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If there’s any country that I visit often but need to explore in much more depth, it’s France. again and again I overlook other regions in France in favor of spending all my time in Paris, a city I find challenging to resist.

But recently I had an opportunity to see a bit more. There were a few days in between the end of The video summit in Leipzig, Germany, and my scheduled arrival in Paris. It seemed like the universe was guiding me here.

To Alsace.

Alsace, France’s smallest region, is perched on the edge of Germany and Switzerland on the Rhine River. Alsace has been volleyed back and forth between French and German control for centuries. As a result, you have a beautiful blend of multiple countries.

In Alsace, streets are dominated by half-timbered houses with windowboxes brimming with flowers.

In Alsace, freshly baked baguettes are sold alongside huge pretzels.

In Alsace, the local Alsatian language is endangered, mainly being spoken by older residents.

In Alsace are lots and lots of older foreign tourists — my guess is numerous of them are on a Rhine river cruise.

Strasbourg

I arrived late in Strasbourg, the culmination of two trains, a bus, and an ill-advised Google Maps suggestion to walk down an unlit path in the woods on the way to Saarbrücken’s bus stop. In other words, I was exhausted and frustrated and there were no cabs in sight.

“I’m sorry, do you know where I can find a taxi?” I asked a local couple in French.

They had no idea. “Why don’t you take the tram?” the woman asked. “Where are you going?”

“Close to the train station.”

“Then take the next one!” She even showed me how to purchase a ticket.

Soon I was whirring across the city on the tram, and in no time I had crossed the city for so much less than what my typical taxi would have cost. It couldn’t have been easier.

What struck me about Strasbourg was its livability. It was largely walkable, with the tram for longer distances. flowers bloomed in every direction, even in October. The river was beautiful. and while numerous European cities turn unsightly as soon as the city center ends, the modern sections of Strasbourg were actually quite stately as well. and everyone was so nice!

Strasbourg also has easy transit connections to Paris and all over Europe. and prices were much less expensive than in Paris.

I can’t help searching for livability over visitability — my mind automatically goes there. Strasbourg just felt so good to me — like a good, low-key European city where you could work out down and delight in the best of France while fitting in as a local, absent from the pressures you might find somewhere like Paris.

Street signs in Strasbourg appear in both French and Alsatian.

The Petite-France neighborhood holds UNESCO world Heritage designation and is filled with tourists and souvenir shops. but just walk a few blocks away and you’ll be surrounded by locals.

The Rhine snakes through the city, each bridge filled with flowers.

I think I unnecessarily crossed every bridge in Strasbourg just trying to get shots of their flowers.

Whether on a bridge or in a vase, Alsatians love their blooms.

Strasbourg made me so happy. As I sat on a bench in a square, eating a goose rillette sandwich with cornichons from a nearby open-air market, my heart swelled. This was everything that I loved about France. and German touches didn’t change a thing.

Colmar

Truth? I hadn’t even heard of Colmar until fairly recently. then Matt went to on a river cruise, Amanda went to on another river cruise, and Erin and Simon went to by train for two days. (Who says travel bloggers aren’t influential? I wouldn’t have gone if not for them!)

If Strasbourg is a revelation, Colmar is pure fantasy. This small town is just 40 minutes away from Strasbourg by train and could be worlds away. Take all of the charm of Alsace, make it even much more colorful, and distill it into a small town filled with canals.

I found Colmar to be more colorful and much more densely packed than Strasbourg.

Chapellerie. I love that word — it implies hat store!

“Greetings from Selfie Point!” I announced on Snapchat. A few Chinese girls were taking selfies in front of this bridge and burst out laughing when I said that. This area is called La petite Venise — little Venice.

Look whatsoever these specialties at the bakery!

Just like in Strasbourg, fnull