Strasbourg Leisure

The city of Strasbourg itself is not particularly known for its sporting opportunities. However, the surrounding Alsatian region has excellent outdoor recreation all year round. Whether you enjoy a leisurely cruise through wine country or a hearty trek in the Vosges Mountains, it is great to get out of the city for a while and soak in the beautiful scenery.

Winter sports

Alsace is a four season area, which means there’s something different to experience depending on the time of year you visit. Winter is one of the most popular seasons in Strasbourg and the nearby Vosges Mountains are home to some of France’s best skiing. Downhill skiers and snowboarders have over 170 lifts to choose from at the resorts of Lac Blanc, Le Markstein, Le Bresse and Gerardmer. Snow-making machines and lighted night skiing ensure a good time for skiers of all levels.

Summer activities

Summer is the other major sporting season of the year and offers a great deal more recreation than the winter. Again, the Vosges Mountains provide endless activities in a protected natural environment. The best place to enjoy the Alsatian wilderness is at the Vosges Natural Park of the North, which has been designated one of the world’s biosphere reserves by UNESCO. The park features otherworldly sandstone pillars and arches, deep uncut forests and wild rivers. In the mountains, you can hike, mountain bike, horseback ride and take guided nature tours. One of the more popular activities in Alsace is bike touring. Although the region is rather small, it has the longest bike trail system in France, with rides for all levels of ability.

Golf

With nine golf courses in the Alsace region, there is a challenge for golfers of all levels. Although some of the courses require golfers to have a certain handicap level in order to play, there are several public golf courses which are open to players of all abilities such as the 18-hole Kempferhof course at Plobsheim. Professional football is played in Strasbourg by the French team, Le Racing Club de Strasbourg. This first division team plays its home games at the Stade de la Meinau, which can hold 30,000 spectators.

Childrens activities

If you want to enjoy Alsace with your family, there are lots of sights and activities you can do with your children. Alsace has several safari parks that are beautifully landscaped and offer different animal experiences. Les Naiades Park in Ottrott; Cigoland in Kintzheim, which is dedicated to storks; Monkey Mountain, also in Kintzheim; Zoological Park in Mulhouse; and Park of Butterflies in Hunawihr are just some of the parks. The skies around Alsace are also full of sporting activities. You can go skydiving, hang gliding, micro-lighting and parachuting at various centres in the region. If indoor leisure is your style and you are over 18, you may enjoy the region’s only casino, just north of Strasbourg. The Casino de Niederbronn has the usual gaming tables and machines and encourages smart dress attire.