VAN-COMPARATOR Guide
The Alsace wine route by motorhome: 170 km of storybook villages
Strasbourg to Colmar by campervan: Obernai, Ribeauvillé, Riquewihr, Kaysersberg — winegrower stopovers, Christmas market season and budget.
Between Strasbourg and Thann, the Alsace wine route threads 170 kilometres of half-timbered villages along the foot of the Vosges. It is the perfect first van trip: short distances, plenty of stopovers, and a winegrower’s cellar every five kilometres.
The itinerary
From Strasbourg, first stop Obernai, then Mont Sainte-Odile for the view over the plain. Then come the vineyard’s stars: Ribeauvillé and its three castles, Riquewihr (listed among the most beautiful villages in France), Hunawihr and its fortified church, Kaysersberg and its medieval bridge. Finish in Colmar, the Little Venice. Two to four days, depending on your thirst for cellars. Bring bicycles: the vineyard cycle route shadows the road for more than 130 kilometres, ideal between two tastings — and you will rarely drive more than 40 minutes a day.
Sleeping at the winegrower’s
Alsace is paradise for the France Passion network: dozens of estates host vans free for the night, tasting included. Otherwise, well-placed municipal stopovers at Obernai, Ribeauvillé, Eguisheim or Turckheim (€8-15/night). How it all works is in our motorhome stopovers guide.
Which vehicle, what budget
Any size fits — flat, wide roads — but the village lanes are for walking: park at the entrance car parks. Campervan €75-150/day, semi-integrated €95-180/day. Three days from Strasbourg: €250-450 rental, €40 of fuel, €0-30 of nights if you play the winegrower game — one of the cheapest quality road trips in France.
Insider tip
Two golden seasons: the harvest (late September, villages draped in russet vines) and the Christmas markets (late November-December) — then think diesel heating and book your stopover, because winter Alsace draws all of Europe. More in off-season motorhome rental.