Discovering Haut-Rhin (Department 68)
Updated: Oct 8
Introduction
Located in the eastern part of France along the borders with Germany and Switzerland, Haut-Rhin (Department 68) is one of the country's most distinctive regions. Part of the Grand Est region and the historic province of Alsace, it combines picturesque villages, world-famous vineyards, vibrant cities, and excellent transport links with a unique Franco-German heritage.
For English-speaking buyers, retirees, entrepreneurs and long-term visitors, Haut-Rhin offers an attractive mix of high-quality infrastructure, beautiful countryside, strong employment opportunities, and a rich cultural identity. Whether you're considering living in Haut-Rhin, moving to Department 68, or retiring in Haut-Rhin, this department provides an excellent balance between traditional village life and modern convenience.
At a Glance
Feature | Information |
Region | Grand Est |
Historic name | Alsace |
Department number | 68 |
Department capital | Colmar |
Largest towns | Mulhouse, Colmar, Saint-Louis, Wittenheim, Illzach, Rixheim, Guebwiller |
Population | Approximately 770,000 |
Area | 3,525 km² |
Climate | Semi-continental with warm summers, cold winters and relatively low rainfall |
Best suited for | Professionals, retirees, families, wine lovers, cross-border workers, outdoor enthusiasts |
Is a car recommended? | Yes, although public transport is excellent around larger towns |
English-speaking community | Moderate, particularly around Colmar, Mulhouse and Saint-Louis |
Lifestyle summary | Prosperous, organised, scenic and culturally rich with excellent international connections |
Why Choose Haut-Rhin?
Lifestyle
Haut-Rhin enjoys one of France's highest standards of living. Daily life is organised, efficient and relaxed, with attractive towns, clean streets and excellent public services. Residents enjoy easy access to nature while benefiting from modern infrastructure.
Community
The department has a welcoming international population thanks to its proximity to Switzerland and Germany. Many expatriates live here, especially around Saint-Louis and Mulhouse, although integrating into local life is easier if you make an effort to speak French.
Scenery
The scenery is exceptionally varied.
Highlights include:
The Alsace Wine Route
Rolling vineyards
Traditional half-timbered villages
The Vosges Mountains
Rhine plains
Forests and lakes
It offers some of France's prettiest landscapes.
Accessibility
One of Haut-Rhin's greatest strengths is its location.
Residents enjoy quick access to:
Switzerland
Germany
Luxembourg
Strasbourg
Paris
Basel International Airport
Cross-border commuting is common.
Food
Alsatian cuisine is unlike anywhere else in France.
Specialities include:
Choucroute
Flammekueche (Tarte Flambée)
Baeckeoffe
Munster cheese
Kougelhopf
Excellent white wines
The local wine industry is internationally respected.
Culture
Alsatian traditions remain strong, blending French and German influences.
The department hosts:
Christmas markets
Wine festivals
Music events
Traditional village celebrations
Historic museums
Architecture is one of the region's biggest attractions.
Property
Property prices vary considerably.
Colmar commands higher prices.
Mulhouse remains relatively affordable.
Wine villages can be expensive.
Rural areas often provide excellent value.
Compared with neighbouring Switzerland, Haut-Rhin offers outstanding value.
Pace of Life
Life moves at a comfortable pace without feeling isolated. The balance between work, leisure and outdoor living makes the department attractive to both working professionals and retirees.
Haut-Rhin Is It Right For You?
Lifestyle | Rating | Why |
Retirees | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Excellent healthcare, beautiful surroundings and easy travel connections. |
Families | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Strong schools, safe communities and many outdoor activities. |
Second-home owners | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Attractive villages and easy access from northern Europe. |
Entrepreneurs | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Strong economy, international business links and cross-border opportunities. |
Remote workers | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Fast internet, excellent transport and attractive lifestyle. |
Outdoor lifestyle | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Mountains, forests, cycling and vineyards provide year-round activities. |
City lifestyle | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Mulhouse offers urban amenities, while Colmar provides a smaller city atmosphere. |
Popular Places to Live
Colmar
Description
Often regarded as one of France's most beautiful towns, Colmar combines medieval charm with modern amenities.
Ideal for
Retirees
Professionals
Second-home owners
Advantages
Beautiful architecture
Excellent restaurants
Strong transport links
Vibrant cultural life
Things to consider
Property is more expensive than many surrounding areas.
Tourism is busy during peak seasons.
Mulhouse
Description
A large industrial city with a growing cultural and business scene.
Ideal for
Families
Entrepreneurs
Professionals
Advantages
Affordable housing
Excellent employment
Good transport
Museums and shopping
Things to consider
Some districts are more desirable than others.
Saint-Louis
Description
Located beside Basel, Saint-Louis is popular with cross-border workers.
Ideal for
Professionals
International families
Advantages
Close to Switzerland
Excellent transport
International atmosphere
Things to consider
Property demand is high.
Prices reflect proximity to Basel.
Eguisheim
Description
A beautiful vineyard village regularly ranked among France's prettiest villages.
Ideal for
Retirees
Holiday homeowners
Advantages
Stunning surroundings
Wine culture
Peaceful lifestyle
Things to consider
Tourism is significant in summer.
Ribeauvillé
Description
Historic wine town with lively community life.
Ideal for
Retirees
Wine enthusiasts
Advantages
Attractive centre
Good local services
Excellent walking
Things to consider
Housing demand remains high.
Kaysersberg
Description
A picturesque town combining history with modern living.
Ideal for
Second-home buyers
Families
Advantages
Excellent schools
Beautiful setting
Active community
Things to consider
Property can be expensive.
Thann
Description
Situated at the foot of the Vosges Mountains.
