They make some education about environment for  children and adults, they are everywhere in the region and they will let you discover hidden and sensitive aspect of Alsace and especially the big diversity of its natural environment. Consult the list of the members of the network and their activities.

What's a good idea, forget your car to go through the route des vins (wine road) and use this guide and the public transport! Three nice men Marc Heimermann, Jean-Louis Keller, Philippe Lutz, who know perfectly the roads of the region, present in this guide a route from Marlenheim (next to Strasbourg) to Thann (next to Mulhouse) to make in full or by small steps.  There are 230 km in 13 tages, you can also make them separatly. Think at it if you stay in  Alsace or come especially for one week for hike. Many favourites on these routes and wonderfull landscapes. You can buy it to the authors or at  Vignoble Klur at Katzenthal

Here it is: a website which presents all cultural news, leisure and celebration in the area of : Alsace, Pays de Bade, North-West from Switzerland and it is Hopla net. Small and big events. People who stay in Alsace will love it, with a lot of things to do, for young and older people, and it's a good occasion to meet the local population and to enjoy this area from the '3 borders" which was european very early... Another precious adress and more cultural:  Artour, . Anyway, if you come in this area, take the Pass Musées for the 3 countries to enjoy the maximum of offers. Next inevitable appointment : le carnaval de Bâle on february!

Instead of everyone taking their own car, reserve Nicole's bus for the day (7 pers.) ! Following your wishes or the suggestions of the Regio à la carte discover the amazing sites on different sides of the border: lunch in the Vosges, rose gardens, cellar visits, rotating cuisine, wild plant meals, magic forest...Nicole knows everything and will tell you everything! It's a superb idea for a birthday gift added to a stay in Alsace ?

Here is a great initiative ! Two mountain guides have associate to create Pass Nature. 10 activities are proposed (horse-back riding, outings with chamois, nordic walking, etc) with tickets. Buy a pack of 4 or 12 tickets and organise your activities at your convenience. May be purchased at the Office of Tourism of the Valley of Munster. While you're there visit the Maison du Parc Naturel des Ballons des Vosges (2nd floor of the same building), eat at l'Agneau d'Or, a bit further, and buy some local products (mountain cheeses, pasteries, breads).

The attachement to this mythic institution insitution and the utopia of its creator, Maurice Pottecher, guides the programmation of the Theatre du Peuple every year to renew the siprit beneath its planks and prove without nostaliga, that this setting filled with hisotry remains revolutionnary and that the public issued from a long tradition is still curious and excited for the new seasons.  From July, the 13th to August 2013, the 25th. The Programe will arrive soon...
Don't forget to have a drink, Crémant de Clément and Gentil de Katz will delight your taste buds !!

If you want to see and understand how the urban world can convert to 'green' and 'ecofriendly' visit Freiburg, Germany. Nicknamed "eco-city" for its choices in renewable energy, recycling, and public transportation, it is home to the Vauban neighbourhood, which is completely environmentally friendly. The initiatives of the city can be discover by bike or by foot.  To get there in an ecological way take public transportation.  From the Colmar train station, take the Regiobus.

Discovering Alsace also means discovering the Rhin and its specific natural surroundings. The Rhin, a European river, has played a determining part in the history of the land.

The Association 'Rhin Vivant' (Living Rhin) created in 2005, strives to develop sustainable tourism in the naturel surroundings along the banks of the Rhin, in France and in Germany. It unites French and German tourist, environmental, sport, and down-time organisers and coordinates a European project to structure and extend the offer of sustainable tourism inthe protected spaces of the Rhin. This organisation develops French-German networks of ecotourism on the Rhin assuring the promotion of these unique areas.

Sculpted by the river, the marriage between the water and earth along the banks of the Rhin offers a diversity that is unique in Europe. This generous nature is preserved thanks to the establishment of protected zones: more than 30 000 ha of natural preserve is offered.

Support sustainable tourism by visiting Alsace by train.  Think about the ticket Tri-Régio  that allows you to use French, German, and Swiss transportation. 

Escal'arbre allows  you to approach nature and trees without causing permanent damage because it's not a constructed course.  Perched on your tree you can observe the animals of the forest. For the bravest, you can even spend the night!!!!
 

This is an adventure for brave nature-lovers!  Discover Alsace from a different perspective by going on a two person paragliding session with the Centre Ecole du Markstein.  This activity doesn't pollute and allows you to admire the nature and reliefs of the country-side.  

Discover nature in an original way at the Farm of Pfeiferberg in Metzeral at 700m of altitude.  These animals are intelligent, sturdy, accustomed to the mountains, and not at all stubborn.  The expedition takes you to the glacier valley of Wormsa (la vallée glacière de la Wormsa).  You can go up to 1300 m.  Take the train TER from Colmar to Metzeral (you can start from the train tation, or it's a 45 min walk).  Reservations at 0389777158.

However, if you prefer poneys go to la Ferme du Chiblin.  The country side is magnificent and you'll discover the nature with calm and gentil animals.
Route du Col-des-Bagenelles
68650 Le Bonhomme
Reserve at 0389783502

Why not tempt an expedition on the water to discover the aquatic life and birds of Alsace?In the Riedyou can discover and listen to castors, king-fishers in the summer, herons, wagtails... You can choose to take the Bennwasser, Bornen, Schiwasser to travel the country-side.  Expedition solo, with the family, or with a guide. Visit:Canoë Kayak de l'Alpach, Itinerair' Alsace, Canoë Kayak Club de l’Ill Sélestat (Cakcis), Canoës du Ried.   

Le Centre de Réintroduction des Cigognes et Loutres (The Center for the Reintroduction of Storks and Otters) in Hunawhir is committed to the protection and conservation of endangered local species, especially the grand hamster, that is now only found in Alsace.  In the park, discover how this is done, play with the animals, and see shows about natural fishers.

