3 Day Trips from Paris to Alsace by Train & a Two-Day Itinerary

Depending on how long you’re staying in Paris, you may want to do a couple of day trips. As wonderful as Paris is, it’s only one city, and France has so much to offer; it’s a shame to limit yourself to just one place. But is it feasible to do a day trip from Paris to Alsace?

The short answer is yes. However, there is a caveat. You’ll need to start early and finish late if you’re going to make it worthwhile. While there is a high-speed train that can get you there in a couple of hours, you won’t even scratch the surface.

My advice is to keep it simple and stick to one location. Alternatively, build in two days to your plan to allow for a little more time. Below are three options to help you make the most of your time, along with a suggested two-day itinerary.

Option 1 – Strasbourg by high-speed train

If you want a taste of Alsace without overcomplicating things, Strasbourg is your best bet. It’s the easiest place in the region to get to from Paris, with direct high-speed trains running throughout the day. You can be stepping off the platform in just under two hours if you catch an early TGV from Gare de l’Est. That’s quicker than getting across Paris during rush hour.

Strasbourg has changed hands more than once between France and Germany, and this is evident in everything from the food to the architecture. The old town is packed with timber-framed buildings and cobbled streets, but it is also home to the European Parliament. 

The cathedral is worth the trip on its own and is one of the tallest in Europe. It’s massive, and the details on the stonework are incredible. If you can time your visit to catch the astronomical clock in action, do it. It’s truly remarkable and says a great deal about the engineering mindset of the era.

Take a stroll through the picturesque Petite France area. It was once home to tanners, millers, and fishermen, and the name comes from a hospital that treated soldiers with syphilis during the 16th century. The paint colors of the houses once signaled a household’s profession or status, making it easier to identify who lived where.

Grab lunch at a spot serving proper tarte flambée and a glass of Riesling, and if you have time, take one of the Batorama boat cruises in Strasbourg. They take you down the Ill River, which winds through the city’s historic centre and around Petite France.

Top tip: Book your train tickets early. Prices climb fast, and first class can be only a few euros more. After a long day, that quiet carriage and extra space are worth it.

Take a half-day wine tour from Strasbourg >>>

Option 2 – Colmar & the Wine Route

Colmar takes a little longer to reach from Paris, but it’s still doable in a day if you’re focused. The direct TGV takes just under 2 hours and 30 minutes from Gare de l’Est. Colmar is smaller than Strasbourg but just as rich in history. It became part of France in the 17th century, though the German influence is still visible. The old town survived the Second World War with minimal damage, so what you see today is largely original.

The historic center is easy to navigate on foot. The area known as “Little Venice” runs along the canals and is full of half-timbered houses. Like in Strasbourg, the colors once signaled trades and social status, and the buildings were often shared between workshops on the ground floor and family living quarters above.

Colmar is known for its connection to Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty. His childhood home is now a museum if you’re looking to add a cultural stop.

Alsace is wine country, and Colmar sits in the middle of the Alsace Wine Route. If you’ve got more than a few hours to spare, or you plan to stay overnight, you can explore nearby villages like Eguisheim, Riquewihr, or Kaysersberg. Each has its own story and a string of family-run wineries offering tastings of Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Gris. The further you go from Colmar, the less touristy it feels.

For lunch, look for a winstub. These small local restaurants serve traditional Alsatian dishes in lovely, authentic settings. You almost feel like you’re in Germany more than France. Choucroute garnie, baeckeoffe, and tarte flambée are all on the menu.

Top tip: If you want to see more than just Colmar, consider booking a half-day wine tour that leaves from the town center. You’ll cover more ground and avoid the hassle of navigating back roads on your own.

Take a half-day wine tour from Colmar >>>

​​Option 3 – Medieval Villages & Wine Tasting Tour

If you’re willing to trade convenience for experience, this is the one to go for. It means starting early, catching a TGV to either Strasbourg or Colmar, and joining a private or small-group tour from there. It’s a longer day, but it’s the best way to see more than just one place without renting a car or trying to coordinate local buses.

Most of these tours include a handful of stops along the Alsace Wine Route. Villages such as Eguisheim, Riquewihr, and Kaysersberg are typically included. They’re small, walkable, and built around narrow lanes and medieval squares. Eguisheim is often the first stop. It’s circular in layout, quiet in the morning, and known for its stork nests perched on rooftops. It also claims to be the village that inspired Belle’s hometown in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, with its central fountain and dovecote matching scenes from the movie.

Riquewihr is slightly larger and has been closely tied to the wine trade for a long time. The main street is lined with old merchants’ houses, many of which still operate as tasting rooms.

You’ll usually get to visit a couple of family-run wineries along the way. Tasting sessions are relaxed and led by individuals who have been in the business for generations. Kaysersberg, once voted the prettiest village in France, is a good final stop. It sits in a valley with a ruined castle on the hill and a stream cutting through the center. 

