Are you visiting Riquewihr in Alsace? Then discover the 8 things to do in this most beautiful village of France!
Located in the heart of the Alsace wine route, Riquewihr is ranked among the most beautiful villages in France . The village is known for its many houses with doves, beautifully preserved and flowers, ramparts and other historical heritage beads. His situation in the middle of the vineyards finally gives him a crazy charm! Are you planning to discover this charming Alsatian village? So here are the 8 things to visit in Riquewihr during your stay!
1. La Rue du Général de Gaulle
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Zoegraphy
If you plan to visit Riquewihr, then you should start with Rue du Général de Gaulle. This street starts at the foot of the Hotel de Ville, dated 1808, and goes to the Dolder, the former belfry of the city.
It is lined with beautiful houses. For example, at n°13, you can admire a beautiful house in the 16th century. At n°14, you will also see the highest house in Alsace. Before arriving at the Dolder, also take a tour of the old Berkheim hotel, n°37.
2. The Dolder
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Sergey Dzyuba
At the end of the rue du Général de Gaulle is one of the emblematic monuments to visit in Riquewihr. The Dolder was once the entrance door of the city.
Built at the same time as the wall in the 13th century, it was once used to defend the city thanks to its watch tower installed on the belfry. Dolder means in Alsatian "the highest point".
It now houses in three of its floors the local museum of Art and Popular Tradition. Here you can admire a collection of weapons from the 15th and 17th century, various tools and objects related to winemaking professions, documents and family memories.
The monument finally gives a good insight into the solidity of the ramparts of the time!
3. The Castle of Wurtemberg
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Keitma
The village is surrounded by many castles. If you come to visit Riquewihr, you do not have to make the impasse on these ancient works.
The first, the former castle of the Counts of Montbéliard-Wurtemberg, was built under Georges de Wurtemberg in the middle of the 16th century.
Today it houses the Museum of Communication in Alsace. The latter retraces the history of the post and telecommunications, from Romans to the T.S.F.
4. The Museum of the Tour of the Voleurs
Photo credit: Wikimedia – © Ralph Hammann
The tour of the thieves was once the old cachots of the city. It is 18 metres tall, home to period forgetts, with torture room and guardian room.
Today museum, it can be visited. You will also discover the rooms and objects mentioned just before a temporary exhibition on the theme of the « Back of Alsace to France from 1918 to 1925 ».
5. The House of Uncle Hansi
Photo credit: Wikimedia – © Ralph Hammann
One of the most important museums to visit in Riquewihr is certainly the house of Uncle Hansi. The latter, Jean-Jacques Waltz of his true name, was a true ambassador of the Alsatian popular traditions.
Born in Colmar in 1873, he became famous by his illustrations, cartoons and watercolours, designed and painted throughout his life. They represent an Alsace proud of its traditions, its terroir and its products.
Don’t miss visiting it to discover and admire a whole range of Alsatian art and culture!
6. The Vestiges of Bilstein Castle
Photo credit: Wikimedia – Gzen92
As mentioned above, Riquewihr has several castles. This Château de Bilstein unfortunately did not survive the times or wars that the region has experienced.
The ruins of the fortress are thus located south of the valley of Strengbach, between the pass of the Haut de Ribeauvillé and the valley of Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines. They stand on a rocky peak of the Schlossberg at 700 metres above sea level.
Visiting them is a good excuse for a charming hike and especially a wonderful view!
7. The Vestiges of Reichenstein Castle
Photo credit: Facebook – Chris Tophe rando’s
As with the castle of Bilstein, discover the remains of Reichenstein Castle will be the opportunity to explore the countryside of Riquewihr!
This historic monument once served as a base for the Reichenstein robberies. Destroyed in 1269 in 1269 by Rodolphe de Habsburg only a few ruins testify to the existence of the fortress.
8. Activities around wine
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Pawel Kazmierczak
Wine cellars and small producers
If you come to visit Riquewihr, you can't miss discovering some of the charming wine cellars in the village! Wine lovers or not, do not miss pushing the entrance door of a cellar or a domain.
The Alsace is also discovered via its wine, and Riquewihr as a famous wine village offers sublime products.
In particular, the Domaine Agapé, the Domaine de la Tour Blanche or the Maison Zimmer are recommended.
The Trail of Viticulators
Any visitor who would visit Riquewihr should also take the wine path of the Grand Crus "Les Perles du Vignoble". The latter crosses the towns of Beblenheim, Bennwihr, Hunawihr, Mittelwihr, Riquewihr and Zellenberg.
The walk, marked and enriching, is punctuated with explanations on the work of the vineyard and the production of the Alsatian wines.
Take a look at the heart of the Alsatian vineyard, you will also enjoy during the stroll of sublime panoramas!
How to get to Riquewihr?
Located in the Haut-Rhin department, Riquewihr is less than 30 minutes from Colmar. It is thus possible to reach this village by bus from this great Alsatian city.
- By bus, you can borrow the line 106 A and B, which leaves from Colmar passes through Riquewihr and goes to Ribeauvillé center;
- There is also a TER bus link from the Selestat train station to Riquewihr, which runs on Sundays and holidays;
- To plan your bus trips, you can use the Fluo Grand Est website.
As for Colmar, the city is easily reached by car, train or bus from another large French city:
- From Paris or Reims for example, you can follow the A4 then it N4 up to Nancy ;
- Colmar then joins via the N59, N159 and N83 ;
- From Besançon, follow theA36 up to Mulhouse then theA35.
Where to stay in Riquewihr?
If you plan to visit Riquewihr, you obviously ask where to stay. Fortunately, the village does not lack housing options! Spend a night or a week to visit Riquewihr is obviously an excellent idea. To find the solution that best suits you do not hesitate to use a Compare hotels .
You can choose to stay in a beautiful hotel or a charming and authentic gite. You can also opt for a home accommodation via Airbnb , or for a flowery campsite!
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