Discover the charms of Riquewihr, pearl of the Alsace Wine Route

Encircled by ramparts and surrounded by vineyards, Riquewihr is one of the most renowned villages on the Alsace Wine Route. Cobbled lanes, Renaissance half-timbered houses, medieval towers and grands crus: here is everything you need to know for a successful visit.

Where is Riquewihr?

Riquewihr lies in the Haut-Rhin, at the foot of the Vosges, about 13 to 15 km north of Colmar. The village nestles in a small valley in the middle of the vineyards, between Ribeauvillé, Hunawihr and Kaysersberg, making it an ideal day stop on the Wine Route. It is listed among “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France” (the most beautiful villages of France).

The historic centre is pedestrianised: park in one of the car parks at the entrance to the village, then continue on foot.

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A little history

At the end of the 13th century, the Counts of Horbourg surrounded Riquewihr with a fortified wall, whose emblem is the Dolder tower (1291). In 1324, the lordship was sold to the Counts of Württemberg; the Württemberg-Montbéliard branch later made it the capital of their Alsatian possessions. Driven by the wine trade, the town enjoyed great prosperity until the Thirty Years’ War: most of the fine houses admired today date from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Riquewihr remained under Württemberg rule until the Revolution, when it became part of France. The village has come through the centuries remarkably well, which explains the exceptional consistency of its heritage.

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What to see in Riquewihr

• The Dolder: the upper town gate, watchtower and belfry built in 1291. It houses a small local history museum with the official “Musée de France” label.
• The Thieves’ Tower (Tour des Voleurs): a former defensive tower used as a prison, with its torture chamber and dungeon pit. It can be visited together with the neighbouring Winegrower’s House, which shows the life of a winegrowing family of the past.
• Rue du Général-de-Gaulle: the main street, lined with half-timbered houses, carved oriel windows and inner courtyards.
• The castle of the Württemberg-Montbéliard: the lords’ Renaissance residence at the entrance to the old town (the Communication museum it once housed has closed).
• The ramparts: stroll along the double wall, one of the best preserved in Alsace.
• The Hansi house: a space dedicated to the Alsatian illustrator Jean-Jacques Waltz, known as Hansi; check its opening times before you go.

The wines of Riquewihr

Riquewihr is surrounded by two renowned grands crus, Schoenenbourg and Sporen, particularly known for their Rieslings and for wines made from Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris. A grand cru vineyard trail lets you understand the terroirs while walking through the vines, and many of the village’s estates offer tastings in their cellars.

Specialities to try

In the village winstubs, try the great Alsatian classics: choucroute garnie, baeckeoffe (meats marinated in white wine and potatoes slow-cooked in an earthenware dish), tarte flambée, or kougelhopf at breakfast. During Advent, don’t miss the bredele, small spiced Christmas biscuits.

When to visit Riquewihr?

Spring and autumn are ideal: the vineyards look superb and there are fewer crowds. The grape harvest, from September to October, has a special atmosphere. In December, the village lights up for its Christmas market, one of the most charming in Alsace. In summer and during Advent, come early in the morning to enjoy quieter lanes.

Where to stay in and around Riquewihr

Riquewihr and the neighbouring villages offer charming hotels, B&Bs and many holiday rentals, often in old houses or at winegrowers’ estates. Book early for Advent weekends and the summer. Nearby Colmar also offers a wide choice of accommodation.

With its ramparts, towers and Renaissance houses set among the grands crus, Riquewihr is an unmissable stop on the Wine Route. Take time to wander, step into a wine cellar and climb up into the vineyards to admire its rooftops.

Enzo

Hi, I'm Enzo! I'm the guy who loves lacing up his hiking boots to explore the rugged trails of the Vosges. Passionate about nature and photography, I take you along through articles that capture the scent of fir forests and the charm of mountain lakes. I live for those moments when the sun rises over the Haut-Koenigsbourg or when I stumble upon an authentic inn along the way. My goal? To inspire you to get out, breathe in the fresh Alsatian air, and always have a great spot for a tarte flambée to share at the end of the day.

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