Search results
Originally the property of the Dukes of Württemberg, the town was converted to Protestantism in the 16th century. Historically, Riquewihr served as a Winzerdorf or "wine village" as a trading hub for Alsatian and German wine.
Richo, a Frankish landowner, ran an estate here, hence the name "Richovilla", the origin of Riquewihr's name. The first mention of 'Richenwilre' in a document; Riquewihr was already involved in vine-growing ("possessiones in Riquewihr cum vineis...").
- The Alsace Wine Region
- Getting to Riquewihr
- Things to Do Nearby
- Where to Stay
The wine in the Alsace is world-famous and there is an Alsace wine route so you can try many local varieties. This takes you through many lesser-known villages as well as some larger towns like Colmar. Riesling is the most popular wine, but there are also many other wine (vin) varieties. I’ve found the reds are light (unlike the Northern Italian re...
The village is about a 15-minute drive from Colmar, another charming wine town albeit much larger and more touristy. Zurich or Stuttgart are your closest International options. While Stuttgart isn’t particularly well-known, I lived there for 6 years and highly recommend visiting. If you want to get even closer, you could take a connecting flight to...
Visit Chateau du Haut-Koenisgbourg
Like many castles in Europe, this one has exchanged hands many times. It was built in the 12th century and the Thirty Years War left it burnt and abandoned for 200 years. It’s since been restored and while I’ve visited many castles in Europe, this one was one of my favorites. To get here, you have to drive high up the mountain, over 2400 feet (757 meters). From here you can see the valley below, the Vosges mountains, the Black Forest, and possibly even the Alps. We went in the winter months a...
Visit other Villages and Towns
I loved visiting Riquewihr, but there are other equally beautiful towns in this area. The most popular are the larger town of Colmar, then the smaller villages of Eguisheim, Kaysersberg, Ribeauvillé, and Turckheim. There are many more, but these are the most prominent. Roughly 45 miles (72km) North is the city of Strasbourg, where you can visit the tallest Medieval building in Europe! If you are staying in Colmar, you could book a day trip to all of the main villages. This small group tour ta...
Drive the Scenic Alsace Wine Route
Located along eastern France and bordering much of Germany, the Alsace Wine Route looks like something out of a fairy tale. This route takes you through 105 miles (170km) and passes through an astonishing 70 winegrowing villages. Here you’ll find over 1,000 winegrowers, making this area a mecca for wine lovers. There’s even the oldest wine barrel in the world right here in Strasbourg. Many of the villages listed above are along this route. For more information, visit this linkwhich provides m...
Most of the accommodations are quite reasonable. You could even land a hotel for around $50 a night (which is a steal in 2023). Great for couples – For a very traditional French stay, I recommend Hotel à l’Oriel. It’s very central and parking is nearby. Breakfast is an option and it has more of a B&B feel than a hotel. Best for Families – The Later...
Feb 18, 2019 · 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.
History of Riquewihr. The little town was originally fortified by the Lords of Horbourg at the end of the 13 th Century but they sold the city in 1324 to the aristocratic family of Württemberg. In the 16 th Century Riquewihr was converted to Protestantism and it’s from this period in history that many of the buildings date. The town was ...
Jan 27, 2022 · 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.
Riquewihr, a very old town, is made up (among other things) of: half-timbered houses dating back to the 15th - 18th centuries, built very close together, the Dolder (a 13th century defensive gate), which make up an exceptional architectural whole.
