MUNSTER owes its existence and its name to a band of Irish monks who founded a monastery here in the seventh century, some 19km west of Colmar up the narrowing valley of the River Fecht, overlooked by Le Petit Ballon (1267m) and Le Hohneck (1362m), among the highest peaks of the Vosges. Its name today is particularly associated with a rich, creamy and exceedingly smelly cheese, the crowning glory of many an Alsatian meal. Although of no special interest in itself, the town makes a peaceful and verdant base either for exploring further into the mountain range, much of which lies within the Parc Régional des Ballons des Vosges, or for visiting Colmar and other places along the Route du Vin. the town also holds a reputed jazz festival in early May each year ([email protected]).Munster is accessible by train from Colmar. The tourist office, 1 rue du Couvnet (July & Aug Mon–Sat 9.30am–12.30pm & 1.30–6.30pm; Sept–June Mon–Fri 9.30am–12.30pm & 2–6pm, Sat 10am–noon & 2–6pm; tel 03.89.77.31.80), has lots of information about Hiking in the Munster valley and the parc régional. The Maison du Parc, 1 cour de l'Abbaye (May–Sept Tues–Sun 9am–noon & 2–6pm; Oct–April Mon–Fri 10am–noon & 2–6pm, tel 03.89.77.90.20), is the place to get all the information you need about the park. If you want to stay, you could try the large, modern Hôtel Verte-Vallée, 10 rue Alfred-Hartmann (tel 03.89.77.15.15; €40–55), in the depths of the wooded valley, which, with its squeaky-clean atmosphere and pastel colours, makes a perfect haven for a day or two. It has a good restaurant specializing in traditional French dishes, with a terrace overlooking the stream (closed Jan 3–27; menu €15–45, carte €28 or more). Less well appointed but blessed with stupendous views are two hotels perched high on the north side of the valley in the hamlet of Hohrodberg: Hôtel Panorama, 3 route du Linge (tel 03.89.77.36.53, [email protected]; €40–55), and, with rather awful 1960s decor but a billiard-table, Hôtel Roess (tel 03.89.77.36.00, fax 03.89.77.01.95; €30–40), 100m higher up. Both have restaurants. Munster's campsite, Camping municipal du Parc de la Fecht, is on the route de Gunsbach (tel 03.89.77.31.08; May to mid-Sept).
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