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France France Switzerland September 2010 international Switzerland travel

Sunday in The Alsace

Ribeauvillé

Today, Diana took us to The Alsace. The day was so beautiful, I was ready to pack it all up and move to Central Europe, in order to be closer to this region for all my Sundays.

Ferber's Shop in Niedermorschwihr

We hit the highway early, headed for Niedermorschwihr. This little-known town is the home of Christine Ferber, who we took to calling The Jam Fairy. Ferber’s shop, Au Relais Des Trois Epis, is 13 km west of Colmar. Inside, I stocked up on jams, other preserved fruits and one chocolate macaron for the road.

Bergheimer

Next on our itinerary was Bergheim. Our mission in Bergheim was two-fold: a) visit the Jam Witch and b) lunch at Wistub du Sommelier for the best foie gras EVER (trademark: J) and a delicious duck with choucroute. Bergheim’s Jam Witch (L’Eglantine de Bergheim) was well worth the stop and added a touch of positive drama to our morning — after each jam request, she would disappear, then re-emerge through the shop curtains with fresh supplies. Her Gewürztraminer product is To Die For. After visiting her, we scurried back a few streets to Wistub du Sommelier for our luxurious Alsatian lunch. We didn’t leave WdS without extra foie for M&J to take back to Ferney.

The Jam Witch of the Alsace
Wistub Du Sommelier

After lunch, we drove through Alsatian vineyards to see Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr, two picturesque towns in the region. As the story was told to me — when artists for Disney’s Beauty and the Beast began their work, they visited Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr to sketch and to be inspired. I could see this everywhere I turned. I also learned here that the stork is the spirit animal of the region.

Symbol of The Alsace
Watering his plants with Evian
Ribeauvillé Antique Market
Blowin' Bubbles

We stopped for late afternoon “tea” (er, Cremant) & a snack in Riquewihr, before heading back to Basel.

Local Specialty

Between villages, J&I found a vineyard before twilight. I am so sold on the Alsace — it is a must visit en France.

The Alsace

All pictures from the set, here:

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