Visit Sélestat: the essential places to see and do
The town of Sélestat is located in the Bas-Rhin department, in the Alsace region, north of Colmar and south of Strasbourg. It is a little less visited than many towns and villages in the region but several interesting sites and monuments await to be discovered in this lively town if you are passing through.
The Sainte-Foy church:
Perhaps start your visit on the bridge which crosses the Ill, well placed for discovering the old town. The center of Sélestat is built around its two main churches: the Romanesque-style Sainte-Foy church and the Gothic-style Saint-Georges church (which has interesting stained-glass windows).
There are also a few streets containing attractive traditional Alsatian buildings, for example along the Quai des Tanneurs and around the Place du Marché aux Pots, and a scattering of old houses and historic monuments, including a clock tower, a “Water Tower” which has a very “Moorish” appearance, and an old gate in the town.
Here is a list of the best places to visit in Sélestat:
The Romanesque-style church of Sainte-Foi was built in the 12th century. The church is built of red stone and has two towers on the facade and a lantern tower above the transept, this arrangement is quite common in Alsace. Note that most of the decorative stone carvings around the doors and in the capitals as well as the interior furnishings are much more recent, most having been added towards the end of the 19th century.
Saint-Georges Church:
The church having been built over a very short period, it appears surprisingly homogeneous in its style and proportions, however certain parts were completed and others modified in a neo-Romanesque style by the architect Charles Winckler between 1889 and 1893 During this restoration campaign, a crypt dating from around 1085 was discovered and made accessible. Like many important buildings in Alsace, the church is built of pink Vosges sandstone.
The Gothic-style Saint-Georges Church dates from the 12-15th centuries and has an imposing entrance with statues of saints, a balcony and a rose window. Inside, the stained-glass windows of the choir are among the most remarkable. As with the Sainte-Foy church, the majority of statues and sculptures were added in the 19th century.
The church, of exceptional size and quality, is located near the humanist library, founded in 1452 by Jean de Westhuss, priest of the Saint-Georges church. Originally dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the church has been named after Saint George since 1500 and is famous for its hanging Christmas trees since 1521.
Kintzheim Castle:
Located not far from Haut-Koenigsbourg and dating from the 12th century, Kintzheim Castle was first mentioned in 1270. Magnificently restored and dominating the village of Kintzheim, the ruins of the castle, which consist of a round keep, majestic living quarters, a vaulted cellar, a chapel with Gothic and Renaissance windows, are a magnificent sight.
Today, the castle is home to the Volerie des Aigles, a breathtaking spectacle during which the largest birds of prey in the world fly freely just inches from the public. Currently, Kintzheim Castle can be visited for a fee as a bird park visitor. It mainly serves as a backdrop for bird shows.
How to access Sélestat from our Gîtes in Hunawihr?
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.
Just 23 minutes from Sélestat by car, the location of our lodges will allow you to enjoy the calm of the village while being in the heart of the unmissable 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!