Recommendations for rentals in Alsace (Route des Vins)
Oct 11th, 2014, 04:16 AM
#1
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Recommendations for rentals in Alsace (Route des Vins)
We're looking for a rental apartment/house in Alsace for two weeks this summer. We want to be in a village on the Route des Vins, preferably in the area between Colmar and Strasbourg. We want to be in one of the smaller villages-- not in Colmar or Strasbourg-- but a village big enough to have at least one or two restaurants and a boulangerie.
There's just the two of us, but we don't mind having a place with more bedrooms if we can find the right rental and location. It would be great to have an outdoor space. WIFI and a washing machine are musts for us.
I've identified a few possibilities online, but would love some personal recommendations . Thanks!
Kathy
There's just the two of us, but we don't mind having a place with more bedrooms if we can find the right rental and location. It would be great to have an outdoor space. WIFI and a washing machine are musts for us.
I've identified a few possibilities online, but would love some personal recommendations . Thanks!
Kathy
Oct 11th, 2014, 05:25 AM
#2
I prefer the Haut Rhin so would aim to be south of Colmar.
What I would do is avoid any of the walled towns with large coach parks outside as these get buried in tourists all day long and restaurants are higly priced in the evening.
Can't suggest anywhere but what are the options you have found?
What I would do is avoid any of the walled towns with large coach parks outside as these get buried in tourists all day long and restaurants are higly priced in the evening.
Can't suggest anywhere but what are the options you have found?
Oct 11th, 2014, 05:35 AM
#3
We were in St Hippolyte this autumn and so I thought I'd have a look on line for you http://www.cour-st-fulrad.net/accueil/index-en.html the town has at least 5 restaurants (3 in hotels) and a bread outlet (not a bakery but so few do now-a-days).
Where ever you chose you don't want to be on the route itself as the noise from coaches and cars will keep you awake.
I would recommend including bikes in any deal if possible because the various routes through the vines make it a very practical form of transportation.
Follow my name back for my recent report that includes Alsace.
Where ever you chose you don't want to be on the route itself as the noise from coaches and cars will keep you awake.
I would recommend including bikes in any deal if possible because the various routes through the vines make it a very practical form of transportation.
Follow my name back for my recent report that includes Alsace.
Oct 11th, 2014, 05:52 AM
#4
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We rented a place in Riquewihr in May and absolutely loved it
http://i-love-riquewihr.com
They were great to work with and the flat was lovely.
You can see my pics here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7644953485474/
Riquewihr was very busy during the day - but we were out visiting other villages all day and loved the village in the mornings and evenings. Parking was no problem, we paid daily for a spot from the people we rented, and had no problem finding a spot at the end of each afternoon.
Happy planning!
http://i-love-riquewihr.com
They were great to work with and the flat was lovely.
You can see my pics here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7644953485474/
Riquewihr was very busy during the day - but we were out visiting other villages all day and loved the village in the mornings and evenings. Parking was no problem, we paid daily for a spot from the people we rented, and had no problem finding a spot at the end of each afternoon.
Happy planning!
Oct 11th, 2014, 06:40 AM
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Does it have to be IN a town?? We stayed in a place that was actually part of a winery, just outside of Riquewihr. Surrounded by vineyards. Let me know & I'll look it up.
I'm not sure I would want to stay IN one of the Route du Vin towns - too many tourists, as others have noted.
Stu Dudley
I'm not sure I would want to stay IN one of the Route du Vin towns - too many tourists, as others have noted.
Stu Dudley
Oct 11th, 2014, 06:48 AM
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We loved being IN Riquewihr and yes there were lots of tourists from 10-5 each day, but the mornings and evenings (when we were actually in the town) were quiet and you really got a sense of village life. We even made friends with a wine bar owner and she took us out into her families winery for a private tour one morning.
There were lots of nice restaurants to choose from and we could walk home so hubby didn't have to drive.
Noise was never a problem for us.
Just some things to think about!
There were lots of nice restaurants to choose from and we could walk home so hubby didn't have to drive.
Noise was never a problem for us.
Just some things to think about!
Oct 11th, 2014, 07:20 AM
#8
Kathy, you may have spotted the word you are looking for is "Gite". Traditionally for the French this includes an extra charge for sheets and towels and an end of stay cleaning charge (which can be avoided by cleaning it).
This is a pretty well known website with good products http://www.gites-de-france.com
though you may also find that Google maps and each villages website will offer some deals
This is a pretty well known website with good products http://www.gites-de-france.com
though you may also find that Google maps and each villages website will offer some deals
Oct 11th, 2014, 07:37 AM
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Bilbo 
I admit during the day I would have found the tourists too much but we were out touring and eating in other less famous villages during the day - I probably would have not enjoyed Riquewihr if we had visited it as a day trip with all the other tourists!
I admit during the day I would have found the tourists too much but we were out touring and eating in other less famous villages during the day - I probably would have not enjoyed Riquewihr if we had visited it as a day trip with all the other tourists!
