Major city · France
Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines
Half a day to one day: walk the old mining trails, see the Mineral & Gem Fair if you time it right, then move on to Colmar or Strasbourg.
Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines is a small Alsatian town built on centuries of silver and antimony mining. The main draw is the annual Mineral & Gem Fair (June), which fills the streets with dealers and collectors. Outside fair week, the town is quiet: a morning to see the mining heritage and a few half-timbered streets, then continue along the Alsace Wine Route.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Oct; June for the fair
- avoid Fair week if you want a quiet visit (no accommodation available)
- Airports
- BSL · SXB
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).France-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.France-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise.France-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.France-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.France-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsParis has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).France-wide
- Emergency numbers17 police · 18 fire and ambulance · 112 European emergency number (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany national museums close on Monday (Orsay, Versailles, Rodin) or Tuesday (Louvre, Pompidou's temporary sites).France-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBSL EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (About 1 h 15 min by car or train via Colmar).
- Getting aroundWalkable centre.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€2–3.50 (≈ US$3–5)
- BeerBeer (demi / pression)€4–6 (≈ US$5–7)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from Sélestat station to towncheck€25–35 (≈ US$30–45)
- Budget bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per room€60 (≈ US$70)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per room€90 (≈ US$110)
- High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per room€150 (≈ US$180)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €50 (≈ US$60) · Mid €80 (≈ US$95) · High €130 (≈ US$160)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BSL EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (About 1 h 15 min by car or train via Colmar) · SXB Strasbourg Airport (About 1 h by car or train via Sélestat)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Feb
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Oct
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Best: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Feb (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
10 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
9 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
12 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
10 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
10 rd
Sep
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
Dec
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walkable centre. A car is useful for the mining trails and nearby villages. Bus lines connect to Sélestat and Colmar (check schedules).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30–50 min
Car (about 25 min) or bus (about 40 min)
Half-timbered old town and Unterlinden Museum.
Door to door: About 1–1.5 h
Car (about 50 min) or train via Sélestat (about 1 h 15 min)
Cathedral, Petite France and European institutions.
Europa-Park (Germany)
goDoor to door: About 50 min
Car (about 45 min)
Theme park; check opening days and book tickets online.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre
A few hotels and guesthouses; book months ahead for fair week.
Nearby villages (Ribeauvillé, Riquewihr)
More options, 15–20 min drive.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €50–80 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- €80–130 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- €130 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse double room1 × 1 night × €90 | €90 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €80 | €160 |
| Car rental per day (economy)1 × €40 · check | €40 |
| Bus to Colmar, one way2 × €5 · check | €10 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €30 |
| Trip total≈ €165 per person per day, bed included | €330≈ US$400 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €2–3.50 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Lunch menu (plat du jour) | €12–16 (≈ US$14–19) |
| Beer (demi / pression) | €4–6 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Taxi from Sélestat station to towncheck | €25–35 (≈ US$30–45) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No accommodation available during the Mineral & Gem Fair unless booked a year ahead.
- Mining trails can be steep and muddy after rain; wear sturdy shoes.
- Restaurants and shops close early outside fair week; plan meals ahead.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire and ambulance
- 18
- European emergency number
- 112
Pocket card
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Sainte-Marie-aux-MinesSainte-Marie-aux-Mines
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire and ambulance18
- European emergency number112
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Sélestat → Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines by bus: about €2–3 (≈ US$3–4), about 30 min (check)
- Taxi Sélestat → town: €25–35 (≈ US$30–45) (check)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bohn-zhoor)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-see)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it? (kom-byen sa koot)
- Où sont les toilettes ? — Where is the toilet? (oo son lay twa-let)
- Parlez-vous anglais ? — Do you speak English? (par-lay voo zahn-glay)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct; June for the fair · avoid Fair week if you want a quiet visit (no accommodation available) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines
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