riquewihr tourist information

Best Things to Do in Riquewihr, France

Article written by Elisa - Travel Writer & Local in France This article may contain compensated links. Please read disclaimer for more info.

Visit Riquewihr, Alsace’s Most Beautiful Village

Riquewihr is one of the most beautiful villages in Alsace , if not the most beautiful! One of the best-preserved medieval towns in France , nestled between mountains and vineyards, Riquewihr is well-known for its picturesque architecture and wines.

Riquewihr is one of the best places to visit in Alsace and a must-stop along the Alsace Wine Route from Mulhouse to Strasbourg . It is located 15 km northwest of Colmar , in the Haut-Rhin department.

Whether you decide to visit Riquewihr on a day trip from Colmar or stay overnight as part of an Alsace road trip , this quick guide to Riquewihr Alsace will tell you the best things to do in Riquewihr and everything you need to know to get the most out your visit.

How to Get from Colmar to Riquewihr

Many people visit Riquewihr on a day trip from Colmar, the closest city. A day trip from Colmar to Riquewihr, France, is very easy to organize, even if you don’t have a car. Here are the most popular options:

If you decide to visit Riquewhir from Colmar, bus #106 is the easiest and cheapest option. The bus leaves from Place Scheurer Kestner in Colmar, and count on it taking 27 min to Riquewihr.

WITH A GUIDED TOUR

Day tours from Colmar usually combine Riquewihr with other Alsace sites and wine tastings. This 4 Wonders of Alsace Tour is the most popular day tour from Colmar and visits the villages of Riquewhir, Eguisheim, Kayserberg, Ribeauvillé, and a local winery.

Click here to book the 4 Wonders of Alsace Day Tour from Colmar

Where to Stay in Riquewihr

The real reason we think you should stay in Riquewhir overnight is because of how magical it becomes once the sun starts to set and the day crowds are gone. Then, the locals relax, and this beautiful village will be yours until late in the morning of the next day!

The charming Hotel à l’Oriel is located in the heart of the Old Town, and it offers individually decorated traditional rooms, a good breakfast, and private parking.

If you prefer an apartment with a kitchen, the lovely La Maison d’Amélie is central and comfortable, and it always gets the best ratings

Of course, there are other hotels in Riquewihr and also apartments to rent. You can check them out directly on this handy map.

Top Things to Do in Riquewhir, France

The fame of Riquewihr is mainly due to its vineyards which produce excellent white wines. Over the centuries, Riquewhir prospered by growing grapes and trading its reputed wine all over Europe. In the 16th century, the prosperity of the Riquewihr wine enabled the village to build a double fortification wall and magnificent houses.

So what to do in Riquewihr for a day or two? This list of best things to do in Riquewhir, France, includes sightseeing, hiking, and wine.

1. Explore the Ramparts of Riquewhir

This Riquewihr things to do list starts exploring its walls. Riquewihr is surrounded by a double fortification wall. There are the ruins of the 13th-century ramparts which surround part of the city, and there’s a second fortification wall built in the 16th century. The picturesque Rue des Ramparts runs between the two fortification walls.

The Lower Gate (demolished) was the main access to Riquewihr. At this point, you can see today the reproduction of an engraving of 1644 that shows an overview of the town with its two fortifications.

The Higher Gate was built by the end of the 13th century, and it was extended when Riquewihr’s defensive system was reinforced in the 16th century.

The best view of the 1500s walls is from the west, with the silhouette of the Upper Gate. The best view of the 1200s walls is from the north. Here, the fortifications were not doubled.

2. Rue Charles de Gaulle and the Dolder

Rue Charles de Gaulle is Riquewihr’s main street. It is lined with Renaissance houses and framed with picturesque side alleys and courtyards. Most of the prettiest houses in Riquewhir can be found along rue Charles de Gaulle.

The street leads to the Dolder , a 25-meter tower built in pink sandstone from the Vosges. Dolder means ‘the highest point’ in the Alsatian dialect, and it was erected at the same time as the first fortification walls in the 13th century.

The Dolder was a belfry or watch tower. Its outer façade is austere to deter invaders, while the inner façade is richly decorated for the pleasure of Riquewihr’s inhabitants. Today, the tower’s first three levels house the local Museum of Art and Popular Tradition .

3. Admire Riquewhir’s Colorful Architecture

A stroll around the Old Town is one of the best things to do in Riquewhir. This fortified village was built in the 16th century, and it is as if time has slowed down in Riquewihr. Many houses built during the 16th and 17th centuries are listed as Historical Monuments.

The house at 14 Rue General de Gaulle (1561) is particularly impressive. Nicknamed the ‘skyscraper’, this 5-story house, 25 m high, is the tallest timbered house in Alsace!

The list of other beautiful houses worth visiting in Riquewihr are:

House (1480), 1 Rue des Trois Églises
Former copper house (16th century), 18 Rue Charles de Gaulle
House ‘The Golden Button (16th century), 16 Rue de la Première Armée
Former winegrower house (16th- 17th century), 1 Rue de la Couronne

4. Visit the Tour des Voleurs

The 18m high Tour des Voleurs (the Thieves Tower) is one of the best things to see in Riquewihr. It was erected in 1291 and has the particularity of being pentagonal on the outside and square inside.

Riquewihr was the seat of the seigneurial court until the end of the 18th century. In this tower, the accused were interrogated and held, hence the tower’s name. Visitors can still see the torture chamber.

5. Browse Riquewihr’s Pretty Shops

Riquewihr boasts numerous pretty shops selling souvenirs, traditional food, and of course, wine. I particularly liked Au Petit Délice (45 Rue du General de Gaulle) for its macarons and other traditional pastries. However, the most popular shop in Riquewihr is Féerie de Noël (1 Rue du Cerf), near the Dolder. This shop sells Christmas decorations all year round, and it is a wonderful place to visit!

6. Hike the Géovino Trail

Beyond the limits of Riquewihr lies a stunning horizon filled with vineyards growing between the hills. This is the starting point of the Géovino Trail (link in French), which goes through the Alsace vineyards of the communal territories of Riquewihr, Beblenheim, Benwihr, Hunawihr, and Zellenberg.

This rural 16km trail (which takes 4.5 hours for the full loop) includes interpretive panels explaining the works in the vineyards and wine production. You can also walk the first part of the trail to Hunawihr to see its unique fortified church and then come back to Riquewihr by bus.

GOOD TO KNOW: during the harvest, parts of the trail (or the whole trail) may be closed to visitors.

7. Look for the Best Riquewihr Wine

One of the best things to do in Riquewihr France is to taste the Riquewihr wine . This Alsatian vineyard is the only French vineyard whose wines are mainly white; therefore, these wines are the world reference in French white wines .

The region of Ribeauvillé-Riquewihr produces some of the best wines of Alsace. This is thanks to its microclimate (this region benefits from the lowest rainfall in France), excellent soil conditions, and a thousand-year-old wine tradition. Here, you will find Riesling, Sylvaner, Pinot Blanc, Muscat d’Alsace, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer, and rosés or red wines made from Pinot Noir.

We bought our bottles of Riquewihr wine at Dopff au Moulin , an ancient family estate with roots back to 1574. You can find them outside the walls, near the Lower Gate on the right, facing the roundabout. Dopff au Moulin offers visitors wine tastings, and the Riesling and Muscat were excellent!

Hugel & Fils is also worth a stop during your visit to Riquewihr. Hugel & Fils is one of the leading winemakers of Alsace (est. 1639), and it is located in the center of Riquewihr (3, Rue Première Armée Française). Don’t miss their wine tastings and tours of the cellars in English and French.

8. Visit the Riquewihr Christmas Market

The Riquewihr Christmas Market is one of the most magical Christmas Markets in Alsace , combining to perfection its wonderful architecture with Christmas lights and decorations. This Christmas market is spread over two sites: Place Fernand Zeyer and along the Esplanade des Remparts near the town hall. On the first three weekends, the market is extended to Rue du Général de Gaulle .

The Riquewihr Christmas Market is open on the weekends, from the end of November to Christmas. Here, the wooden chalets offer craft items, Christmas ornaments, and gift ideas. Other chalets offer traditional Christmas sweets, quick eats, and mulled wine.

From Colmar, there’s a Christmas bus shuttle that covers Riquewihr and the main Christmas Markets in Alsace, so it is also possible to visit the Riquewihr Chrismas Market even if you are staying in Colmar. This bus shuttle only works on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

9. Taste the Regional Food

One of the best things to do in Riquewihr or anywhere in Alsace is to taste the regional food. The list of traditional dishes in Alsace includes baeckeoffe, tarte flambée, cordon bleu, Vol-au-vent, spaetzle, fleischnacka, and bretzel.

For this, we recommend visiting the winstubs (or wistubs). These are a type of traditional, popular wine bars and restaurants that are specific to Alsace. Winstubs are coquettishly rustic, with a warm atmosphere and local food.

For an authentic Alsatian meal in Riquewihr, book at La Grappe d’Or (1 Rue des Écuries, Riquewihr). The restaurant has retained the charm of the winstub that formerly occupied the building, including the iconic red-checkered tablecloths and the archaic wine-making equipment and barrels that line the walls.

So there you have it, a quick guide to Riquewihr with everything you need to know and the best things to do in Riquewihr Alsace.

Click here for more City Guides

Back to Homepage

Disclaimer: This article may contain compensated links, meaning we get a small commission if you make a purchase through our links. It costs you nothing more (in fact, if anything, you’ll get a nice discount) but helps us to go on creating incredible French content for you. We trust all products and brands promoted here and would never recommend anything that isn’t of value. Please read disclaimer for more info.

2 Get around
3 See and do

Riquewihr is one of the most enchanting towns in Alsace . Parking is outside the town walls and entrance into the old town is through a series of old town gates in the large clock and watch towers. It is first of all a wine town surrounded by hills of vines. There are many quaint restaurants and Winstube along the main road up the hill. Good shopping in the crystal shops as well. There are old houses from the 16th and 17th centuries. Many still have wells and fountains, and their courtyards are overlooked by galleries above.

In autumn the restaurants have signs proclaiming "La choucroute nouvelle est arrivée". Choucroute means sauerkraut, and is a signature Alsatian dish, piled high and laced with cuts of pork and sausage. The signs are a joking reference to those seen elsewhere in France in autumn, announcing the arrival of the new beaujolais.

Riquewihr is a small city in the east north of France, more precisely in the Grand Est, in Haut-Rhin. Riquewihr is a medieval city with a lot of half-timbered houses, which give the charm of the city.

Get in [ edit ]

The nearest train station is in Colmar .

