A day trip through the “Most Beautiful Villages in France” in Alsace Essentielle
Four exceptional villages
On the Wine Route
Want to discover some of the most beautiful villages on the Alsace Wine Route in just one day? Between vineyards, ramparts and along streets with half-timbered houses, we take you to Bergheim, Riquewihr, Hunawihr and Eguisheim.
Four nearby villages, perfect for a day’s stroll punctuated by discoveries and views of the Alsace vineyards.
Bergheim
Start the day in Bergheim, one of the few villages in Alsace to have almost entirely preserved its medieval walls.
Pass through one of the fortified gates and take time to walk around the ramparts. The path skirts the vineyards, offering a first glimpse of the Alsatian vineyard landscape.
In the village center, half-timbered houses, small courtyards and old signs tell the story of several centuries of history. Bergheim also keeps the memory of the witch trials that took place here in the 16th and 17th centuries, evoked today at the Maison des Sorcières.
A canoe trip between Guémar and Illhaeusern is another way to discover the Alsace plain from a different angle.
In 2022, Bergheim was elected “Village Préféré des Français” (French People’s Favorite Village), alongside Eguisheim (2013) and Kaysersberg (2017). The Land of Colmar is the only region in France to have so many villages with this distinction!
Just around the corner: a canoe trip between Guémar and Illhaeusern under the sun
Riquewihr
Continuing on, you arrive in Riquewihr, one of the best-known villages on the Alsace Wine Route.
The main street winds through the village, past colorful houses, fountains and wine cellars. At the end of the street, the Dolder tower is a reminder of the defensive past of this former wine-growing town. To discover the village at a more leisurely pace, leave the main street and explore the adjacent lanes: they often reveal quieter passages, old facades and pretty architectural details.
Hunawihr
Just a few minutes away, Hunawihr offers a more peaceful atmosphere, surrounded by vineyards. The village lies at the foot of the Grand Cru Rosacker, with old houses clustered under a church and a fortified cemetery on a small hill.
As you climb up to the church, you’ll enjoy a panoramic view of the village rooftops and surrounding vineyards.
Also nearby is NaturOparC, a wildlife park dedicated to storks, the symbol of Alsace.
Right next door: NaturOparC, stork sanctuary and wildlife park
Eguisheim
Finish your itinerary in Eguisheim, often cited as one of Alsace’s most beautiful villages.
The village revolves around its ancient castle. As you follow the concentric lanes, you naturally move from a small square to a fountain, from a flower-filled facade to a small inner courtyard. The Saints-Pierre-et-Paul church, in the center of the ramparts, is also well worth a visit: it houses, in particular, a 13th century Vierge Ouvrante.
At the end of the day, the village’s terraces and cellars are a good place to take a break and taste the Alsace wines produced in the surrounding vineyards.
Nearby: the town of Rouffach and its architecturally impressive church, a jewel of Romanesque-Ogival art.
Our tip: these stages can be linked by bike along the Véloroute du Vignoble d’Alsace! Cycling through the vineyards has never been easier or more enjoyable.
A simple route to enjoy historic villages, Alsace vineyards and the unique atmosphere of the Alsace Wine Route!