Oct 11th, 2014, 07:57 AM
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I have visited the area many times and stayed in most of the villages. I don't have a favourite and don't find the crowds a problem. There is a reason why tourists including all those posting here, go there. I find it somewhat ridiculous for anyone to suggest trying to avoid staying in the busier villages. Does anyone suggest you avoid staying in Rome if you want to visit Rome?
There are plenty of Gites available throughout the area. I've always just turned up and found a place. One favourite was Chambres d'hotes Nartz in the village of Dambach la Ville which is indeed a quieter village. But they only have rooms, not gites. http://www.nartz-michel.com/
I guess you will have a car to get around and that IS something I would suggest you take into consideration when looking for a place to stay. Parking can be a real problem in most of the villages. It is quite possible to have to park in a parking lot outside the walls of the village and then walk a fair distance to where you are staying.
Some properties (like the one I have linked) have their own private parking lot and that is a big bonus. I would look for a gite that has private parking, not 'close to parking' in the description. 'Close' can be a very relative term.
There are plenty of Gites available throughout the area. I've always just turned up and found a place. One favourite was Chambres d'hotes Nartz in the village of Dambach la Ville which is indeed a quieter village. But they only have rooms, not gites. http://www.nartz-michel.com/
I guess you will have a car to get around and that IS something I would suggest you take into consideration when looking for a place to stay. Parking can be a real problem in most of the villages. It is quite possible to have to park in a parking lot outside the walls of the village and then walk a fair distance to where you are staying.
Some properties (like the one I have linked) have their own private parking lot and that is a big bonus. I would look for a gite that has private parking, not 'close to parking' in the description. 'Close' can be a very relative term.
Oct 11th, 2014, 09:58 AM
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Thanks everyone for your suggestions and input... I'll take a look at all the links.
We've been in the area before and did a long distance village-to-village walk about ten years ago in early June, from Turckheim to Obernai. (We walked through both Riquewihr and Dambach.) So we're a little familiar with the area, though we weren't there in the peak season. Since we'll stay two weeks, I do want to be sure we find a location and property we feel good about.
We've rented in France many times (though not as often as Stu and probably others) and have our own place now in one of the Luberon villages. We do like staying in a village or within an easy walk because we like that connection with the community (and the boulangerie). But we'd be open to staying just outside a village if it wasn't too far to walk in.
I was looking at two of the "I love Riquewihr" properties, though I wasn't sure about the "busy-ness" of Riquewihr. The ones I've bookmarked are Muscat and Little Wolf.
http://i-love-riquewihr.com/o_10-EN.html (Muscat)
http://i-love-riquewihr.com/o_15-EN.html (Little Wolf)
I like the size of Muscat but like the fact that Little Wolf has a small balcony with a table and two chairs.
For two weeks, we do want to book in advance and we want something comfortable and appealing.
This is another place that interests me in Kintzheim... I found it on Gites-de-France. We stayed overnight in Kientzheim (near Kayserberg) in 2013 and liked this village very much. It's quiet but does have a boulangerie and two places to eat. This is bigger than what we need, though it's possible our daughter or a friend may join us. http://en.gites-de-france.com/holida...-68G30080.html
I have several simpler gites bookmarked. We do need WIFI and a washing machine and would prefer something that has some charm.
Okay, I'm off to do look at these suggestions... thank you all again.
Kathy
We've been in the area before and did a long distance village-to-village walk about ten years ago in early June, from Turckheim to Obernai. (We walked through both Riquewihr and Dambach.) So we're a little familiar with the area, though we weren't there in the peak season. Since we'll stay two weeks, I do want to be sure we find a location and property we feel good about.
We've rented in France many times (though not as often as Stu and probably others) and have our own place now in one of the Luberon villages. We do like staying in a village or within an easy walk because we like that connection with the community (and the boulangerie). But we'd be open to staying just outside a village if it wasn't too far to walk in.
I was looking at two of the "I love Riquewihr" properties, though I wasn't sure about the "busy-ness" of Riquewihr. The ones I've bookmarked are Muscat and Little Wolf.
http://i-love-riquewihr.com/o_10-EN.html (Muscat)
http://i-love-riquewihr.com/o_15-EN.html (Little Wolf)
I like the size of Muscat but like the fact that Little Wolf has a small balcony with a table and two chairs.
For two weeks, we do want to book in advance and we want something comfortable and appealing.
This is another place that interests me in Kintzheim... I found it on Gites-de-France. We stayed overnight in Kientzheim (near Kayserberg) in 2013 and liked this village very much. It's quiet but does have a boulangerie and two places to eat. This is bigger than what we need, though it's possible our daughter or a friend may join us. http://en.gites-de-france.com/holida...-68G30080.html
I have several simpler gites bookmarked. We do need WIFI and a washing machine and would prefer something that has some charm.
Okay, I'm off to do look at these suggestions... thank you all again.
Kathy
Oct 11th, 2014, 05:11 PM
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Spent a week in I Love Riquewihr's Dove's Nest with another couple and loved the apartment and the village. Recommended ILR to friends, who are staying in another of the apartments as I write. Got an email today saying how much they like it.
