Village de Riquewihr

Welcome to Riquewihr, a place frequently hailed as the Pearl of the Alsace Vineyards. As you stand here at the entrance of this fortified settlement, you are stepping back into a remarkably preserved pocket of the sixteenth…

We begin our exploration at the Hotel de Ville, or Town Hall, a structure that serves as the formal threshold into the old town. Built in 1809, this neoclassical building stands on the site of the original lower gate of the…

We are now walking along the Rue du General de Gaulle, the primary thoroughfare of Riquewihr. This street is a masterclass in Alsatian Renaissance architecture. …

Standing before us is the iconic Dolder Tower, the crown jewel of Riquewihr’s skyline. Built in 1291, the same year as the foundation of the Swiss Confederation, this twenty-five-meter-tall belfry served as the town’s main…

Just a short walk from the Dolder, we find a darker chapter of Riquewihr’s history at the Tour des Voleurs, or Thief’s Tower. This structure formed the northwestern corner of the medieval fortifications and served as the town's…

Returning toward the center, we stop at the Fontaine de la Sinne, a site that was once the economic heartbeat of Riquewihr. Dating from the sixteenth century, this fountain was not merely a source of water; it was a critical tool…

Riquewihr’s religious landscape is unique in its reflection of the Reformation’s impact on Alsace. Here, we find two churches dedicated to Saint Margaret: one Catholic and one Protestant. …

Our journey through Riquewihr concludes where the town itself begins: in the vineyards. As we walk just beyond the northern walls, the village reveals its true context. …