Greeter’s Words – Céline from Sélestat

Passionate about Sélestat and a Greeter for over ten years, Céline is an Alsatian who loves to share her love for her city and its gastronomy. Between the dynamism of the city center and the gentle surrounding nature, she has found a perfect balance.

My name is Céline, I live in Sélestat, but I am Alsatian in body and soul. I live in this town where our daughter is growing up and where I share my passion for its history and its gastronomy.

Between the bustle of the city center and the surrounding nature, I found a perfect balance. My favorite? The Maison du pain d’Alsace, which I love to share with you during my gourmet walks. If you haven’t yet tried lämmele, männele, or bredele, you should definitely visit!

A Greeter for over ten years, I discovered this concept when I signed the charter of the Tourist Office, which manages reservations and allows us, passionate volunteers, the pleasure of unrestricted exchanges. I’ve welcomed visitors from Israel, the United States, but also curious visitors from Alsace, who sometimes realize how little they know about their own region.

I’m more of a “quick stroll” type of person, lasting about 2 hours. My stroll starts on the cultural quay before diving into the old medieval town. I share what I love: my daily life, my anecdotes and of course, Alsatian gastronomy! I love to whet my visitors’ appetites as they pass by a butcher’s shop, a restaurant or a delicatessen, and it’s not uncommon for them to leave with a delicious souvenir. I also sometimes recommend a restaurant for lunch or dinner… because you can’t eat an excellent tarte flambée, or flammekueche, everywhere!

Each walk is unique, punctuated by the seasons and the encounters. Some moments remain etched in my memory, like this walk on Christmas Eve with Israeli friends, marked by the unexpected encounter with “Professor Sappinus,” our iconic Mr. Christmas. Emotions were at their peak when I shared the story of my grandfather, a “Malgré-nous”…

I hope that the Greeters network will continue for a long time to bring Sélestat to life through our eyes and our stories, and that it will welcome ever more enthusiasts to share this wonderful human adventure.

Céline, Greeter in Séléstat, Alsace. April 2025