📍 France

GRAND EST LOOP: VINEYARDS, RAMPARTS AND FOREST SOUL

Q: What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-June): Perfect weather, blooming countryside, ideal for all regions, moderate crowds, excellent value, romantic atmosphere. Summer (July-August): Warmest weather, peak tourist season, highest prices, crowded attractions, perfect for Mediterranean coast, festival season. Fall (September-October): Harvest season, comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, wine regions spectacular, excellent photography, good value. Winter (November-March): Christmas markets, ski season Alps, fewer crowds, lowest prices, cozy indoor attractions, cultural experiences.

Vineyards sweeping down golden slopes, thermal waters bursting from the ground, half-timbered villages with winding lanes. Grand Est, beauty to discover.

≈ 22

Days

1668

Stops

📖 11 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Journey through the East between fortified towns and wine villages. Visit Plombières-les-Bains and Langres, discover Joinville and Domrémy, explore Wissembourg, Obernai and Riquewihr, wander through Kaysersberg and Eguisheim, then follow the vine terraces of Mittelbergheim and Bergheim.

Riquewihr: wine gem sparkles
Kaysersberg: wine lanes flow
Obernai: market square magic
Langres: limestone heights crown
Plombières-les-Bains: spa tradition steams

Your day-by-day itinerary

Day

Plombieres Les Bains

spa waters heat healing

5 photos

Day 1

🔍

Discover

Thermal baths, Belle Époque galleries and gardens.

🎯

Activities

→

Wellness session or thermal & villa walk.

Day

Langres

limestone heights hold strong

2 photos

Day 2

🔍

Discover

Panoramic ramparts and Saint-Mammès cathedral.

🎯

Activities

→

Curtain wall tour (recommended section).

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 110 km

Travel time: 2h12

Day

Joinville

river confluences merge gently

2 photos

Day 3

🔍

Discover

Grand Jardin Castle, half-timbered buildings and canal.

🎯

Activities

→

Walk along the water (banks/locks).

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 157 km

Travel time: 3h09

Day

Essoyes

impressionist light paints scenes

4 photos

Day 4

🔍

Discover

Renoir house-studio and village tour.

🎯

Activities

→

Stroll along the Ource (landscape impressions).

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 77 km

Travel time: 1h32

Day

Beaulieu En Argonne

forest silence breathes deeply

9 photos

Day 5

🔍

Discover

Forest village and Saint-Rouin church.

🎯

Activities

→

Trails on the edge of the Argonne forest.

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 157 km

Travel time: 3h08

Day

Bar Le Duc

medieval town preserves grace

4 photos

Day 6

🔍

Discover

Renaissance upper town, Saint-Étienne collegiate church.

🎯

Activities

→

Hanging gardens and heritage alleyways.

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 132 km

Travel time: 2h39

Day

Montmedy

fortress guards border pride

10 photos

Day 7

🔍

Discover

Citadel and ramparts of Montmédy.

🎯

Activities

→

Route of bastions and viewpoints.

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 110 km

Travel time: 2h12

Day

Domremy La Pucelle

jeanne soul haunts halls

4 photos

Day 8

🔍

Discover

Joan of Arc's birthplace and basilica of Bois-Chênu.

🎯

Activities

→

Thematic trail "in Joan's footsteps".

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 170 km

Travel time: 3h24

Day

Saint Quirin

spring waters flow quiet

10 photos

Day 9

🔍

Discover

Church, hermitage and classified village in the heart of the Vosges.

🎯

Activities

→

Short hike in the forest around the ponds.

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 135 km

Travel time: 2h42

Day

Wissembourg

border heights climb steep

6 photos

Day 10

🔍

Discover

Benedictine abbey, canals and half-timbered houses.

🎯

Activities

→

Nature loop towards the Bienwald (easy).

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 106 km

Travel time: 2h07

Day

Rosheim

flowers crown village walls

5 photos

Day 11

🔍

Discover

Romanesque church of Saints-Pierre-et-Paul, medieval door crowns.

🎯

Activities

→

Heritage trail within the walls.

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 90 km

Travel time: 1h48

Day

Obernai

square spirals magic circles

9 photos

Day 12

🔍

Discover

Ramparts, belfry and Market Square of Obernai.

🎯

Activities

→

Artisanal tasting & Alsatian specialties.

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 37 km

Travel time: 45min

Day

Mittelbergheim

vineyard terraces cascade down

6 photos

Day 13

🔍

Discover

Wine-grower houses and Renaissance architecture.

🎯

Activities

→

Viewpoint towards Andlau and vineyards.

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 13 km

Travel time: 16min

Day

Chatenois Bas Rhin

wine tradition flows deep

3 photos

Day 14

🔍

Discover

Fortified cemetery, Saint-Georges church and ramparts.

🎯

Activities

→

Wine trail of Châtenois.

🚗

Next stop

⏱️ Long drive (5h+)

Distance: 260 km

Travel time: 5h12

Day

Bergheim

rampart tales echo old

8 photos

Day 15

🔍

Discover

Tour of the ramparts and Gothic church of Bergheim.

🎯

Activities

→

Museum of Witches (local history).

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 29 km

Travel time: 34min

Day

Hunawihr

vineyard pierces sky proud

5 photos

Day 16

🔍

Discover

Fortified church of Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur in the middle of the vineyards.

🎯

Activities

→

Stork park (depending on season).

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 43 km

Travel time: 51min

Day

Riquewihr

wine gem sparkles bright

5 photos

Day 17

🔍

Discover

Cobbled streets, half-timbered houses and ramparts of Riquewihr.

🎯

Activities

→

Wine tasting on the Wine Route (riesling, gewurz).

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 18 km

Travel time: 22min

Day

Kaysersberg

wine lanes flow medieval

4 photos

Day 18

🔍

Discover

Fortified bridge, Sainte-Croix church, wine-growing village.

🎯

Activities

→

Climb to the castle for panorama over the vineyards.

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 9 km

Travel time: 11min

Day

Eguisheim

historic spiral embraces all

6 photos

Day 19

🔍

Discover

Concentric rings of Eguisheim around the castle.

🎯

Activities

→

Photo walk of flowered facades and fountains.

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 15 km

Travel time: 18min

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🛡️ Travel advice - France

Check official recommendations

UK Foreign Travel Advice →

❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-June): Perfect weather, blooming countryside, ideal for all regions, moderate crowds, excellent value, romantic atmosphere.

Summer (July-August): Warmest weather, peak tourist season, highest prices, crowded attractions, perfect for Mediterranean coast, festival season.

Fall (September-October): Harvest season, comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, wine regions spectacular, excellent photography, good value.

Winter (November-March): Christmas markets, ski season Alps, fewer crowds, lowest prices, cozy indoor attractions, cultural experiences.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 18 and 26 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in France?

Cultural capital with incredible cuisine, world-famous attractions, and diverse regions from Paris to Provence. Experience artistic heritage, wine culture, and sophisticated lifestyle. The country offers excellent infrastructure with cultural depth and culinary excellence. France provides complete cultural experiences with historical significance and modern sophistication in easily accessible destination.