We have guests at the moment and we'd like to take them somewhere typically French (you know - restaurants, markets, old streets etc) within relatively easy reach of Basel (90 minutes by train or car)...so looking at Colmar, Strasbourg, Nancy (maybe a bit far) etc

Are any of these places worth the trip? Anywhere else worth a look? Or alternatively, is there anywhere a similar distance away on the German side that knocks the socks off any of the French places?

Ta

1. Strasbourg
2. Colmar
3. Route du vin (passes through many nice villages)

Tom

Thanks Tom - that's in order or preference, right? So Strasbourg is definitely worth a trip?

(I'm only asking because, although I've never been, I'm sure I drove through some years ago and I recollect that it is a bit concrete-filled....but maybe I'm wrong)

Strasbourg is really nice - espcially in summer.

To be honest, the town centre of Mulhouse is also quite nice and much closer - they've been renovating for years, so good. Just don't stray too far. The added benefit is that you have the national railway museum in Mulhouse (good for children and enthusiasts), as well as the Ecomuseum (http://www.ecomusee-alsace.fr/) a little further up the road - a little like Beamish, but less touristy and more hands on.

Ah. Just re-read to see the "at the moment". Unfortunatly the latter is closed until spring.

Why not both Strasbourg and Colmar? Pretty old towns, plenty of restaurants and so on.

Eat here:
http://www.maison-kammerzell.com/

The outskirts are indeed something of a concrete jungle, but the old town, which is effectively on an Island centred by the cathedral, is as charming as you could ask for.

OK - thanks all....Strasbourg it is!

I'll tripadvisor it later, but any killer restaurants?....I'm not looking for anything quite as fancy as ullainga posted (thanks though!)- thinking more about bistro, checked tableclothes, steak frites with a pichet of red wine, tarte tatin, terrible attitude from the waiter....that kind of thing...

You'll have plenty of choice then. Last time I was there we ate at this place which was OK, as I recall. Right in the centre of the old town, quite large, and it was very busy so we were lucky to get a table. I think they do generic french as you describe, but there's a whole raft of Alsace specialities as well. I recall having the Baeckoffe - a sort of pie with three different meats in a riesling sauce - very nice, it was.

But there's loads of restaurants there, mostly, like that one, aimed squarely at the tourist trade. If you have time you can wander up and down past a dozen or more before making your choice.

The outside is built up, but the old town is great. Worth climbing up the cathedral.

Tom

Kammerzell isn't really fancy. The Crocodile and Buuerehiesel are, but it's been a few years, and the Crocodile has changed hands (Emile Jung retired).

Chez Yvonne is a nice stube, and L'Alsace a Table is great for fish (same owner as Kammerzell).

Tom

If your guests are prepared to go to Colmar, there is a possibility to take a bus from there and go to Riquewihr. A lovely village with quite a few restaurants and wine-tasting options. It may look tourist-oriented but the architecture and the atmosphere is pleasant.

Hang on a minute - you're extolling Mulhouse without mentioning the Schlumpf collection! More Bugattis than you can shake a stick at. I could spend all day wandering around the place. Probably a bit boring for younger kids tho'. And to be honest, Mrs Comstock was reading her book in the cafe after about 20 mins. But nevertheless, a must-see attraction.

We had an amazing dinner somewhere in Alsace a little over a month ago. Will talk to OH tonight, as I cannot remember the name at the moment.

No, my young kids thought it was brilliant.

To be honest, I think it's Mulhouse's only redeeming feature.

I once had a rare day without the kids so I went to Mulhouse with my wife and we wish we hadn't. Horrible place. Colmar or Strasbourg are so much nicer.

Yeah, sorry, I also missed the museum of elecricity (next to the train place) - never been to either, hence could not make a recommendation.