Discovering Bas-Rhin (Department 67)
Updated: Oct 8
Introduction
Bas-Rhin (Department 67) is located in the north-east of France within the Grand Est region, bordering Germany along the Rhine River. Home to the vibrant European city of Strasbourg, picturesque Alsatian villages, vineyards and the northern Vosges mountains, Bas-Rhin offers a unique blend of French and German influences.
For English-speaking people considering moving to France, retiring abroad, purchasing a second home or starting a business, Bas-Rhin combines excellent infrastructure, a strong economy, rich culture and easy access to neighbouring countries. Whether you enjoy city life, wine-growing villages or countryside walks, the department offers a wide variety of lifestyles.
At a Glance
Feature | Information |
Region | Grand Est |
Historic name | Alsace (Bas-Rhin formed part of historic Alsace) |
Department number | 67 |
Department capital | Strasbourg |
Largest towns | Strasbourg, Haguenau, Schiltigheim, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, Saverne, Sélestat |
Population | Approximately 1.15 million |
Area | 4,755 km² |
Climate | Semi-continental with warm summers, cold winters and relatively low rainfall |
Best suited for | Professionals, retirees, families, commuters, entrepreneurs and culture lovers |
Is a car recommended? | Helpful outside Strasbourg but not essential within the city |
English-speaking community | Well established, particularly around Strasbourg |
Lifestyle summary | Cosmopolitan city living combined with traditional Alsatian villages and excellent transport links |
Why Choose Bas-Rhin?
Bas-Rhin is one of France's most prosperous and internationally connected departments. Its location at the crossroads of France, Germany and Switzerland gives residents access to employment, travel and cultural opportunities that few other French departments can match.
Lifestyle
The department offers exceptional variety. Strasbourg provides all the advantages of a major European city, while villages along the Alsace Wine Route offer peaceful rural living with beautiful scenery.
Many residents appreciate the balance between modern infrastructure and preserved traditions.
Community
Thanks to the presence of European institutions, universities and international businesses, Bas-Rhin has a diverse international population. English speakers often find it easier to integrate here than in many rural departments.
Local associations, sports clubs and cultural events also make it easier to become part of community life.
Scenery
Landscapes include:
Vineyards
Half-timbered villages
Forests
Rivers
The Rhine plain
Northern Vosges Regional Nature Park
Rolling hills
The changing seasons make Bas-Rhin particularly attractive throughout the year.
Accessibility
One of Bas-Rhin's greatest strengths is its transport network.
Residents benefit from:
High-speed TGV connections
Strasbourg International Airport
Easy motorway access
Excellent public transport
Cross-border rail services into Germany
Paris is only around two hours away by TGV.
Food
Alsatian cuisine is among France's most distinctive.
Specialities include:
Flammekueche (tarte flambée)
Choucroute garnie
Baeckeoffe
Munster cheese
Kougelhopf
Pretzels
Local beers
Riesling and Gewürztraminer wines
Food culture remains central to everyday life.
Culture
Bas-Rhin celebrates both French and German traditions.
Highlights include:
Christmas markets
Medieval festivals
Wine festivals
Music festivals
European institutions
Museums
Historic architecture
Christmas in Strasbourg is internationally renowned.
Property
Property varies considerably.
You'll find:
City apartments
Renovated village houses
Farmhouses
Contemporary family homes
Vineyard properties
Rural cottages
Prices are generally highest around Strasbourg and lower further north and west.
Pace of Life
Life changes significantly depending on location.
Strasbourg offers:
Fast-paced urban living
Excellent public transport
Busy cultural calendar
Elsewhere, villages offer a slower pace centred around local markets and community events.
Bas-Rhin Is It Right For You?
Lifestyle | Rating | Comments |
Retirees | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Excellent healthcare, culture and transport make it attractive. |
Families | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Outstanding schools, parks and family facilities. |
Second-home owners | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Beautiful villages and easy international access. |
Entrepreneurs | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Strong regional economy with cross-border opportunities. |
Remote workers | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Excellent broadband and transport infrastructure. |
Outdoor lifestyle | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Great walking, cycling and nature parks nearby. |
City lifestyle | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Strasbourg offers one of France's best urban lifestyles. |
Popular Places to Live
Strasbourg
Description
The department's capital and one of Europe's most important cities.
Ideal for
Professionals
Families
Students
Remote workers
Retirees wanting city amenities
Advantages
Excellent transport
International community
Outstanding healthcare
Rich cultural life
Employment opportunities
Things to consider
Property prices are among the highest in eastern France.
Obernai
Description
A beautiful wine town with medieval architecture.
Ideal for
Retirees
Second-home buyers
Families
Advantages
Attractive historic centre
Wine country
Good rail access
Things to consider
Tourism increases during summer and Christmas.
Saverne
Description
A pleasant market town close to the Vosges.
Ideal for
Families
Outdoor enthusiasts
Retirees
Advantages
Canal
Walking opportunities
Lower property prices
Things to consider
Employment opportunities are more limited.
Haguenau
Description
The second-largest town in Bas-Rhin.
