Holiday Chateau Rentals in Eastern France

The eastern area on our map of France comprises of the Alsace, Lorraine and Franche Comté regions. The landscape features rolling hills, broad, flat valleys, and even parts of several mountain ranges in the Haut Jura and Haut Doubs areas. Having acted as the ball in France and Germany’s political ping-pong tournament for centuries, the culture and cuisine of this area has taken on an interesting and unique blend of its own. French is spoken, but with a teutonic twang.

Eastern France has two ski resorts but attracts people in summer too: whereas much of the French countryside dries to a yellow stubble at this time, the less extreme climate in the east means the grass remains lusher and the wild flowers wave merrily in the meadows for longer.

The regions of eastern France also feature some of the country’s most attractive cathedral cities such as Metz, Nancy and Strasbourg. The striking countryside and vineyards of Burgundy and Champagne, plus the quaint medieval towns dotted around these regions, are also nearby should you wish to explore.

A distinguished variety of wines are produced in Eastern France, including magnificent pinot noirs, pinot grises and chardonnays, as well as the famous "Yellow wine" or vin jaune from the Jura department. The most famous vin jaune comes from a vineyard in Chateau Chalon, one of France’s most picturesque villages. Those who farm livestock in the mountains and valleys that run along the Swiss border are also renowned for their cheese-making abilities, the most famous of which is Comté. This tangy, hard and slightly nutty cheese is often considered to be very similar to Gruyère, produced in neighbouring Switzerland.

Eastern France has something for everyone: historic cities packed with architectural gems, galleries and museums for the culture vultures, and a vast and variable landscape to inspire artists, alcoholics and outdoor adventure types among others. Walking, mountain biking, vineyard tours, shopping and fine dining are all holiday pastimes that may be pursued with ease, and often in more peaceful surroundings than other, more touristy parts of France.