Schönes Elsaß

 

Schönes Elsaß. Beautiful Alsace in German. France—a country that experienced a full millennium of the so-called "Ancien Régime", before a failed restored monarchy, followed by two empires, and the only E.U. state not to have adopted a strictly parliamentary system—remains a deeply centralized country. For a long time, Breton, Occitan, Corsican, and Alsatian children among many others were punished if they dared to speak to each other in any language other than French. Centralization went so far as to nearly eradicate regional architectural styles. Just imagine: for years, the timber framing that now adorns so many traditional Alsatian houses was hidden from view by whitewash—until the day courageous individuals rebelled.

But suddenly, Alsatian villages began showing off again their gleaming black-or-brown-and-white facades once more, leaving tourists in awe. UNESCO’s influence certainly played a part in this! It is safe to say that Alsace is home to some of the most beautiful villages in France. It is also a region where the local language—Alsatian—is still spoken, and where taverns are known as *Winstubs*, serving local culinary specialties with names that sound rather exotic to French ears: Baekeoffe, Kougelhopf, Schiffala, Flammekueche, Spätzle, etc., alongside some renowned wines: Riesling, Gewürztraminer... Alsace is thus one of the few regions of metropolitan France—along with Brittany and Corsica—where, for instance, the most famous singers still perform their songs in the local language, having waged a fierce battle against its annihilation.

But cities are not to be outdone in terms of attractiveness, following the example the biggest three: Mulhouse, Colmar and Strasbourg, with their so picturesque districts succeeding in recreating the bucolic atmosphere of the villages. Alsace: a beautiful country indeed!

Work in progress...