Tourism and activities in Alsace, in the heart of the Haut-Rhin
Tourism & activities / Explore Alsace at your own pace
From the Domaine & Spa du Hirtz, you are ideally located to discover one of the richest and most varied regions for activities and tourism in Alsace.
Within a few minutes’ drive, you can reach iconic places such as the Écomusée d’Alsace, a true open-air Alsatian village, or the Parc du Petit Prince, popular with families for its poetic and playful world.
The towns of Mulhouse and Colmar show another side of Alsace: renowned museums, architectural heritage, lively markets, canals and historic districts.
The Domaine & Spa du Hirtz makes it easy to plan a day of sightseeing and activities in the Haut-Rhin before returning to the calm of the forest in the evening.
Tourism in Alsace is easy to enjoy from the Domaine & Spa du Hirtz: you set off to explore, then come back to relax. The Hirtz becomes that anchor point that balances discovery and serenity.
Christmas markets / The magic of Alsatian tradition
In winter, Alsace is adorned with lights and traditions.
The Christmas markets of Colmar, Mulhouse, Riquewihr and Eguisheim are among the most renowned in the region.
Wooden chalets, handcrafted decorations, mulled wine, bredele biscuits and local specialities create a unique, warm atmosphere deeply rooted in history.
Staying at the Domaine & Spa du Hirtz at this time of year means making the most of all the festivities while keeping a peaceful retreat.
After a day in the illuminated villages, you return to the calm of the forest, the comfort of cosy accommodation and the welcoming spirit of the Domaine & Spa du Hirtz.
Sport & health / Get moving in the fresh air, naturally
The Vosges mountains are a wonderful playground for those who love to be active. From the Domaine & Spa du Hirtz, many routes let you enjoy hiking, power walking, trail running or cycling, depending on your level and what you feel like doing.
Nearby, sites such as the Grand Ballon, the highest point of the range, or the Route des Crêtes, offer spectacular views over the Alsace plain, the Black Forest and, on clear days, the Alps.
After exercise, returning to the Domaine & Spa du Hirtz makes perfect sense: a moment at the Nordic Spa, a quiet break or a shared meal naturally round off your physical activity.
Here, sport becomes a source of balance, never a constraint.
The botanical trail: understanding the forest on foot
Directly accessible from the Domaine & Spa du Hirtz, the Hirtzenstein botanical trail is an experience in its own right.
This educational trail, created by the Club Vosgien and the friends of the Hartmannswillerkopf, runs through the forest and reveals local tree species, wildlife and natural balances, as well as more discreet traces of history.
As you walk, you become more attentive. You observe, you learn, you slow down.
Some points also recall the area’s history, in particular the events of the First World War in the Hartmannswillerkopf sector, visible nearby.
Picturesque villages of Alsace: wandering among vineyards and half-timbered houses
The Domaine & Spa du Hirtz is a short distance from the famous Alsace Wine Route, which passes through some of the region’s most beautiful villages.
Among them, Eguisheim, Riquewihr and Turckheim offer a timeless setting of half-timbered houses, ramparts, fountains and cobbled lanes.
These villages are also places for meeting people and enjoying tourist activities in Alsace: family wine cellars, renowned wine estates, craftspeople, markets and local festivals mark the rhythm of the seasons.
You can taste iconic wines such as Riesling, Gewurztraminer or Pinot Gris, before heading back to the Domaine & Spa du Hirtz.
The Wine Route
Alsace is crossed by several tourist routes linking villages and historic sites. Among them, and close to Wattwiller, are the Route des Crêtes, the Fried Carp Route and the Rhine Route, but the most famous and most travelled is undoubtedly the Wine Route.
Inaugurated in 1953, it is one of the oldest tourist routes in France and every year welcomes hundreds of visitors, novices and connoisseurs alike, who come to enjoy its 170 km of charm.
This route, whose emblem is white wine, passes through 70 wine-growing villages that are among the most beautiful in Alsace, and each of them offers a stop with various wine and vineyard activities: tastings, wine and harvest festivals, where events and tastings give your stay in Alsace a festive, cheerful flavour!
Come and stay at the Domaine du Hirtz and explore the Wine Route, just a stone’s throw from Wattwiller! Unusual-sounding names such as Gewürztraminer, Riesling etc. will soon hold no secrets for you!
Remembrance tourism
1870, 1914-1918, 1939-1945… Three major and tragic wars left indelible marks on Alsace and today give it a very special place in the history books and in remembrance tourism.
So it is impossible to visit Alsace without realising that it was the scene of terrible fighting and that thousands of soldiers lost their lives on its soil, but also that it has been an active witness to Franco-German reconciliation and a pioneer of European unity. Its history reflects Alsace’s determination to build, to move forward and to learn from the past without falling into the trap of rejection and isolation.
Just a few kilometres from Wattwiller, take the opportunity to step into the hell of the First World War as you walk through the narrow trenches of the Hartmannswillerkopf. Right next to the estate, you cannot miss the Abri-Mémoire. A little further north, visit the Alsace-Moselle Memorial in Schirmeck, an interactive museum “where history is written in the present”.
The only concentration camp on what is now French soil, Struthof in Natzwiller, also known as the European Centre of Deported Resistance Members, also welcomes tourists from Alsace and beyond who wish to learn about and immerse themselves in history, the real history, unmasked and without fine speeches, with its horrors and its victories.
So make the most of your stay at the Domaine du Hirtz to enjoy some remembrance tourism in Alsace and experience the history of this unique region.
The farmhouse inns
Not far from the Domaine du Hirtz, many farmhouse inns can be reached within a few kilometres’ walk along wonderful trails. Discover the routes and distances from our estate.
The Parc du Petit Prince
Make the most of your stay at the Domaine du Hirtz to visit the Parc du Petit Prince, located just 23 minutes away!
With 34 rides and attractions, immerse yourself in the Little Prince’s planet, like a giant open-air book. Discover 5 major educational themes: the Little Prince, means of transport, animals, airmail and astronomy.
School groups: a special offer in partnership with the park. Accommodation rates available, please contact us.
Price of €9.50 per pupil and accompanying adult, educational workshops included. One accompanying adult free for every 8 paying pupils, and free for the driver.
The Écomusée d’Alsace
The Écomusée d’Alsace, France’s largest open-air living museum, is laid out like an early 20th-century Alsatian village. It brings rural heritage to life and introduces you to the Popular Arts and Traditions of Alsace: buildings and collection objects, craftspeople at work, exhibitions, daily activities and major events…
Distance from the estate: 20 min – 13 km
Our tourism partners in Alsace
To plan your visits and discover the region, here are the tourist offices and agencies that partner with the Domaine & Spa du Hirtz:
Frequently asked questions
Yes, the estate is ideally located for hiking, discovering the Hirtzenstein botanical trail, visiting Alsatian villages, the Alsace Wine Route, the Christmas markets and the region's major tourist attractions.
Only dogs are allowed in the accommodation, for a supplement of €20. Dogs are welcome on the estate but must be kept on a lead. Horses can also be tied up in the grounds, where a hitching rail is provided for this purpose.
Yes, the estate welcomes visitors all year round. Activities, landscapes and atmosphere change with the seasons, offering a different experience at every time of year.