Start planning your journey
Getting here
Whether you are travelling from Sydney, New York or London, reaching Orbey is simpler than it looks on the map. Alsace sits at the crossroads of France, Germany and Switzerland, with three international airports within easy reach and fast trains from Paris.
From the first conversation to the moment you arrive, our aim is to make your stay feel considered and effortless. Below you will find the essentials, and we are always happy to help with your travel planning before you arrive.
Les Écrins at a glance
Address: 13 rue Charles de Gaulle, 68370 Orbey, Alsace, France
Nearest train station: Colmar, about 21 km (13 miles), 25 minutes by car
Nearest airport: EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, about 1 hour by car
From Paris: about 2 hours 30 minutes by TGV to Colmar, then 25 minutes by car
Check-in: between 4.30 pm and 7.30 pm, late arrivals on request
Getting around: a car is recommended
Arriving by air – The closest airports
Three international airports serve the region. From Australia, the Americas or Asia, most travellers connect through a major European hub before a short final flight, or continue by train or car from a larger airport.
EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL/MLH): about 85 km (53 miles), around 1 hour by car. The most convenient option, with many European connections.
Strasbourg-Entzheim (SXB): about 85 km (53 miles), around 1 hour 10 minutes by car. A shuttle train links the airport to Strasbourg station, with regular trains on to Colmar.
Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden (FKB): about 140 km (87 miles), around 1 hour 40 minutes by car, across the Rhine in Germany.
Long-haul gateways
Frankfurt (FRA): about 3 hours by car, or by train via Strasbourg or Basel.
Zurich (ZRH): about 2 hours by car.
Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG): about 5 hours by car, direct TGV services from the airport towards Strasbourg, then a regional train to Colmar.
Car hire is available at all these airports.
Do I need a car?
A car is the easiest way to enjoy the region. The villages of the Wine Route, the family wine estates, the mountain lakes and the Route des Crêtes are all best reached by road, and most are within 15 to 45 minutes of the house. Secure private parking is reserved for guests, with a charging point for electric vehicles.
Driving tips for international visitors
In France, you drive on the right.
Many hire cars in Europe are manual; if you prefer an automatic, book it well in advance.
Motorways (autoroutes) have tolls, payable by card at the booth.
In winter, snow chains or winter tyres are required on mountain roads in the Vosges; your hire company can provide them. Winter equipment is mandatory from 1 November to 31 March.
An International Driving Permit may be required alongside your licence, depending on your country; please check before you travel.
Prefer not to drive straight away?
After a long journey, you may prefer to leave the driving for another day. We are happy to recommend or book a taxi from Colmar station or one of the airports, and you can pick up a hire car in Colmar once you have settled in.
We are here to help
From the first conversation, we are happy to help with the practical side of your journey: the best airport for your route, train times, car hire, a taxi on arrival, or simply how to make the most of your first days in Alsace. We speak English and French, and we reply personally to every message.
Questions pratiques
Which airport is closest to Les Écrins?
EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is the most convenient, about an hour away by car. Strasbourg-Entzheim is about 1 hour 10 minutes away.
How long does the train take from Paris?
TGV trains from Paris Gare de l’Est reach Colmar in about 2 hours 30 minutes, directly or with a change in Strasbourg. Orbey is then about 25 minutes away by car.
Do I need a car?
A car is recommended to enjoy the region fully, as the wine villages, estates and mountain sites are best reached by road. We can also book taxis for your arrival and for days out.
Can I reach Orbey by public transport?
Yes. Regional Fluo buses run between Colmar and Orbey several times a day from Monday to Saturday. For more flexibility, a taxi takes about 25 minutes.
Can you book a taxi for us?
Of course. We are happy to recommend and book a taxi from Colmar station or one of the airports.
What if we arrive late?
Late arrivals are possible on request; please let us know in advance. A supplement applies for arrivals after 11 pm.
Is there parking at Les Écrins?
Yes, secure private parking is reserved for guests, with an electric vehicle charging point and a locked garage for bikes and motorbikes.
Arriving by train
From Paris, TGV high-speed trains leave from Gare de l’Est. A few direct trains each day reach Colmar in about 2 hours 30 minutes, and other services connect in Strasbourg. Booking in advance on SNCF Connect usually secures the best fares.
Colmar is the nearest station, 21 km (13 miles) from Orbey. From there, a taxi or hire car takes about 25 minutes, and regional Fluo buses run to Orbey several times a day from Monday to Saturday.
Strasbourg is about 30 minutes from Colmar by regional train, with frequent services. Mulhouse, served by TGV from Paris and Lyon, is about 20 minutes from Colmar by train.
Your first hours in Alsace
Arriving from the other side of the world is part of the adventure, and we know that feeling well. Laurent travels to Australia several times a year for work, so we understand exactly what a long-haul traveller needs on arrival: a warm welcome, a good coffee and somewhere calm to switch off.
Alsace is on Central European Time: 8 to 10 hours behind Eastern Australia, 6 hours ahead of New York and 1 hour ahead of London, depending on the season.
A few simple tips
Plan your arrival time. Check-in is between 4.30 pm and 7.30 pm. If you land early, Colmar or Kaysersberg make a lovely first stop for lunch and a gentle walk on your way to Orbey.
Get outside in daylight. A walk in fresh mountain air is one of the best ways to reset your body clock.
Stay up until the evening. Try to keep going until a reasonable bedtime, local time, even if it takes a little effort.
Keep dinner light and drink plenty of water. We’ll be happy to suggest a relaxed restaurant, with options just a minute’s walk from the house and several more in the village centre, only 5–10 minutes away on foot.
Take it slowly. Keep your first day free of long drives, and save the Route des Crêtes for day two.
Unwind in the hot tub. A private session in warm water and mountain air is a gentle way to end a long journey.
