Riquewihr

Riquewihr, a medieval Alsatian village listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France, sits at the heart of the vineyards along the famous Alsace Wine Route. Its ramparts, flower-adorned half-timbered houses and cobbled lanes reflect a winemaking heritage preserved since the Middle Ages. Colmar, just twenty kilometres away, makes for an easy day trip to explore its picturesque canals and typical Alsatian architecture. A little further afield, the Écomusée d'Alsace offers an insight into traditional rural Alsatian life, with historic buildings relocated on site and demonstrations of age-old crafts—well worth setting aside a full day to visit. To explore the surrounding vineyard hills, self-service electric bike hire, such as that offered by Le Vélo Libre just a stone's throw from the centre, provides great freedom of movement, available around the clock without being tied to opening hours. After a day out cycling, La Taverne Alsacienne restaurant is a good spot to sample regional dishes such as choucroute and tarte flambée, in the convivial atmosphere typical of Alsatian winstubs. Riquewihr therefore makes an ideal base for discovering the Alsace vineyards and their rich cultural heritage.