At the forêt de L’Ill Wald  ("forest of the island") discover one of the biggest nature reserves in France that is home to more than 200 species of birds.  On the 23 waterways discover slamander, fish, frogs, and other aquatic life ...  Free and open all year round.  Route de Marckolsheim 67600 Sélestat.

This territory floods a couple of months every year and is an ideal space for the preservation of biodiversity.  Castors are being reintroduced in the area.  In Muttersholtz, La Maison de la Nature organizes guided outings during the year.  You can follow the circuits in place, ‘Mouette’ and ‘Belette’ with panels.  For more details call 0388851130. 

Don't forget to do a gondola ride with the Batelier du Ried, Patrick Understock, who talks about the activities of the Ried.

120 gardens in Alsace, the Pays de Bade and Basel are open to the public.  You can find the programm with all the details on the internet.

Another interesting place to visit is the Forêt Magique in Ribeauvillé created and kept by Lucien who welcomes you by appointment throughout the year.  The trunks and branches are sculpted, trimmed, and transformed into living pieces of art (trees are very adaptable).  Call 0389736507 to make your appointment.  Take the train from Colmar to Ribeauvillé.  46, Rue de Landau across from the camping site. 

Since we love wine so much, we encourage you to visit the museum to discover the history of wine in Alsace and the methods of wine-making: a cellar, winepresses from the XVII century, as well as exhibitions on professions associated with wine, barrel and glass-making.  Take advantage of being there to visit the brotherhood of St. Etienne, winemakers  located right next to the museum. 

At the Musée de l’Impression sur Etoffes in Mulhouse you can work on impressions using methods from the XVIIIe century to decorate tableclothes, curtains, reversible bags, or bedquilts. Material will bring provided or bring your own cloth to decorate.  Don't forget to visit the museum and boutique while you're there.  To do something for the environment, take the train (the workshop is 400m from the train station).

L'Atelier Reliure du Val Saint- Grégoire.  Do you have an old book to restore?  Want to know how this is done?  This workshop is open all year except summer, Thursdays from 2pm to 5pm by appointment.  Phone 0389775185.  Take the bus n° 248 from Colmar direction Soultzeren. Get off at the Place du Marché, the workshop is 100m away.

Alsace, The Greenest Ever writes Philippe Farcy in la Libre Belgique May 25, 2008. "Seen in this way, Alsace shows an attentif aspect of respect for nature, omnipresent in this blomming region that must be preserved.  This is how tourism will endure." Thank you for talking about us in a country we love to receive visitors from. In Mont St Odile, in Ottrot à l'hotel Arnold, in Katzenthal at the Vignoble Klur, at the farm of Schmargult or at the Jardins de Gaïa there are so many ways to discover another image of this welcoming region.

The site of the ancient abbaye de Murbach is splendid though there rest very few vestiges from the Abbey (near Guebwiller). It is a high-ranking site in Alsace (as far as patrimonial value), and it's cousin the abbaye de Marbach closer to Colmar is worth the detour. A patrimonial path has just been installed. This is where the famous manuscript Codex Gustasintram was created. Both abbeys are found on the route romane d'Alsace (the Roman road of Alsace) which is home to festivals such as the voix et route romanes (voice and Roman road) and expositions like the Chemin d'Art sacré (path of sacred art). Take advantage and hike or bike around these beautiful sites.

Why scare the cows with your noisy vehicles?? From July 2013, the 7th to September 2013, the 1st, you can make a nice gesture for nature and take the Shuttle of the Crêtes !

Everyday, cars zoom on the road of the Crêtes, creating visiual, olfactory, noise, and air pollution, in a fragile and exceptional natural environment. Leave your car in the plain and use the shuttle on Sundays and holidays to reach the summits.  You can hike and hop back on the shuttle at another stop (there are 19 stops on the crête serviced every 30 minutes). You won't even have to worry about where you parked your car!!

Daily tarif: 3 euro. There's no reason not to try ! For more information and schedules please call: 03 89 77 90 34 e-mail : info@parc-ballons-vosges.fr or visit the train station, offices of tourism and information points. www.navettedescretes.com

The Ried is the secret part of Alsace between the Rhin and Ill where you can find water fountains of Brunnwasser, small water shoots fed by the water table of Alsace. Don't forget to check out the Donnerlöcher, holes of thunder, deep ponds of water captured by clay and pierced by artesian explosions. These are extremely fragile natural surroundings so please be careful! Rendez vous on the route D212 between Benfeld and Hilsenheim (north of Sélestat). There's an old road (Heidensträssel, path of the pagans) that takes you to some Brunnwassers and Donnerlöchers. There are some great bike paths (Benfeld is accessible by the trainTER, Mulhouse-Strasbourg line). Return to Benfeld, before the fork toward Ehl, to discover the chapelle St Materne (1st apostle of Alsace) and the Donnerloch to which the vikings attributed miraculous powers. Walk along the Brunnwasser or take the canoe, but please be careful...

Take the train to Sélestat (TER Bâle - Strasbourg) and then the shuttle that takes you straight to the castle from April, the 13th to Mai 2013, the 12th, from June the 15th to September 2013, the 15th and from October the 26th to November 2013, the 11th (1 hour by train+plus the shuttle leaving from Colmar or Strasbourg, departures of the shuttle are coordiinated with the arrival of trains ) avoid traffic jams, parking 3km from the entry ... 4 euro for adults and 2 euro dicount on the entry to the castly. Shuttle accessible by wheelchair, reservations recommended at 03 88 58 22 66. Le Haut Koenigsbourg  celebrates the 100th birthday of its restoration this year.