13 Activities
Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé and Barr: The Awe-Inspiring Alsace Region
Starts from
Strasbourg
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
13
Duration
10 hrs 10 min
Length
41 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Strasbourg
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
10 hrs 10 min
Length
41 mi
- History and Culture
- Natural Attractions
- Unusual Locations
Jon Glavinas
Travel Expert
- Discover three wonderful historical villages full of scenery and charm.
- Get face to face with torture instruments at a medieval prison.
- Experience a fine dining dinner and wine-tasting at a renowned French winstub.
Wondering what one of France's most beautiful villages is like? Spare a day to take this route to not only see Riquewihr and experience it like a local and discover why it donned the prestigious name. You'll also visit Barr, another historical town, where you'll visit the old town and a defensive castle. In Riquewihr, start your visit with a warm bistro lunch before heading to a famous tower that also offers a lookout over the renaissance charm of the village. You'll get to stroll around the timber houses and courtyards laden with greenery and decorated fountains before a trip to the Thieves Tower - a prison with its cells intact and torture instruments on display!
Before dinner, you'll visit Ribeauvillé, a medieval village with a backdrop of vineyards and rolling hills. A simple walk around town will showcase greenery to the horizon in the background and heritage buildings in the foreground. For dinner, you'll visit a winstub where you can taste the various wine blends of the Alsace region before a top-notch French dining experience. If a break from the city is in order, you've picked the right route for rejuvenation, history and a bit of wine-enhance fun!
Before dinner, you'll visit Ribeauvillé, a medieval village with a backdrop of vineyards and rolling hills. A simple walk around town will showcase greenery to the horizon in the background and heritage buildings in the foreground. For dinner, you'll visit a winstub where you can taste the various wine blends of the Alsace region before a top-notch French dining experience. If a break from the city is in order, you've picked the right route for rejuvenation, history and a bit of wine-enhance fun!
Categories
- History and Culture
- Natural Attractions
- Unusual Locations
Wondering what one of France's most beautiful villages is like? Spare a day to take this route to not only see Riquewihr and experience it like a local and discover why it donned the prestigious name. You'll also visit Barr, another historical town, where you'll visit the old town and a defensive castle. In Riquewihr, start your visit with a warm bistro lunch before heading to a famous tower that also offers a lookout over the renaissance charm of the village. You'll get to stroll around the timber houses and courtyards laden with greenery and decorated fountains before a trip to the Thieves Tower - a prison with its cells intact and torture instruments on display!
Before dinner, you'll visit Ribeauvillé, a medieval village with a backdrop of vineyards and rolling hills. A simple walk around town will showcase greenery to the horizon in the background and heritage buildings in the foreground. For dinner, you'll visit a winstub where you can taste the various wine blends of the Alsace region before a top-notch French dining experience. If a break from the city is in order, you've picked the right route for rejuvenation, history and a bit of wine-enhance fun!
Before dinner, you'll visit Ribeauvillé, a medieval village with a backdrop of vineyards and rolling hills. A simple walk around town will showcase greenery to the horizon in the background and heritage buildings in the foreground. For dinner, you'll visit a winstub where you can taste the various wine blends of the Alsace region before a top-notch French dining experience. If a break from the city is in order, you've picked the right route for rejuvenation, history and a bit of wine-enhance fun!
Jon Glavinas
Travel Expert
- Discover three wonderful historical villages full of scenery and charm.
- Get face to face with torture instruments at a medieval prison.
- Experience a fine dining dinner and wine-tasting at a renowned French winstub.
Day Itinerary
13 Activities
Day 1
40 mi1 mi
French Favourites: Exploring the Medieval Wine Towns of Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé
Spare a day for one of France's most beautiful villages. Riquewihr claims that name because of its tall churches, half-timber houses and position amongst the hills. On the way, you'll stop in the commune of Barr and get to explore some French nature and gorgeous views of the landscape. Before heading back, you'll also check out Ribeauvillé's endless vineyards and have wine-tasting paired with a delicious dinner.
09:305 min
Car Park
Stop in at Barr - a wine town placed perfectly along the way to Riquewihr. The de L Hotel de Ville is the main square of Barr and a great spot to leave your car while you stroll the quaint and magical streets.
0.3 mi
10 min
10:0030 min
Catholic Church in Barr
After you've parked, walk through the old town of Barr to stretch your legs and explore the town. Stroll past Barr's Catholic Church, which is a beautiful stone building used today for church services. After you've seen the church, follow the trialling streets around the old town and arrive back to your car to set off on your next adventure.
After getting a touch of Barr, get back to the parking and drive slightly out of town to Château du Landsberg.
