What to do in Riquewihr My tips and good addresses
Impossible to miss the visit of Riquewihr when visiting Alsace! This adorable village on the Alsace Wine Route is a must-see, and is one of the most visited villages in Alsace and one of the "Most Beautiful Villages of France". Rightly so, because it must be said that Riquewihr, nicknamed "The Pearl of the Vineyard", is a very beautiful place. We can reproach it for its too touristy stores and the crowd that invades it regularly, but I sincerely think that a visit of Riquewihr is really worth it, it's just beautiful!
Summary
- How long to visit Riquewihr?
- 1. Visit the historic center of Riquewihr
- 2. Admire the Dolder tower
- 3. Taste Riquewihr's green sauerkraut
- 4. Tasting Alsace wine in a cellar
- 5. Buy Christmas decorations
- 6. Riding an electric scooter through the vineyards around Riquewihr
- 7. Enjoy a locally brewed beer
- 8. Visit the Riquewihr area
- My good addresses in Riquewihr
How long to visit Riquewihr?
Riquewihr is a small village but there are many things to see! I advise you to spend between a few hours and half a day there. If you want to take the time to walk around Riquewihr (which I would advise you to do, the Route des Vins is superb!), count more time. You can easily combine your visit with that of Colmar, Ribeauvillé, Kaysersberg and Eguisheim. Well, don’t do it all in one day because you won’t enjoy it! But over two days, it’s feasible.
Visit Riquewihr or Ribeauvillé?
This is a question that often comes up, and to which I bring the following answer: both! The two villages are only 5km apart and you can easily visit both in one day, why not even in one afternoon. In my opinion, both villages are really beautiful, but Riquewihr is a little more touristy, whereas Ribeauvillé has managed to retain a real sense of local life. But both are well worth a visit in my opinion!
1. Visit the historic center of Riquewihr
Riquewihr is an ancient fortified town nestled in the heart of the Alsatian vineyards. Inside the walls is the pedestrian center, where it is very pleasant to stroll. There is no risk of getting lost: there is a main street ( General de Gaulle street), from which other perpendicular streets start. You should not hesitate to go for a walk.
At the bend of the paved streets, you will find beautiful half-timbered houses with colors and flowers and very beautiful architectural details. If you were dreaming of seeing a pretty Alsatian village, here you are! Half-timbered houses, ramparts, entrance doors, paved streets… Riquewihr is probably what you dreamed of seeing in Alsace.
A Discovery tour of Riquewihr proposed by the Tourist Office will allow you to discover the rich historical heritage of the city, by discovering the different architectural and historical periods of the city. Notable buildings include the neo-classical town hall (1809), the former 16th-century castle of the Montbéliard-Wurtemberg counts, the Tour des Voleurs (former town dungeons), Alsace’s tallest half-timbered house (rue du Général de Gaulle, 14) and the former Hôtel de Berkheim (rue de Berkheim, 37).
2. Admire the Dolder tower
The Dolder is the emblematic tower of Riquewihr. Built in the 13th century, it was used as a belfry, a defensive tower and a gateway to the city. Today, the Dolder houses a museum that shows the functioning of a rural fortified town and its evolution from the 13th to the 17th century, with its passive and active defense means as well as the occupants of the tower and their function. From the 4th floor of the museum, you can also enjoy a beautiful view of the roofs of Riquewihr.
3. Taste Riquewihr’s green sauerkraut
As for gastronomy, don’t miss the Riquewihrienne, the green sauerkraut of Riquewihr. It is a specialty of sauerkraut with grass cream that you can only find here (in 5 restaurants only!). A delight! I can recommend the restaurant Le Dolder.
4. Tasting Alsace wine in a cellar
As Riquewihr is located on the Alsace Wine Route, it would be a shame not to take advantage of the opportunity to visit a winemaker and taste some Alsace wine! I can recommend Domaine Agapé where you’ll be warmly welcomed by a wine enthusiast. Here are also my good addresses ofother Alsatian domains.
5. Buy Christmas decorations
If you like Christmas decorations, here is a must-see store that is open all year round: Féerie de Noël (Käthe Wohlfahrt), where you will be truly immersed in the magic of Christmas all year round. Chances are you’ll leave with lots of beautiful things to decorate the tree…
6. Riding an electric scooter through the vineyards around Riquewihr
Here’s an unusual activity in Riquewihr: an electric scooter ride with Riq’Ecotours! Vincent tried it out and loved it.
7. Enjoy a locally brewed beer
In Riquewihr you can find the Brasserie du Vignoble (BRA’V for the intimates 😉 ). You can go there to buy the delicious craft beers brewed on site, but also visit the brewery by appointment and, in the nice season, enjoy the biergarten to taste a beer on site. Nice program, right?
8. Visit the Riquewihr area
Riquewihr is nestled in the heart of the Alsatian vineyards: there is no shortage of walks and you will be spoilt for choice! Take a walk along the Grands Crus wine trail or visit the remains of the Bilstein or Reichenstein castles.
My good addresses in Riquewihr
Where to sleep in Riquewihr?
Here’s my selection of the best hotels: the best hotels in Riquewihr. If you’re looking for a B&B, I can recommend the beautiful Gîtes des Remparts .
Restaurants in Riquewihr: where to eat?
Here are three restaurant addresses in Riquewihr that I like:
- To taste the green sauerkraut: The Dolder.
- For a quality traditional Alsatian restaurant: La Grappe d’Or
- For a more upscale French/Fusion restaurant: Le Trotthus
I liked
- Walk around the lovely pedestrian center
- Very beautiful half-timbered houses
- Location in the heart of the vineyard
I liked less
- Stores often very touristy
- It can be quite crowded in season
Practical information
Access
By car
Riquewihr is located in:
- 16 km from Colmar (about 30 minutes)
- 55 km from Mulhouse (about 55 minutes)
- 72 km from Strasbourg (about 1 hour)
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.