A bus line #106 connects Colmar with Riquewihr via Beblenheim and Bennwihr, departures are roughly every 4 hours, online timetables .

You can go to Riquewihr by airplane to Strasbourg, which is at 68km to Riquewihr, or to Colmar, which is the nearest, 14,3km to Riquewihr.

Get around [ edit ]

The most common way to travel around here is by foot, hiking the Route Du Vin. If you drive in yourself, have an auto or camper, the parking is really hard to find. The city has paid parking via parksheins, which eat all your change quickly. There is public street parking around the perimeter of the 'Old City wall', but it goes quick, and is hard to find when you want it. There are several parking lots for Bus and RV campers, on the East end of town, near the Hotel le Riquewihr but these are paid lots. It is just about impossible to find parking inside the old city walls. Estimating about 20 parking spaces inside the walls puts a premium on these, and the locals seem to have a lock on them.

See and do [ edit ]

The town is small. The remains of the fortified city walls and ancient porticos, Dolder (lookout tower), and authentic buildings is amazing. This is a small, genuine original 15th and 16th century village. Only a small part of it has been changed (modernized) with almost no reconstruction after either World War. Apparently only two bombs fell in the city in WWll, thus there is no ‘false authenticism’ as is seen elsewhere in Europe. If you are looking for glamour, glitz and polish; look elsewhere. If you want real authentic, OLD history then ‘downtown’ Riquewihr is what you want! There are about 20 Winstubs ? (pronounced: Vinschtubbe) around the town. A Winstub is a particular winery’s own wine cellar, and reflects their own: ‘posh’, ‘natural’, or ‘sophisticated’ presentation. Some were slick and really cosmopolitan. Others were pretty much a workingman’s’ wine cellar. There seems to be no relationship to the taste of wine. That would be for YOU to determine on your trip there!

You don’t have to walk from vineyard to vineyard to learn about the wine. The Winstubs are located around the town, mostly in the cellars of the hotels, and under business’ in town. Actually each village and city along the Route du Vin has their own winstubs, and their own vintners. An interesting point is that about half the winstubs charge a fee to sample. Half are free. Our opinion is that the ones that charge are not worth the price. After sampling around 30 or 35 samples the ones we bought were invariably from the ‘free’ shops. It appeared if the winstub has to charge for the samples, then the product is not making them enough money to start with. The good wine sells itself, and the samples are simply a way to let you figure out which wine suits your particular palette. Some of the Winstubs surrounding the town are actively making wine as you pass by them. I didn’t ask, but found out if you ask at the winstubs they may have a tour of their own vineyards. Having seen wine production before this was not an active interest, and we certainly did not want to lose the time coordinating a visit into our schedule, and waste time waiting for someone to give us a tour. If you have more free time, this would be a welcome option.

Near to Riquewihr, at Hunawihr, there is a wildlife park, the NaturOparC. The most popular activity is the Petit Prince park at Ungersheim, there are a lot of attractions for all people.

Buy [ edit ]

At Riquewihr, you can taste the traditional bretzel, an alsacian speciality or the Kougelhopfwhich is a typical cake from Alsace.

You can also find the famous plushies of stork, because stork is the mascot of Alsace, there are many storks in this region.

Eat [ edit ]

Eating in Alsace is mostly about choucroute, flammekuche (tarte flambée), baeckehoffe or kugelhopf. It is a place of earthly dishes to enjoy in autumn with a glass of Riesling, Gewurtztraminer or Pinot Gris. This is the same in Riquewihr and you will also find many tourist restaurants.

d'Brendelstub , 48, rue du Général de Gaulle ( Upper part of the main street ), ☏ +33389865454 . If you want to get something sparkling and more modern than the purely traditional Alsacian food, this is the place to go (without betraying tradition completely). A three dish evening Menu around €30 (2008) .
La Table du Gourmet , 5 rue de la 1E armée, which has gastronomic food, typical cuisine. +33389490909
Au Dolder, 54 rue du Général de Gaulle, alsacian food. +33389479256

Drink [ edit ]

Sleep [ edit ].

The hotels in and around Riquewihr are as varied as the wine. Hotels inside the old city walls are typically old, and typical old European buildings (small sized, old, tilting, and original.) However, the hotels outside the city walls are more modern, and newer. The price seems to be similar where ever you stay, however the town restaurants, and gift shops are inside the old city walls. If you stay outside the walls, in a modern hotel, you will have to walk uphill a distance of approximately 1000 feet, or 300 meters to get back to a selection of food and shops. The old city has cobblestones everywhere. If you are unsteady on your feet, this will be a chore to walk on. The whole city slopes downward from the west end (the old end) toward the east (the new end).

If you go to Riquewihr, you can sleep in hotel :

the Best Western hotel & SPA Le Schoenenbourg , 2 avenue, rue de la piscine, 3 stars, there are a spa and a swimming pool. €104.70 per night. +33389490111
Le Riquewihr , 3,route de Ribeauvillé, 3 stars, €72 per night. near to Colmar, at 25km. +33389860300
Le Saint Nicolas , 2 rue Saint Nicolas. 2 stars, €72 per night, 350m from the christmas market in Colmar. +33389490151

Go next [ edit ]

The whole area is riddled with vineyards , and small cities to visit. At the upper end of the Route du Vin is Strasbourg , and the lower end is Colmar . Both cities are worth a visit, to explore the Alsace region.

Some of the original Siegfried line/Maginot line is nearby around Selestat .

Has custom banner
Has mapframe
Eat listing with no coordinates
Has map markers
Has Geo parameter
All destination articles
Outline cities
Outline articles
City articles
Pages with maps

10 Best Things to Do in Riquewihr, France

Riquewihr, in the Alsace region of France, is an enchanting town that truly surprised me. It’s argued to be one of the most beautiful villages in the country, and it’s easy to understand why.

With its colourful half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets and little alleys, Riquewihr looks like a town straight out of a fairytale. So I wasn’t surprised to learn that the village in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast was actually inspired by Riquewihr and the nearby town of Ribeauvillé !

You will find everything you need to know if you’re planning on visiting Riquewihr in this post. From the top things to see and do to some handy tips to plan your visit smoothly.

Riquewihr in France: Top Things to See and Do

1. visit the dolder tower and museum.

Dating back to the 13th century, the Dolder Tower is part of the original fortifications of Riquewihr. This tower served as a belfry and watchtower during the olden days, and it’s the town’s most iconic monument.

The Dolder Tower houses a museum where you can learn more about Riquewihr’s history from the 12th to the 17th century. You will find plenty of artefacts here, and once you reach the tower’s upper floors, you will have a beautiful view of the surroundings.

Tip : Check out Fontaine de la Sinne (Fountain of Gauging) while you’re there. This is the place where winemakers gauged their barrels. The fountain was built in 1560 and it’s located right next to the Dolder Tower.

2. Admire the colourful half-timbered houses

The French Alsace region is famous for its beautiful half-timbered houses, and this is what I loved the most about Riquewihr.

You will find houses of nearly every colour here, after all, this is one of the most colourful places in France . If you’re visiting this village around Christmas (which is what I did), they will be decorated with beautiful ornaments.

Rue du Général-de-Gaulle is Riquewihr’s main street and the houses here are stunning. Make sure to explore the rest of the village too, though, as it’s full of little streets and alleys that will make you feel as if you’re walking through a fairytale.

Some of the most notable buildings in Riquewihr are:

The Skyscraper ( 14 rue du Général-de-Gaulle ): As its name predicts, this is one of the tallest half-timbered houses in Riquewihr.
A l’Etoile ( 42 rue du Général-de-Gaulle ): This Baroque-style house has one of the most ornately decorated facades in town.
The Dissler House ( 6 rue de la Couronne ): Built at the beginning of the 17th century, this wealthy home is argued to be one of the finest houses in Riquewihr.

3. Take a break in a “winstub” (wine bar)

You will find plenty of winstubs in Riquewihr. These are Alsatian restaurants, cafes and bars that specialize in wine – this is the perfect place for a drink in an authentic setting.

Winstub Au Tire Bouchon , for example, is a great place located on Riquewihr’s main street. It’s also one of my favourite houses in town (you will find a picture of it later in this post). But there are many other winstubs in Riquewihr, so don’t hesitate to try out other ones.

Tip : If you like wine, the Alsace region is the perfect place to go wine tasting. It’s affordable and there are many vineyards around Riquewihr. An easy way to visit them is by booking a wine tour with GetYourGuide , an online agency I can recommend.

>> Read: 27 Popular French Drinks & Beverages

4. Visit the Tour des Voleurs (Thieves’ Tower) and Maison du Vigneron (Winemaker’s House)

Located on a charming little square, the Tour des Voleurs was built in 1291. Back in the day, this was the place where criminals were interrogated and imprisoned.

Today, the Thieves’ Tower houses a museum where you can visit the torture chamber and guardroom. Unfortunately, it was closed when I visited Riquewihr, so it’s something I will have to go back for.

A visit to the Tour des Voleurs can be combined with the Maison du Vigneron, which dates back to the 16th century. Here, you will get to see how Riquewihr’s winemakers lived and worked.

5. See La Porte Haute (Upper Tower) and the fortifications

After passing the Dolder Tower, you will come across La Porte Haute and Riquewihr’s fortifications. These were built at the end of the 13th century and extended around 1500.

At La Porte Haute, you can see the remains of the drawbridge and portcullis, which were part of Riquewihr’s defence system.

6. Visit the Riquewihr Christmas Market

Starting from the end of November, many Alsatian towns will be decorated with twinkly lights, fluffy teddy bears, giant mannalas (Alsatian gingerbread men), and other beautiful decorations.

So if you enjoy visiting Christmas markets and if you would like to go shopping for holiday souvenirs, then you will love Riquewihr at this time of the year!

To be honest, I’m not very fond of Christmas myself, so I was surprised to notice that I actually loved visiting Riquewihr around Christmastime. The atmosphere was wonderful and I fell in love with all the decorations!

7. Taste the regional food

One of the things France is famous for is its food, and the regional food of Riquewihr is delicious.

The Alsace Region can be found close to the German border, and throughout history, it has been a part of both Germany and France. This can clearly be seen in the region’s unique cuisine, which has been influenced by both of these countries.

One of the best things to do in Riquewihr is to taste this region’s food. You will find some of the most popular traditional Alsatian dishes below:

Choucroûte garnie : Like German sauerkraut, this dish is prepared with fermented cabbage, sausages or charcuterie, boiled potatoes, and white wine. Choucroûte garnie is a typical winter dish that you will find in nearly every restaurant in Riquewihr.
Baeckeoffe : This Alsatian dish consists of a hearty stew made with potatoes, vegetables, wine, and three types of marinated meat (pork, beef and lamb). It’s perfect for the Winter!
Tarte flambée : Known as “flammkuchen” in Germany, tarte flambée is a light meal that looks like a pizza (but doesn’t taste like one). It consists of flatbread topped with fromage blanc (creamy cheese), sour cream, onions, and bacon.

