The town of Ribeauvillé in Alsace: its origins, its history, its heritage

At the foot of the Vosges, on the Alsace Wine Route, Ribeauvillé unrolls its Grand’Rue between half-timbered houses, flower-decked fountains and medieval towers, watched over by three castles perched on the mountain. This small town in the Haut-Rhin, home to around 4,700 people and the cradle of the lords of Ribeaupierre and of the minstrels of Alsace, is one of the most endearing stops in the wine country.

The origins of Ribeauvillé: the town of the Ribeaupierre

The history of Ribeauvillé is inseparable from the Ribeaupierre family (Rappoltstein in German), who gave the town its name. Present from the 11th century, these lords held their fief from the Bishop of Basel. A first line died out in the 12th century; the lordship then passed to Egenolf of Urslingen, who took the name Ribeaupierre and founded a dynasty that would rule for almost five centuries.

To protect their lands and the road leading to the Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines valley, the Ribeaupierre built three castles on the heights. The town grew up at their feet, enclosed by ramparts, and prospered thanks to wine and trade.

The history of Ribeauvillé, from the Middle Ages to the present day

In the Middle Ages, the lords of Ribeaupierre granted their protection to the brotherhood of minstrels, the travelling musicians of Alsace, which had its headquarters in Ribeauvillé. This is the origin of the famous Pfifferdaj, the minstrels’ festival, still celebrated every year.

The Ribeaupierre line died out in 1673. The county then passed to the house of Palatinate-Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld, which held it until the French Revolution. Like the rest of Alsace, Ribeauvillé was later annexed to the German Empire from 1871 to 1918, then occupied again during the Second World War. The town has nevertheless kept most of its old centre, which is what makes it so charming today.

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What to see in Ribeauvillé: the must-see heritage

The Grand’Rue and the Butchers’ Tower

The best way to discover Ribeauvillé is to walk up the Grand’Rue, from the Jardin de Ville to the Place de la République. Along the way you will pass fine half-timbered houses, fountains and wrought-iron signs. Halfway up stands the Butchers’ Tower (Metzgerturm), a 13th-century former gate that separated the upper town from the lower town; it owes its name to the butchers’ guild, which was responsible for defending it.

The church of Saint-Grégoire

In the upper town, the church of Saint-Grégoire, a listed historic monument, is a fine Gothic building begun in the 13th century; the nave was completed in 1473, a date inscribed on a keystone. Take the time to step inside to admire its interior and its organ.

The three castles of Ribeauvillé

Visible from all over the plain, the three ruins overlooking the town can be reached on foot:

• Saint-Ulrich castle: the oldest and largest, the former residence of the Ribeaupierre, where the great lordly hall and the keep still stand.
• Girsberg castle: smaller, perched on a rocky spur facing Saint-Ulrich, it passed to the Girsberg family in the 14th century.
• Haut-Ribeaupierre castle: the highest of the three, built to strengthen the defence of Saint-Ulrich, it offers a sweeping view over the Alsace plain.

Several loops waymarked by the Club Vosgien link them together. A classic loop starting from the Lutzelbach covers about 8 km with some 450 m of ascent: allow half a day and wear good shoes. Some variants pass the sanctuary of Notre-Dame de Dusenbach, a place of pilgrimage nestled in the forest.

Ribeauvillé, a town of winegrowers

Surrounded by hillsides, Ribeauvillé boasts three Alsace grands crus: Kirchberg de Ribeauvillé and Geisberg, renowned for their Rieslings, and Osterberg, particularly appreciated for its Gewurztraminers. The town is also home to the Cave de Ribeauvillé, founded in 1895 and considered the oldest wine cooperative in France. Several family estates open their cellars for tastings: don’t hesitate to step inside, and drink responsibly.

Festivals and traditions: Pfifferdaj and a medieval Christmas

The Pfifferdaj, or minstrels’ festival, takes place every year on the first Sunday of September. Considered one of the oldest festivals in Alsace, it culminates in a grand historical procession in the afternoon, with musicians and floats parading through the streets of the town.

In December, Ribeauvillé holds a medieval Christmas market over two weekends in Advent: craftspeople in costume, jugglers, fire-eaters and dancers turn the town into a living show. On the busiest days, a park-and-ride with a shuttle bus is usually available in Bergheim; check with the tourist office for each year’s dates and arrangements.

Around Ribeauvillé

• Hunawihr, close by, with its fortified church among the vines and the NaturOparC, a centre for reintroducing storks and otters, open from late March to early November.
• Riquewihr, one of the most visited villages on the Wine Route, a few kilometres to the south.
• Bergheim, a small town with well-preserved ramparts, just to the north.
• Colmar, about twenty minutes away by car, for Little Venice and the Unterlinden Museum.

Practical tips for your visit

• When to come? From May to October for hiking and the vineyards, in September for the Pfifferdaj and the grape harvest, and in December for the medieval Christmas market.
• Parking: leave your car in the car parks on the outskirts and explore the centre on foot.
• Information: the Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr tourist office provides information on tours, trails and festivals.

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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