Strasbourg is the centre of finance and culture in Alsace. The whole of the town centre, known as the "Grande Ile" ("Large Island"), has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Strasbourg Cathedral de Notre Dame, for example, is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful examples of Gothic architecture in the whole of Europe. The first stone of the Cathedral was laid in the early 11th century but its distinctive 465 feet high spire was not completed until the 15th century.

Mulhouse is renowned as a major centre of industry and commerce in Alsace but there is still much to see and do from a tourism point of view. Places of interest include the Place de la Reunion – the historic heart of the city and home to an authentic Christmas market at the right rime of year – and the Renaissance style Temple Saint-Etienne.

Less than 40 miles from Mulhouse, the old centre of Colmar is an assortment of traditional Alsatian houses – crooked, half timbered and brightly painted – and winding cobbled streets. Renowned areas such as "Petit Venice" and the "Tanners Quarters" present interesting photo opportunities.

Nancy, originally founded around a castle near the Meurthe River, was the capital of old Lorraine. The 18th century town square known as "La Place Stanislas",is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. This sumptuous square, complete with fountains and finely worked railings with gold highlights, is named after Stanislas Leszczynski, an exiled Polish king who became Duke of Lorraine.

The city of Metz is capital of the Moselle Departement and includes over 20 bridges across the River Moselle. Metz is also one of the greenest cities in France, thanks to the pedestrianisation of parts of the town centre and the creation of a park, gardens and a cycle path. Attractions in Metz include "The Arsenal", a culture centre providing concert halls and an exhibition gallery; the 4th century Church of Saint-Pierre-aux-Nonatais; and the 13th century Chapel of the Knights Templar which stand nearby.