I also loved the Alsatian version of gingerbread: the mannala or mannele . This so-called petit bonhomme (meaning “little guy”) is traditionally made for Saint Nicholas’ Day , which is celebrated on December 6.

8. See the Place des Trois Eglises (Square of the Three Churches)

This square was named the Place des Trois Eglises because of the three churches that can be found here: the Church of Sainte-Marguerite , Saint-Erard , and Notre-Dame .

It’s interesting to note that during the Middle Ages, Riquewihr was known as “Drei Kirchen auf einem Kirchhofe”, meaning three churches over a cemetery in German.

Although the cemetery was relocated outside the city walls, the three churches can still be found on this square today. The largest one, called the Church of Sainte-Marguerite, was completed in 1849 and restored in 1996.

9. Hike the Alsace Wine Route

Apart from its picturesque towns and villages, the Alsace region is also home to some of France’s most beautiful landscapes. Hiking along the Alsace Wine Route is a great way to discover these.

This route starts in Strasbourg and ends in Colmar, and it stretches over a distance of 170 km (105.6 miles) in total.

Tip : A fun way to explore the region is by hiking between the villages . You will find plenty of vineyards, beautiful forests, and mesmerizing landscapes en route.

10. Visit nearby towns and villages

There are plenty of charming towns and villages to explore around Riquewihr.

Strasbourg and Colmar , two of the prettiest cities in France , are great options if you feel like exploring a city, for example. If you prefer small villages, on the other hand, you can head to Kaysersberg , Ribeauvillé , Eguisheim or Hunawihr .

I visited Colmar, Hunawihr, and Kaysersberg myself and loved all three of them. While Colmar and Kaysersberg are quite popular, Hunawihr is a more remote village where you won’t bump into many tourists.

🚌 How to get from Colmar to Riquewihr

Riquewihr can be found 12 km (7.45 miles) northwest of Colmar, in the Alsace region of France. From here, you can easily reach it by:

Car : The easiest way to get from Colmar to Riquewihr is by car. Note that you will have to pay a fee to park your car in Riquewihr. However, if you don’t mind walking a bit, you can find free parking spots on the outskirts of the village.
Bus : There’s a bus leaving from the Colmar train station. This bus goes both to Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé.
Bike : Riquewihr is a 40-minute bike ride from the centre of Colmar, so renting a bike is an option that will give you some flexibility.
Day tour : There’s a day tour on GetYourGuide that starts in Colmar and will take you to Riquewihr, Kaysersberg, Ribeauvillé and Eguisheim.

Tip: I highly recommend using Discover Cars if you want to rent a car in France. This company compares car rental companies so that you can get the best rates.

🌤 Best time to visit Riquewihr in France

Riquewihr can be visited all year round, however, the months of May, July, August, September and December tend to be the busiest months.

If you want to avoid crowds, then it’s better to visit this town on weekdays in the low season ( January, February, March, April, June and October ).

The Christmas Market season ( November and December ) is also a good time to visit Riquewihr. You will find plenty of beautiful ornaments decorating the houses at this time of the year. However, this is also one of the busier months.

When it comes to the weather in Riquewihr, you can find a handy overview below:

Spring (March to May): Spring is one of the best times to visit Riquewihr. At this time of the year, the temperature will be pleasant (12°C to 20°C / 53°F to 68°F).
Summer (June to August): If you prefer warmer weather, the Summer months are ideal. You can expect temperatures between 24°C and 28°C (75°C and 82°C).
Autumn (September to December): While the weather in September and October is still mild (between 15°C and 21°C / 59°F and 69°F), the months of November and December will be a bit colder (6°C to 9°C / 42°F to 48).
Winter (January to February): The Winter months are similar to November and December, with temperatures between 5°C and 7°C (41°F and 44°F).

Note that all temperatures are during the day, so it gets colder at night .

🏨 Where to stay in Riquewihr

Riquewihr is a popular tourist destination with plenty of places to stay. You will find my top recommendations below.

Hôtel de la Couronne ( ⭐ 8.3/10) : Located in the centre of Riquewihr, this is a charming, family-run hotel with beautiful rooms. If you’re looking for a hotel in an authentic setting, this might be the one for you!
Hôtel le Saint Nicolas ( ⭐ 8.4/10) : This is another charming hotel right in the centre of Riquewihr. It’s located in a beautiful 17th-century building and you will find a restaurant here as well.
Le Chemin du Meunier ( ⭐ 8.8/10): If you would rather stay outside the city centre, Le Chemin du Meunier is a good choice. This guesthouse is just a 5-minute walk from the centre of Riquewihr and it has a restaurant as well as a kitchen.

Tips for visiting Riquewihr in France

If you’re visiting Riquewihr in the busier months or around Christmas, it’s a good idea to start your visit early in the morning. I visited Riquewihr at the beginning of December and arrived around 9 am. Although there were some crowds, it wasn’t nearly as crowded as it got a few hours later.
Park your car in the free parking spots on the outskirts of Riquewihr if you’re visiting by car and don’t mind walking a bit.

Map of the places to visit in Riquewihr, France

Things to do in riquewihr, france: final thoughts.

It’s true that Riquewihr is somewhat on the touristy side, but it’s still one of the most charming villages I’ve ever been to.

The colourful half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets make Riquewihr incredibly charming, and the region around this village is well worth visiting as well.

All in all, Riquewihr is well worth visiting during a trip to the French Alsace region.

Have you been to Riquewihr? What was your impression? Let me know in the comments!

🇫🇷 France travel planning checklist

🛫 Find the cheapest flights to France on Skyscanner . 🏨 Find the best accommodation via Booking or Hostelworld . 🚗 Rent a car with Discover Cars to get the best rates. 💰 Get travel insurance via VisitorsCoverage , one of the best-reviewed travel insurance companies. 📋 Don’t forget to check if you need a visa to visit France. 🚌 Book a tour of the Alsace Region to save time.

Pin it for later: Did you find this post about Riquewihr, France helpful? Save it on Pinterest and follow me on Instagram and Facebook for more travel inspiration.

Laura Meyers

Laura Meyers is the founder of Laure Wanders. She was born in Belgium and has travelled to over 40 countries, many of them solo. She currently spends most of her time between Belgium and South Asia and loves helping other travellers plan their adventures abroad.

Nativity Scene Exhibition

Choco'Pâques: Easter ephemeral workshop

Tasting workshop

Charity concert "cordes et voix"

Récital de J. Charles Abitzer

Animation à l'atelier-musée des arts et techniques graphiques

Treasure hunt - The flight of the Ribeauvillé Hanaps

Treasure hunt - Riquewihr and the Magic Fountain

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on Linkedin
Share on Mail

Fields marked with an asterisk are required. Without this information, we will be unable to respond to your request. Alsace Destination Tourisme will process your personal data in accordance with the relevant legislation and our data protection policy for customers, partners and prospective customers which you can access here .

Your message has been successfully sent!

10 Best Things To Do in Riquewihr, France

By: Author Christine Rogador

Posted on Published: June 2, 2020 - Last updated: September 20, 2022

A beautifully preserved town along the Alsace Wine Route, Riquewihr is another prettiest place in France .

It has the usual colorful half-timbered houses that the Alsace is known for, only with a medieval character because of its fortified walls.

Along with the quaint 16th-century houses, Riquewihr is home to a variety of museums and other fascinating structures.

If you are spending at least a day in this town in the wine route, here are some of the best things to do in Riquewihr to fully enjoy your visit.

Things you'll find in this article

1. Hang Out at the Vieille Ville (The Old Town) in Riquewihr

2. stroll along the sentier viticole des grands crus, 3. visit musée du dolder in riquewihr, 4. be amazed at the kathe wohlfahrt christmas shop, 5. sample some wine at dopff & irion in riquewihr, 6. explore the thieves’ tower and the winemaker’s house, 7. alsace wine route, 8. haut koenigsbourg castle, 9. visit hunawihr, travel tips and resources.

As with most French villages, one if your first things to do in Riquewihr should be to get to know its picturesque Old Town area.

Being here is a literal throwback to the medieval era, with its colorful half-timbered houses and winding streets. This is a lovely place for an easy stroll as you prepare to see more of Riquewihr.

Tucked in the Vosges mountains and surrounded by Alsace vineyards, the Old Town is also an ideal base for exploring forests, the nearby mountains, and the famous vineyards .

Be sure to also enjoy some good local food and wine in the many restaurants around town, and listen when a local shares an eerie ghost story which is quite popular here.

How about a scenic stroll while learning more about the fascinating art and trade of winemaking? That is exactly what awaits you in the Sentier Viticole des Grands Crus.

This is a trail that covers six French communes, all of them scenic and intriguing.

In this route, you get to explore the Alsace countryside, stop in different vineyards, quaint villages and see charming castles.

Like those in Ribeauvillé, The Sentier Viticole des Grands Crus is one of the best things to see in Riquewihr, as you also get to experience stunning views of the Alsace region and the Black Forest.

If you are looking for a place to visit in Riquewihr where you’ll learn more about its history and culture, Musée du Dolder is the place for you.

It is home to some fascinating historical items and artifacts that showcase the town’s rich heritage.

Check out medieval weapons including guns, as well as remnants from old fortifications. Most of these items will take you back to Riquewihr’ s transformation that took place from the 12th to the 17th century.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mireia Alegre Martinez (@mireiaalma) on Dec 13, 2019 at 11:18pm PST

A quirky place to visit in from Riquewihr is the bright and beautiful Kathe Wohlfahrt Christmas shop. The shop has a festive and Christmas-y atmosphere all year round.

Apart from decor, gifts, and souvenirs , Kathe Wohlfahrt Christmas shop also has cellars where you get to sample some wine. Riquewihr is in the Alsace wine route so it is a must to try some of their best.

At Kathe Wohlfahrt Christmas shop, two of the most recommended wines are the Riesling and Gewurztraminer, which are also popular in the region .

Since we’re in the subject of wine, and since Riquewihr is in a famous wine trail, then a visit to Dopff & Irion is a must.

Founded in the 16th century, this wine estate is among the leading wine producers in Riquewihr and has been around since the Muddle Ages.

