Eguisheim is a typical Alsatian village located just next to Colmar, on the Alsace Wine Route. It is notably famous for having been elected “Favorite Village of the French” in 2013, the famous show hosted by StĂ©phane Bern. But that’s not all, Eguisheim is also part of the very closed club of the Most Beautiful Villages of France. It is really a must during a stay in Alsace!
It is inevitably very popular with tourists, but we must admit that it is rightly so and that it really deserves a visit! It is really one of the most beautiful villages in Alsace. You can easily combine the visit of Eguisheim with that of Colmar: there are only 7km between the two, and Eguisheim is a small village.
How to visit Eguisheim, one of the most beautiful villages in France ?
Eguisheim is a small town that can be discovered on foot. Park your car in one of the parking lots on the outskirts of the historic center and enjoy a pleasant stroll! Allow a few hours to stroll around and really take your time.
What to do and what to visit in Eguisheim?
Stroll through the downtown area
Eguisheim is a very pleasant place to visit on foot. The walled city spreads out in concentric circles and it is very pleasant to walk around it. You can follow for example the circuit proposed by the Tourist Office, or stroll randomly through the colorful cobbled streets. There is no risk of getting lost, Eguisheim is not very big and the pleasure consists precisely in strolling and marvelling at the beauty of the discoveries you make at each step!
One can admire many Alsatian half-timbered houses with bright colors whose windowsills are richly decorated with flowers. Eguisheim has already won several prizes for its flowering, and you will quickly understand why when you walk around!
The civil and military buildings have been tremendously well preserved and the architecture of the village is fascinating. As for the remarkable monuments, you will be able to admire the Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul Church (Gothic building erected in 1220), the Saint-Leon IX Castle, as well as the Chapel and the fountain of the same name. You will see that Pope Leo is omnipresent in the names of the buildings and the central square of the village, and for good reason: Eguisheim is his birthplace.
Eguisheim is also known for its five colonial courtyards, which you can discover during your visit.
Visit a cellar and taste Alsace wines
You are on the Alsace Wine Route, so don’t hesitate to visit a winegrower and taste Alsace wines! In Eguisheim, I can recommend Emile Beyer or Pierre-Henri Ginglinger (organic). Otherwise, here is also my selection of other Alsatian domains.
Cycling in the vineyards
Eguisheim being nestled in the heart of the Alsatian vineyard, it would be a shame to leave without having done a little bike ride in the vineyards, especially since you have on the spot an electric bike rental company that I recommend: Alsa Cyclo Tours. Here is the story of an electric bike ride in Eguisheim.
Walking in the vineyard
Do you prefer to walk? It’s a very good idea too, the vineyard lends itself very well. For example, you can take a nice walk in Eguisheim along the Grands Crus wine trail.
If you want to make a longer walk, you can choose the 3 castles of Eguisheim (Dagsbourg, Wahlenbourg and Weckmund, all three built between the 11th and 12th century) as a goal for your walk.
Visit the Eguisheim Christmas Market
The Christmas market of Eguisheim is very small, but the illuminated and decorated village is magnificent: it is worth a visit!
My good addresses in Eguisheim
Hotels: where to sleep in Eguisheim?
Here is my selection of hotels in Eguisheim.
Restaurants: where to eat in Eguisheim?
There are several good addresses, but I particularly appreciated theAuberge des Trois Châteaux for tasting good Alsatian food (special mention for the excellent Baeckeoffe).
Other stores
Here are a few gourmet addresses that I particularly appreciate:
- To buy gingerbread: Bretzellerie du Rempart
- For mushroom lovers (I love their vinegar aperitif mushrooms!): La Boutique du Champignon
- To buy delicious bredele: Maison alsacienne de Biscuiterie
Parking: where to park in Eguisheim ?
For cars, there are two free parking lots, the Parking de la Tuilerie and Parking du Millénaire, and two paying parking lots (4€ per day), the Parking de la Mairie and the Parking des Marronniers.
Brief history of Eguisheim
The history of the village of Eguisheim in Alsace is long, since the territory has been occupied by man since the Paleolithic period. Many other civilizations have left their cultural mark on the region, such as the Gallo-Romans who developed the cultivation of vines. Later, governed by counts and dukes, it is in the 7th century that the cultivation of vines covers the hills and slopes.
The first castle of Eguisheim was built in 720 and the first village settled around it. Eguisheim is the birthplace of the future Pope Leo IX, born in 1002.
I liked
- Walking in the pedestrian center
- Very flowery village
- The surroundings are beautiful and worth a walk!
I liked less
- Eguisheim is very touristic, so it can be quite crowded in season
Practical information
Access
By car
Eguisheim is located in:
- 7 km from Colmar (about 15 minutes)
- 41 km from Mulhouse (about 35 minutes)
- 91 km from Strasbourg (about 1h05)
There are paid and free parking lots. You will find here the information on the different parking lots of Eguisheim.
By public transport
You can look at the Fluo website. You can also use the Kutzig bus, very practical to visit some villages of the Alsace Wine Route.
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