UNESCO world Heritage listed square in Nancy. It's the main square in town and surrounded with…read morebeautiful buildings dating back to the 1700's. The square was a major project in urban planning, dreamt up by Stanisław I, as a way to link the medieval old town of Nancy and the new town built under Charles III in the 17th century. The square would also be a place royale to honour his son-in-law, Louis XV. The design linked two handsome buildings that already existed: the Hôtel de Ville (now centred on its grand square) and the Hôtel du Gouvernement. The seat of city government and the seat of Ducal government faced each other as complements through a series of rational, symmetrical but varied urban spaces, unequalled in Europe at the time. We stayed in an apartment right on the square and it was magnificent to step out early in the morning and just admire the empty square. It's a gorgeous piece of architecture in France and one of the finest squares I have seen in a while. Nancy is a wonderful old city with gorgeous buildings, markets, parks and restaurants. It's also a major university town and well worth a visit.

I get it, it's pretty. I mean, it's really pretty. But I don't get all the hype. It's a pretty…read moresquare, a nice place, surrounded by the art museum, city hall, and the opera. Overpriced cafés with bad service galore, The Amorino and their gelato is probably your best bet if you're looking to have something that doesn't leave a bad taste.

This is a great way to see the old town of Colmar - in a silent-running battery powered boat that…read moreruns along the back of the colourful timbered, gabled sloping-roof houses backing onto the river. The boats run almost constantly and you get tickets from a riverside pub - for me, it has been the highlight of more than one trip to Colmar - just remember to mind your head as you go under the very low bridges.

Not far from Colmar you will find this castle. Sitting at 620m along the mountain border between…read moreAlsace and Lorraine. Although being a bit up on a hill, you can get and park pretty close to it. It'll be only a few minutes of walk. Of course you could park further away and make it a hike AND a visit to the castle. The entrance costs a fair 7 Euros for adults. You even can bring your dog with (except in the museum). We were happy to bring along our Bulldog. Staff was very nice and friendly. The chateau is quite big and impressive. Especially the walls are really huge and massive. The original Hohlandsbourg was built in 1279. Sitting here on top it was a very strategic important landmark. But in the last two centuries the Bourg was sadly deteriorating. Until it was saved in the 70s and restoration began in the 80s. And are still going on. There is lots of entertainment going on inside these walls. Many cater to kids. Not really our thing though. But we came for the architecture and the views. You can walk all along the castles walls. Impressive views from the top. Really a great thing to do. Quite remarkable that you're allowed to walk the whole way along the walls. All in all a good visit. If you're in the area surely worth a trip. At a fair price, it needs a lot of manpower and money to keep this castle in good shape.

Venice Italy is still 300 miles away and it doesn't really resemble Venice much other than the…read morecourse of the Lauch River (that feeds into the Ill). It is the picture postcard district of Colmar with restored timber homes and flowers and yes, lots of tourists all seeking that perfect selfie or Insta photo. Once you've seen it, you've seen it. From the marker, "The bridge over the Lauch marks the start of the Krutenau, a community united around the memory of Martin Stockmeyer: this boatman, nicknamed the 'Hercules of Colmar', was in February 1791 responsible for the victory of the Revolution in the face of an uprising of the aristocratic party. The road owes its current name to the marshal Turenne, who used it in 1674 for his solemn entry at the head of 800 cavalrymen. The picturesque line of old houses, which are accessible by small boat, is the reason for the name 'Little Venise'." I think the restaurants are a little more expensive in this neighborhood but you'll find that they all have menus in French and English and German and probably Spanish and others. It's all about the visitors in this part of Colmar. Don't miss the "Ski Tree." I'm not sure if that's a seasonal thing. [Review 21180 overall - 99 in France - 143 of 2024.]

This is a very touristy and pretty place. It looks like something out of a postcard or movie. It's…read morereally busy with tourists from everywhere. You can see swans also.

What a lovely Alsatian village. Lots of nice 1/2 timbered houses, restaurants, and flowers…read more Definitely worth a stop along the Wine Route.