The Dopff & Irion vineyards are where the popular L’Exception 2008 Cremant Pinot Gris and 2010 Grand Cru Schoenenbourg Riesling came from. They are delicious and you’ll want to bring home a bottle or two.

While you’re here, check out the central cellar of the building, where they offer tastings some amazing wine-related tips from the friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Once a prison, this 14th-century defensive tower is one of Riquewihr’s attractions.

It now houses the Museum of the Thieves, and still has its old underground cell or oubliette as well as a strappado (an instrument of torture) that was last used in the 18th century.

The upper floor of the building, meanwhile, contains the 1563 wine grower’s house, with its furnished bedroom and kitchen.

You will also find here a storeroom that keeps tools as well as a cellar.

The Alsace Wine Route is where Riquewihr is located, and a definite must-visit. This wine trail starts in Strasbourg in the north all the way to Mulhouse in the south.

Apart from the vineyards, the area also has lush, diverse landscapes as well as picturesque villages.

A good way to see more of the Alsace Wine Route aside from joining an organized tour is by car or bike. This way, you get to stop whenever and wherever you like to enjoy the sights at your own pace.

Located in the commune of Orschwille, Haut Koenigsbourg Castle is only around 20 minutes from Riquewihr center.

The drive from Riquewihr to Haut Koenigsbourg Castle is one of the most scenic routes in this part of the Alsace . The countryside views are definitely stunning.

The uphill journey is worth it, as you are rewarded with an up-close look at the well-preserved castle. And the views from the castle are just as incredible as it overlooks the Upper Rhine Plain.

Haut Koenigsbourg Castle has also been classified by the French Ministry of Culture as a Monument Historique and it’s one of the best castles in France.

Another great place to visit while you’re in Riquewihr is the nearby Hunawihr, another pretty village in the Alsace. This place is known as a haven for storks, as it has a sanctuary that helped save the majestic birds from extinction.

Around Hunawihr, you can see these storks’ large nests on top of many local structures, including church spires.

From the village’s churchyard, you can also enjoy sprawling views of lush green vines planted on the hillsides.

10. Go on a day trip to Kaysersberg

Under twenty minutes by bike or car, you can easily reach Kaysersberg from Riquewihr. It is also a popular day trip from Strasbourg if you are in the city.

Often an underrated Alsace destination, Kaysersberg is a must-visit if you think you have seen enough of Riquewihr’s attractions. It can be easily explored on foot, and the best place to start is by the Fontaine Constantin.

This pretty fountain is situated amongst colorful half-timbered houses, and the perfect base to start exploring the village.

Stroll along the Weiss riverfront, enjoy the views from Ancien Lavoir or Pont Fortifie, or visit the Château du Hohlandsbourg.

This beautifully restored castle dates back to the 13th century. It also has a museum that you can visit to learn about its history.

So, that’s our list of the best things to do in Riquewihr, France. I hope this helps if you’re planning a trip to Riquewihr. Do you have any other suggestions for things to see in Riquewihr? Let us know in the comments below!

Travel Insurance: I never leave home without travel insurance. My personal opinion is if you can afford to travel, you can afford to buy a travel insurance. All things can happen while on the road and you can never be too sure. And it's something that you'll be glad to have when you need it. For my preferred travel insurance, I use Safety Wing .

What To Wear: If you want some ideas on what to pack for France, check out this packing list guide for France .

Where To Stay: I personally use Booking.com for all my accommodations. Check out for their latest deals here .

Reading Resources: Check out our best reading resources here .

Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries and lived in 4 continents in the last 10 years, including France. A self-proclaimed Francophile, I love everything France.

Sharing is caring!

France in February: Weather, Things to See and Travel Tips - Journey To France

Saturday 26th of June 2021

[…] in the east of France, the fairytale-like Riquewihr is said to be the place that inspired ‘Beauty and the […]

10 Best Wine Regions In France That You Must Visit - Journey To France

Tuesday 18th of May 2021

[…] with its lush scenery and pretty villages lined with half-timbered houses like Colmar, Strasbourg, Riquewihr, Kaysersberg, and […]

11 Best Things To Do in Strasbourg, France - Journey To France

Wednesday 12th of May 2021

[…] may also want to see what’s said to be the prettiest village in France — Riquewihr which is located in the midst of the […]

France Bucket List: 50+ Awesome Things To Do In France - Journey To France

Monday 20th of July 2020

13 Most Beautiful Towns and Cities in France - Journey To France

Monday 29th of June 2020

Partners & Projects

Castles and fortified cities
News & Events

Fortified city Riquewihr

Riquewihr is first mentioned in 1094. The village was then a property of the Counts of Horbourg who built the first fortified enclosure in 1291. Riquewihr obtained town status in 1320. Its golden age dates back to the 16th century, during which it grew very rich thanks to the vineyard. The city was united with France in 1796. It suffered little damage during the two world wars, which explains its exceptional state of conservation.

In the 17th century, Marie Wolf, a young inhabitant of Riquewihr, was living happily with her fiancé. But her happiness was not to last because war broke out and her fiancé was killed. Marie then lived as a recluse with her black cat as her only companion, and so the villagers nicknamed her ‘the witch’. One evening when she was out walking on the ramparts of the besieged town, the enemy soldiers fled, terrorised by her prolonged sobs. Grateful, the Riquewihrians declared her benefactor and guardian of the town. The story spread in the region and since then, every inhabitant hung a witch at his window to ward off evil.

Its perfectly preserved perimeter walls conceal a very old heritage: a gate and houses from the 13th century (Dolder), but also the whole range of carved half-timberings, oriels, interior courtyards, old wells and fountains which make Riquewihr an open air museum of the rich Alsatian past.

Practical informations

68340 Riquewihr

Skip to primary navigation
Skip to main content
Skip to primary sidebar
Skip to footer

TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

How To Spend A Day In The Fairytale Village Of Riquewihr

Destinations

Located in the foothills of the Vosges Mountains and surrounded by Grand Cru vineyards, the tiny village of Riquewihr offers big rewards to the traveler who enjoys history, culture, gastronomy, and stunning scenery. Riquewihr, with its cobblestone streets and colorful half-timbered houses, has served as the backdrop for many Instagram moments. Surrounded by ancient defensive walls, Riquewihr is a fairytale come to life.

To explore Riquewihr, begin at the north end of the main street, Rue General de Gaulle. There you’ll find a tourist office where you can pick up a map that lists all of the buildings of significant interest with a little history of each –– most can be found along the main street. The tourist office is located about midway along this street.

The Dolder and outer defensive wall, Riquewihr.

Architecture

Riquewihr is a walled city. The original defenses were built in the 13th century. Later, in the 16th century, a second outer wall was added. Today part of the second wall is gone but the inner wall remains. The gate is located on the south end of Rue General de Gaulle. There are many winemaker houses built into the walls.

Riquewihr is noted for the best collection of structures built entirely of stone (rather than the more common half-timbered style). A stone house meant you were well to do, probably a merchant or winemaker. In fact, Riquewihr has more stone houses than any other city or village in Alsace! Additionally, it ranks third in Alsace for the number of heritage buildings it contains. One especially nice example is the Schickhardt house, built in 1806. Today it is a shop selling lovely crystal objects.

Across the street at #13 Rue du General de Gaulle is a lovely coral-colored house, which is actually two houses! On the left is a doorway that was once a gate. Above the doorway, you can see a year: 1565. The house also has an oriel (bay window), which allows more light inside. This was surely the former home of a very wealthy merchant!

At the end of the street is the Dolder Tower built in 1291. The tower is an iconic monument in Riquewihr, built into the original defensive wall. Today it is a museum where you may discover the history of Riquewihr from the 13th to the 17th century.

There is so much to see, I recommend getting the map and spending at least a couple of hours to truly discover the architecture and history of Riquewihr.

Pro Tip: If you’re tired, you can opt for the little tourist train, which runs from April through October.

Wine Tasting In Riquewihr

Riquewihr is part of the Alsace Wine Route and is famous for its Grand Cru vineyards.

Two of the top winemakers in Riquewihr are Famille Hugel and Dopff au Moulin . Famille Hugel has a tasting room on the main street, very easy to spot. Dopff au Moulin is near the north entrance of the village but outside the walls. You’ll recognize it for the sign paying homage to the windmill that used to dominate the property.

Pro Tip: You can also hike through the vineyards to nearby the villages of Zellenberg and Kientzheim.

Sausage and sauerkraut in Riquewihr, France.

Regional Foods

Gastronomy is a big part of the culture of Alsace. In Riquewihr alone, there are about 30 restaurants! There is even a Michelin star restaurant, La Table du Gourmet .

The cuisine of Alsace is a combination of French and German influences. Some dishes you must try are tarte flambé , foie gras, spaetzle, kugelhopf , quiche, pretzels, and Muenster cheese.

Feerie de Noel, a Christmas store in Riquewihr.

Riquewihr is a good place to pick up regional food items as gifts. You’ll also see many objects with hearts and storks on them. The stork is a symbol of Alsace and many stories and legends surround them. One legend is that if you see a stork flying above your house, a baby is on the way.

Alsace is also known for Christmas markets and Riquewihr has a Christmas shop that is open year round. This is a beautiful shop and the perfect place to buy yourself something that will forever remind you of your trip.

Pro Tip: The streets can be challenging because the cobblestones are uneven. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes. A walking stick might also be handy for balance.

Stay In Riquewihr

Most people come to Riquewihr just for the day. While it is certainly possible to have a wonderful meal, taste some wine, and admire the winemakers’ houses in just one day, if you can spend the night, you will have the town to yourself. After dinner, almost all of the tourists leave and you’ll be able to walk the village without the crowds. You will surely imagine you are living in the town.

Pro Tip: This is a nice time to try some night photography, too. You’re guaranteed to get some shots with no people in them!

Travel To Riquewihr

Visiting Riquewihr is very easy by car. It is only 30 minutes from Colmar, the second-largest city in Alsace. You’ll need to park outside the ancient city walls.

If you’re arriving in the Alsace region by air, I recommend using the airport in Basel or Zurich. However, you can also fly into Frankfurt or Paris.

And if you’re curious, France contains many quaint cities and towns that rival the lure of metro places like Paris:

Besancon: France’s Historic Hidden Gem
Meaux And Melun: The Two Towns That Make The Best Brie
10 Fantastic Things To Do In Idyllic Nancy, France

Penny Sadler is a freelance writer for travel, lifestyle, and food and wine publications. She holds a WSET (Wine Spirits Education Trust) Level 2 certification and is a member of the International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association (IFTWTA). She educates consumers about food and wine pairing and has taught travel writing for She's Wanderful, a women's travel conference and networking platform. When she's not writing, you can find her stomping grapes or getting lost in the cobblestone streets of a medieval village.

