DISCOVER ALSACE!

Come and discover Alsace at any time of year, with Sélestat as your home town, and of course the VAILLANT Hotel!

On the Rhine plain (the Ried), at the crossroads of the Vosges and Fribourg and between Colmar and Strasbourg, Sélestat is the perfect place to visit the Alsace region.

CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN ALSACE

Alsace’s Christmas markets are a genuine immersion in the magic of the festive season, an enchanting blend of age-old traditions and fairytale winter wonderland. Under a blanket of twinkling lights, the charming Alsatian villages are transformed into fairytale settings, where the smell of spices, mulled wine and sweet delicacies perfumes the air. Wooden chalets overflow with unique handmade creations, sparkling decorations and local specialities such as gingerbread and pretzels. Whether in Strasbourg, the Christmas capital, or in picturesque villages like Colmar or Riquewihr, each market offers a warm and authentic atmosphere, perfect for experiencing the Christmas spirit in all its splendour.

HAUT-KOENIGSBOURG CASTLE

Overlooking the Alsace plain and a 10-minute drive from the Vaillant hotel, the Château du Haut Koenigsbourg is the best-known fortified castle in Alsace and one of the most visited monuments in Alsace. The Haut Koenigsbourg Castle was completely restored at the request of Emperor William II from 1900, which makes it original and attractive, despite the controversies surrounding the restoration. An unmissable monument. Practical information for the Haut Koenigsbourg Castle Free parking along the road leading to the castle. Access is then after a walk in the forest or along the Route of 2 to 15 minutes depending on the distance. Entrance fee, €9 full price, self-guided tour, guided tour, audio guide or themed tours. Reduced rate of €4 for children aged 6 to 17 and free for children under 6. Free on the first Sundays of the month from November to March, as well as during Heritage Days and Museum Night.

THE ALSACE WINE ROUTE

Just 3 km from the Vaillant hotel, the famous wine route begins. It winds its way 170 km from the north to the south of Alsace, following the colours of its vines and its 7 grape varieties (Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot noir, gris or blanc, Muscat and Sylvaner). On its hillsides, keeps and castles can be seen, while villages with colourful, flower-filled houses huddle behind their ramparts.

THE OLD TOWER OF SÉLESTAT

Nestled in the heart of Alsace, between the Vosges mountains and the Ried plain, Sélestat is located 35 minutes from Strasbourg. Its exceptional built heritage promises you a meeting between legend and history.

SELESTAT AND ITS REGION CENTRAL ALSACE

10 minutes from Colmar, at the foot of the Wine Route, the town of Sélestat, capital of central Alsace, is close to Alsatian tourist attractions such as: The Château du Haut Koenigsbourg, eagle aviary, monkey mountains, Europa Park , Unterlinden Museum, Bartholdi Museum, and picturesque villages like Riquewihr (10 minutes), Ribeauvillé (8 minutes), Kaysersberg (20 minutes), Obernai (15 minutes) and Eguisheim (20 minutes). Sélestat is the 3rd architectural heritage of Alsace: the Humanist Library, the Ste Foy and St George churches, the old Tower, the Witches’ Tower, the Clock Tower, the Ste Barbe Hall, its old pedestrian town, the Maison du Pain.

DISCOVERING MONKEY MOUNTAIN

A 10-minute drive from the Vaillant hotel restaurant, the Montagne des Singes park is home to more than 200 monkeys, also called “Magots”, which normally live in the mountains of Morocco and Algeria. They know how to fight the harsh cold of the mountains during the winter. The body of this animal is adapted to the harsh climate of the winter period, but it also knows how to appreciate the sweetness of spring and the heat of summer in Alsace. These very endearing Barbary monkeys or macaques now live in this park in Alsace. For photography enthusiasts, don’t forget to take your camera with you. They will highlight your talents as an animal photographer. You will surprise your friends and family with your snapshots illustrating the “antics” of these monkeys who are just asking to be photographed. It is a unique experience to live as a family. Your children will remember this original visit to our region for a long time.

THE VOLLEYBALL OF THE WINGS

A 10-minute drive from the Vaillant Hotel, the flight in total freedom of the largest birds of prey in the world will allow you to better understand their behavior. Here, buzzards, black kites, vultures and other raptors are the masters of the place. In the medieval setting of the Kintzheim castle, in the heart of the Alsace vineyards, they offer a breathtaking aerial show where emotion is great, and thrills are guaranteed.

L’ILL*WALD

Located in Sélestat and accessible on foot from the Vaillant hotel, the Ill*Wald is an exceptional reserve, made up of wetlands, recognized at European level. Come and discover this nature reserve of Ried de Sélestat, it will certainly seduce you!

CIGOLAND

In Sélestat, 5 minutes from the Vaillant hotel, at the foot of the Haut-Koenigsbourg castle massif, in the center of Alsace, Cigoland is a fun and educational amusement park. You will be greeted by the clacking sounds of the White Stork, the quintessential symbol of Alsace.

THE HUMANIST LIBRARY: INTERACTIVE MUSEUM ON THE TREASURES OF THE RENAISSANCE

In the city center of Sélestat, a 5-minute walk from the Vaillant hotel restaurant, discover the Humanist Library, reopened since June 23, 2019 after 4 years of work.

LITTLE PRINCE PARK

The Parc du Petit Prince is a theme park inspired by the work of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and located 30 minutes by car from the Vaillant hotel in Ungersheim.

COLMAR

Colmar, with its old town, Little Venice and its internationally renowned museums Unterlinden and Bartholdi, is located 10 minutes from the hotel by train. In the city center of Sélestat, a 5-minute walk from the Vaillant hotel restaurant, discover the Humanist Library, reopened on June 23, 2019 after 4 years of work.

STRASBOURG

Strasbourg, European capital and the little France located 40 minutes from the hotel, its cathedral.
If you are staying in Strasbourg, we suggest you discover our other establishment: the Couvent du Franciscain Hotel.