Haguenau is a town on France's eastern border, not far north of Strasbourg and on the perimeter of the vast Hagenau Forest – the largest uninterrupted swathe of forestry in France. Incidentally, the Black Forest is less than an hour away, making car hire from Haguenau a good option if you wish to explore across the border.
The History Museum is housed in one of Haguenau's most stunning buildings, and represents one of the biggest museums in the region, outside of Strasbourg. The churches of Saint-Nicholas and Saint-Georges are also worth a visit and provide some striking religious architecture.
Set against a backdrop of the Forest of Haguenau, the town has beautiful scenery and is a wonderful area for hiking or cycling. Within the town itself, there are two museums worthy of excursions: the Historical Museum and the Alsatian Museum. Others may be drawn to the Nautiland Aquatic Park for a spot of relaxation.
Rent a car from Haguenau and you can be in Strasbourg in less than 30 minutes on the A4. Here be sure to visit Strasbourg's Notre-Dame and the extraordinary architecture of Petite-France. Alternatively, you can cross the border starting at Baden-Baden, then head down the B500 for one of the most scenic drives in Europe.
