Alsace facts for kids
Alsace (called Elsass in Alsatian and German) was once a special region in France. It is located on the eastern side of France, right next to Germany and Switzerland. Today, Alsace is part of a larger French region called Grand Est.
The two main areas, or departments, within Alsace were Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin. In 2013, about 1.8 million people lived there. The biggest city and capital of Alsace was Strasbourg.
Alsace has a very interesting history because it was often claimed by both France and Germany. This means its culture is a mix of both. The people there often spoke a German dialect, and their food, music, and traditions were similar to those in nearby Germany.
A Look at Alsace's History
Alsace was once part of a big empire called the Holy Roman Empire. This empire included many German-speaking areas. Over time, in the 17th century, King Louis XIV of France gradually took control of Alsace, making it a part of France.
For many years, especially in the 1800s and 1900s, Alsace was often talked about with another region called Lorraine. This was because both regions, together known as Alsace-Lorraine, were often fought over by France and Germany.
Images for kids
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Seal of Albert IV, Count of Habsburg (died 1239), showing his title as "Landgrave of Alsace"
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The charming area of Petite France in Strasbourg
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Louis XIV receiving the keys to Strasbourg in 1681
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Traditional costumes of Alsace
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An Alsatian woman in traditional costume, photographed in the 1870s
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German stamps marked with "Elsaß" (1940)
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A map showing the natural regions of Alsace
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The Grand Ballon, a mountain in Alsace, seen from the Thur valley
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Official logo of the European Collectivity of Alsace
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The main Protestant church in Mulhouse, called Temple Saint-Étienne
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The old town of Colmar
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Flammekueche, a traditional Alsatian dish
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Kugelhupf, a famous Alsatian cake
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Riesling Grapes, used for wine
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An Alsatian stork, a symbol of the region
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The impressive Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg
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A view of "Little Venice" in Colmar
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The main entrance of the Ouvrage Schoenenbourg from the Maginot Line
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The Ponts Couverts (Covered Bridges) in Strasbourg
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Place de l'Homme de Fer Tram Station in Strasbourg
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A statue of artist Martin Schongauer by Frédéric Bartholdi in Colmar
See also
In Spanish: Alsacia para niños
