Turckheim: City Gates, History and Wine

Turckheim preserves three medieval city gates and significant remnants of its city walls. A museum about the history of the fighting around the Colmar Pocket, vineyard trails and wine experiences are also among the local attractions. If you are looking for a hotel in Turckheim, you can shape your stay around architectural history, remembrance or wine.

Medieval gates with different purposes

The Porte de Munster was built in the 14th century. Its windows are decorated with scallop shells, suggesting that it may have been a stop on the route to Santiago de Compostela. Of the three gates, the Porte du Brand had the most extensive defensive function. Its historic features included a drawbridge over a moat and a portcullis. The Porte de France served a different purpose: its lower section dates from 1330, and the gate originally served above all for Turckheim’s economic exchange with Switzerland. Together, the three structures represent different aspects of the town’s history: a possible pilgrim tradition, defense and trade relations.

Museum and historic interiors

The Musée-Mémorial des Combats de la Poche de Colmar is housed in an 18th-century vaulted cellar. During the Second World War, this cellar served as a shelter for the people of Turckheim. The museum’s collection tells the story of the battle for the Colmar Pocket. Turckheim’s church also houses a Silbermann organ built in 1755. The timeline thus stretches from the medieval gates through the organ to the Second World War, which the museum explores through its collection.

Two trails, different highlights

The Sentier du Dragon is a vineyard trail. The walk takes two hours and is suitable for all audiences. Free parking for cars is available for this trail. Check parking information locally before your visit. The Sentier des Toits follows the city walls and climbs uphill to a viewpoint. The trails offer different highlights: the Dragon combines vineyards with a two-hour walk, while the Toits focuses on its route along the wall and the climb to the viewpoint.

Wine experiences and landscape

The Cave de Turckheim offers wine tastings, where knowledgeable advisers explain the wines. Seasonal offerings include themed wine tastings and exhibitions, as well as summer walks through the vineyards. Check current dates for your travel period. Turckheim lies along the double fault line between the Alsace Plain and the Munster Valley. The area has a great diversity of terroirs in which Alsatian grape varieties thrive. This connects the wine experiences on offer with the landscape that shapes the area’s vineyards.

The Night Watchman’s Round

From 1 May to 31 October, the night watchman makes his rounds every evening at 10 p.m. Check the 2026 schedule before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Jungholtz, Vœgtlinshoffen, Goldbach-Altenbach, Kaysersberg, Freland, Illzach, Nambsheim, Osenbach.

Return to the regional travel overview: Haut-Rhin.