📍 STRASBOURG
1. Strasbourg - Little France & Covered Bridges
📍 Pont du Faisan, 2 Rue du Bain-aux-Plantes, 67000 Strasbourg
Little France in Strasbourg/ Photo chosen by Monsieur de France: ake1150s via depositphotos
A UNESCO-listed district, Petite France (little France) is one of Strasbourg's most beautiful gems. Its colorful half-timbered houses are reflected in the canals, creating postcard-perfect landscapes. Once a district for fishermen and tanners, it is now one of the most romantic spots in Alsace.
La petite France/ Photo chosen by monsieur de France: Image by Monika Neumann de Pixabay
When?
Morning before 9am or golden hour in the evening for perfect highlights.
Smartphone tip:
Activate HDR and make a vertical panorama. Stabilize your phone on the railing.
2. Strasbourg - Notre-Dame Cathedral
📍 Rue Mercière, 67000 Strasbourg
The magnificent facade of Strasbourg Cathedral emerging from Rue Mercière / Photo chosen by Monsieur de France: Kassandra2 via depositphotos
The spire of Strasbourg's Notre-Dame Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece, dominates the city from its 142-meter height. The richly sculpted pink sandstone façade changes color with the light. The interior is incredibly rich, with an astonishing astronomical clock. A true symbol of Alsace, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The facade of Strasbourg Cathedral up close / Photo chosen by monsieur de France : dbrnjhrj via depositphotos
When?
At midday for frontal lighting, or at dusk for rosy hues.
Smartphone tip:
Switch to ultra-wide-angle (0.5x), lower exposure slightly to preserve sky.
3. Strasbourg – Vauban Dam
📍 Terrasse du Barrage Vauban, Place du Pont Couverts, 67000 Strasbourg
Built in the 17th century, the Vauban dam enabled Strasbourg to be defended by flooding its surroundings. Today, its glazed terrace is a belvedere offering spectacular views over Petite France and the Ponts Couverts.
The towers of the fortified bridge of Petite France seen from the Barrage Vauban / Photo chosen by monsieur de France: Leonid_Andronov via depositphotos
When?
At blue hour, when the lights reflect in the water.
Smartphone tip:
Night mode + HDR, put your phone on a low wall and use the self-timer.
4. Strasbourg – Place Kléber
📍 Place Kléber, 67000 Strasbourg
The fir tree on Place Kléber is the symbol of the Christmas market / Photo chosen by Monsieurdefrance.com: depositphotos
Place Kléber is the beating heart of Strasbourg. Lined with elegant buildings, it is home every winter to one of Europe's largest Christmas trees. A symbol of the Christmas capital, it attracts thousands of visitors every December.
The Strasbourg Christmas market is the largest in France / Photo chosen by monsieur de France: depositphotos.
When?
In December, between 5 and 6 pm, when the sky is midnight blue. To keep crowds to a minimum, come earlier in late November or early December, and on weekdays;
Smartphone tip:
Activate Night mode, avoid flash and wedge your smartphone on a stable support.
5. Strasbourg - Orangery Park
📍 Parc de l'Orangerie, Allée de la Robertsau, 67000 Strasbourg
A stork, emblem of Alsace, drinking in Strasbourg's Orangerie Park/ Photo chosen by Monsieur de France: By L3 G4ll-05 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=120775206
The city's oldest park, l'Orangerie is a popular green haven for Strasbourgeois. Here you'll find a small lake, romantic boats and, above all, storks, the emblem of Alsace, nesting in the trees and on the rooftops.
The orangery park is beautiful in spring / Photo chosen by Monsieur de France: depositphotos.
When?
In spring and summer mornings, when the light is soft.
Smartphone tip:
Zoom x2 to capture storks, Portrait mode to isolate the bird.
📍 COLMAR
6. Colmar – Little Venice
📍 Pont Saint-Pierre, Rue Turenne, 68000 Colmar
The colors are always bright in Alsace / Photo chosen by Monsieur de France: despositphot
The little Venice is Colmar's most romantic district. Its colored half-timbered houses border the Lauch and are reflected in the water. A must-see to capture all the picturesque beauty of Alsace.
Magnificent city of Colmar/ Photo chosen by monsieur de France : by Ben Kerckx from Pixabay
When?
Morning (8-9am) to avoid the crowds, or Christmas for the illuminations.
Smartphone tip:
Enable HDR, tilt towards the water to maximize reflections.
Magnificent city of Colmar/ Photo chosen by monsieur de France : by Ben Kerckx de Pixabay
7. Colmar – Maison Pfister & Koïfhus
📍 11 Rue des Marchands, 68000 Colmar
The Maison Pfister is emblematic of Colmar / Photo chosen by monsieur de France: depositphotos
Built in 1537, the Maison Pfister is a Renaissance architectural gem. With its frescoes, oriel window and wooden balcony, it epitomizes Colmar's elegance. The neighboring Koïfhus is a reminder of the town's rich merchant past.
When?