Ideal for
Outdoor enthusiasts
Families
Advantages
Mountain access
Affordable housing
Friendly community
Things to consider
Fewer employment opportunities than larger towns.
Cost of Living
Compared with many parts of eastern France, Haut-Rhin offers good overall value, although costs vary depending on proximity to Switzerland and the most desirable wine villages.
Property affordability
Mulhouse offers some of the department's most affordable homes.
Wine villages are considerably more expensive.
Rural properties remain attractive for buyers seeking space.
Saint-Louis experiences stronger price pressure due to Swiss commuters.
Shopping
Residents benefit from excellent supermarkets, local markets and cross-border shopping opportunities.
Utilities
Heating costs can be higher during cold winters, particularly in older properties.
Eating out
The department offers everything from traditional winstubs to Michelin-starred restaurants. Prices vary but generally provide good value compared with Switzerland.
General value for money
Infrastructure, healthcare and public services are excellent, making Haut-Rhin one of France's better-value departments for overall quality of life.
Healthcare
Healthcare provision is excellent.
Main hospitals
Colmar Hospital Centre
Mulhouse Hospital
Saint-Louis Hospital
Healthcare availability
Doctors, dentists and pharmacies are widely available throughout the department.
Access to specialists
Specialist services are excellent, particularly around Colmar and Mulhouse, with additional access to healthcare facilities in nearby Strasbourg and Basel.
Pharmacies
Almost every town has at least one pharmacy, with larger towns offering extended opening hours.
General healthcare considerations
Residents generally enjoy very good access to healthcare services, making the department particularly appealing to retirees.
Education
Education standards are high.
Schools
Public and private schools are available throughout the department.
Colleges
Mulhouse and Colmar offer a good range of further education establishments.
International options
Several bilingual and international schools are available, particularly near Basel.
Language schools
French language schools operate in Colmar, Mulhouse and several other towns, making integration easier for newcomers.
Getting Around
Airports
EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg
Strasbourg Airport (within easy reach)
Rail
Excellent rail services connect the department with:
Paris
Strasbourg
Basel
Zurich
Germany
The TGV provides rapid travel across France.
Roads
The A35 motorway provides excellent north-south connections.
Public transport
Cities benefit from reliable buses and trams, especially in Mulhouse.
Is a car recommended?
Yes. While public transport is very good around urban areas, a car is the best way to explore villages, vineyards and mountain areas.
Weekly Markets
Town | Main Market Day |
Colmar | Thursday and Saturday |
Mulhouse | Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday |
Saint-Louis | Saturday |
Ribeauvillé | Saturday |
Guebwiller | Wednesday |
Thann | Saturday |
Altkirch | Wednesday |
Kaysersberg | Monday (seasonal variations apply) |
Local Food & Drink
Haut-Rhin is one of France's great food regions.
Local favourites include:
Choucroute Garnie
Flammekueche (Tarte Flambée)
Baeckeoffe
Munster cheese
Kougelhopf cake
Pretzels
Spaetzle
Foie gras
Alsatian charcuterie
The department is famous for wines including:
Riesling
Gewürztraminer
Pinot Gris
Pinot Blanc
Crémant d'Alsace
Local craft beers are also increasingly popular.
Things to Do
Historic sites
The colourful old town of Colmar
Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg (near the departmental boundary)
Medieval wine villages
Historic churches and castles
Outdoor activities
Hiking in the Vosges
Cycling along vineyard routes
Skiing during winter
Canoeing
Fishing
Museums
National Automobile Museum (Mulhouse)
Cité du Train
Unterlinden Museum (Colmar)
Textile Museum
Festivals
Christmas markets
Wine festivals
Music festivals
Harvest celebrations
Nature
Ballons des Vosges Regional Natural Park
Rhine nature reserves
Vineyard landscapes
Forest walks
Family attractions
Parc du Petit Prince
Animal parks
Adventure parks
Swimming lakes
Family cycling routes
Good to Know Before You Move
Language
French is essential for everyday life, although German dialects remain part of local culture. English is spoken in some tourist and business areas but should not be relied upon.
Rural living
Many villages remain active year-round, avoiding the seasonal emptiness seen in some parts of rural France.
Internet
High-speed broadband and fibre are widely available, making remote working practical.
Seasonal tourism
Tourism peaks during Christmas and throughout the summer wine season, especially in Colmar and the vineyard villages.
Climate
Expect warm summers and cold winters, with occasional snowfall. Haut-Rhin is one of France's driest departments despite its continental climate.
Community life
Village associations, sporting clubs, wine societies and local events make it relatively easy to become part of the community if you participate.
Find Trusted English-Speaking Businesses
Whether you're living here, moving here, retiring here or simply spending part of the year here, finding reliable local services can make settling in much easier.
Biz Où? helps you discover trusted English-speaking businesses across France, including property professionals, tradespeople, accountants, healthcare providers, legal services, gardeners, cleaners, holiday services, financial advisers, pet care, marketing specialists and many more.
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.
Find Places to Visit as recommended by readers
Some of the best places in France aren’t found in guidebooks — they’re discovered by people who live here, love it here and know where the magic is. Explore places recommended by our readers, from hidden gems and beautiful villages to favourite markets, cafés, beaches and unforgettable days out. Who knows what you’ll discover?
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Plan Your French Dream
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Where Will Your French Story Begin
What if the place you’ve been dreaming about is waiting for you in France? A little village where everyone knows your name, a lively market town, a home surrounded by rolling countryside or somewhere completely unexpected. Explore our guides to France’s regions and departments, discover the character, lifestyle and possibilities of each area, and start finding the place that feels like it could be yours. Where will your French story begin?
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