Tourism TriRhena

Tourism TriRhena is a touristic project which involves Basel and Baselland (Switzerland), Colmar and Mulhouse (France), Freiburg (Germany) and the EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg. The trinational area on the south side of the upper Rhine, where the border of Germany, France and Switzerland meet, offers a great touristic variety. This region is known as Regio TriRhena, or just Regio.

For 15 years the tourism offices of Basel, Colmar, Freiburg and Mulhouse have been actively cooperating together with the EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg. Within the transnational promotion project Interreg II were made the first common publications. In 2005 was born the internet site http://www.tourismtrirhena.com, as consequence of the project “The touristic site for the Regio TriRhena”. The project, in which Baselland was accepted as a new partner, is promoted by the European Union within the program Interreg III

In the beginning the Regio TriRhena was known by the singles names of each one of the touristic areas (Black Forest, Alsace and Switzerland). Nowadays is always applied the motto “3 countries = 1 destination”, as well as the denomination Regio TriRhena / Tourism TriRhena, so that a common image and brand can be created.

The aim of the project is to promote the tourism in the border region, focusing on the enormous possibilities of the zone, like natural attractions, culture, gastronomy, etc. The touristic offer of the Regio presents many common characteristics so as complementary elements. For instance the rich cultural heritage and the important museums (Technical museums in Mulhouse and Art museum in Basel), customs and traditions (Christmas Markets and carnivals), old towns full of charm (Colmar), incredible landscapes (Baselland), a mild and sunny climate, excellent gastronomy and wines, sport and wellness offer (Freiburg).

It is focused first of all to tourist with short stays, with visits to cities, together with sport activities, culture and package tours.

The cultural offer is really extraordinary, enjoying all their dimensions : architecture, music, art, history, etc. The museum offer is very complete. You can visit more than 40 museums in the city of Basel dedicated to different specialities (history, carnival, painting, sculpture…). In the near canton of Baselland there is a very interesting roman city called Augusta Raurica, where every summer takes place a roman festival. In Colmar is essential to visit the Unterlinden Museum and the Bartholdi Museum, author of the famous Liberty Statue. In Freiburg stands out the Augustiner Museum, with works from the middle age until the XXth century, as well as the museum of modern art. Mulhouse is famous for its technical museums, like the Automobile and Railway Museum.

The Regio TriRhena presents great architectonical interest, like the gothic cathedral of Freiburg, or the samples of modern architecture in Basel, with buildings designed by the most important architects of the moment.

Referring to gastronomy, Freiburg and Colmar deserve a high position, both wine capitals of the wines of Baden and Alsace.

The natural highlights have their presence with the astonishing landscapes of the Black Forest, Alsace, and the region of Jura in Baselland. Environments that delight the senses and invite to relax.

The Carnival, or the fifth season, as it is here called, has a great importance. You can enjoy the alemmannic Carnival in Freiburg or in Basel. Also in Christmas is the time for the Christmas markets, where you can taste the Christmas cakes and the typical Glühwein.

The web site http://www.tourismtrirhena.com has a very important role promoting the Regio, because it offers all the highlights of the area to a world wide public. The work of the site is supported by the common publications: a broschüre with information of the Regio in general and of every partner of the project specially, an events calendar and a newsletter. The main door to the region is the EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg. Placed in the hearth of Europe, provides an exceptional access gate to the Regio TriRhena. From here all the partner of the project can be reached between 15 and 50 minutes. Besides there is a welcome desk of Tourism TriRhena in the arrivals sector offering the travellers all the information which they may need.

The project is financed by the European Union and the Swiss Confederation.