Afternoon for an illuminated façade.
Smartphone tip:
Switch to wide-angle and take the perspective from the corner of the street.
8. Colmar - Colmar illuminée
📍 Centre historique de Colmar, 68000 Colmar
Colmar at Christmas is magnificent / Photo chosen by Monsieur de France: depositphotos
Colmar is magical at Christmas. Its half-timbered facades are adorned with garlands and decorations. Christmas markets light up the old town, transforming Colmar into a fairytale setting.
When?
In December, at dusk and in the evening. Prefer weekdays and late November or early December;
Smartphone tip:
Night mode, lowers exposure slightly to capture the lights.
The streets are full of color during the Christmas market in Colmar / Photo chosen by Monsieur de France: depositphotos
📍 VILLAGES ALSACIENS
9. Eguisheim – Le Pigeonnier
📍 2A Rue du Rempart Sud, 68420 Eguisheim
The streets of Eguisheim / Photo chosen by monsieur de France: depositphotos
Eguisheim, ranked among les Plus Beaux Villages de France, is famous for its flower-filled circular streets. The Pigeonnier, the emblematic house at the crossroads of the cobbled streets, is the village's best-known landmark.
When?
Early morning or golden hour for warm colors.
Smartphone tip:
Wide-angle, low-frame to highlight cobblestones.
A street in Eguisheim / photo chosen by monsieur de France: JeniFoto via depositphotos.com
10. Riquewihr – Le Dolder
📍 57 Rue du Général-de-Gaulle, 68340 Riquewihr
The iconic view of Riquewihr / Photo chosen by monsieur de France: depositphotos
Riquewihr, nicknamed the "Pearl of the Alsace vineyards", seduces with its Grand'Rue lined with colorful houses. The Dolder tower, a 13th-century vestige, majestically closes the view.
When?
Morning for a quiet street, or December for holiday magic.
Smartphone tip:
Zoom x2, activate HDR to preserve detail.
11. kaysersberg
📍 80 Rue du Général-de-Gaulle, 68240 Kaysersberg-Vignoble
One of the village squares in Kaysersberg with its colorful half-timbered facades / Photo chosen by monsieur de France; depositphotos
Kaysersberg, voted "Favorite Village of the French" in 2017, is crossed by the River Weiss. The village is truly beautiful, and its fortified pink sandstone bridge, with its central oratory, is a picturesque backdrop typical of Alsace.
A view from the famous Kayzersberg bridge with the oratory on the side / Photo chosen by monsieur de France: depositphotos
When?
Morning or after rain for saturated colors.
Smartphone tip:
Horizontal panorama mode to include bridge and river.
12. Ribeauvillé - Butchers' Tower
📍 Grand'Rue, 68150 Ribeauvillé
Ribeauvillé is a medieval city surrounded by vineyards and dominated by its three castles. Sa Tour des Bouchers, a 13th-century fortified gateway, is one of the town's best-known symbols.
Ribauvillé under the snow with Saint Ulrich's castle on high / Photo chosen by monsieur de France: depositphotos
When?
Late morning or evening at Christmas for the illuminations.
Smartphone tip:
Portrait mode to accentuate verticality.
The butchers' tower in Ribauvillé / Photo chosen by monsieur de France: By © Ralph Hammann - Wikimedia Commons - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=36734394
13th Obernai - Place du Marché & Kappelturm
📍 Place du Marché, 67210 Obernai
Obernai seduces with its central square, dominated by the Kappelturm. Buzzing with activity, lined with colorful houses, it embodies the art of living and the heritage of authentic Alsace.
The village of Obernai/ Photo chosen by Monsieur de France: depositphotos
When?
Late afternoon to enjoy the warm tones.
Smartphone tip:
Wide-angle, place the fountain in the foreground.
📍 EMBLEMATIC MONUMENTS OF ALSACE
14. Haut-Koenigsbourg castle
📍 Parking du château, 67600 Orschwiller
Le château du Haut Koenigsbourg/ Photo chosen by Monsieur de France: depositphotos
Perched at 757 m, the Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg dominates the Alsace plain. Restored in the early 20th century, this pink sandstone fortress is one of France's most visited monuments.
The pink sandstone walls of Château du Hautkoenigsbourg seen up close/ Photo chosen by monsieur de France: by M W de Pixabay
When?
Mild morning or sunset for orange hues.
Smartphone tip:
Zoom x2/x3 and HDR to preserve detail + sky.
15. Mont Sainte-Odile
📍 Parking du monastère, 67530 Ottrott
The Mont Saint Odile under the sun. It's a very emblematic place of Alsace and its history / Photo chosen by monsieur de France: depositphotos
Mont Sainte-Odile is a spiritual and cultural Mecca of Alsace. Perched at 763 m, its monastery dominates the Alsace plain and offers breathtaking panoramas of the Vosges and Black Forest.
When?
At dusk, or in winter for the light on the snow.
Smartphone tip:
Panorama mode + light underexposure for sunset.
