What to see in France

Camping in the Haut-Rhin, mountain landscapes and colourful villages

L'incontournable et charmante ville de Colmar dans le Haut-Rhin
L'incontournable et charmante ville de Colmar dans le Haut-Rhin

 

The Haut-Rhin occupies the southern part of Alsace. Comprising natural areas – the Ried and the Hardt to the east, the Hautes-Vosges to the west and the Alsatian Jura to the south – it is a region full of character for lovers of the mountains and nature in general. But the Haut-Rhin has something for everyone, with its pretty, flower-filled villages, its renowned wine and its fine cuisine. Everything you need is here to make your camping holiday an unforgettable experience.

What are the best campsites in the Haut-Rhin?

A 3-star nature campsite in the heart of Alsace

The Camping de l’Ill *** in Colmar welcomes you to a 5-hectare natural setting, on the banks of the River Ill and just 2 km from Colmar town centre. It offers pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes, as well as fully equipped accommodation. On site, you can enjoy the heated swimming pool, the playground, the restaurant and bike hire. The campsite is open from April to January.

4-star family-friendly campsite in Alsace with a swimming pool and water slides near Colmar

Camping Suzel ****, situated in Sainte-Croix-en-Plaine in the heart of Alsace, is just 10 km from Colmar. It features a heated outdoor swimming pool, two paddling pools and several slides, including a Spacebowl and a Double Slide. Holidaymakers can also enjoy play areas, pétanque courts, table tennis tables and a cycle path right next to the campsite. The campsite is also open during the Colmar Christmas Market. Open from April to September.

A nature campsite in the heart of the Vosges in Alsace

The Huttopia Wattwiller Campsite *** welcomes you to a vast, wooded site covering 14 hectares, in the heart of the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park, near Colmar and Mulhouse. This 3-star campsite offers pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes, as well as fully equipped accommodation: chalets, cabins, tents, gypsy caravans and mobile homes. On site, enjoy two swimming pools, one of which is indoor and heated, a padel tennis court, a pétanque court, a mini-golf course and a wide range of summer activities. Open from April to October.

View of the campsite’s accommodation
View of the campsite’s accommodation © HUTTOPIA WATTWILLER (Wattwiller - 68)

A nature chalet holiday in the heart of the Haut-Rhin

Les Chalets de la Wormsa **** welcomes you to the Munster Valley, in the heart of the Alsatian Vosges. The site offers individual chalets for 2 to 6 people, as well as several holiday cottages, ideal for family or group holidays. On site, enjoy a heated indoor swimming pool, a spa area with a jacuzzi, sauna and steam room, as well as outdoor games. The restaurant completes the package for a holiday dedicated to nature and relaxation. Open all year round.

Affordable campsite at the foot of the ramparts

Camping Vauban ** welcomes you to the heart of Bergues, at the foot of the historic ramparts, in a peaceful, leafy setting. It offers spacious pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes, as well as mobile homes, Coco-Sweet units and teepees. On site, you can enjoy the boules court, children’s play area, bar, Wi-Fi and facilities suitable for motorhomes. Its location makes it easy to explore Bergues, its heritage, its cycle routes and the Flemish countryside. The campsite is open all year round.

To discover all the campsites in the Haut-Rhin, click here.

What are the must-see attractions in the Haut-Rhin?

Colmar: an Alsatian getaway combining heritage and ‘Little Venice’

You simply cannot explore the Haut-Rhin without stopping off in Colmar, the wine capital of Alsace and a true distillation of Alsatian charm. Its old town has retained its traditional architecture and numerous half-timbered houses, offering families a stroll full of discoveries. The Collegiate Church of Saint-Martin, built in the 13th and 14th centuries, is one of the historic centre’s most iconic monuments.

For a stroll with the children, head to the Tanneurs district, recognisable by its tall houses which were once used to dry hides in the attics. But it is undoubtedly in the Petite Venise area that the magic really comes to life. Its colourful half-timbered houses, small bridges adorned with flowers and the banks of the River Lauch create a picture-postcard setting that can be explored in a fun way by taking a boat trip. It’s an original way to see the town from a different angle and makes the visit particularly enjoyable for the little ones.

Finally, families wishing to add a cultural touch to their stay can visit the Unterlinden Museum, which is dedicated in particular to Rhenish art. With its heritage, boat trips along the water and picturesque alleyways, Colmar offers a wonderful first taste of Alsace, to be enjoyed at a pace that suits the whole family.

The charm of Colmar’s old town and its canals
The charm of Colmar’s old town and its canals © iStock

The Alsace Ecomuseum with the family: a life-size journey through time

The Alsace Ecomuseum, situated in Ungersheim, is an unmissable family outing offering a different way to discover Alsace. Set within a vast 25-hectare park, this open-air museum invites young and old alike on a fascinating journey through time, exploring rural life in Alsace at the start of the 20th century.

