Visit the Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle – Short guide

My summary

Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg presentation

Castle lovers, I have just the thing for you! The castle of Haut-Koenigsbourg is one of the must-see places in Alsace. It is a mountain fortress, located at an altitude of 757 meters. It offers an incredible view of the surroundings and on a clear day, it is not unusual to see the Alps.

In addition to its altitude, its panorama and its distinctive pink Vosges sandstone color, the great feature of the Haut-Koenigsbourg castle is its excellent condition. It dates from the 12th century, but was entirely restored in the 20th century: it is the only one in Alsace which is like this and it is moreover classified with the historical monuments.

Where is the Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle located?

The castle is located on the heights of Orschwiller, a village on the Alsace Wine Route located just outside of Selestat in the Bas-Rhin. We are 26 km north of Colmar and 55 km south of Strasbourg.

If you go to the castle, don’t hesitate to visit Sélestat, to visit a winegrower or to visit the Monkey Mountain (10 minutes by car or by shuttle) and the Eagles’ Volerie (15 minutes away). It would be a shame to miss out!

History of the Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle

Construction in the 12th century

Built in the 12th century on a rocky spur, making it an ideal observatory and strategic retreat, the Haut-Koenigsbourg castle (whose name means “king’s castle”) has seen a succession of conflicts, rivalries and owners (including the Habsburgs) over the centuries. After a long siege, a pillage and a fire, the fortress was abandoned in 1633 for more than two centuries, the vegetation gradually taking over the ruins.

A unique restoration

Following the victory of the Kingdom of Prussia against France in the 1870 war, Alsace became German. The Haut-Koenigsbourg was then offered in 1899 toEmperor William II of Hohenzollern by the city of Sélestat, which then embarked on a huge restoration project thanks to the architect Bodo Ebhardt, a specialist in medieval architecture, thus concretizing his ideas of Germanization of Alsace. This work will last eight years. Ten years later, it was France that became the owner of the castle at the end of the First World War (Treaty of Versailles), Alsace then becoming French again.

Thanks to this unique restoration (despite controversy) and 20th-century rehabilitation work, a visit to Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg today offers a remarkable insight into the architecture, history and life of the Middle Ages, and is a unique witness to two intertwined periods of history.

A film location

This rich heritage, this magnificent setting and this particular architecture have made the Haut-Koenigsbourg castle one of the most visited sites in Alsace, but also to have inspired many artists and filmmakers over the years, such as Jean Renoir, Jean-Paul Carrère or even Dionysos and Hayao Miyzaki.

What’s on at Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg?

Exterior of the castle

From the outside, the castle already impresses with its fortified ramparts, towers and star bastion. As soon as you pass the high gate, the visit of the Haut-Koenigsbourg castle plunges you into another universe, into another time, into the Middle Ages. Although the restoration did not take place at all during this period, since it dates back to the 20th century, it’s important to remember that this is what Wilhelm II wanted for the castle: to be both a museum of what a medieval castle was, and at the same time a place to showcase the extent of his power and prestige.

In the heart of the castle’s enclosure, you will first discover a fountain, the stables, a mill, a forge and an inn in the lower inner courtyard, then you will move on to the dwellings and the dungeon by way of the drawbridge and various courtyards.

Inside the castle

Inside the towers and living quarters, some rooms are furnished with medieval furniture, others with more modern furniture from the time of the Kaiser. A succession of wood-panelled rooms, wooden galleries, the banqueting hall, the trophy room, the weapons room, where some of the artillery pieces are on display, the empress’s bedroom, the imperial kitchens (only accessible during unusual tours), the Kaiser’s room, with its 20th-century frescoes and imperial eagle painting on the ceiling… Magnificent!

Panoramic view and gardens

From the two towers of the great bastion, you can discover the famous view of the Alsace Plain, the Vosges and the Black Forest (and even the Alps on a clear day!). Outside, you can visit the artillery terrace and the medieval garden of the Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg, a breath of fresh air that recreates the style of medieval gardens and once again bears witness to history through the seasons: food, medicine, dyeing and, of course, the “jardin des plaisirs”, inviting you to stroll, rest and socialize. People danced and had fun, admired the flowers and talked.

How long will the tour take?

Count about 2 hours for the duration of the visit of the Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle: there are really a lot of things to see and the castle is big!

Guided tours and animations

Guided tours for groups of 1 hour are available for €2. I’ d definitely recommend taking one of these, they’re really worth it! What’s more, the château also offers a variety of other tours and events for young and old all year round. You can consult the calendar of visits here. Alternatively, an audioguide is available for €4.

For children, there are fun tours and themed workshops. For example, around medieval construction, food, daily life in the Middle Ages, stained glass… It’s very nice!