A family weekend in the Grand Est: an Alsatian getaway combining nature, culture and adventure!

DAY 1 : 6H30

Immersion in authentic Alsace

Although my husband and I are originally from the Champagne region, we were not yet familiar with this southern part of the Grand Est. Now living in Montpellier, we took the TGV to Mulhouse, which is easily accessible from many of France's major cities. Once there, we picked up a hire car directly from the station and were free to explore the surrounding area.

11H40

Our first stop: the Écomusée d'Alsace in Ungersheim, around 15 minutes away. This open-air museum, the largest in France, is a genuine reconstructed Alsatian village, with over 70 traditional half-timbered houses, all moved and restored to preserve the region's heritage. The children were impressed by the storks perched on the roofs! The Écomusée offers a wide range of lively events, including craft demonstrations, traditional farming activities and tractor rides. We also watched the making of lamala, a typical Alsatian Easter cake in the shape of a lamb.

For lunch, we ate at the Taverne de l'Écomusée, where the homemade tarts flambées were a big hit. This restaurant also serves local dishes in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

16H30

In the late afternoon, we headed for the Domaine du Hirtz in Wattwiller, an eco-responsible residence nestling in the heart of the Vosges forest. After settling into a spacious studio, we took advantage of the Nordic spa, accessible to children aged 5 and over, with its baths at different temperatures, saunas and indoor pool. It was a real moment of relaxation for the whole family, in a rejuvenating natural setting. In the evening, we dined at the estate's restaurant, which celebrates local produce.

DAY 2 - 8H00

Nature adventure around Lac Blanc

Wake up early for a day in the great outdoors! We set off for the Lac Blanc resort on the Col du Calvaire, about 1 hour from Domaine du Hirtz. Arriving at 8am, we met up with our guide Mathieu for a guided chamois walk. Watching these wild animals in their natural habitat amazed the whole family. The itinerary was accessible and well signposted, allowing children to walk without difficulty while enjoying the spectacular scenery.
We then stopped off at Lac Noir. Lunch at the Auberge des Ô Welches offered a breathtaking view of the valley and typical Vosges cuisine.

14H00

In the afternoon, it's time for rail tobogganing, a family activity par excellence that we loved! You can do it alone or in pairs, so it's perfectly possible with young children. We had a lot of fun!
We then joined Christophe, our guide, for an outing on an electric mountain bike through the mountain trails. Thanks to the electric assistance, even the climbs are accessible, and the children loved this sporty and fun moment. You can also go off on your own with mountain bikes hired directly on site, but this region is steeped in history, and the advantage of going off with a guide is that he can also tell you all about Alsatian culture.

DAY 3 - 8.30AM

Culture and heritage in Mulhouse

For our last day, we headed to Mulhouse for a bit of urban culture. We strolled through the streets of the city centre to discover the street art frescoes scattered all over the place. Some of the works are grouped around the M.U.R., while others can be discovered at random in the alleyways. A great way to introduce children to contemporary art in the open air.
We then visited the Cité du Train, Europe's largest railway museum, which traces the history of the railways in France through an impressive collection of locomotives. The highlight of the visit: a life-size escape game for all the family. The children loved exploring the trains, from the Orient-Express to the TGV, while solving the riddles.
After a 2? hour visit, we took our TGV back to Montpellier, our heads full of lovely memories.

A family interlude between nature, culture and traditions

This weekend in the Grand Est region gave us the chance to discover Alsace through family visits and activities. There was something for everyone, with nature walks, preserved heritage, sporting activities and fun culture. It's an ideal region for sharing special moments with your children. The locals we met were all incredibly kind. We left enchanted, a little tired but, above all, with the desire to come back and explore other parts of this beautiful region!