What is the name of the mountain range in North-Eastern France, that rises to the west of the river Rhine, between Mulhouse and Strasbourg?

The Vosges are a range of low mountains, wholly situated in France. They rise to a height of around 1000+ metres, to the west of the Rhine valley and are similar geologically to those of the Black Forest to the east of the Rhine in Germany.

The range is divided into three sections, the High Vosges in the south, the Middle or sandstone Vosges in the centre and the Lower Vosges in the north.

The highest peak is The Grand Ballon (1424mt / 4672ft ), found in the southern section, about 25 km / 15 miles northwest of Mulhouse.

The region is popular for winter sports, hiking and has often been used as one of the sections in the Tour de France cycle race. Many vineyards can be found on the south facing, eastern slopes. Other industries are glassmaking, charcoal burning, lumber and mining.

Many of the towns and villages on the eastern slopes have German names as the area of Alsace belonged to Germany before WW1, following the Franco-Prussian war. Most of the local people are bi-lingual and speak the Alsatian dialect, a mix of French and German.