Sites and Monuments in Paris
Sites and Monuments in France
Things to do in Paris
Things to do in France
ACCOMMODATION
RENTING A CAR
CHEF SERVICE
CONCIERGERIE SERVICES
TRAVEL TIPS
TRAVEL LUGGAGE
Arrondissements
Monuments & Landmarks
Secret & Offbeat Paris
More about Paris...
Île de France
More Regions of France...
Aix-en-Provence
More Cities...
Castles and Palaces
Cathedrals and Churches
Gardens and Parks
World Heritage Sites
Villages of France
Autumn / Fall
Mardi-Gras / Carnival
April Fools' Day
Bastille Day
All Saints' Day
More Holidays and Celebrations...
National Anthem
Gallic Rooster
National Day
Motto of France
Motto of Paris
Coat of Arms
French President
Le Croissant
French Cheese
French Wines
Christmas Food and Recipes
French Nursery Rhymes
France geography
FUN QUIZZES
MOVIES AND MUSIC
FRENCH LANGUAGE
BOOKS BY FRENCH MOMENTS
BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
The Secrets of the Eiffel Tower
The Gems of Paris
Office desks and chairs
Travel suitcases
LEARN FRENCH WITH PIERRE
THE STORY SO FAR
WORK WITH US
THE NEWSLETTER
HOW TO SUPPORT US
PHOTO USAGE POLICY

Discover the Alsatian village of Riquewihr

Last Updated: 27 January 2022

Listed among the most beautiful villages in France, Riquewihr is rightly the pearl of the Alsatian vineyards with its remarkable half-timbered houses . Situated along the Alsace Wine Route , the village, attracts millions of visitors each year, especially in summer and at the approach of the festive season.

Heading towards Riquewihr, it becomes apparent that the visit to this village nestled between a wooden glen and protected from north winds by the Vosges Mountains will live up to all expectations. The shades of the half-timbered houses are typical of Alsace : in red, green or bright yellow, adding a very picturesque stamp to the site.

A bit of history

The fortifications of Riquewihr, of which the ruins can still be seen, were built in 1291 by the Lords of Horbourg . They bequeathed the village and its surroundings to the Counts of Wurtemberg in 1324 . Riquewihr, which adopted the coat of arms of the Counts then the Dukes of Wurtemberg (made up of three antlers) remained in their possession until 1793.

In the 16th century, with the counts of Wurtemberg having converted to Protestant faith, the Reformation was introduced in the seigniory of Riquewihr in 1534. The village enjoyed a period of prosperity in the 16th century, thanks to the sale of its famous wines throughout the Holy Roman Empire and in the Hanse. The Thirty Years War would of course bring a brutal end to this prosperity.

In 1680 , Louis XIV ’s army took possession of Riquewihr. However, unique to Alsace , the village remained under the laws and customs of the Holy Roman Empire and the orders of the counts of Wurtemberg until the Revolution.

In 1796 , Riquewihr was permanently joined to the French Republic by the Treaty of Paris . Due to its “ cul-de-sac ” position, Riquewihr was not as affected by the conflict of the Second World War unlike the other localities of the “ Colmar Pocket ”.

Riquewihr: the centre of the village and the “Dolder”

The village is surrounded by the ruins of its ramparts from the 13th century. The main road, paved and lined with houses from the Renaissance, is framed with side alleys and charming backyards. Softly sloping, it leads to the belfry of the “ Dolder ”, a remarkable 25 metre-high construction, in pink sandstone from the Vosges and timber. Built in 1291, the “Dolder” was an integral part of the fortified wall and could serve to defend the village thanks to its watchtower located at the top of the belfry (“Dolder” means “the highest point” in Alsatian dialect).

The inside presents a much more pleasant aspect than that of the exterior, with a cubicle with pretty timbered walls. The four storeys of the tower housed the caretaker and his family who were in charge of closing the entry door to the village every night and sounding the alarm in case of attack. Today, the first three storeys house the local museum of art and popular tradition.

The Christmas shop: “la féerie de Noël”

On the site of the “Dolder”, a huge Nutcracker stands guard at the entry of the most fascinating boutique in the village: the Christmas Shop “ La Féérie de Noël ”. Open all year round, the shop spreads Christmas cheer over two levels, thanks to an original interior decoration.

Read more about the Christmas Market of Riquewihr.

The Rue du Général de Gaulle

The Rue du Général de Gaulle is the main street of Riquewihr, which links the Dolder to the Town Hall below. Several beautiful buildings were constructed here between 1500 and 1650 with bay windows, timbered walls, arched doors, pine wreaths or a loggia.

The Obertor

Beyond the “Dolder”, another fortified gate, the “ Obertor ” (Tall Gate in German) reinforces the Riquewihr fortifications. In the 16th century, firearms technology inspired inhabitants to reinforce their security with the construction of a second fortified wall. The gate is equipped with a drawbridge as well as a massive wooden double flap gate, one of the oldest that is still visible today in France.

The Thieves’ Tower (Tour des voleurs)

The Tour des Voleurs was built in 1550 and overlooks the ramparts. Its pentagonal shape is 18 metres high. Inside, it houses the museum of the Tour des Voleurs, the witness of the sombre medieval past where the criminals were tortured to death. You can visit the torture room with authentic instruments of the time. The museum can be accessed from the Cour des Juifs .

Check out the website of the Riquewihr-Ribeauvillé Tourist Office.

Have you been to Riquewihr? Which are your favourite Alsatian villages?

Inspired? Pin this for later…

About the author

Pierre is a French/Australian who is passionate about France and its culture. He grew up in France and Germany and has also lived in Australia and England. He has a background teaching French, Economics and Current Affairs, and holds a Master of Translating and Interpreting English-French with the degree of Master of International Relations, and a degree of Economics and Management. Pierre is the author of Discovery Courses and books about France.

Like it? Leave a comment!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked

Name * * * * * * * * * *

E-mail * * * * * * * * * *

Website [optional]

Save my name, email and website in the browser for my next comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Transparency: Some blog posts and pages may contain affiliate or sponsored links. If you are planning a trip, the use of these links helps us to run the site. There is no additional cost to you. All you have to do is click on the link and any booking you make is automatically tracked. Thank you for your support!

Escape to France with every email! Get insider insights, travel guides, cultural gems delivered and exclusive offers to your inbox twice a week. Your journey to Paris and France begins when you sign up!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER AND GET THE FREE EBOOK

20 OFFBEAT PLACES IN PARIS

Riquewihr travel guide

Visit Riquewihr (Grand-Est, France)

Riquewihr, officially one of the ' most beautiful villages of France ', is found 12 kilometres north-west of Colmar in the heart of Alsace. Riquewihr is indeed a very beautiful village and appears to have remained unchanged over the centuries, providing the visitor with a real feeling for how a village in the region would have looked 400 years ago.

Explore Riquewihr

This village really does seem to have everything that you hope to find in a traditional Alsace village: fortified walls, stone entrance gates, cobbled streets lined with brightly painted half-timber houses, carved wooden beams and stone doorways, wrought iron signs for the shops, lots of flowers....Riquewihr almost looks as if it has just dropped out of a fairytale.

We are enthusiastic about quite a few villages on France This Way, but Riquewihr really is one of our favourite villages in France, and even further enhanced by the surrounding vineyards and forested hills.

The tourist office in Riquewihr is about halfway down the Rue du General de Gaulle - the main street. Pick up their tourist map to make sure you don't miss any of the main places of interest...

...although really the charm of Riquewihr is simply to amble through the streets admiring the fine houses many of which date from the 16th and 17th centuries, and still have the attractive courtyards and fountains from that time, and if the Tourist Office is closed you will still come across all the important monuments as you explore!

Several of the most interesting houses and buildings are along the main street, the Rue du General de Gaulle, in Riquewihr. These include:

the 'skyscraper' (no. 14), a five floor house which is one of the tallest in Alsace
the Courtyard of the nobles of Berckheim (no.38), a stone house with mullion windows and a hexagonal turret with a sun dial
the gourmets house (no. 42) is the house with the most ornately decorated facades in Riquewihr
the nail-maker's house (no.45), whose timber frame has corner posts carved into statues of men

Among the other historical monuments in Riquewihr you can see the Dolder - this tower is also the upper gate of the town and the belfry and part of the original fortifications of the town. The fountain in front of the Dolder tower was originally used to check the capacity of wine barrels hence its name, the fountain of gauging.

Note: the view from the top of the Bolder Tower looking along Rue du General de Gaulle is our favourite view in the town while our favourite street away from Rue du General de Gaulle is perhaps Rue de la Caserne, squeezed between the medieval houses and the 13th century fortifications.

Another important tower is the Thieves Tower, pentagonal on the outside and square on the inside! You can still see the torture chamber inside the tower. Take a look at the reproduction of an engraving of Riquewihr made in 1644, it shows just how little has changed in Riquewihr over the ages.

On the edge of the town centre you can also see Riquewihr Town Hall, a much more classical design than the medieval houses here having been built in 1809. The town has also retained much of its medieval fortifications and a castle and also has a couple of very good museums.

The 16th century castle is actually one of the least interesting buildings in the town from the outside, although it provides an interesting contrast to the numerous half-timbered buildings. It now holds the Museum of Communication.

Riquewihr is also an important part of the Alsace wine-growing region, and wine-tasting is a popular activity in the town!

Attractions nearby

This part of central Alsace has many picturesque villages to explore, several of them very close to Riquewihr. The most popular way to explore the area is by following part or all of the Alsace Wine Route - which will of course also introduce you to the renowned wines of Alsace.

You can find more travel ideas in the Haut-Rhin guide and the Alsace guide .

Photos of Riquewihr

Click any picture to start the gallery

Arrange a visit to Riquewihr

Book hotels, car hire and flights.

Book a visit

Hotels in Riquewihr

Booking.com: best prices

For great prices on car hire throughout France and Corsica please visit our recommended partner at RentalCars.com

Reserve excursions

Map of riquewihr and places nearby, visit near riquewihr with france this way reviews.

In the heart of the Alsace wine region you should visit Hunawihr, now listed among the 'most beautiful villages in France'

Ribeauville

The traditional coloured houses and the castle poised high above the town make Ribeauvillé a pleasant place to explore

Kaysersberg

The historic centre of Kaysersberg is very attractive, and the half-timbered houses along the river make it unmissable!

