Between visiting a couple of the most beautiful cities in the Alsace, Strasbourg & Colmar, we drove along the ‘Vine Route’ and visited some of the historic medieval villages and sites along the way. There are local Alsatian vineries and wine cellars in every village, too bad we were driving… we did of course try the local wines during the rest of our week in the Alsace. Almost every town has beautiful historic half-timbered houses and the locals pride themselves for their flower displays.
Here are the 11 places we visited over 3 days:
Obernai: Beautiful 13 century town with old gates, walls (which can be explored and walked on) and traditional burghers’ houses. Some of the most scenic spots in the centre are the “Six-Bucket Well” and the towns’ Market Square with the Town Hall and Beffroi Tower. Obernai (as many other town in the Alsace) is also famous for its Christmas Market.
Mont Saint-Odile: An emblematic Catholic monument in the Vosges Mountains on a wooded ridge at 753 metres is offering an inspiring and peaceful setting with panoramic views. Despite being a religious site, it houses tourist facilities including a restaurant and hotel. Around the forest are some ruins of ancient walls which no-one can really explain where they came from or who build them.
Barr: Barr is the wine capital of the Alsace with the oldest Alsace wine fair going back over 100 years. A beautiful Town Hall or “Hotel de Ville” and historic centre set in the middle of vineyards.
Mittelbergheim: This town is standing on the slopes of the Crax Hill and has the title of “Most beautiful Villages of France” and is also a gastronomic centre as well as ideal for walking in the surrounding nature. This town has less flowers, but nerveless is a very charming historic place. Storks nesting here.
Andlau: Tucked away near the Vosges foothills, this small village of about 1,800 inhabitants is a charm filled place with many half-timbered medieval houses. A historic Benedictine abbey dating back to 880, reconstructed several times. The crypt is guarded by a bear carved in stone.
Dambach la Ville: A small town of about 2,000 inhabitants has a quaint old-world ambiance and still has parts of its medieval walls. Outstanding flowers all over the town make it a very pretty place to visit. With more storks nesting here, a definite favourite for us.
Selestat: Much larger and less touristy, the biggest of the town visited used to be a Free Imperial City. The centre revolves around its two main churches, the Romanesque style Church of Sainte-Foy with 3 towers/spires and the gothic style Church of Saint Georges which also features interesting stained glass windows. You can follow in the footsteps of “the lion and the giant Sletto“, a 2.8km long walk marked by brass sign on the footpath.
Bergheim: One of the Alsatian towns with still intact town walls dating back to 1311 and is a designated 4-star flower village. Bergheim is also worth a visit for its Ramparts and City Walls. The Lack’Mi relief depicts a historic person which fled into Bergheim and poked fun at his prosecutors.
Chateau Haut Koenigsberg: Sitting atop on 757 meters overlooking the Alsace, this fortification is dating back to the 12th century. Destroyed and later restored at the start of the 20th century under the German Emperor Wilhelm II, it is today one of the most visited monuments in France.
Ribeauville: Many half-timbered medieval houses build in the 15th-18th century are preserved, just a few kilometres from Riquewihr, with around 5,000 inhabitants a bit bigger and less touristy feeling, but just as beautiful. Famous for the “Pfifferhouse” and the Townhall. Also parts of the old walls have survived, including the Butcher’s tower dating back to the 13th century. Another favourite and yes, more storks.
Riquewihr: Probably the most famous village with both the title of “Most Beautiful Villages of France” and “Flowering Villages”. Town walls (double walls on the north side) and towers are still intact and so are many of the historic houses of the small town. It has however a distinct touristic feeling around the cobbled streets.
There is so much to see. So many houses are historic and full of history. The scenery in the middle of vineyards is just incredible. Look up onto the roofs and you will find the Alsace’s emblemed bird, the White Stork, nesting on many roofs in the warmer months.
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