Colmar is a town in Alsace known for its colourful half-timbered houses. Its Little Venice district has houses along the Lauch River, best seen by boat. The Unterlinden Museum holds the Isenheim Altarpiece. Colmar is the centre of the Alsace wine route and is known for its Christmas markets.

Riquewihr is a small wine village in Alsace surrounded by vineyards. Its walls, gates and colourful half-timbered houses from the 16th century have survived largely unchanged. The Dolder, a gate tower from 1291, houses a museum. The village is one of the most beautiful in France and has a well-known Christmas market.

The Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg stands on a hill about 750 metres high above the Alsace plain. A castle stood here from the 12th century, but it was ruined in the Thirty Years' War. Emperor Wilhelm II had it rebuilt between 1900 and 1908. Its red sandstone walls, keep and furnished rooms give a picture of a medieval castle.

Reims Cathedral is a Gothic cathedral where the kings of France were crowned for centuries. Its facade is decorated with over 2,300 statues, including the smiling angel. It was badly damaged by shelling in the First World War and restored. It has stained glass windows by Marc Chagall. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Amiens Cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral in France, built mainly between 1220 and 1270. Its interior is very tall and full of light. The facade is covered with carved figures, and on summer evenings and at Christmas a light show recreates their original colours. The choir stalls hold thousands of carved figures. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Grand-Place of Lille is the main square of the city, surrounded by Flemish-style buildings. The Vieille Bourse, the old stock exchange built in 1653, has a courtyard where book sellers and chess players gather. A column in the middle honours the city's resistance to an Austrian siege in 1792. The Christmas market and big wheel stand here in winter.