Today, we offer you a gourmet escape 1 hour from Strasbourg, which will delight both your desires for nature and your stomach. On the program, a short hike to the fabulous Donon temple before tasting the best appetizers at the Queen of Alsace (true!). Follow us, it looks great.
The Donon temple is one of its local curiosities which are always pleasant to (re)discover. We never tire of its mystique or its view. Every escapade up there has something extraordinary, whatever the season or the weather.
But did you know thatat its feet is the inn that serves the best appetizers to the Queen of Alsace? We tested it and it’s unique.
A legendary walk and an incredible view
Few Strasbourg residents have not yet walked the paths of the Col du Donon, but regardless, rediscovering it again and again remains an infinite pleasure. This temple with its Druidic or Athenian appearance continues to fascinate. It rises to 1,009 meters above sea level and was actually built under Napoleon III, in honor of the Romans who dedicated its site to Mercury. The name Donon finds its origin in the Celtic “dun” which means both mountain and fortress.
There are several ways to access it, but the most fun remains the archaeological trail with a small detour passing by the column of Jupiter, and departing from the D993 Grandfontaine car park. There we discover the stone of the druids and the emperor’s staircase. You can click here for information on the circuits.
You can continue the walk a little further towards Petit Donon, before going back down to the start where the famous inn is located. It is also possible to consider an itinerary departing from La Broque station (9 km away), and leaving Strasbourg by train. You just have to be a little braver – but at least you’ll earn the hearty meal.
Eat the best bites at the Queen of Alsace
After a walk in the forest, we sometimes dream of cheese, sometimes of cordon bleu. But if we tell you that here are the best bites of the Queen of Alsace, you will forget everything else. The secret address is the hotel-restaurant Le Velledaright at the start of the hike. This large red building houses a bar, a spa and a restaurant with breathtaking views of the hills and the forest.
It is therefore the ideal place to relax after a walk, have a little aperitif in the sun on the terrace, have a meal or even spend the night in peace and on the edge of the forest, The Velleda is a local institution. The welcome is warm and friendly and we only meet nature lovers there.
And for the queen’s appetizers, they indeed won a gold medal in 2022, thanks to a generous and incredibly crisp homemade vol-au-vent (you’ve never eaten one like that, we assure you!) but also this slightly foamy and airy cream, a perfect garnish.
Brief, a massacre, very caloric but irresistible with homemade spaetzle to die for. Allow €28 for the dish anyway, but the price is well worth the detour. We had a blast.
And if you have the possibility, do not hesitate to book a room for the night, enjoy the spa (sauna and hammam) and take the opportunity to venture even further into these sacred mountains. The hotel is comfortable, breakfast is unlimited and above all, doggies are accepted – and that’s just a bonus.
