The Route des Vins d'Alsace is a scenic wine road that runs along the foothills of the Vosges through the Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin departments, in France's Grand Est region. The stretch closest to Strasbourg includes Barr, Dambach-la-Ville and Selestat, located roughly 30 to 60 km south-west of the city. A car is the best way to link the villages: Barr is about 30 minutes away via the A35 or the D1083, and the villages are only a few kilometres apart. Without a car, the TER Fluo Grand Est goes to Selestat or Barr in about 25 to 30 minutes, with a fare of around EUR 10.90 to Selestat, and visitors can then use local buses or hire bikes. Barr is a wine town with half-timbered houses, a town hall on the Place de l'Hotel de Ville and cellars offering tastings of Alsatian riesling, pinot gris, gewurztraminer and pinot noir. Dambach-la-Ville is a fortified wine village with colourful houses and gates, surrounded by vineyards and known for grand cru wines and walking paths. Selestat has a historic centre, the Eglise Sainte-Foy and the Bibliotheque Humaniste, a library of Renaissance manuscripts. A suggested day begins in Barr with a morning walk and a first tasting, continues to Dambach-la-Ville for lunch at a winstub with dishes such as tarte flambee, choucroute or baeckeoffe, and ends in Selestat for an afternoon of sightseeing before returning. Cyclists can follow marked routes between villages. The best season is April to November, with the harvest in September and October the most colourful period; village festivals and wine fairs add events. Many cellars close at lunchtime or on Sundays, so opening hours should be checked. Anyone tasting wine should have a designated driver or use trains and bikes, since French drink-driving limits are strict.
| Distance | 30 to 60 km south-west of Strasbourg |
|---|---|
| Travel time | About 30 minutes to Barr by car; TER to Selestat about 25 minutes |
| Getting there | Car is best for the villages; TER Fluo Grand Est to Selestat or Barr (about 25-30 minutes, around EUR 10.90 / ~$12.54 to Selestat) plus local bus or bike |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Address | Place de l'Hotel de Ville, 67140 Barr |
How to get there
- Mode
- Car
- Duration
- About 30 to 60 minutes
- Notes
- A35 or D1083 to the wine villages; village parking.
- Mode
- Train and bike
- Duration
- About 30 minutes plus riding
- Notes
- TER to Selestat or Barr; hire bikes locally.
Location
Place de l'Hotel de Ville, 67140 Barr
48.4090, 7.4500 View on map
Highlights
- Taste riesling, pinot gris and gewurztraminer in family cellars
- Visit the wine town of Barr and its half-timbered houses
- Explore the fortified village of Dambach-la-Ville
- See the Bibliotheque Humaniste in Selestat
- Cycle or walk between vineyards in the foothills
Tips for visiting
- Drive with a non-drinking driver, or take the TER to Selestat or Barr and hire bikes
- Check cellar opening hours, as many close at lunch and on Sundays
- Book tastings ahead in September and October
- Pick two or three villages rather than trying to see everything
- Buy bottles to carry home only if travelling light, as shipping is also available
When to visit
April to November; September and October for the harvest, and late morning to afternoon when cellars are open.
Accessibility
Village centres are mostly flat but cobbled, and cellars may have steps. Vineyard paths are uneven, so a car is easier for visitors with reduced mobility.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Route des Vins start near Strasbourg?
The nearest villages such as Barr and Dambach-la-Ville are about 30 to 60 km south-west. Barr takes about 30 minutes by car.
Can the Route des Vins be done without a car?
Yes, partly. The TER reaches Selestat and Barr in about 25 to 30 minutes, and bikes or local buses link nearby villages.
When is the best time to go?
April to November, with September and October offering the harvest atmosphere and autumn colours.