Discover Riquewihr: Wine Tradition and History
Accommodation in Riquewihr
Riquewihr combines a strong wine-making tradition with a densely layered historic townscape. Houses dating from the 15th to the 18th centuries, fortified structures and museums stand alongside the landscape of the pre-Vosges hills planted with vines. From the Dolder, the view stretches over the rooftops toward the Alsatian plain. This gives you several ways to plan your visit: architectural history, wine country and themed explorations.
Historic Townscape and Fortified Buildings
Riquewihr is one of the “Plus Beaux Villages de France” (Most Beautiful Villages of France). Its dense historic urban fabric, with houses dating from the 15th to the 18th centuries, gives the townscape a broad span across time. The fortifications also tell different chapters of its history: the Dolder, dated 1291, served as a defensive, watch and bell tower. It also offers a remarkable view over Riquewihr’s rooftops and toward the Alsatian plain. The different periods distinguish the medieval defensive structure from the later housing stock of the 15th to 18th centuries.
The Tour des Voleurs is an angular defensive tower dating from the late 13th or early 14th century. From the 15th to the 18th century, it also served as a prison and a place where the lord administered justice. The former Château des comtes de Montbéliard-Wurtemberg is now used as a museum. The Dolder Museum presents Riquewihr as a fortified wine town and traces its development from the 13th to the 17th century.
Wine Country and Themed Trails
Riquewihr lies in an east-facing valley surrounded by pre-Vosges hills planted with vines. Its wine history extends beyond this landscape: wine from Riquewihr was exported throughout the Empire and to the Hanseatic lands. The Géovino wine trail runs through Riquewihr and offers a dedicated way to explore wine-growing in the area around the town.
Museums and Tours
The 16th-century Maison de Vigneron includes a kitchen, a living room (“Stub”), wall decorations and a cellar. The cellar houses tools used by winegrowers and coopers. The S’Gelt Tour is an immersive experience through Riquewihr’s cobbled streets. It explores Alsatian history, legends and everyday life. As schedules may change, check current dates in advance.
The historical themes can also be distinguished by period and subject: the Tour des Voleurs represents defensive architecture and the administration of justice by the lord, while the Maison de Vigneron showcases rooms and tools associated with wine-growing. The Dolder Museum, in turn, spans Riquewihr’s development from the 13th to the 17th century. This lets you choose between architectural history, wine tradition and different forms of storytelling for your stay.
Discover more destinations: Galfingue, Soultzmatt, Zimmersheim, Orbey, Wittenheim, Hagenthal-Le-Bas, Münster, Ungersheim.
For the regional travel overview: Haut-Rhin.