The original fortified walls still surround the very picturesque village of Bergheim

There is lots of interest to see here in Turckheim, one of the prettiest of the Alsace towns

Chateau du Haut-Koenigsbourg

The substantial Chateau du Haut-Koenigsbourg is one of the most visited and most substantial in Alsace, and has a fascinating history - and stunning views

... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Haut-Rhin

Tourist classifications for Riquewihr

Riquewihr is classified as a one of the most beautiful village in France (plus beau villages)

Address: Riquewihr, Kaysersberg, Ribeauvillé, Alsace, 68340, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 48.166, longitude 7.2972

Plan your visit to Riquewihr, Haut-Rhin

Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby.

Hunawihr : most beautiful village
Parc du domaine de Schoppenwihr: remarkable garden (3 km)
Ribeauville : ville fleurie 4* (4 km)
Bergheim : ville fleurie 4* (6 km)
Colmar : secteur sauvegarde (10 km)
Parc du château de Kintzheim: remarkable garden (12 km)
Cigoland: zoo or wildlife park (14 km)
Eguisheim : most beautiful village (14 km)
Marckolsheim: ville fleurie 4* (18 km)
Soultzmatt: ville fleurie 4* (23 km)
Neuf-Brisach ville neuve (Vauban fortifications) : heritage site (24 km)
Itterswiller: ville fleurie 4* (24 km)

Market days in Riquewihr, France

Regular market(s) are held in Riquewihr each Friday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)

The French version of this page is at Riquewihr (Francais)

French Places

We can help you visit any town, village or region of France...

Popular & Useful

① Ideas & inspiration ② Maps of France ③ Explore by region ④ Route planner ⑤ Places (by dept.)

Cookies & privacy
Index of places

Must-read posts
My Colmar guidebook
When to go to Alsace? The best periods to visit
Getting to and around Alsace
Guesthouses
Gîtes (cottage rentals and refuges)
Unusual accommodations
Cafes and tearooms
Gastronomy tours
Farmhouse inns
Pastry and chocolate shops
Alsatian recipes
Restaurants
Alsatian culture and traditions
Cycling in Alsace
Neighbouring countries
Memorial sites
Cities and villages
Classes and workshops
Museum and monuments
Open on sundays
On a budget
Parks and gardens
Safari parks
Theme parks
Unusual activities
When it rains

Select Page

Riquewihr – My advice of visits and good addresses!

by Laurène | Updated on 3/11/2023 | Cities and villages , On a budget , Open on sundays , Wine route | 0 comments

Impossible to miss the visit of Riquewihr when visiting Alsace ! This adorable village on the Alsace Wine Route is a must-see, and is one of the most visited villages in Alsace and one of the “Most Beautiful Villages of France”.

Rightly so, because it must be said that Riquewihr , nicknamed “The Pearl of the Vineyard”, is a very beautiful place. We can reproach it for its too touristy stores and the crowd that invades it regularly, but I sincerely think that a visit of Riquewihr is really worth it, it’s just beautiful! I don’t think I know anyone who wasn’t thrilled, by the way…

You can easily combine your visit with that of Colmar , Ribeauvillé , Kaysersberg and Eguisheim . Well, don’t do it all in one day because you won’t enjoy it! But over two days it is feasible.

How long to visit Riquewihr?

Riquewihr is a small village but there are many things to see! I advise you to spend between a few hours and half a day there. If you want to take the time to walk around Riquewihr (which I would advise you to do, the Route des Vins is superb!), count more time.

What to do and visit in Riquewihr ?

Tourism in the historical center of riquewihr.

Riquewihr is an ancient fortified town nestled in the heart of the Alsatian vineyards . Inside the walls is the pedestrian center, where it is very pleasant to stroll. There is no risk of getting lost: there is a main street ( General de Gaulle street ), from which other perpendicular streets start. You should not hesitate to go for a walk.

At the bend of the paved streets, you will find beautiful half-timbered houses with colors and flowers and very beautiful architectural details. If you were dreaming of seeing a pretty Alsatian village, here you are! Half-timbered houses, ramparts, entrance doors, paved streets… Riquewihr is probably what you dreamed of seeing in Alsace .

A Discovery tour of Riquewihr proposed by the Tourist Office will allow you to discover the rich historical heritage of the city, by discovering the different architectural and historical periods of the city.

Among the remarkable buildings of the city center, , you can find the neo-classical City Hall dating from 1809, the former castle of the counts of Montbéliard-Wurtemberg dating from the 16th century, the Thieves’ Tower (former dungeons of the city), the highest half-timbered house in Alsace (at number 14 of the rue du Général de Gaulle), the former Berkheim hotel (at number 37 of the street).

Admire the Dolder tower

The Dolder is the emblematic tower of Riquewihr . Built in the 13th century, it was used as a belfry, a defensive tower and a gateway to the city.

Today, the Dolder houses a museum that shows the functioning of a rural fortified town and its evolution from the 13th to the 17th century, with its passive and active defense means as well as the occupants of the tower and their function. From the 4th floor of the museum, you can also enjoy a beautiful view of the roofs of Riquewihr.

Taste the green sauerkraut of Riquewihr, a great discovery!

As for gastronomy, don’t miss the Riquewihrienne, the green sauerkraut of Riquewihr . It is a specialty of sauerkraut with grass cream that you can only find here (in 5 restaurants only!). A delight! I can recommend the restaurant Le Dolder .

Tasting Alsace wine in a cellar

Riquewihr being located on the Alsace Wine Route , it would be a shame not to take the opportunity to visit a winegrower and taste some Alsace wine !

I can advise you the Domaine Agapé where you will be very well received by a passionate person. Here are also my good addresses of other Alsatian domains.

Buy Christmas decorations

If you like Christmas decorations, here is a must-see store that is open all year round: Féerie de Noël (Käthe Wohlfahrt) , where you will be truly immersed in the magic of Christmas all year round. Chances are you’ll leave with lots of beautiful things to decorate the tree…

Riding an electric scooter in the vineyards around Riquewihr

Here is an unusual activity in Riquewihr: an electric scooter ride with Riq’Ecotours ! We tested it and liked it a lot.

Enjoy a locally brewed beer

In Riquewihr you can find the Brasserie du Vignoble (BRA’V for the intimates 😉 ). You can go there to buy the delicious craft beers brewed on site, but also visit the brewery by appointment and, in the nice season, enjoy the biergarten to taste a beer on site. Nice program, right?

Visit the surroundings of Riquewihr

Riquewihr is nestled in the heart of the Alsatian vineyards: there is no shortage of walks and you will be spoilt for choice!

For example, you can opt for the GeoVino walk , walk along the Grands Crus wine trail or visit the remains of the Bilstein or Reichenstein castles .

My good addresses in Riquewihr

Where to sleep in riquewihr.

Here is my selection of good hotels: the best hotels in Riquewihr .

If you are looking for a gîte, I can recommend the beautiful Gîtes des Remparts .

Restaurants in Riquewihr: where to eat?

Here are three restaurant addresses in Riquewihr that I like:

To taste the green sauerkraut: The Dolder .
For a quality traditional Alsatian restaurant: La Grappe d’Or
For a more upscale French/Fusion restaurant: Le Trotthus

Visit Riquewihr or Ribeauvillé?

This is a question that often comes up, and to which I bring the following answer: both ! The two villages are only 5km apart and you can easily visit both in one day, why not even in one afternoon.

Both villages are in my opinion really beautiful, but Riquewihr is a bit more touristic while Ribeauvillé has kept a real local life. But both are definitely worth a visit in my opinion!

Brief history of the village of Riquewihr

The origins of Riquewihr go back to Roman history. The remains of a wall, a tower, as well as an observation tower prove that a road passed through there, while the cultivation of the vine assumes that a fortified city already existed. Property of the Dukes of Alsace, Riquewihr is mentioned for the first time in 1049. The village then passed into the hands of robber lords, the noble family of Reichenstein. To restore order, Rodolphe de Habsbourg besieged and destroyed the Reichenstein castle, then raised the village to the status of a town, thus opening the first period of prosperity of Riquewihr.

In 1292, the city became a fortress with the Horbourg family, who had moats and ramparts built. Besieged, taken and plundered during the Thirty Years’ War, the city was nevertheless restored and consolidated in the 17th century. Because of its geographical location, Riquewihr miraculously escaped the bombings of the Second World War, allowing it to preserve its formidable heritage.

Walk around the lovely pedestrian center
Very beautiful half-timbered houses
Location in the heart of the vineyard

I liked less

Stores often very touristy
It can be quite crowded in season

Practical information

Riquewihr is located in:

16 km from Colmar (about 30 minutes)
55 km from Mulhouse (about 55 minutes)
72 km from Strasbourg (about 1 hour)

By public transport

You can look at the Fluo website. You can also use the Kutzig bus , very practical to visit some villages of the Alsace Wine Route.

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Submit Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Visit to the Reindeer Farm in Stosswihr

The Reindeer Farm is an unusual animal park in...

Munster Valley – 12 things to do

Ah, the Valley of Munster! This little corner of...

Strasbourg Museums – Which one to visit?

Strasbourg boasts some fifteen major museums. A...

Want to stay in touch ?

We send once a month a newsletter with our discoveries in the region. The newsletter is available only IN FRENCH though, but feel free to register 🙂

Adresse email*

Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé, France: Discover the Villages that Inspired Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Last Updated on January 17, 2024 by Michela

“Little town, it’s a quiet village. Every day, like the one before!” How many of you started singing this classic Disney tune? And how many of you would like to be transported to the exact place that inspired the little town of which Belle sings in the first minutes of one of the biggest fairytales of all time? That’s right, you can actually visit the two charming villages that inspired Disney’s Beauty and the Beast: Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé, France .

Some of these links are affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through that link, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclosure !

Where are Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé?

Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé are located in the eastern part of France in the region of Alsace. This area is also known as the Grand Est, bordering Germany to the East by the mighty Rhine River.

The region has a unique history: for more than 300 years, up until World War II, due to its strategic position along the border for France and Germany, the land passed between the two countries several times. This long history gives it a unique identity today that is a mix of the two cultures, but the heritage is primarily France.

Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé are two incredibly small villages in the heart of the Alsatian countryside, just a ten-minute drive from one another.

They are said to have been the inspiration for the setting of Disney’s famed fairytale, Beauty and the Beast.

Pro Tip : The best times to visit Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé throughout the year are in spring (April-May) for the blooms and in December for the village Christmas markets!

How to reach Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé?

Traveling the Alsace region by car allows you the most flexibility, since you don’t have to rely on public transportation schedules. It is also more convenient for reaching the small villages easily and attractions like the many castles present in the area.

Both villages have public parking lots located next to the town center. In Ribeauvillé, parking costs €3 for 5 hours. In Riquewihr, parking is also paid, at an average of €2 per hour. Some parking lots have you take a ticket, others scan your license plate automatically and you go to the machine after to pay.

