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Rhine boat trip
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> Your stay in Alsace > Geography
The mountain environment
The Vosges foothills
The Vosges foothills give the Alsatian plain an attraction and a climate all its own. Protected from the humid western winds by the peaks of the Vosges mountain range, they enjoy a microclimate characterised by greater exposure to sunshine and less frequent rainfall than that found in the rest of the region. It is partly thanks to these characteristics that winegrowing has firmly established itself in the area, enabling towns such as Colmar, Masevaux, Wissembourg, Thann, Guebwiller, Obernai or Saverne to prosper.
The Vosges mountain range
The Vosges range straddles Alsace and Lorraine, with the eastern side opening out onto Alsace. Although less extensive than the Lorraine side, the Alsatian slopes offer visitors a number of admirable mountain peaks, of which the Grand Ballon is certainly the most impressive (rising to an altitude of 1424 m). The majestic forests and moors (high mountain pastures) share this outstanding setting with the magnificent lakes which have formed in the mountains' glacial corries. The Vosges range is also crisscrossed by the Doller, the Thur and the Fecht, which have carved out a number of charming valleys. Radically different landscapes can be seen in the northern part of the Vosges mountain area, which has witnessed far greater erosion. Comprised of huge sandstone tables and numerous streams, its low altitude has made it more attractive where human activities are concerned. Here, visitors to the region can discover a wealth of castles and archaeological remains.
