The Upper Rhine forms the border between France and Germany — a border that has shifted five times in 75 years and produced, on both banks, a culture unlike any other in Europe. The Alsatian wine villages on the French side and the half-timbered market towns of the Black Forest on the German side are separated by no more than 20 kilometres of river. Together they form a luxury touring circuit that can be covered in a day from Strasbourg — or stretched across a week for clients who want to go deeper.
The Rhine as a Tour Axis
Strasbourg sits at the northern apex of the Upper Rhine plain, with the Alsace Wine Route running south on the French side and the Black Forest Hochstrasse running south on the German side, both flanking a valley floor of meadows, Rhine bends, and Baroque towns. A private chauffeur can cross this valley in either direction via any of seven Rhine bridges between Strasbourg and Basel — choosing French or German terrain at will, alternating between wine culture and spa culture, between Alsatian tarte flambée and Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte.
FFGR Strasbourg operates bilingual cross-border tours: our drivers are briefed on both the Alsatian and German sides of the route, and our vehicles carry the necessary documentation for unrestricted Schengen-zone movement. There are no border formalities; the Rhine bridge is simply a scenic waypoint.
Black Forest: Baden-Baden, Triberg & Freiburg
Baden-Baden — one hour from Strasbourg — is the Black Forest's luxury node: the Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa, the historic Kurhaus and Casino, and thermal baths that have been in operation since the Roman era. A private half-day to Baden-Baden for spa access, casino dinner, or the Festspielhaus concert programme is one of FFGR Strasbourg's most frequently booked tours.
Further south, Triberg hosts the world's highest waterfalls in Germany and the origin of the cuckoo clock tradition. The spa town of Titisee-Neustadt, perched above a glacial lake, and the medieval university city of Freiburg im Breisgau — with its own Münster cathedral and vibrant market square — round out the German side of the Rhine Valley circuit.
Alsace Wine Villages: Riquewihr to Guebwiller
On the French side of the Rhine plain, the wine villages between Colmar and Guebwiller represent the densest concentration of architectural and vinous heritage in the region. Riquewihr's 16th-century town walls are intact; Hunawihr's fortified church is one of the most photographed in Alsace; the Grand Cru vineyards of Rangen above Thann produce some of the most distinctive wines in France. FFGR Strasbourg's wine route programmes within this southern section include exclusive access to producers who do not accept standard tourist bookings.
The Masevaux valley, south of Guebwiller, marks the beginning of the Sundgau — a little-known sub-region of southern Alsace with carp ponds, Romanesque churches, and a border landscape that shifts into Swiss Jura within 20 minutes of driving. For clients interested in the lesser-known Alsace, this is the direction to travel.
The Full Rhine Circuit: Strasbourg → Colmar → Basel → Freiburg → Baden-Baden → Strasbourg
Our signature Rhine circuit covers 350 kilometres in a single day, crossing the Rhine three times and transiting through France, Switzerland, and Germany. Departure at 08:00 from Strasbourg; arrival back at 20:00. Midday lunch at a Colmar brasserie; afternoon coffee at a Baden-Baden café terrace; wine tasting at a Ribeauvillé cellar at dusk.
This circuit is offered exclusively in a long-wheelbase Mercedes-Benz S-Class or equivalent, with a premium interior configuration (reclining rear seats, bottled still and sparkling water, Alsatian charcuterie and cheese selection, current-edition newspapers in the client's language). The driver acts as a guide; commentary is factual and offered only when invited. Silence is the default.
Cross-Border Logistics: Schengen, Customs & Insurance
All FFGR Strasbourg vehicles carry full cross-border insurance valid in all Schengen-area countries, including Switzerland (which has its own customs regime but is part of the Schengen area for border-crossing purposes). There are no stops at Rhine bridges for Schengen-zone passport holders. For non-Schengen clients, we advise on the appropriate documentation before departure.
Switzerland applies different VAT rules to services consumed on Swiss territory. For multi-day programmes that include overnight stays in Switzerland, our team coordinates the appropriate invoicing. This is managed transparently in the initial brief; there are no surprises at the end of the programme.
Booking the Rhine Valley Tour
The Rhine Valley circuit can be booked as a standalone day tour or integrated into a longer Strasbourg/Alsace programme. Advance booking of 48 hours is sufficient for a standard single-vehicle tour. For groups requiring multiple vehicles or cross-border coordination with Swiss or German ground handlers, five business days is the minimum lead time.
Contact us via WhatsApp or our contact form with your preferred date, number of passengers, and specific interests along the route. We return a proposed itinerary within 24 hours.
Book Your Rhine Valley Tour