cathedral), in an impressive location above the valley. Once we have explored Breisach, we will cross the Rhine once more and will then follow a cycle path along the Canal de Colmar, which will bring us back to the eponymous city. We will then review the events of our day over dinner together.

Today is dominated by the Grand Ballon (1.424 m) and the Vosges. In the morning, we will travel by bus onto the Grand Ballon, the highest mountain of the Vosges. At the observation point somewhat below the summit, we will mount our bicycles and cycle the first kilometres of today’s journey along a ridge. One can enjoy spectacular views of the Rhine valley time and again, of the Black Forest, and the deserted Vosges. After a long-stretched descent, we will reach the Vallée de Munster. We will then travel on hidden paths and follow the charming valley downstream, until we reach the lowlands and Colmar soon after. We will enjoy dinner together.

In the morning, we will travel by train to Strasbourg, where we will be awaited by a local city guide, who will show us the loveliest areas of the old town with its spectacular Strasbourg Cathedral. After our lunch break together (included in the travel price) we will explore the most bicycle friendly city in France by bike. The cycle paths often run parallel to the old canals of the city. Numerous impressive buildings dating back to the Wilhelmine Period, extensive park complexes and the European Parliament are located along the way. At the end of our „Tour de Strasbourg", we will take the train back to Colmar. You will have the evening to your own disposal.

After breakfast, we will begin cycling directly from the hotel, and will soon reach the first vineyards of todays’ stage. The first worthwhile destination is idyllic Bergheim, with its charming old town. We will then cycle via the picturesque Ribeauvillé through vineyards to Riquewihr, assuredly one of the most well-known and picturesque wine villages of the Alsace region. The medieval old town is considered an architectural gem. Travelling on desolate paths, we will arrive at our hotel in Colmar in the late afternoon. We will then review our journey during our final dinner together.

A visit to the Musée Unterlinden makes up the cultural conclusion to our journey, with its world famous Isenheim Altarpiece. This masterpiece by Matthias Grünewald and Niklaus von Hagenau is a fascinating attraction. Audio guides provide information and guide one through the exhibition, enabling one to explore the museum at one’s own interest and align it to today’s departure.

We gladly assist you on booking additional nights. All prices are on request. Please note, that it can be cheaper, when you book additional nights by yourself.

THE ISENHEIMER ALTARPIECE IN THE MUSÉE UNTERLINDEN:

The Isenheim Altarpiece, which is part of world cultural heritage, was created between 1512 and 1516, as the commission work for the Monastery of Saint Anthony in Alsatian Isenheim. The Order of Saint Anthony ran a hospital here, in which people suffering from Ergotism were treated. This disease which spread during the middle Ages caused severe burning pain, which was also called „Saint Anthony’s fire“, and for which there was hardly any cure. The artist Matthias Grünewald succeeded in combining the suffering of Jesus Christ with the suffering of the people with Saint Anthony’s fire in his paintings, which are definitely well worth seeing.