With its traditional houses, farms and reconstructed villages, the Ecomuseum offers an insight into how people once lived in the Alsatian countryside. But here, it’s not just about looking: children can enjoy the many activities on offer and explore the site by boat or cart, whilst festivals and folk traditions regularly bring the museum to life.

Combining heritage exploration, walks and activities, the Alsace Ecomuseum offers a lively and fun experience that appeals to children and their parents alike. It’s a wonderful way to discover Alsatian traditions whilst enjoying a day out that offers a change of scenery and is full of new discoveries.

The Alsace Ecomuseum, an unmissable outing to discover Alsace
The Alsace Ecomuseum, an unmissable outing to discover Alsace © iStock

Mulhouse: fascinating museums and a charming city centre

Mulhouse is well worth a visit during a stay in the Haut-Rhin. In the historic centre, families can stroll around the Place de la Réunion and admire its old houses, the Saint-Étienne church and the town hall, which stands out with its richly decorated Renaissance-style façade. A pleasant walk to discover the town’s heritage before heading off to explore its museums.

Mulhouse is particularly renowned for its museums dedicated to science, technology and industry, which make for excellent days out with children. The Cité du Train – Patrimoine SNCF, which succeeded the French Railway Museum, houses one of Europe’s largest railway collections and offers an insight into the history of the railway, from the first steam locomotives to the TGV.

Just a short walk away, the Electropolis Museum offers a fun exploration of the great adventure of electricity, with experiments and inventions that help children better understand this everyday phenomenon. Finally, enthusiasts of fine motor vehicles won’t want to miss the National Motor Museum – Schlumpf Collection, which houses an impressive collection of classic and prestigious cars.

From strolls through the historic centre to spectacular museums, Mulhouse offers a day out that’s particularly well suited to families, with plenty to spark the curiosity of young and old alike.

Mulhouse’s colourful architecture
Mulhouse’s colourful architecture © iStock

Kaysersberg, a charming Alsatian village

Just like Colmar, Kaysersberg is an unmissable stop on the Alsace Wine Route. This charming wine-growing village immediately captivates visitors with its quintessentially Alsatian setting, featuring colourful half-timbered houses, cobbled streets and pretty squares adorned with flowers. A family stroll makes it easy to explore the village’s heritage whilst enjoying a peaceful and exotic atmosphere.

The fortified bridge, which spans the River Weiss, is one of Kaysersberg’s landmarks and offers a lovely view of the village houses. Children will also enjoy exploring the ruins of Kaysersberg Castle, perched above the historic centre. After a short climb, the ruins and ramparts offer a wonderful reward: a panoramic view over the village rooftops and the surrounding vineyard landscapes.

With its heritage, charming narrow streets and natural surroundings, Kaysersberg – voted the French people’s favourite village in 2017 – makes for a particularly pleasant stop-off when exploring Alsace with the family.

Kaysersberg, voted the French people’s favourite village in 2017
Kaysersberg, voted the French people’s favourite village in 2017 © iStock

Riquewihr, the pearl of the Alsatian vineyards

Another unmissable stop on the Alsace Wine Route, Riquewihr is well worth a visit. Nestled between vineyards and the foothills of the Vosges, this fortified village seems to have stood the test of time without losing any of its charm. Its exceptionally well-preserved medieval quarter invites you to take a pleasant family stroll through cobbled streets, past colourful half-timbered houses, old shop signs and small squares full of character.

As you wander through the village, you’ll discover an exceptional architectural heritage, notably the famous Rue du Général-de-Gaulle, which runs through Riquewihr from the lower to the upper part of the village. The old winegrowers’ houses, the ramparts and the fortified gates give children the impression of stepping into a fairy-tale setting. The village is also home to numerous buildings listed as Historic Monuments.

With its medieval setting, surrounding vineyards and timeless atmosphere, Riquewihr truly lives up to its nickname, the ‘pearl of the vineyards’. A lovely family day out to discover one of Alsace’s most iconic villages.

Nestled amongst vineyards and the foothills of the Vosges, Riquewihr is well worth a visit
Nestled amongst vineyards and the foothills of the Vosges, Riquewihr is well worth a visit © iStock

The Hohneck: magnificent panoramic views of the Vosges

To gain a bit of height and discover the mountain landscapes of the Haut-Rhin, head for the Hohneck, one of the Vosges’ most iconic peaks. Rising to an altitude of 1,363 metres, it lies at the heart of the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park and, on a clear day, offers superb panoramic views of the Vosges ridges and the surrounding valleys.

Accessible via several hiking trails, the Hohneck is a lovely destination to explore with the family, provided you tailor the walk to the children’s ages and abilities. Once at the summit, the scenery is a wonderful reward: the view stretches far and wide across the Vosges mountains and the Alsatian countryside.

An orientation board also helps you to identify the peaks and main landmarks visible from the Hohneck. With its fresh air, hiking and spectacular views, it’s an excellent day out to discover another side of the Haut-Rhin, far from the wine-growing villages.

The Hohneck, one of the Vosges’ most iconic peaks
The Hohneck, one of the Vosges’ most iconic peaks © iStock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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