Hunspach: France’s Favorite Village in Alsace
What is France’s favorite village? It’s an enchanting Alsatian town, showcasing chocolate-box charm with its black and white half-timbered houses adorned with flower-filled windows and balconies.
The Rise of Hunspach
Hunspach has been celebrated as the new gem in France’s tourist landscape after being crowned the nation’s favorite village. Following months of competition, this small town near the German border in Alsace, emerged victorious in the popular annual TV poll Le Village Préféré des Français (France’s favorite village), making it the third Alsatian village to win since the contest’s inception.
Charming Locales and Accessibility
This former Swedish settlement in the Bas-Rhin département is renowned for its warm-hearted locals, proud Alsatian spirit, and streets lined with 16th-century half-timbered houses. The houses, painted white and meticulously decorated with carved window frames and colorful plant boxes, create an idyllic scene. Hunspach is a compact village, housing just 653 inhabitants, and is easily accessible via the Haguenau to Wissembourg railway. Alternatively, travelers can drive from Strasbourg, with the journey taking under an hour.
The Economic Impact of Winning
Winning this prestigious competition significantly boosts not only community spirit but also the local economy and tourism industry. For example, Eguisheim, a picturesque village surrounded by vineyards on the Alsace wine route, experienced a boom in tourism after winning the title in 2013. Consequently, Hunspach is anticipated to enjoy similar growth, and the Hunspachois, as the locals are known, are eagerly preparing for increased visitors.
Preparing for Increased Tourism
In an interview with France’s 20 Minutes, the town’s mayor, Bertrand Wahl, mentioned plans to convert a chalet in the main square into a tourist reception office. “We are preparing for their arrival,” he remarked. Last year, Hunspach welcomed 2000 visitors, and this summer, numbers are predicted to increase by 30%, according to Le Parisien.
The Competition Results
Hunspach was followed closely by Les Anses-d’Arlet in Martinique, which secured second place, and Ménéres in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, finishing in third. This demonstrates the growing interest in France’s lesser-known but equally captivating villages.
