Visit the Hohlandsbourg castle in Wintzenheim
A reconstructed castle overlooking Wintzenheim, a rampart walk with a 360° view, and kids having fun searching for traces of the dragon: Château du Hohlandsbourg has plenty going for it as a family outing near Colmar. Located on the Route des Cinq Châteaux, next to Colmar and the Alsace Wine Route, it takes 1.5 to 2 hours to visit with a suggested route. Here’s my review, our tips, and all the practical info to help you plan your visit.
Summary
- My review of Château du Hohlandsbourg
- Parking and the walk up to the castle
- History of the Hohlandsbourg Castle
- What to see at the castle: courtyard, exhibition space, and rampart walk
- Visiting the castle with family: suggested route and discovery booklet
- What to remember about visiting Hohlandsbourg
- Frequently asked questions before visiting the castle
The essentials at a glance
- 📍 Location: Route des Cinq Châteaux, 68920 Wintzenheim, 11 km from Colmar
- ⏱️ Recommended duration: 1.5 to 2 hours on site, not including activities or meals
- 👨👩👧 Who it’s for: families, couples, history buffs. Accessible to visitors with reduced mobility, except for the ramparts
- 💶 Budget: € (€7 for adults, €4.50 for ages 6 to 17, €20 for the family ticket, free for under 6s, outside of event days)
- 📅 Season: open from April to early November, closed in winter
My review of Château du Hohlandsbourg
I liked
- The 360° view from the rampart walk
- The exhibition space, which blends modern decor with old stonework
- The €20 family ticket
- Entry included with the Pass Alsace
I liked less
- The walk uphill from the parking lot: it’s a bit of a climb, even though the closest one is a maximum 10-minute walk away
- No old living quarters to visit, unlike other castles in the region
Parking and the walk up to the castle
This castle has to be earned! From Colmar, you get there via the D214 through Wintzenheim. The D1 through Husseren-les-Châteaux is closed from March 15 to November 15 by prefectural order. Two parking areas are available: P2 (Sibler), the closest to the entrance near the traffic light (10-minute walk maximum), and P4 (Corbeau). It’s a climb!
💡 A tip from a local: bring sturdy shoes, as you would for any castle visit.
Worth noting: about ten spaces are reserved for visitors with reduced mobility in front of the entrance, and motorhomes can park at P2 and P4.
History of the Hohlandsbourg Castle
- 🏰 1279: built by Siegfried von Gundolsheim, provost of Colmar, at the initiative of the Habsburgs
- 🔥 1637: during the Thirty Years’ War, the castle is destroyed by fire and explosives on Richelieu’s orders, to prevent it from being captured
- 🧱 1985: the Haut-Rhin General Council decides to save the castle, and years of restoration work begin, using materials found on site
- 🏺 2008 to 2013: archaeological excavations
- 🎟️ 2013: reopens to the public
- 🏛️ 2022: the castle becomes the property of the European Collectivity of Alsace
What to see at the castle: courtyard, exhibition space, and rampart walk
The courtyard and the performance stage
The castle is made up of several areas, but unlike many castles, there are no old living quarters to visit here. You enter a large courtyard with a stage, where events take place throughout the season.
Worth noting: on event days, admission prices go up (€10 full rate, €32 for the family ticket).
The exhibition space in the former living quarters
Set up in the former living quarters and kitchen, the exhibition space blends modern decor with old stonework. The permanent exhibit tells the story of daily life at the castle, with objects found during the excavations:
- 🛡️ the knight’s and halberdier’s uniforms
- 🍽️ what people ate in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance
- 🔥 how they kept warm
- ⚔️ the weapons used
- 🏗️ the restoration of the castle from 1985 to 2000, then the excavations from 2008 to 2013
A temporary exhibition changes every year. An elevator serves the museum.
The rampart walk and its 360° view
The main enclosure can be walked along the rampart walk. This is where the 360° view unfolds, the highlight of the visit.
Worth noting: the ramparts are not accessible to visitors with reduced mobility, and a baby carrier is preferable to a stroller.
Visit duration and event days
Plan for about 2 hours for the visit, not including activities or meals (1.5 hours according to the Colmar Tourist Office). During our visit, groups of kids were celebrating birthdays, and the castle also hosts weddings and private events.
