Arrive in Strasbourg at the time of your choice. This multilingual city, home to the European Parliament, will no doubt seduce you with its charm, sincerity, and flavour. Your hotel is located in the Petite France district — the historic town centre surrounded by water — a perfect base for strolling through the narrow cobbled streets. With its 430-kilometer network of bicycle paths, Strasbourg is a city built for bikes, and respect for cyclists is not merely a slogan here — it’s a way of life!

Following the “Rhone to Rhine Canal” on a traffic-free bikeway, you will leave Strasbourg behind and head toward Osthouse, Saint-Hyppolyte or Sélestat (depending of your option), important arts and architecture hubs in Alsace. The bikeway will take you all the way to Sand in the heart of the Alsatian Ried, referring to the humid area bordering the Rhône. Rich in fauna and flora, part of the Ried has been turned into a nature reserve.

For options A and A+, this first stage will be between 25 km (16 miles) and 65 km (40 miles).

Today’s ride takes you through some beautiful villages overflowing with distinctly Alsatian houses, whose trademark window boxes are filled with seasonal flowers. One of the many villages worth stopping in is Ebermunster, where you’ll discover a German-baroque church considered by many to be the best example of this style. Your destination is Colmar, one of the most well-known jewels of Alsace.

Ride through the enchanted forest along the Ill River. The cycling path will carry you toward Guebwiller, in the foothills of the Vosges’ tallest mountain, “Le Grand Ballon.” If you arrive early, it’s the perfect place to enjoy lunch in a café or to buy picnic supplies, as the surrounding countryside is full of idyllic picnic spots. Late risers may wish to grab lunch in a small bakery along the route. Guebwiller is home to an open-air wine museum, so save some time in your schedule for a visit!

Although today’s ride isn't long, we recommend an early start if you want to see it all! The pretty villages of Eguisheim, Turckheim, and Kaysersberg are on your way and all three are worth a stop. Lock your bike and go for a stroll; you’re bound to find a terrace to linger in.

Of all the villages you’ll see on this ride, Riquewihr might just be your favorite! Riquewihr has been deemed so beautiful that it is “Un des Plus Beaux Villages de France”, one of France’s prettiest villages. It is so sensational that you may actually wonder if it’s real, or if you've stepped on to a movie set! You’ll have the whole day to enjoy it, so you may wish to arrange a visit to a local vineyard — but you can also choose to kick back and relax at your hotel.

The Wine Route will take you through even more beautiful villages today, including Hunawihr, Ribeauvillé, Bergheim, Andlau, Barr, and Boesch, each more charming than the next. Ride carefully, for you may be craning your neck to get a good view of everything. Your final destination is yet another Alsatian favorite, either Obernai, Andlau or Barr, depending on availability.

If you haven’t yet had time to do so, make sure you take a short walking tour through Obernai today. Circle its medieval walls and meander through the city to discover its remarkable sites such as the city hall, the Kapelturm (the belfry), and much, much more. Your ride from Obernai will take you to Strasbourg, your final destination and resting point. Although this is the end of your tour, you may choose to stay an extra night or two in Strasbourg, which we can arrange for you beforehand.