European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 17, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Christmas ideas a a specialities ii head to franc for great selection of tablecloths pottery 1 by Debby Jennings heading to France this year or have a love for French country products cot a gourmet on your Christmas list then Don t miss Alsace. The Region offers Many excellent crafts and handmade keepsakes for americans living and travelling in Europe. Earthenware and table linens Are the specialities of this northeastern area of France that Borders Germany along the Rhine River. And you Don t have to speak French to find the sources for bargains in Fine alsatian souvenirs.,. Beauvill6 manufacture d impression sur Toffe Ribe Auvine Alsace this factory outlet offers at wholesale prices exquisite printed alsatian tablecloths napkins scarfs and bolts of material featured in magazines and upscale retail stores in the United states. The firm dates from the mid-1800s and is one of the leading fabric manufacturers in France. Many of the patterns feature alsatian figures or Bright Indian Batik designs. During the summer months shoppers can take a tour of the printing Mill to see the material i Offe preparation including the mixing of the colors and the hand printing of the finished fabric. How to get there ribeauvili6 is 10 Miles Northwest of Colmar or .4.1 Miles South of Strasbourg which has the nearest Airport. From Strasbourg head South on autoroute 35. Just South of Selestar you will see the Vosges mountains on your right. Ribe Auville is in the Foothills of the Mountain Range after you pass the exit for sem Estat. Once in the town Center just follow the main shopping Street to its end and go out through the medieval town Walls. The Beauvill outlet is on the left just outside. It is surrounded by a steel Fence. Enter through the steel Gates parking is inside on the right. Operating hours the store is open monday Friday from 8 . To 11 45 . And 2-5 45 . In the summer it is also open on saturday mornings until noon. The pottery towns souffle Nheim these two Northern alsatian towns Are known for their distinctive pottery pieces for cooking the celebrated local cuisine. Savory Backe Offe Kougel Hopf and the Well known Chou route or sauerkraut with meats and sausages taste even better when prepared and Sertl in the Region s authentic pottery. For the gastronomy alsatian cookbooks Are also available in English at Many pottery i shops souffle Nheim has been a City of potters since 1147, for is Debby Jennings is fire when it was first noted under the regime of emperor Frederick i he gave the potters the right to extract Clay in the neighbouring Hagenau Forest in acknowledgement of their skills. The main Street grand Rue or Rue de Hagenau As you exit the town is lined with More than 20 pottery shops or boutiques each with its unique style and pattern. Local potters Here take their colors from the Earth Browns greens golds and other natural hues. Designs include Flowers leaves and Birds. The collection of products includes pitchers Fondue pots holds vases plates bowls of All sizes and a wide variety of baking dishes some with lids. Don t miss the Escargot servers or the onion soup bowls. You can t pretend to be a French gourmet or chef without them. All pottery pieces Are not Only pretty but also easy to use in both microwave and conventional ovens. Many buyers can t resist displaying some of the purchases on their Walls or in country cupboards. The prices for these items just can t be beat $4 and up especially when you compare them with the prices for them in the states probably triple. Two personal favourites Are Poterie Henri Siegfried at 10 Rue de Hagenau and Poterie artisanal Michel Steissel at 25, Rue de Hagenau. They have the Best selections in their own specially designs. Both accept a clerk wraps purchases in a store in Sou Ettenheim above. Unique Ceramic clocks Are also a regional speciality left. French francs or German Marks. Berschdorf Berschdorf is just 8 Miles North of souffle Nheim of d347. This picturesque Village May be As famous for its 300-year-old, half timbered houses As for its Blue Gray stoneware known As cres. The cres Industry however dates Back to the 18th Century when immigrant potters settled Here from Germany. Many of the current entrepreneurs Are descendants of those original famines. Here the potteries Are scattered throughout the Village rather than grouped together along a main Street As in souffle Nheim. Two of my favourites Are Les Gres de Remmy situated on the outskirts of town at 8, Rue de souffle Nheim and by far the largest of the showrooms and the shop of Roger Edmond Schnitter at 18, Rue de la Poste. The Berschdorf stoneware is More durable than that found in souffle Nheim and costs a bit More. Cres has a Salt Glaze or coating on the surface and needs to be seasoned before use. According to the owner of Les Gres de Renny the Best seasoning method is to pour hot milk into the baking dishes before using them for the first time. Then allow the milk to Cool. This process also assures easier cleanup. Unique pieces include tall coolers for wine bottles and raised Relief wine pitchers found in Many of the area s Fine restaurants. How to get there Strasbourg has the nearest Airport Only 30 Miles South of the two pottery towns. Paris is 312 Miles away by car. If driving from Germany take autobahn 5 South past Karlsruhe. Look for the Baden Baden exit no. 51. Turn off the autobahn Here and follow b500 West toward Hagenau. You will Cross the Rhine River. Stay on b500 until you reach the French autoroute 35. Head South toward Strasbourg to the first exit. Turn right at sortie exit 55 to souffle Nheim. Follow signs to souffle Nheim on n63. Once in the Center of souffle Nheim you will see signs for Berschdorf which is seven Miles away. The Road no. D344, winds through the Hagenau Forest and crosses the Sauer River. This is a great place for picnics when the weather is warm operating hours most shops Are open mornings from 9 . To noon and in the afternoons from 1 30 or 2 until 5. Shops in France close for lunch so Don t plan on doing much shopping during the hours from noon until 2 . In souffle Nheim shops Are open on saturdays and sundays. However Only one or two shops Are open on saturdays in Berschdorf. Debby Jennings free Lance writer and shopping guru living near Stuttgart Germany. She teacher a Elnan on buying Quality Antiques torn Art and handmade product found throughout Europe 8 stripes Magazine november 17, 1994