Some tours also include Château du Haut‑Koenigsbourg, a fully restored medieval fortress perched above the vineyards. The views from the ramparts stretch across the Alsace plain and into Germany on a clear day.

Top tip: Start from Colmar if you can. It’s closer to most of the villages and makes the logistics easier, especially if you’re tight on time. And wear proper shoes — cobblestones and wine don’t mix well.

Option 4 – Two-Day DIY Alsace Itinerary

If you’ve got two days to spare, this itinerary gives you a relaxed but well-rounded experience of Alsace. You’ll start in Strasbourg and make your way south to Colmar, stopping in a few wine villages along the way. You’ll get a taste of town life, village wandering, and the region’s best food and wine.

Day 1 – Strasbourg and Petite France by Night

6:50 AM – Take the earliest direct TGV from Paris Gare de l’Est to Strasbourg. The trip takes just under two hours. Once you arrive, drop your bag at the hotel and head straight into the city.

8:50 AM – 12:00 PM – Walk through the historic center. Start with the cathedral, and if the astronomical clock is running, step inside and watch it in action. Explore the surrounding streets and grab a coffee if you need a slow start.

12:00 PM – 1:30 PM – Lunch at a winstub like Le Clou or Gurtlerhoft for proper Alsatian classics. Choucroute, spaetzle, and tarte flambée are all safe bets.

1:30 PM – 4:00 PM – Either explore more of the old town on foot or take a boat cruise along the Ill River. It’s a great way to see the covered bridges and Petite France from the water without overexerting yourself on foot.

4:00 PM – Check in to Hotel Cathédrale, right across from the cathedral. The location is ideal for a one-night stay and lets you drop in and out throughout the day.

7:00 PM – Dinner at Chez Yvonne, a local institution that serves traditional Alsatian food in a wood-paneled setting. The menu is simple but done well. Try the pork cheeks or the roast duck if it’s on offer.

Evening – After dinner, walk through Petite France. The bridges and canals are peaceful at night and far better without the crowds. You’ll see why people love it.

Day 2 – Colmar and Easy Village Hopping by Train

8:00 AM – Take a direct TER train from Strasbourg to Colmar. The ride takes just under 30 minutes. 

9:00 AM – 11:30 AM – Explore Colmar’s historic center. Head straight for Little Venice and the old tanners’ quarter. If you’re up for a museum, the Unterlinden Museum is just a few minutes from the canals and worth a quick visit.

11:30 AM – 1:30 PM – Take a local bus or taxi to Eguisheim, about 15 minutes from Colmar. This is one of the few nearby villages that can be easily reached without a car. Its circular layout makes it easy to explore, and it’s best visited around lunchtime before the tour groups arrive in full force. Stop at one of the small winstubs for tarte flambée or a regional plate.

1:30 PM – 3:00 PM – Head back to Colmar via the same route. Spend the rest of the afternoon wandering the quieter side streets, checking out wine shops, or stopping for a late glass of Pinot Gris before dinner.

7:30 PM – Dinner at L’Atelier du Peintre. It’s a Michelin-starred establishment that focuses on using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. The staff are helpful, the wine list is excellent, and the dining room is relaxed and unpretentious.

Evening – Take a walk through Little Venice after dark. Most visitors leave Colmar by early evening, so the streets are much calmer, especially around the canals.

Optional – Spend the night in Colmar at La Maison des Têtes, a historic 17th-century hotel just a short walk from Little Venice, with spacious rooms and an onsite Michelin-starred restaurant. Take the morning TGV back to Paris, or catch a later train if you’re not in a rush.

Public Transport Tips

• Strasbourg to Colmar
  Take a direct TER (regional) train from Strasbourg to Colmar. Trains run about every 30 minutes on weekdays and hourly on Sundays. The journey takes around 30 minutes, and you can buy tickets at the station or through the SNCF Connect app.
  
• Colmar to Eguisheim by bus
  From Colmar’s main train station, take bus line 68R030 to Eguisheim. The ride takes about 15 minutes and costs around €3. Buses run Monday to Saturday, with limited service on Sundays. Always check the local schedule ahead of time, especially on weekends and holidays.
  
• Returning to Colmar
  Use the same bus line for the return trip. The ride back is short and reliable, dropping you off near the train station or central Colmar, depending on the stop.
  
• Other accessible villages
  If you’re looking to add another stop, you can take the TER to nearby towns like Turckheim or Munster. These are smaller, less visited spots, but they offer a quieter experience and are still connected by the regional train network. No advance booking is needed for TER trains—just validate your ticket before boarding.

If you’ve already done the usual day trips from Paris and want something with more depth, Alsace delivers. Whether you stick to one city, hop between villages, or stretch it out over two days, you’ll get a real feel for a region that’s completely different from the rest of France.