Riquewihr combines a compact historic urban fabric with a rich wine-growing history and a distinctive landscape setting. The town is one of the “Plus Beaux Villages de France”; its houses date from the 15th to the 18th century. Riquewihr lies in a valley that opens to the east, surrounded by pre-Vosges hills planted with grapevines. This combination brings several interests into focus: historic architecture, the history of the wine trade, and the landscape around the town. When planning your visit, you can decide whether to focus on the architectural history of individual towers, museum exhibits about Riquewihr, or a themed regional walk.

Wine Trade and Landscape

The historical reach of wine-growing is evident in the fact that wine from Riquewihr was exported throughout the Empire and to the Hanseatic lands. From the Dolder, you can enjoy a remarkable view of Riquewihr’s rooftops and toward the Alsace plain. The town’s rooftops and the view toward the plain offer two distinct perspectives. Here, wine-growing history can be understood both as historic trade and in relation to the valley’s landscape.

Fortifications and Museum Exhibits

The Dolder dates to 1291; it served as a defensive tower, watchtower, and bell tower. The Dolder Museum presents Riquewihr as a fortified wine-growing town and traces its development from the 13th to the 17th century. 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 of seigneurial justice. At the Dolder, the emphasis is on defense, watch, and bell; the Tour des Voleurs adds its later use as a prison and a place of seigneurial justice. The former Château des comtes de Montbéliard-Wurtemberg is also now used as a museum.

Living Spaces and Winemaking Crafts

The 16th-century Maison de Vigneron includes a kitchen, a living room (“Stub”), wall decorations, and a cellar. The cellar contains tools used by winegrowers and coopers. Living spaces, decorations, and winemaking tools are among the specific features that distinguish this building complex. Unlike the towers’ defensive and watch functions, the focus here is different: the living spaces and tools connect wine-growing history with everyday life and craftsmanship.

Walks to Suit Your Interests

The Géovino wine trail runs through Riquewihr. The S’Gelt Tour is an immersive experience that takes you through the cobbled streets and explores the history, legends, and accounts of everyday life in Alsace. The two experiences have different focuses: Géovino is a wine trail, while the S’Gelt Tour draws on regional stories. Check the dates for the S’Gelt Tour before your visit, as they may change.

Discover more destinations: Goldbach-Altenbach, Bergholtz, Bollwiller, Freland, Logelheim, Zellenberg, Horbourg-Wihr, Orbey.

Go to the regional travel overview: Haut-Rhin.