Riquewihr
The jewel of Alsace wine country
Riquewihr is counted among the most beautiful villages in France — and once you step through the Dolder gate into the medieval old town, you see why. The narrow lanes, the flower-decked half-timbered houses and the surviving 13th-century town walls paint a picture that has barely changed in 500 years.
The village sits among vineyards that have been worked since the Middle Ages. Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris grow on the slopes all around — and many of the wine estates open their cellars for tastings right in the village.
The Rue du Général de Gaulle, the main street through the village, is lined with winstubs, little shops selling regional specialities and characterful wine cellars. No rush, no mass-produced goods — just the best of Alsace, sold by people whose families have worked here for generations.
Getting there: ~35 min by car. Best visited early in the morning — before 10 am the village still belongs to the locals. Parking outside the old town; vehicle access is restricted during the day.