Ideal for
Families
Commuters
Advantages
Good shopping
Large forest nearby
Good transport
Things to consider
Less international than Strasbourg.
Sélestat
Description
Historic town located between Strasbourg and Colmar.
Ideal for
Families
Professionals
Wine lovers
Advantages
Excellent location
Attractive old town
Good transport
Things to consider
Popular residential areas can be competitive.
Barr
Description
One of the centres of the Alsace Wine Route.
Ideal for
Retirees
Wine enthusiasts
Second-home owners
Advantages
Traditional architecture
Scenic surroundings
Strong community
Things to consider
Tourism peaks during holiday periods.
Wissembourg
Description
Historic border town near Germany.
Ideal for
Cross-border workers
Retirees
Advantages
International access
Beautiful centre
Lower property prices
Things to consider
Some services require travelling to larger towns.
Cost of Living
Bas-Rhin offers good value considering its strong economy and excellent infrastructure.
Property affordability
Strasbourg commands premium prices.
Wine villages can also be relatively expensive.
Rural western areas generally offer better value.
Renovation projects remain available in some villages.
Shopping
Major supermarkets, local markets and specialist food shops provide excellent choice.
Cross-border shopping in Germany is common for some household goods.
Utilities
Energy costs broadly reflect the national average, although older Alsatian houses may require insulation improvements.
Eating out
Options range from affordable village winstubs to Michelin-starred restaurants.
Lunch menus often provide particularly good value.
General value for money
Residents benefit from high-quality services, efficient transport and excellent healthcare, making Bas-Rhin good value despite above-average housing costs in some locations.
Healthcare
Healthcare provision is among the best in France.
Main hospitals
Strasbourg University Hospital (one of France's leading teaching hospitals)
Haguenau Hospital
Sélestat Hospital
Saverne Hospital
Healthcare availability
Doctors are generally accessible, although finding a GP accepting new patients may require some patience in popular areas.
Access to specialists
Excellent, particularly in Strasbourg where many specialist services are based.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies are plentiful throughout towns and villages, with emergency services available outside normal hours.
General healthcare considerations
Residents benefit from excellent medical standards, particularly once registered with the French healthcare system.
Education
Bas-Rhin offers excellent educational opportunities.
Schools
Public schools
Private schools
Bilingual French-German education
Religious schools
Colleges
Several vocational and technical colleges operate across the department.
International options
Strasbourg offers international schools and European schooling suitable for expatriate families.
Language schools
French language courses are widely available for newcomers.
Getting Around
Airports
Strasbourg Airport
Easy access to Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport
Basel-Mulhouse Airport within reasonable driving distance
Rail
Outstanding rail services include:
TGV
Regional TER trains
Cross-border German services
Roads
Excellent motorway network including:
A4
A35
Public transport
Strasbourg has one of France's finest tram systems alongside buses and regional coaches.
Is a car recommended?
Within Strasbourg, a car is optional.
Elsewhere, particularly rural villages, having a car is highly recommended.
Weekly Markets
Town | Main Market Day |
Strasbourg | Wednesday, Friday and Saturday |
Haguenau | Tuesday and Friday |
Saverne | Thursday |
Obernai | Thursday |
Sélestat | Tuesday |
Barr | Saturday |
Wissembourg | Friday |
Molsheim | Friday |
Local Food & Drink
Bas-Rhin is famous for:
Flammekueche
Choucroute garnie
Baeckeoffe
Munster cheese
Kougelhopf
Bredele Christmas biscuits
Pretzels
Foie gras
Alsatian beers
Riesling
Pinot Gris
Gewürztraminer
Crémant d'Alsace
Mirabelle products
Things to Do
Historic sites
Strasbourg Cathedral
Petite France
Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle (nearby)
Medieval villages
Vauban fortifications
Outdoor activities
Walking
Cycling
Vineyard trails
Canoeing
Forest walks
Nature reserves
Museums
Alsatian Museum
Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
Historical Museum of Strasbourg
Lalique Museum
Festivals
Strasbourg Christmas Market
Wine festivals
Music festivals
Village fêtes
European cultural events
Nature
Northern Vosges Regional Nature Park
Rhine wetlands
Vineyards
Forests
Family attractions
Animal parks
Adventure parks
River cruises
Cycling routes
Science museums
Good to Know Before You Move
Language
French is essential for everyday administration, although German dialects remain part of local heritage and English is more widely understood in Strasbourg than elsewhere.
Rural living
Village life is friendly but quieter, with fewer services than the main towns.
Internet
Broadband is generally excellent, with fibre available across much of the department.
Seasonal tourism
The Christmas season attracts very large visitor numbers, especially around Strasbourg and the wine villages.
Climate
Summers are warm while winters can be cold, with occasional snow and frosts.
Community life
Local festivals, markets and wine events play an important role in community life and provide excellent opportunities to meet neighbours.
Find Trusted English-Speaking Businesses
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Every listing is designed to help you connect with businesses that understand the needs of English-speaking residents, making it easier to build your new life in one of France's most popular departments.
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