Find your car rental with Auto Europe .

Pro Tip : Have euros in the form of coins handy for paying for parking. Not all machines take card.

By public transportation

The Alsace region is navigable and easily-connected via public transportation, both bus and train.

From Strasbourg : You will take a train to the town of Sélestat. From there, get on the TER Fluo bus 40043 to Ribeauvillé.
From Colmar : Take bus 68R016 from Colmar train station. If you are facing the station, it is the platform all the way to the left. The bus may also have the number 106. How can you tell it is the right bus? It will usually have a sign on the front indicating in what direction it is going. Your first stop will be Riquewihr. You can take the same bus from Riquewihr to later reach Ribeauvillé.

You typically buy bus tickets on the bus. Make sure to have cash on you because these busses did not accept card.

Good to know : You could also use Uber as an alternative to move around faster.

By organized day trip

The most stress-free travel option is to pay to participate in an organized day trip of the Alsace region. While it is not usually the most budget-friendly or flexible option, it is the most convenient because you do not have to worry about getting around by yourself.

If you don’t want to drive or try to plan around public transportation, this might be the option for you.

Most day trip tours depart from Strasbourg, so make the city your home base for exploring the Alsace region.

What to See in Riquewihr

Riquewihr is a very small village. To explore it all, you will need an hour to two hours.

Stroll the Rue de Général De Gaulle

Riquewihr looks like a normal town as you enter from the country road, but just beyond town hall opens up a magical, fairytale village.

The Rue de Général de Gaulle is the main street of Riquewihr, what historically was enclosed by fortified walls. Along this street you will find many small artisan shops, bakeries, cozy restaurants and medieval hamlet architecture everywhere you turn.

Mairie de Riquewihr

Mairie de Riquewihr is the first square you see behind town hall. If you are dreaming of having your Belle moment, this is the place! Read your book on the fountain’s edge for that fairytale feel.

The square is especially beautiful in springtime when the vines on the buildings are green and the trees blooming.

Dolder Tower & Museum

Riquewihr’s main event is the Dolder Tower, a historic watchtower that soars above the colorful buildings. All you have to do is keep walking down the main street to reach this square and admire the detail of the tower’s facade.

Just beside the tower is the Dodler Museum which tells the history of Riquewihr from the 12th to 17th centuries. Here you can learn not just about the town’s positioning, architecture and fortifications, but also what life was like and the history of the town’s people.

Museum of Thieves

There are not many museums in Riquewihr, but the Museum of Thieves is its most well known. The museum is housed within a 13th century tower that once was part of the original military fortifications that protected the town.

The tower was converted into a prison in the 15th century and you can still explore today the cell and torture equipment that was used up until the 18th century.

Explore Side Streets

The absolute best part of Riquewihr is exploring all of the narrow, quaint side streets that branch off of the main pedestrian road.

The architecture feels like a cartoon or fairytale, completely unreal with all of its colors, wooden details and misshapen design.

You can see peaks of the sprawling vineyards at the end of these many passageways.

Every single road within the town center is made of cobblestones and is quite narrow and misshapen (apart from the main road), which all contribute to the feeling of being in a small, rural, artisan village.

Try Alsatian Wines at a Local Winery

And since you can see some of the vineyards from Riquewihr’s town center, why not try some of the wine!

The entire area around Riquewihr is surrounded by grape groves, primarily used to make white wine. The land is so well-known for wine-growning that there is an entire Alsatian wine route dedicated to exploring the key points on an Alsatian wine itinerary.

What to See in Ribeauvillé

Ribeauvillé is a slightly bigger village than Riquewihr, but you will also be fine spending an hour or two here as well.

Keep an eye out for storks

Did you know that the Alsace region is known for storks? You can find these birds and their nests all over the small villages in the region and even in some parks of the biggest cities.

In fact, while we were waiting for the bus in Ribeauvillé, I spotted this nest!

Explore the ruins of Château de Saint-Ulrich

While you are walking through Ribeauvillé, the ruins of a castle high up on a hillside will be looking down upon you. This setting, which creates the magical photo moment you see above, is thanks to the Chateau de Saint Ulrich.

The castle dates back to the 11th century and became ruins during the Thirty Years’ War in the 1600s.

There are actually two more smaller castle ruins nearby the Saint Ulrich Castle. You can explore all three by hike, either starting from the Fontaine de Ribeauvillé or parking at the Plateau sportif du Lutzelbach and walking from there.

Stroll La Grand Rue

Ribeauvillé’s main promenade is more open and more commercial than Riquewihr’s, but still has plenty of Alsatian character. Drawings on buildings, beamed architecture and the Saint Ulrich Castle ruins looking down on you as you stroll along.

And don’t miss this! At the entrance of the main pedestrian street, you will find a map to your left just before the tourist center. On this map is a design of the town as it was hundreds of years ago, military fortifications and all. It is incredible to see the transformation from the tiny walled town to larger, open village firsthand.

Admire the Tour des Bouchers

The Tour des Bouchers is a soaring clock tower dividing the Grand Rue. In this open square, you’ll also see the Hotel de Ville of Ribeauvillé (town hall) an ancient covenant.

Eat local food

You can’t visit a new place without trying some new food. Here in Alsace, you will find that cheese is one of the most popular and prideful offerings of the region! Munster is the cheese that is native to Alsace.

Don’t miss out on sweeter treats like the Kugelhopf cake that you will see in nearly every bakery in the Alsace region.

Fontaine au Cerf

Fontaine au Cerf, Place du Bouc and Fontaine de Ribeauvillé

These three locations are grouped together because they are all along the same fork in the road of the Grand Rue near the edge of the town center.

These are residential areas with beautiful, quaint squares characterized by sculpted fountains and even a running stream!

Tips for Visiting Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé

Consider the season you are traveling in. We visited the villages in February of 2023 and there are both pros and cons to traveling in this off-season time. The positive aspect was that the streets were not flooded with people, even on a weekend. The negative aspect was the cold weather (mainly the huge gusts of wind that the plains area is prone to) and the fewer public transportation routes available.
Where to stay in Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé . I honestly wouldn’t recommend you stay in either of these towns. They are beautiful to look at, but visiting them should only take up about half a day of your itinerary, so I recommend you stay in an area that is a bit richer with activities to do and things to see, like Colmar or Strasbourg.
Brush up on your French. I don’t think we met once shop clerk or waitress that spoke English. You can also bet that menus and signs were all written in French. Have a translator app on hand and be polite by utilizing the language to say hello and goodbye.

Place to visit near Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé

If you can’t get enough of French hamlets, then head to nearby Colmar. Colmar is like the much bigger version of Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé, so there is more to see and do while still having that village charm.

Strasbourg is the capital of the Grand Est region of France and is a large city compared to all of the other locations in this pocket guide.

It is a must-visit for history lovers and for those dreaming of experiencing the charm of France. It’s got a bit of everything: a stunning cathedral, a quaint river walk through the historic quarter of the city, naturally beautiful parks, museums and more.

Pro Tip : Make Strasbourg your home base for the region, since it is well connected by train and bus to the smallest of villages and to main cities. There are also numerous organized day trips from Strasbourg to travel the Alsace region stress-free, like a Medieval history tour, a wine tasting tour and a full highlights tour of Alsace.

South of Colmar is another small village with the characteristic wooden beam houses of Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé. This village, Eguisheim, has been ranked as the most beautiful village in France for its quaint and quiet streets.

You can reach Eguisheim most easily from Colmar by taking the 68R030 bus from Colmar train station to the stop called Place de Gaulle. If you are traveling by car, visiting Eguisheim is even easier, since it is only a 13-minute drive from the Colmar center.

Pro Tip : If you want to travel by car in this region, make sure you have what is called the Crit’Air Certificate . This is a sticker that goes on your windshield, classifying the emissions of your vehicle against a ranking of least to most polluting. The sticker is required specifically for Strasbourg and the surrounding metropolitan zones. You can learn more information from the Strasbourg tourism website .

Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg

Not far from Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé is one of the Alsace region’s most famous castles, the Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg.

The easiest way to reach the castle is with your own vehicle.

However, if you are relying on public transportation, take note of this important info! There is a shuttle from Sélestat to the castle but only during specific times of the year.

Find the shuttle schedule here to better plan your visit.

Final Thoughts

Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé are absolutely must-visits if you are traveling in the Alsace region. They truly transport you into a fairytale. In fact, the houses, squares, towers, streets: everything about the villages didn’t even seem real. It felt like a place truly stuck in time with its own rich and distinctive character.

As mentioned before, reserve just half a day of your itinerary to explore these two French villages. They are definitely worth seeing, but the things to do are limited, so you wouldn’t want to waste precious exploring time of the rest of the region by overestimating how much time you can really spend in these two small villages.

Do you have questions about planning your visit to Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé? Ask me in a comment!

Save this travel guide on Pinterest for future reference!

I hope you enjoyed this pocket guide to two of the most beautiful villages in France, Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé !

Michela is a travel writer and photographer living in northern Italy. She is passionate about helping people make the most of their travels by sharing advice gained from her personal experiences, off-the-beaten-path destinations and time-saving quick itineraries. Browse her top articles or have her help you plan your itinerary to your dream destination!

Find me on: Web | Instagram

You may also enjoy:

The best guide to visiting abbey of san galgano, tuscany’s oldest …, how to enjoy the beautiful borromean islands on italy’s lake maggiore, leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Website URL

Sign me up for the newsletter & access to resources from The Travel Library!

JOIN MY FACEBOOK GROUP

Check this out

The Travel Library
Privacy Policy

BUY ME A COFFEE

I love creating free resources for your travels and personally responding to your questions over chat and email.

Follow on Pinterest

Looking for Something?

Tourist Office of Riquewihr

Information point in riquewihr, other information points nearby, leisure activities.

Restaurants

Bed & breakfasts

Vacation rentals

Finden Sie es heraus

Alles, was es in der Region Ribeauvillé und Riquewihr zu sehen und zu tun gibt!

Amüsieren Sie sich

Planen Sie Ihre Ausflüge in der Region Ribeauvillé-Riquewihr

Verweilen Sie

Wochenende der Entdeckung, mehrtägiger oder einwöchiger Aufenthalt... Die Region von Ribeauvillé und Riquewihr bietet zahlreiche Unterkunftsmöglichkeiten

Gönnen Sie sich etwas

Elsässische gastronomische Spezialitäten, lokale Produkte, große Weine der Region: die Region Ribeauvillé und Riquewihr hat guten Geschmack!

