Saverne

Saverne is a small town on the Marne-Rhine canal at the foot of the Vosges in the Bas-Rhin department of Alsace, in France's Grand Est region, about 40 km north-west of Strasbourg. It is one of the simplest day trips from the city: the direct TER Fluo Grand Est train takes about 25 minutes with several departures an hour, and the fare is around EUR 8.70. The station is a short walk from the Rohan Castle, and driving along the A4 takes about 35 minutes, with parking near the canal. The main landmark is the Chateau des Rohan, an 18th-century palace built for the Cardinals of Rohan with a long classical facade facing the canal. It houses the Musee de Saverne, which covers local history and art. Other stops include the old town with its half-timbered houses on the Grand'Rue, the Gothic Eglise Notre-Dame de la Nativite and a roseraie, the rose garden, which is at its best from June to September. The canal towpath is a pleasant walk or cycle route, and boat trips operate in season. A suggested day starts with a morning train, a visit to the Rohan Castle and museum, then a walk through the old town and a lunch at a winstub or brasserie. The afternoon suits a walk up to the ruins of Haut-Barr castle, about 4 km away, which sits on a sandstone ridge with views over the Alsace plain and the Vosges; visitors can reach it by a hiking trail of roughly an hour or by car or taxi. The best season is April to October, with spring and summer ideal for the rose garden and canal. Saverne is calm and uncrowded compared with Colmar or Obernai, so it suits visitors who prefer a quieter pace. Cafes and bakeries around the Grand'Rue and the station offer rest stops.