After getting a touch of Barr, get back to the parking and drive slightly out of town to Château du Landsberg.
3.4 mi
25 min
11:0030 min
Château du Landsberg
Château du Landsberg is a beautiful historic castle first built in the 12th century. You can visit the castle every day of the week and explore its strong standing defense walls and grand but damaged interior. There is a moderate walk to get to the castle from the car park.
27.7 mi
1 hr
12:305 min
Car Park
Park your car here to explore one of the most picturesque villages in France. Here you will have a glimpse at the historic buildings, visit a former dungeon, and eat loads of local food.
0.2 mi
5 min
12:4530 min
Famille Hugel
It'll be around lunchtime when you first arrive in Riquewihr, which is the perfect time to get amongst the culture of the city. Famille Hugel is a rustic winstub or wine tavern, popular amongst locals serving Alsatian wine. Try one of the locally grown and produced wines here.
0.1 mi
5 min
13:201 hr
Au Tire Bouchon
After tasting Alsatian wine, head right next door for some Alsatian food. The chef here deliberately cooks small portions, so you can try more of the local specialties.
0.1 mi
5 min
14:2545 min
Dolder Belfry
You'll quickly discover why Riquewihr is one of the most beautiful cities in France. So you can head straight for the Dolder Tower and climb to the top to get the best view of the city. It's a medieval tower that perfectly sets the mood as you walk up to the top to peer onto the old and exquisite town.
After the city museum, walk to the deli serving divine meats and cheeses, Au Marche de Riquwihr. Along the way, look out for the historical buildings on Rue du General de Gaulle: the nail-maker's house at number 45, the gourmet's house at number 42 and the courtyard of the Nobels of Berckheim located at number 38.
After the city museum, walk to the deli serving divine meats and cheeses, Au Marche de Riquwihr. Along the way, look out for the historical buildings on Rue du General de Gaulle: the nail-maker's house at number 45, the gourmet's house at number 42 and the courtyard of the Nobels of Berckheim located at number 38.
0.2 mi
5 min
15:1530 min
Au Marché de Riquewihr
This family business has a mission to uphold, safeguard and advance the distinguished heritage of Alsace and its distinctive culinary specialties. In doing so, they aim to ensure that the unique character of Alsatian cuisine is maintained and presented in a respectful manner.
Here you can have some foie gras, salted meats, cheese, and local wine.
Here you can have some foie gras, salted meats, cheese, and local wine.
0.2 mi
5 min
16:001 hr
Musée de La Tour des Voleurs
A trip to Riquewihr is only complete by diving deep into the medieval scene. That means a trip to the Thieves Tower, initially used as a fortification tower in the 13th century before becoming a prison and torture chamber in the 15th century. You can even see the original torture equipment and prison cells during your visit.
0.2 mi
5 min
17:0510 min
Car Park
Return to the car park to continue your journey. Say goodbye to Riquewihr around 5 pm so you can also get a taste of the nearby village Ribeauvillé, which hosts medieval buildings and streets but overlooks rolling hills of stunning vineyards.
3.2 mi
10 min
17:3030 min
City Garden of Ribeauvillé
Welcome to Ribeauvillé! Start at the city garden, a lovely curated garden quintessential of France. Here you can comfortably park your car and walk for a while.
Next, from City Garden walk down the main street in the old town, Grand-Rue to Fontaine au Cerf. Along the way, you'll pass gorgeous half-timber houses and renaissance squares, quintessential for the part of France.
Next, from City Garden walk down the main street in the old town, Grand-Rue to Fontaine au Cerf. Along the way, you'll pass gorgeous half-timber houses and renaissance squares, quintessential for the part of France.
0.5 mi
15 min
18:1515 min
Fontaine au Cerf
This little fountain is hard to spot, but it's a historical landmark that lives on from the renaissance era. The fountain was built in the second half of the 16th century.
After the fountain, head back to the parking, enjoying the views of Ribeauvillé.
After the fountain, head back to the parking, enjoying the views of Ribeauvillé.
5.6 mi
20 min
19:001 hr 30 min
Winstub Rabseppi Stebel
For dinner, head to Saint-Hippolyte, another nearby town, but this one's a little more serious about their wine. Dinner will be at a winstub, so before you eat, you can have a separate wine tasting to enjoy the fermented fruit of the region and some locally informed guidance on the wines.
The restaurant is located within the winery, and you'll either r have a magical table inside the cottage or look out at the magnificent garden. The food is fantastic here too, and you'll have a lot so fine-dining French cuisine to choose from.
The restaurant is located within the winery, and you'll either r have a magical table inside the cottage or look out at the magnificent garden. The food is fantastic here too, and you'll have a lot so fine-dining French cuisine to choose from.