Folgen Sie uns auf Instagram

Outils d'accessibilité

Read the book that will change your life: After Everything
Through the Eyes of an Educator: Bridges, Change, and Transitions

Search form

The history and architecture of riquewihr in photos.

A visit to the fairytale village of Riquewihr is a prerequisite for history and architecture fans planning a trip to Alsace, France . A Plus Beaux Village , the town has an abundance of both medieval and renaissance architecture. The romantic half-timbered houses are perfectly restored, and no matter the time of year, you will see fresh flowers adorning every building.

The History and Architecture of Riquewihr in Photos

Alsace, located in far northeastern France, and bordered by both Germany and Switzerland, is an amalgamation of cultures. This strategic location was the reason for many wars, and the region has exchanged nationalities several times over the centuries. After World War II, it was once again (and forever) French.

Renowned for the fine wines produced here for over 500 years, Riquewihr is nestled between two Grand cru vineyards . The enormous wealth of the wine trade accounts for the spectacular homes built here by merchants and winemakers from the 14th to the 18th century.

A walk through the cobblestone streets of Riquewihr is akin to walking in an open-air museum. The Riquewihr tourist office, located in the center of the main street, provides a wonderful map of many of the significant buildings, along with a short history of each. A fun way to spend an hour or two is to get a map and locate each place, as I did one afternoon. For a sneak preview, follow along the photo story and be amazed at the number of medieval and Renaissance buildings in this storybook village set in the vineyards of Alsace.

Tip: When you visit, take your camera and try to go on a weekday to avoid the crowds.

The History and Architecture of Riquewihr in Photos. There are many fountains you can see in various places around the village

Also notice that this building is all stone. There is an inscription that commemorates the raising of the second level in 1709. It also says that year many vines and fruit trees were killed by severe frost throughout Europe. This is now a lovely cafe and great place to sit outside and people watch.

The Gourmet’s house, “A l’ etoile,” is now owned by the town of Riquewihr. From The History and Architecture of Riquewihr in Photos

"Each may contemplate this building-it has been constructed to my design and I know that not all will find it pleasing."

On the right side, it says: "Oh Death, you have no hold over me In this house I live a life of luxury.” But Death replies, “Give up all this magnificence, you have built this house for another.” Amazing what one can do if one has a lot of money!

If you’d like to stay in one of the restored winemaker houses, check out the accommodations at I Love Riquewihr. From The History and Architecture of Riquewihr in Photos

Read more about Riquewihr: Wine, Castles, and Culture: Top Reasons to Visit Riquewihr, Alsace

Penny Sadler, our lifestyle editor, is the founder of Adventures of a Carryon , a travel, wine, and culture site. Her background as a professional makeup artist in the film and television production world has honed her eye for detail, and served her well as a writer. She funds her passion for travel by hosting wine tastings and beautifying the world..and yes, by writing.

All photos courtesy and copyright Penny Sadler

Popular Tags

Wandering Educators

Music for Shifting Times

Through the Eyes of an Educator: A Compendium

Exploring Michigan's Coasts: A Compendium

Generation Study Abroad Commitment Partner

I'm a White House Travel Blogger

Wandering Educators Youth Travel Blogging Mentorship Program

Travel with Awe and Wonder: A Compendium

Accommodations
Books & Film
Global Citizenship
Intercultural Education
Marketplace
Opportunities
Performing Arts
Southeast Asia
Special Interest
Transportation
Travel Planning
Travel Tips

Music for Change, Resilience...

Please don’t sugarcoat histo..., how to start your research p....

Request new password

COMMENTS

Official website of the Ribeauvillé Riquewihr region in Alsace (France)
Tourist Office of the Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr region + 33 (0)3 89 73 23 23. [email protected].
Tourist Office of the Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr region
All our staff are on hand personalized advice, room bookings, documentation, free WI-FI zone, admission tickets... the tourist office is here to help you make the most of your stay. Do not hesitate to write us at [email protected]. The telephone switchboard is open from Monday to Saturday all year round from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm ...
Riquewihr, village of the Ribeauvillé Riquewihr region in Alsace (France)
Riquewihr, village of the Ribeauvillé Riquewihr region in Alsace (France) + 33 (0)3 89 73 23 23. Groups Press Partners. Search... Discover. Sightseeings and discoveries; ... Tourist Office of the Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr region + 33 (0)3 89 73 23 23. [email protected].
Tourist Office
Tourist Office - office of Riquewihr. Homepage. Tourist Office - office of Riquewihr. Open map. OFFICE DE TOURISME PAYS DE RIBEAUVILLE-RIQUEWIHR. 2 rue de la 1ère Armée. 68340 Riquewihr. Call us Contact us by e-mail. Description Hours. Accreditations. Related events. From 29 Nov 2024 to 05 Jan 2025.
Best Things to Do in Riquewihr, France
Former winegrower house (16th- 17th century), 1 Rue de la Couronne. 4. Visit the Tour des Voleurs. The 18m high Tour des Voleurs (the Thieves Tower) is one of the best things to see in Riquewihr. It was erected in 1291 and has the particularity of being pentagonal on the outside and square inside.
Riquewihr
Riquewihr. Riquewihr is one of the most enchanting towns in Alsace. Parking is outside the town walls and entrance into the old town is through a series of old town gates in the large clock and watch towers. It is first of all a wine town surrounded by hills of vines. There are many quaint restaurants and Winstube along the main road up the hill.
10 Best Things to Do in Riquewihr, France
Riquewihr in France: Top Things to See and Do. 1. Visit the Dolder Tower and Museum. Dating back to the 13th century, the Dolder Tower is part of the original fortifications of Riquewihr. This tower served as a belfry and watchtower during the olden days, and it's the town's most iconic monument.
THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Riquewihr
Things to Do in Riquewihr, France: See Tripadvisor's 21,313 traveler reviews and photos of Riquewihr tourist attractions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in March. ... The tourist information center was very helpful, it's on the Main Street. There are free public restrooms in the back of the building. The town itself is super cute ...
Riquewihr
OFFICE DE TOURISME PAYS DE RIBEAUVILLE-RIQUEWIHR68340 Riquewihr. " In the heart of its renowned vineyards, discover this typical Alsatian village. Winegrowing community on the Wine Route (altitude 300 m), Riquewihr currently has 1228 inhabitants and is a member of the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages in France.
10 Best Things To Do in Riquewihr, France
3. Visit Musée du Dolder in Riquewihr. If you are looking for a place to visit in Riquewihr where you'll learn more about its history and culture, Musée du Dolder is the place for you. It is home to some fascinating historical items and artifacts that showcase the town's rich heritage.
Riquewihr
Nearest tourism office Office de tourisme Pays de Ribeauvillé-Riquewihr 10 Grand'rue - 68150 Ribeauville 03 89 73 23 23 - [email protected] www.ribeauville-riquewihr.com - Facebook @paysribeauvilleriquewihr GPS coordinates Lat.: 48.16671513 - Long.: 7.29749680 . Nearby. Hunawihr. On the Alsace Wine Route, nestled in a vineyard ...
Best Things To Do In The Fairytale Village Of Riquewihr
Travel To Riquewihr . Visiting Riquewihr is very easy by car. It is only 30 minutes from Colmar, the second-largest city in Alsace. You'll need to park outside the ancient city walls. If you're arriving in the Alsace region by air, I recommend using the airport in Basel or Zurich. However, you can also fly into Frankfurt or Paris.
Discover the Alsatian village of Riquewihr
Listed among the most beautiful villages in France, Riquewihr is rightly the pearl of the Alsatian vineyards with its remarkable half-timbered houses.Situated along the Alsace Wine Route, the village, attracts millions of visitors each year, especially in summer and at the approach of the festive season. Heading towards Riquewihr, it becomes apparent that the visit to this village nestled ...
Riquewihr Travel Guide
Get information on Riquewihr Travel Guide - Expert Picks for your Vacation hotels, restaurants, entertainment, shopping, sightseeing, and activities. Read the Fodor's reviews, or post your own.
Riquewihr France travel and tourism, attractions and sightseeing and
Riquewihr, officially one of the ' most beautiful villages of France ', is found 12 kilometres north-west of Colmar in the heart of Alsace. Riquewihr is indeed a very beautiful village and appears to have remained unchanged over the centuries, providing the visitor with a real feeling for how a village in the region would have looked 400 years ago.
Visiting Riquewihr Tips and good addresses
Tourism in the historical center of Riquewihr. Riquewihr is an ancient fortified town nestled in the heart of the Alsatian vineyards. Inside the walls is the pedestrian center, where it is very pleasant to stroll. ... Practical information Access By car. Riquewihr is located in: 16 km from Colmar (about 30 minutes) 55 km from Mulhouse (about 55 ...
Riquewihr
Riquewihr has everything to seduce. Nestled at the bottom of a valley leaned against the mountain and the forest, the village is a pearl of the vineyards of Alsace. Essential of the wine route, Riquewihr cultivates vines on the heavy soils of slopes well sheltered from the North wind. The place is nice and verdant, which does not spoil anything ...
Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé, France: Discover the Villages that Inspired
Riquewihr's main event is the Dolder Tower, a historic watchtower that soars above the colorful buildings. All you have to do is keep walking down the main street to reach this square and admire the detail of the tower's facade. Just beside the tower is the Dodler Museum which tells the history of Riquewihr from the 12th to 17th centuries.
Tourist Office of Riquewihr
The Tourist Office of Riquewihr is a useful information point for tourists visiting the area around Riquewihr (Haut-Rhin, Great East). It helps make life easier for visitors going to the region, amongst other things.
Riquewihr
Riquewihr is a small village located in France's Alsace region. It lies amidst the lush banks of the Rhine River, along the border of eastern France and Germany.
Riquewihr
Riquewihr (French pronunciation: ⓘ; Alsatian: Richewihr; German: Reichenweier [ˈʁaɪçn̩vaɪɐ] ⓘ) is a commune in the Haut-Rhin department in Grand Est in north-eastern France.. A popular tourist attraction for its historical architecture, Riquewihr is also known for the Riesling and other wines produced in the village. Riquewihr looks today more or less as it did in the 16th century.
Offizielle Website des Tourismusbüro des ...
Tourismusbüro der Region Ribeauvillé und Riquewihr + 33 (0)3 89 73 23 23. [email protected]. Empfangsbüro in Ribeauvill ...
The History and Architecture of Riquewihr in Photos
The Riquewihr tourist office, located in the center of the main street, provides a wonderful map of many of the significant buildings, along with a short history of each. A fun way to spend an hour or two is to get a map and locate each place, as I did one afternoon. For a sneak preview, follow along the photo story and be amazed at the number ...