The Pearl of Alsace's Vineyards and Other Hidden Gems

Ribeauvillé is named after the seigneurs Ribeaupierre, who held most of the property in the region during the Middle Ages. It’s a majestic medieval village surrounded by undulating vineyards and ancient woodlands.
Park your car here, then explore the Old Town, featuring the Grand Rue of Ribeauvillé and its many beautiful buildings, many of which date from the 15th to 18th century. The Main Street extends through the historic fortifications past the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville from the medieval upper town, Ville Haute, to the lower Ville Basse.
As you wander through town, discover Renaissance-era squares with flowing fountains and medieval structures such as the 13th-century Butcher's Tower and the Corn Exchange.
You’ll also see wine cellars fronted by alembics and carts filled with geraniums on side lanes. The flower boxes complement the painting on the brilliantly colored colombage buildings, which range from purple to orange. In fact, the town is widely recognized for its flowery façades.
Ribeauvillé is nice to visit year-round. In winter, there’s a Medieval Christmas Market, and in the middle of summer, you can have fun at the local Wine Fair.

Go inside the 13th-century Gothic Église Saint-Grégoire de Ribeauvillé, noted for its organ.
The church is open daily from 9 am to 7 pm.

Return to your car and continue the drive.

Just a few kilometers from Ribeauville, you'll find one of France’s most beautiful villages. Park your car here and get ready to explore.
Riquewihr was attacked by invaders many times, but winemakers worked tirelessly to rebuild it each time so that it was more appealing than before. Like a phoenix reborn from its ashes over and over again, Riquewihr is like out of a fairy tale, with its church spire soaring above clusters of half-timbered buildings in a rainbow of hues.
Wander around the town's medieval and Renaissance-era streets, enjoying the lovely colombage buildings with multicolored wood beams, intricate overhanging windows, flower-filled balconies, and peaceful squares dominated by fountains, cafés, shops, and restaurants.
The town, nicknamed the Pearl of Alsace’s vineyards, is home to several cellars in modest side ruelles that showcase the treasured grand cru Riesling Schoenenbourg.

The 13th-century Dolder Gate Tower hosts a local history museum. Learn about Riquewihr's history from its origins as a medieval fortified town and about the many inhabitants of the tower over the years, from porters to night guards to lookouts, as well as their primary tasks.
The top of the Dolder Gate Tower provides a stunning view over the hamlet and the surrounding plain.
It's open daily from 10.30 am to 1 pm, then from 2 to 6 pm.

Before leaving Riquewihr, stop for lunch at Le Caveau des Rois to enjoy delicious traditional Alsatian food and wines.
Le Caveau des Rois is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 11.30 am to 2.30 pm, then from 6.30 to 9 pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Book your table in advance: 0389490477

Get back to your car and continue the tour.

Kaysersberg (Emperor’s Mountain in German) was named after the son of a 13th-century German monarch who purchased the castle remains that now tower over the town.
This is the kind of Alsatian town you see on postcards and in tourist brochures, with its cobblestone pavings, brightly colored ancient homes, extensive vineyards, and magnificent castle. It's picturesque, historic and full of things to do.
Pass through the guarded gate to the main street Rue du Général de Gaulle, passing the Église Sainte-Croix and Place Gouraud.

Visit Kaysersberg Castle, which was erected in 1200 when the town was a Roman fortress. The castle can be visited from the outside at any hour of the day.
The round neo-Gothic Saareck tower provides panoramic views of the undulating green hills and town below.
The Tour du Château Schlossberg is open between 3 and 6 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays and between 2 and 6 pm on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Tickets to go up the Saareck can be bought on the spot.

Return where you left the car to continue the visit.

Exploring Colmar is like stepping into a storybook. From the period-colored wooden buildings to the flowers and stalks on rooftops that inspired legends like Beauty and the Beast, Colmar is attractive, engaging, and completely enthralling for everybody; it's a sensory assault on both sight and taste.
Colmar is also a great starting point if you plan to extend your holiday by exploring the Alsace Wine Route. It passes right through the city, with local vineyards specializing in Riesling and Gewürztraminer wines.

In Musée Unterlinden, you can admire the Issenheim Altarpiece, a late Middle Ages masterwork depicting biblical stories. It also has an excellent contemporary art collection that includes works by Monet, Renoir, Picasso, and others.
The Unterlinden Museum is open every day except Tuesday between 9 am and 6 pm.
Book your tickets in advance here.

Make time to see the Old Town, which has structures ranging from the 12th to the 17th century. It’s a place that comes alive just before Christmas when the world-famous Colmar Christmas Market opens.

Make sure you visit La Petite Venise, a surprisingly well-preserved Renaissance quarter noted for its half-timbered buildings with vividly colored facades, and meandering canals fed by La Lauch River.

Seeing all those charming waterside restaurants and cafés, it would have been a pity not to stop at one. And Le Quai 21 is the best option on the shore of the river La Lauch!
Here you will treat yourself to Italian-infused Alsatian cuisine paired with the most delicious local wines.
Restaurant Le Quai 21 is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 12 to 1.30 pm, then from 7 to 8.30 pm.
Book your table in advance: 0389585858

Pick up your car to get to the hotel.

Turn in for the night in this lovely apartment with a view over La Lauch River. It also has free private parking, so take the time to bring your car to the accommodation.