The small town of Turckheim in Alsace: what to see and do

Nestled at the entrance to the Munster valley, a few kilometres from Colmar, Turckheim has kept its ramparts, its three fortified gates and a tradition unique in Alsace: the night watchman’s round. A small wine town that is ideal for half a day of leisurely strolling.

Turckheim at a glance

• Location: Haut-Rhin, on the banks of the Fecht, about 7 km west of Colmar, where the Munster valley opens out.
• Population: just over 4,000 inhabitants.
• Getting there: TER train station on the Colmar – Munster – Metzeral line (about ten minutes from Colmar); car park at the entrance to the walled town.
• Wine: the town is renowned for its Brand grand cru, which covers the hillside overlooking it.

A little history

Turckheim grew up in the Middle Ages at the foot of the vineyards. Having become an imperial city, it was part of the Decapolis, the alliance of the ten imperial cities of Alsace founded in 1354, alongside Colmar, Haguenau and Wissembourg, among others. Most of its fortifications date from the 14th and 15th centuries.

The name Turckheim is still linked to the battle of 5 January 1675: during the Franco-Dutch War, Marshal Turenne took the Imperial and Brandenburg troops by surprise here and defeated them, a victory that helped consolidate the French presence in Alsace. The main square is named after him today.

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What to see in Turckheim

The ramparts and the three gates

The old town lies within its walls, pierced by three gates: the Porte de France, the oldest, dating from the 14th century; the Porte du Brand, which opened onto the vineyards and was once only opened at harvest time; and the Porte de Munster, facing the valley. You can easily walk around the ramparts.

Place Turenne and the guardhouse

Just behind the Porte de France, Place Turenne is the heart of the town. Here you can see the old guardhouse and fine half-timbered façades, including that of the former Deux Clefs inn, dated 1620.

The town hall and the church of Sainte-Anne

The town hall, built at the end of the 16th century (1595), recalls the status of the former imperial city. Close by, the church of Sainte-Anne combines a Romanesque bell tower, a remnant of the medieval church, with a nave and choir rebuilt in the neoclassical style between 1834 and 1839.

The night watchman’s round

In a rare tradition, the night watchman walks the lanes of the old town every evening with his lantern, halberd and horn, singing his verses in the local dialect. Once responsible for warning of fires and keeping watch over the town, he disappeared at the Revolution before being revived in the 20th century. His round starts from the guardhouse at 10 pm, from May to October and during Advent: check with the tourist office to confirm the dates.

The Colmar Pocket Battle Memorial Museum

Housed in a vaulted cellar of the former presbytery (25 rue du Conseil), this volunteer-run museum traces the fighting around Colmar in the winter of 1944–1945 through uniforms, weapons, documents and models. It is open for part of the year; check opening times before your visit.

Walks and trails around Turckheim

• The Dragon Trail (sentier du Dragon): a vineyard interpretation trail of about 3.5 km (2 hours), starting from the tourist office. It climbs into the Brand grand cru and, with the help of information panels, tells the legend of the dragon and the geology of the hillside. Note that the first climb has a lot of steps.
• The Sainte-Anne trail: a loop of about 2 km (1 hour 15 minutes) to the small valley and the Sainte-Anne spring.
• Towards Trois-Épis: hikers can walk up to the resort of Trois-Épis, above Turckheim, and carry on to the Galtz for its wide panorama over the plain.

Wine and food

Turckheim is a stop on the Alsace Wine Route. The Brand grand cru, facing due south on granite soil, is especially renowned for its Rieslings, Gewurztraminers and Pinot Gris. In the winstubs of the old town and the surrounding area, you can try the classics of Alsatian cuisine; and further up the valley, munster, the emblematic cheese of the neighbouring valley.

When to visit Turckheim?

From May to October, you can enjoy walks in the vineyards and the night watchman’s round. Autumn brings the colours of the grape harvest, and during Advent the little town lights up for Christmas. A visit is easy to combine with Colmar, the Munster valley and the other villages of the Wine Route.

With its fortified gates, half-timbered façades and night watchman, Turckheim is one of the most endearing small towns around Colmar, perfect for a stop with family or friends.

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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