Grand Est is a region created from the merger of Alsace, Lorraine and Champagne. Located in northeastern France, it covers the fertile highlands and ranges of the Vosges. The province is famous for Alsatian wines and champagne production, and its capital is Strasbourg.
Alsace and Lorraine have been a contentious area between France and Germany since the Middle Ages. The population of the region has created its specific culture and regional dialect combining French and German.
At the same time, the region became a symbol of a united Europe after World War II, and the European Parliament was established in its capital Strasbourg. Strasbourg is also a beautiful Old Town with half-timbered houses, canals and one of the highest cathedrals in France.
The region of Alsace and Lorraine, as well as the Vosges was, during World War I, an arena of bloody fighting. There is the largest European fortress of this period, Verdun and the huge battlefield of Verdun with numerous cemeteries, commemorations of the fallen and the museum of the battle.
Grand Est is an extremely picturesque region, with small towns dominated by half-timbered buildings, vineyards scattered on the slopes of the mountains and Gothic churches. There is also the famous Haut-Konigsbourg castle and the Gothic-Renaissance town of Colmar, which is the center of wine-growing.
