WHEN TO GO TO ALSACE?

You plan to visit Alsace but don’t know when to come? Here are some keys to guide you in your choice.

What is the best season to go to Alsace?

I’d say…all year round, or almost! In my opinion , the best seasons are spring (especially mid- to late spring), fall, summer (even though it gets pretty hot), and December for the Christmas markets. The least pleasant months are January through March (but at least it’s very quiet, and the winemakers are very available for tours and tastings!).

What to do in Alsace in winter (January, February and March)?

January through March is the off-season for tourism in Alsace. Alsace is a bit quiet, except in the Vosges Mountains. On the bright side, there are far fewer people and prices are lower. This is a great time for skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, and more—provided there’s snow.

The Vosges resorts are small family resorts, but there’s plenty to keep you busy, especially as the scenery is superb! As a bonus, prices are much more affordable than in the Alps. Even if you’re not a mountain person, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy. Click here for our ideas for winter activities in Alsace.

What to do in Alsace in spring?

From April to June, spring in Alsace is beautiful. Nature is reborn, the villages are blooming, the vines are green again and it is not too hot. An ideal time to come to Alsace because you can enjoy all the activities that the region offers. The Wine Route can still be a bit sad in early April, but once the vegetation comes back, it is superb.

What to do in Alsace in summer, in July and August?

July and August are the high tourist season. So there are more people, but it is worth it. The weather is generally nice and (very) warm, the vines are full of beautiful bunches of grapes, the whole Alsace is in bloom. And if it’s too hot, there’s nothing like a little trip to the Vosges to cool off.

What to do in Alsace in autumn, in September and October?

Fall is harvest season, which generally takes place in September. Gradually, the vines change from green to orange-yellow. The colors are stunning, and the weather remains pleasant in September and through about mid-October. It’s a wonderful time to visit Alsace because you can still enjoy all the activities, take in the beautiful colors, and experience cooler temperatures than in summer.

Please note that winemakers may not necessarily be available to offer wine tastings during the harvest, and the vineyard trails are closed. I love September! October is more unpredictable—it depends on the year: it can still be very pleasant, or it can be quite rainy…

What to do in Alsace in November and December?

Visiting Alsace in November is not recommended: it is the only month of the year when I advise you not to come, because the climate is not pleasant, the vegetation is absent and many shops are closed.

The region comes alive again once the Christmas markets open—usually on the last weekend of November—and throughout December: this is the Christmas market season, which is also the peak tourist season. Alsace is a magical region during the holiday season: with numerous Christmas markets in towns and villages and beautifully decorated houses, everything contributes to a fairy-tale atmosphere!

Please note that most Christmas markets are closed on Christmas Day: if you’re visiting Alsace between Christmas and New Year’s Day, you’ll only be able to visit a few markets (not Strasbourg or Colmar, for example)—so keep that in mind! You’ll still be able to enjoy the towns’ decorations and lights, though.

What is the climate in Alsace?

As for the climate, Alsace has a semi-continental climate. Winters are cold and dry, summers very hot (even stifling) and stormy. It doesn’t rain much in Alsace because of the protection offered by the Vosges mountains. Colmar is even one of the driest cities in France!