Also on the blog
Visiting the castle with family: suggested route and discovery booklet
We toured the castle at our own pace, using the suggested route on the leaflet handed out at the entrance. The kids are the kings of the castle here, between the rampart walk, the stairs, and the legend of the dragon said to have left “flame” marks on a wall.
💡 A tip from a local: follow the route on the leaflet handed out at the entrance so you don’t miss anything.
Worth noting: a discovery booklet for ages 7–12 is available for about €2. Guided tours are sometimes offered during school holidays. Outside of these periods, they’re reserved for groups.
What to remember about visiting Hohlandsbourg
- 🏰 A reconstructed castle, with a 360° view from the rampart walk
- 👨👩👧 A visit suited to families: €20 family ticket, discovery booklet for ages 7-12, discounted rate with a Haut-Kœnigsbourg ticket
- ⏱️ 1.5 to 2 hours on site, plus a maximum 10-minute walk from the P2 parking lot
- 📅 A short season, from April to early November
Looking to extend your day? Check out Visiting Alsace with your family – 20 activities.
Practical information
Rates
In 2026, outside event days: €7 full price, €4.50 for ages 6–17, €20 for the family ticket (max. 2 adults and children aged 6–17), plus €4.50 per additional person (max. 2).
Free for under-6s. On event days, prices rise to €10 / €8 / €32 / €8 per additional person. Reduced rate with proof of a ticket to Haut-Kœnigsbourg.
Free for holders of the Pass Alsace and during the European Heritage Days. Full price details on the official website.
Schedules
The castle is open from April to November 1, then closed from November 2 to April 2. Opening hours vary by season (in 2026: 10 AM–6 PM in April, July and August; 10 AM–5 PM in September and October).
Last entry is 30 minutes before closing. Detailed calendar on the official website.
Access
By car
The address is: Route des Cinq Châteaux, 68920 Wintzenheim. Access via the D214 through Wintzenheim (the D1 through Husseren-les-Châteaux is closed from March 15 to November 15). Plan on roughly:
- 11 km from Colmar
- 45 km from Mulhouse (about 45 minutes)
- 85 km from Strasbourg (about 1 hour)
By public transport
Take the train from Colmar to Saint-Gilles, then plan on about 5 km of walking along trails.
By bike
The climb from Wintzenheim is about 7 km, with 387 m of elevation gain (average gradient of 5.5%). The castle sits at an altitude of 644 m.
Accessibility and services
Accessibility
Wheelchair access is possible everywhere except on the ramparts, and an elevator serves the museum. Strollers are allowed inside the castle, with a baby carrier recommended on the ramparts.
Dogs
Dogs are allowed on a leash or in a carrier, except in the museum. For a very large dog, call the castle ahead of time.
Guided tours
Guided tours are sometimes offered during school holidays (in April 2026, for example). Outside of these periods, they’re reserved for groups.
Food and shopping
A brasserie opens alongside the castle: snacks and local specialties every day in July and August, afternoons only for the rest of the season. There’s no designated picnic area, but staff can point you to suitable spots. A shop is located at the entrance, accessible without a ticket during opening hours.
Frequently asked questions before visiting the castle
How much does it cost to visit Château du Hohlandsbourg?
In 2026, admission costs €7 for adults and €4.50 for ages 6 to 17, and it’s free for under 6s. The family ticket is €20. On event days, rates rise to €10 / €8 / €32. A discounted rate applies with a Haut-Kœnigsbourg ticket.
When is Château du Hohlandsbourg open?
It’s open from April to November 1, then closed in winter (from November 2 to April 2). In 2026, hours are 10 AM to 6 PM in April, July, and August, and 10 AM to 5 PM in September and October, with certain closing days outside school holidays.
How long does it take to visit Château du Hohlandsbourg?
Plan for 1.5 to 2 hours on site, not including activities or meals, plus a maximum 10-minute walk from the P2 parking lot.
Is Château du Hohlandsbourg suitable for kids?
Yes, it’s an ideal visit for families: €20 family ticket, discovery booklet for ages 7-12, and events throughout the season. Strollers are allowed, except on the ramparts, where a baby carrier is preferable. Guided tours are sometimes offered during school holidays.
How do you get to Château du Hohlandsbourg from Colmar?
The castle is 11 km from Colmar, accessible by car via the D214 through Wintzenheim. By public transport, take the train to Saint-Gilles, then walk about 5 km. By bike, the climb from Wintzenheim is 7 km with 387 m of elevation gain.