Camper around Alsace - Last Part - The nord

(Continued from Second Part)

Country

The road to Wissemburg, for the most part within the park of the North Vosges, is very pleasant and we can see the change in the landscape and vegetation, vineyards are now gone, and in addition to the cultivated fields often the road through the forest.



A few miles away from the goal we make a stop in Hunspach, a village of white houses on the edge of the forest (1km from the main road). The hamlet, OCME reported one of the most beautiful villages of France, is very quaint and charming tourist then what is absolutely not an easy walk of a few minutes is enough to admire the white houses and the characteristic convex glasses on the windows.

Hunspach

Wissemburg

We leave for Wissemburg and parked the camper in the parking area in front of the swimming pools signaled totally free (we are alone, but in the night there will come a German campers to keep us company). This typical village in the north of Alsace is a pleasant visit, even here the canal that runs through the center makes his game and beautiful are the facades of the houses of 1600 still well maintained (and inhabited). Dinner at "La Vignette" makes us taste the local cuisine (mix between Germany and France, we are 3 km from the border), to advise the Choucroute employed mainly for the excellent pork that accompanies it and the duck leg , all strictly accompanied with a beer or local wine.
Going back to the camper we can see that from here there are various walking trails or bike that branch off along the region of 2-3 hours (surely one thing to take advantage of if you pass here in the summer season)

Road

Volsgi Parc

The next day we set off for Bitche (Lorraine) and cross several kilometers of forest. The first stop is the Castle of Fleckenstein, well maintained ruin from which it is possible to observe the vastness of the park. Here is also a fun path in the woods that we, because of rain, we had to avoid.





We have lunch in the relaxation of the forest (in the car park of the castle) and again towards Bitche encountering quite a storm and so cold.

Fort of Simserhoff

Once we go to the est area just below the Citadel (free, very well maintained with 4 pitches style camping, loading and unloading charge 2 € a good stop if you're in the area)
The rain does not stop, then decided to move to go to the fort Simserhoff, the signs are not visible and reach the place thanks to a very kind gentleman who escorted us in practice to the parking lot. Located a few kilometers from Bitche the fort was built on the Maginot Line to defend against the Germans and suffered several bombing but remained intact. The visit consists of a video historical images and a path with a train inside the fort to 29 meters below ground (the visit is highly recommended for adults and children).
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When we go out it is still raining so we change plans and go directly to Saverne (we return to Alsace) where we park in the camper is not well reported in the harbor parking lot on the canal ... and miraculously faces the sun ... we hope to be able to use the bike tomorrow ...
The good weather also remains in the morning so we take the bike and take a ride in the country. Characterized by the canal and harbor from the castle (villa) real country is famous for the rose garden in which there are over 8000 types of roses (no shame in bloom) and chocolate. For the street in the center many tearooms serving nice quality chocolate or chocolate and coffee.

Shoes

Our trip is winding down and before returning to Strasbourg and Riquewirh (the stages of approach to the border of) we stop to Grafthal. Here are the houses in stones (maison troglodyte). The attraction from the outside is a bit sad (they are only 3-4 houses dug into the tuff) but the visit (2 €) is cute. The rooms are still furnished with the furniture of the time (1800-1900) and there are also many farm tools. The girls having fun.

Maison troglodyte

We have lunch in the parking lot of the country and take the road to Strasbourg, lard the sun spend a few hours on the bike for the city (easy to reach from the campsite Montagne Verte).

The last day of approach at home included a stop in Ribeauville, another beautiful country of the wine trail, but with a little more traffic and overnight stay in Riquewihr where we take the road to home.


Night
(from 1 to 5 star quality/price):
***       Colmar, Camping dell'ill , allèe du Camping 1 - 21€
*****   Kaysersberg, (N 48.135686 - E 7.262948), Place de l'Erlenbad - 7€ 24h
****     Riquewihr, (N 48.16608 - E 7.30175) Parcheggio comunale - 4€ (18:00-9:00)
**         Strasburgo, Camping Montagne Verte (N 48°34'31"  E 7°42'52) 2 rue Robert Forrer-23€
***       Wissemburg, boulevard Clemenceau (parcheggio piscine) - Free
*****   Bitche, (N 49.05414 - E 7.43436 ) seguire indicazioni cittadella - Free
**         Saverne, (N 48.74222 - E 7.36583 ), rue des Emouleurs - Free
 (price for  3 person + electricity)


Considerations:
The Alsace is a beautiful journey, easy for the distances between the various destination and parking areas in each country (even the smallest). The walkable villages and parks in the area make it an attractive destination for children and the local cuisine is worth the taste as you need a few glasses of good wine Alsatian (sin a little too expensive, especially in the blank). The locals are friendly and in no situation I found myself in trouble with my little Francesce, however if you have difficulty many speak English. The total cost remains low thanks to the many free or rest areas that allow overnight stay a few euro. We were not able to use a lot of bikes but everywhere there were bike lanes and bicycle parking.
Definitely a trip to recommend.

Beauty of place : 9
Distance : 10
Catering : 7
Accessibility children : 9
Ease of parking : 10
Total cost : 9

 
Overall assessment : 9,0 (54 su 60)