Orschwiller lies among the vineyards of the Alsace Wine Route. The village brings together village art and religious buildings with the Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg. Depending on your interests, you can focus your stay on architectural history, art in the village, hiking trails or wine culture.
A castle with several phases of construction
The Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg is protected as a historic monument. It was built in the first half of the 12th century by the Hohenstaufen dynasty. Reconstruction followed many centuries later: from 1901 to 1908, it was overseen by the architect Bodo Ebhardt. The castle’s medieval origins and later reconstruction are both part of its history. One way to get there is to take Shuttle Line 500 from Sélestat SNCF station. Check the timetable for your visit.
The chapel and church in the village
The religious buildings also tell the story of different eras. The Chapelle Saint-Joseph was built in 1728, replacing an older place of worship that Swedish troops had burned down in 1633. The chapel was restored in 1982. It houses a polychrome wooden sculpture of the Holy Family. The Church of Saint-Maurice is a neoclassical building from the late 18th century, designed by the architect Christiani; it has been classified as a historic monument since 1987. Together, the two buildings bring different chapters of local architectural history to life.
Village art and paths to the castle
The Circuit de visite et artistique through Orschwiller takes about an hour and combines Alsatian heritage with contemporary art. The route passes half-timbered houses, picturesque squares and historically significant buildings; it also showcases works of art integrated into the village. It is open to everyone. If specific accessibility features are important to you, check the conditions in advance.
If you would rather focus on trails outside the village, there are different destinations to choose from: a forest hike from the Col du Schaentzel leads to the Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg. A circular route around the château leads to the ruins of Oedenbourg. This gives you a choice of different kinds of outings: an approximately one-hour walk featuring art and village scenery, a forest hike to the castle, or a circular route to the ruins.
Wine and event dates
Several wineries in Orschwiller offer cellar tours and wine tastings. Check availability with the winery concerned before your trip. The Authentique Village de Noël is also part of the events calendar; it takes place every two years. If you want to plan your stay around it, confirm the date for your intended travel year.
A view of the landscape behind the church
Behind the Church of Saint-Maurice, an orientation panel offers a view of the surrounding landscape. It complements the architectural history of the village with a perspective on its surroundings. You can plan your stay around a particular focus, such as a visit to the castle, the art trail, the religious buildings or a visit to a winery. When planning, check the shuttle times, event dates and winery availability relevant to your trip.
Discover more destinations: Oberbronn, Westhouse, Wissembourg, Ranrupt, Dossenheim-Sur-Zinsel, Kurtzenhouse, Birkenwald, Itterswiller
For the regional travel overview: Bas-Rhin.
