Crossing the Vosges

Rain! Everyday since we have been in France it has rained. Rained all night and still raining late this morning when we set off across the Vosges Massif to Alsace. And, it poured most of the way! No wonder everything is so green and lush - apart from some of the maze crops that look a little waterlogged. 

Threatening thunderstorms about to disturb the faithfuls' last evening. 

Not ideal driving conditions.

Once we had reached Belfort we noticed a distinct change in village presentation and architecture. It is as if we had entered a different country. But it is said that the southern area of Lorraine was the last area of France that threw off serfdom - is this still a legacy of that?

A sample of the timber framed houses in the Alsace side of the Vosges. 

Some interesting displays in the village of Dannemarie - clusters of bikes were all through the village.

We headed for Altkirch before traveling a few km south to Hirtzbach for our overnight. More thunder storms greeted us here too!

Hirtzbach is a small village off the tourist track but is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Alsace. It's timber framed houses line each side of the creek that runs through the centre of the village. It has been awarded the highest number of "fleurs" for a French village. A wander along the streets is a delight with the multicoloured house to invade the senses.