A medieval castle courtyard, a forest wildlife park and the Saint-Martin Church represent different sides of a trip to Kintzheim. At the Château de Kintzheim, the bird of prey show takes place in the courtyard, while the church adds a distinct cultural note to the town centre. When planning your day, it is worth considering shows, seasonal transport services, routes and concert dates separately.
Castle, Birds of Prey and Forest
The Château de Kintzheim is a medieval castle dating from the 13th century. The Volerie des Aigles is located on the grounds; its bird of prey show is performed in the courtyard. More than 30 species of birds of prey live there and can move freely. This describes their freedom of movement; it does not mean that all the animals are presented in free flight.
The Montagne des Singes offers a different focus: this forest wildlife park lets visitors observe more than 200 free-roaming monkeys. Its trail through the forest is designed to be both educational and fun. Commentated feedings take place every 45 minutes; the schedule may vary seasonally. Animal numbers and the way the trail is presented can also change over time.
Cigoland offers two very different attractions. Le Pommier features 40 apple-shaped gondolas arranged around an almost ten-metre-high apple tree. At Noody Studio, an immersive cinema shows specially produced films. The range of attractions may evolve, and the film programme may change. A strikingly designed ride and a cinema experience are therefore offered side by side, without requiring them to follow the same schedule.
Church and Landscape
The present-day Saint-Martin Church stands on a hill in Kintzheim town centre. It was built between 1844 and 1846 and houses a reliquary containing a tooth of Saint James, as well as a restored Stiehr-Mockers organ. There is also an annual programme of four concerts. If you would like to plan for one, check the dates in advance.
When it comes to castles, it is worth distinguishing between two names: the Volerie des Aigles is located at the Château de Kintzheim. The Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg, by contrast, is within the neighbouring municipality of Orschwiller, but also forms part of Kintzheim’s landscape. This geographical distinction helps you avoid confusing the castle in the town with the prominent landmark in the surrounding landscape.
Routes and Seasonal Connections
Kintzheim has numerous hiking, cycling and mountain biking routes. Hiking trails include routes marked by the Vosges Friends; there are also other cycling routes. Check trail markers and route paths locally before planning your trip around them. There is also a time comparison for a specific destination: from Kintzheim village, the Volerie des Aigles is about a 20-minute walk or a 10-minute bike ride away. For this journey, cycling takes roughly half as long as walking.
The seasonal Navette du Haut-Koenigsbourg connects SĂ©lestat station with the Haut-Koenigsbourg. Its route runs via Cigoland, Kintzheim town centre, the Volerie des Aigles and the Montagne des Singes. It therefore connects several of the destinations mentioned along one route; however, the service is seasonal. If you are planning your day around the Navette, check the current timetable in advance.
Alsatian Cuisine and Wine
You can sample the Grand Cru Praelatenberg in Kintzheim’s wine cellars. Check in advance which cellars are participating and what tasting arrangements are available. The town’s restaurants serve tarte flambée and other Alsatian specialities. As availability and menus may change, it is a good idea to check the current offering when planning your trip. This lets you include wine tasting and regional cuisine as separate activities without assuming that specific offerings or dates are fixed.
Discover more destinations: Dorlisheim, Bilwisheim, Marlenheim, Lipsheim, Ergersheim, Bust, Wildersbach, Valff
For the broader travel overview: Bas-Rhin.
