Visit the Alsace wine route: the villages not to be missed
The Alsace Wine Route, in eastern France, is one of the best things to do in Alsace. One of the most famous wine trails in France, this Alsace Wine Route between Colmar and Strasbourg invites visitors to discover beautiful landscapes and charming Alsatian villages while tasting some of the region’s best wines. Between the Rhine and the mountains, the Alsace Wine Route is a narrow strip of more than 170 kilometers which passes through 120 typical Alsatian towns and villages.
From Strasbourg to the south of Colmar, discover our suggestions for the must-see places to visit during your journey on the wine route.
Riquewihr: the pearl of the vineyard
Riquewihr, officially one of the most beautiful villages in France, is located 12 kilometers northwest of Colmar, in the heart of Alsace. Riquewihr is indeed a very beautiful village which seems to have remained unchanged over the centuries, giving the visitor a real impression of what a village in the region looked like 400 years ago.
This village really seems to have everything you could hope to find in a traditional Alsatian village: fortified walls, stone entrance gates, cobbled streets lined with brightly painted half-timbered houses, carved wooden beams and stone gates, wrought iron signs for shops, lots of flowers. Riquewihr almost seems to come out of a fairy tale.
Colmar: fairytale city
Colmar, Alsace, is a fairytale town on the German border. This mix of French-German influences resulted in a beautiful town full of half-timbered houses, picturesque cobblestone streets and winding canals.
Colmar is a popular destination for a weekend getaway, and for anyone who loves wine, as it is one of the main stops on the Alsace wine route. Colmar is also a perfect introduction to Alsace, its picturesque landscapes, its gastronomy and its friendly people.
There aren’t many attractions in Colmar in this small town, but there are many beautiful places where you can sit and soak up the atmosphere.
Kaysersberg: imperial greatness
Kaysersberg lends itself perfectly to exploring on foot, offering the best possible views of its narrow, winding streets and the magnificent half-timbered medieval buildings clustered around the Weiss River. The ruined 13th-century castle has an imposing presence, perched above the town and recalling the contested history of this border country. It is worth visiting for the incredible views it offers both of the city and the vineyards that stretch as far as the eye can see. The city really comes alive in the run-up to Christmas, with a Christmas market taking place every Advent weekend. The windows of the town’s houses and shops are decorated with fir garlands, and after dark the town is lit up with Christmas lights. The aroma of fresh gingerbread and mulled wine wafts around the wooden chalets selling traditional crafts, gifts and food – simply magical.
Hunawihr: a nest in the vineyards
It is fun to get lost in the vineyards around this village, one of the most typical in Alsace with its old church with a keep, its fortified cemetery and its winegrowers’ houses with gables and paved courtyards. You can visit the informative Naturoparc where storks, emblems of Alsace and considered lucky charms for the houses where they choose to nest, are in the spotlight.
Start your visit with a stroll down the main street of Hunawihr. The street is lined with colorful half-timbered houses, many wine houses offering tastings and an interesting selection of old water pumps. Particularly note the 16th-century Renaissance-style town hall and the 17th-century town fountain and spring.
In the village there are many pretty houses and small gardens, most built around the 16th and 17th century. There are also a good number of more imposing townhouses built in the 19th century with the wealth generated by wine.
Le Clos des Vignes : Our Lodges in the middle of the Alsace Wine Route
Located in the heart of the Alsatian region, our lodges are located on the Alsace wine route in the beautiful village of Hunawihr. With family or friends, our lodges have several rooms with spa (jacuzzi) for a pleasant holiday in Alsace.Our 5 lodges are accessible by car with free private parking with charging stations for electric cars.The location of our lodges will allow you to enjoy the calm of the village while being in the heart of the essential sites of Alsace.Do you want to go on vacation to the heart of the Alsatian Vineyard? Perhaps in the wine village of Hunawihr? Don’t wait any longer and book one of our 5 lodgings!