The ILR apartments are charm personified and decorated in a traditional Alsatian style, but not "kitsch". The owner has restored the buildings so as to retain the integrity of their history but there are all the mod-cons you could want. Eg, the Dove's Nest had a pellet-burning fireplace, a new concept to us, and made the apartment very cozy.
The house manager was very helpful, also. Only great things to say about ILR.
The ILR apartments are charm personified and decorated in a traditional Alsatian style, but not "kitsch". The owner has restored the buildings so as to retain the integrity of their history but there are all the mod-cons you could want. Eg, the Dove's Nest had a pellet-burning fireplace, a new concept to us, and made the apartment very cozy.
The house manager was very helpful, also. Only great things to say about ILR.
Oct 12th, 2014, 12:47 AM
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We stayed in the Muscat in Riquewihr in June 2013. It is exactly as described on the website. It is on the main drag, Rue du Gen. de Gaulle, about half way between the upper and lower gates.The street is only about 300 m long. There are several really good restaurants just steps away from the apartment.The Rest Au Dolder near the upper gate was our favorite. It is a nice location to take walks in the morning and evening. Parking is very close, just outside the ramparts. They rent you a parking pass so no coins are needed for the meters. We did our shopping at the supermarket in the suburbs of Ribeauville. Surprisingly, there is a boulangerie inside the store.
https://www.google.com/search?q=riqu...w=1266&bih=567
https://www.google.com/search?q=riqu...w=1266&bih=567
Oct 12th, 2014, 02:21 AM
#16
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Grandmere and dugi_otok, did you find Riquewihr too crowded or "touristy" when you were there? It really is a beautiful village.
The "I Love Riquewihr" apartments are decorated so attractively... so many of the others I've looked at in this area are very sparse. Of course, there's a big price difference. Ideally we'd like to find "charming" and "authentic," on the inside not just the outside.
Kathy
The "I Love Riquewihr" apartments are decorated so attractively... so many of the others I've looked at in this area are very sparse. Of course, there's a big price difference. Ideally we'd like to find "charming" and "authentic," on the inside not just the outside.
Kathy
Oct 12th, 2014, 08:28 AM
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My very good friends own the I Love Riquewhir apartments. I spent some time with them when we stayed together in one of the larger apartments together last February. Beautiful apartment and some great restaurants in the village. Michelin starred, too. We did some trips to Black Forest etc. Jean-Paul loves to show off the area. Don't think you could go wrong staying there.
a bientot,
Joan
a bientot,
Joan
Oct 12th, 2014, 02:13 PM
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<< dugi_otok, did you find Riquewihr too crowded or "touristy" when you were there? It really is a beautiful village. >>
We did not find it too crowded. We were there in June. This is about as many people that we saw there in afternoons:
http://www.cenzon.it/Fotografia/Viag..._riquewihr.jpg
Evenings were fewer people, but still enough to make it vibrant. Mornings hardly anybody there. It was nice to wake up, lean my elbows on a window sill, and look out at the roof tops and up and down the main street of this beautiful village.
As far as too touristy I would say Riquewihr is good for 3-6 nights. For your stay of two weeks I like the Kientzheim gite you are considering. You will be able to immerse yourself in a more liveable town.
<< The "I Love Riquewihr" apartments are decorated so attractively... so many of the others I've looked at in this area are very sparse. >>
Yes and not ready for move in. God forbid, they could supply some immediate functionality, like toilet paper. bedding, kitchenware, etc.. "I Love Riquewihr" has the rentee in mind when furnishing and stocking their rentals. Also I can not say enough good things about the lady, her name escapes me, who helps with the move in and provides information to make your stay a pleasent experience.
<< Ideally we'd like to find "charming" and "authentic," on the inside not just the outside. >>
Charming but not too authentic.
We did not find it too crowded. We were there in June. This is about as many people that we saw there in afternoons:
http://www.cenzon.it/Fotografia/Viag..._riquewihr.jpg
Evenings were fewer people, but still enough to make it vibrant. Mornings hardly anybody there. It was nice to wake up, lean my elbows on a window sill, and look out at the roof tops and up and down the main street of this beautiful village.
As far as too touristy I would say Riquewihr is good for 3-6 nights. For your stay of two weeks I like the Kientzheim gite you are considering. You will be able to immerse yourself in a more liveable town.
<< The "I Love Riquewihr" apartments are decorated so attractively... so many of the others I've looked at in this area are very sparse. >>
Yes and not ready for move in. God forbid, they could supply some immediate functionality, like toilet paper. bedding, kitchenware, etc.. "I Love Riquewihr" has the rentee in mind when furnishing and stocking their rentals. Also I can not say enough good things about the lady, her name escapes me, who helps with the move in and provides information to make your stay a pleasent experience.
<< Ideally we'd like to find "charming" and "authentic," on the inside not just the outside. >>
Charming but not too authentic.
