Riquewihr, Alsace, France – stay in the finest vacation rentals, in the prettiest village on the Alsace wine route. Book direct with the owner & save booking fees.
Our “Les Remparts de Riquewihr” cottages are ideally located in the heart of Alsace, in the historic village of Riquewihr, one of the most beautiful villages in France. There is also one in La Vancelle, in a privileged natural environment. Our cottages and outstanding accommodations await you for a romantic getaway, a vacation with family or friends. They are a perfect and convenient base for visiting all of Alsace and even nearby Germany and Switzerland. Our visitors consider our charming cottages to be among the most beautiful accommodations in Alsace. Our vacation rentals are available all year round and also welcome you to work remotely (high-speed Internet connection in all our cottages).
This is the question all travelers who want to visit the Alsace Wine Route ask themselves!
Rather than establishing a ranking, our advice is simple: visit them all! Each of these medieval towns, whether Kaysersberg, Eguisheim, Bergheim, Ribeauvillé, or Riquewihr, has its own unique charm and attractions: its architecture, its ramparts, its vineyards, and its history.
It’s true that several of our neighbors have been voted “Favorite Village of the French” (Kaysersberg, Eguisheim, Bergheim). As for Riquewihr, it has always prioritized its authenticity and its status as a “Pearl of the Vineyard”
(rated 3 stars in the Michelin Green Guide), choosing not to compete in that TV show in order to preserve its balance in the face of visitor numbers.
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More about Riquewihr, one of the prettiest villages in France
Key points about Riquewihr:
- An unparalleled heritage: Riquewihr is the Alsatian village with the largest number of buildings listed or classified as Historic Monuments. A true open-air museum!
- Peace after the crowds: Riquewihr is very popular with day trippers. That’s why, by choosing to stay here, you’ll enjoy a magical experience: from late afternoon until late the following morning, you’ll have this magnificent village almost to yourself. It’s the perfect time to take a leisurely stroll and enjoy the Alsatian warmth.
- A central location: From Riquewihr, you’re ideally placed to explore all the surrounding treasures. The villages of Ribeauvillé, Kaysersberg, Eguisheim, and Bergheim are all easily and quickly accessible.
By staying in one of our gîtes, you’ll enjoy the privilege of watching the village fall asleep and wake up, transforming a simple visit into a true Alsatian immersion. Our apartments are listed below, each with a video that will introduce you to them in detail.
The best season to stay in Riquewihr is the one that best suits your pace and your idea of travel. As we offer accommodations designed for immersion and “slow travel” in our historic houses, we encourage our guests to take their time and not limit themselves to a (too) short visit.
To help you choose, here are the specific features of Riquewihr throughout the seasons, with links to my pages of suggestions for your stay, as well as 👉 a link to my page that presents the village of Riquewihr in more detail.
Spring (April – May)
Awakening and blossoming. The vines come back to life, the balconies are adorned with geraniums, and the temperatures are mild. Ideal for those first terraces and hikes. Attendance is moderate (except during long weekends in May). The village is lively but the atmosphere remains relaxed. Take advantage of the quiet mornings to photograph the flower-decked facades before the crowds arrive. 👉 Easter and its beautiful traditions kick off the season.
Summer (June – August)
It’s party time on the Wine Route! Sunshine, summer events, and the busy winegrowers. Attendance is quite high. But contrary to popular belief, early July and late August are very pleasant periods without too many people. There are festivals everywhere, and when the weather is warm, the cool atmosphere and thick walls of our historic gîtes are very pleasant. The days are long: don’t hesitate to go out for a quiet evening after the crowds have
left.
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What to do during your summer vacation in Riquewihr and the heart of Alsace? Here are some ideas…
Autumn (September – November)
It’s the Season of Colors and Wine. The vineyards are ablaze with gold and red (a magnificent spectacle), and it’s harvest time. The atmosphere is warm and delicious. Visitors are very busy. Autumn is one of the most popular seasons for hikers, foodies, and wine lovers, particularly for the colors and atmosphere of the harvest. Experience a truly immersive stay: the smell of grapes and fresh must, the activity of the winegrowers. By staying for several days, you’ll soak up the unique atmosphere of the wine village.
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See my special “autumn” page about Riquewihr.
The Magic of Christmas (late November – early January)
The village transforms into a fairytale setting with its famous Christmas Market and illuminations. Visitors are extremely busy. Riquewihr is packed during the markets and Christmas holidays (late November
to late December). The privilege of guests staying with us: At nightfall, after the market closes, you have the illuminations and the magical beauty of the main street all to yourself. It’s the most magical time.
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Click here to immerse yourself in the magic of our Christmas markets.
Off-Season (January – March)
The season Peace and Authenticity: Local life returns to normal. Ideal for those seeking a break and a more intimate atmosphere. Attendance is very low, a little higher on weekends. This is the quietest time.
Some shops are closed on weekdays, but essentials and a few restaurants remain open. We Alsatians also like to go to restaurants, even in winter 😇.
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This is the time of year for fans of “Slow Travel” par excellence, and for romantics too, who, around Valentine’s Day, will enjoy staying in Disney’s “Beauty & the Beast” village.
Visit museums in a quiet setting (i.e. Unterlinden Museum in Colmar, the Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle are open all yer round), Enjoy invigorating hikes through the frosty vineyards and enjoy the plush comfort of your gîte to
read and recharge your batteries.
In conclusion: If your priority is time spent in the sun and crowds, come in summer. Beginning of July and after August 15, there are less visitors. If you’re looking for magic, come at Christmas. But if you prefer relaxation, regional immersion, and the intimacy of the village, choose spring, fall (weekdays), or the winter off-season. You’ll appreciate the quality of our accommodations even more.
The car is an asset for getting around but is it really essential?
No, a vehicle is not absolutely necessary to enjoy your stay at the Ramparts de Riquewihr.
Our “slow travel” philosophy lends itself perfectly to it: Riquewihr and neighbouring villages (Ribeauvillé, Hunawihr, Kaysersberg) are accessible on foot, by bike (rental possible in Riquewihr) or by bus. there is enough to do to occupy yourself on site for several days!
La gare TGV de Colmar est à seulement 15 km. 👉 I give you here some useful and precise information for your journey.
A taxi or Uber is the easiest and most comfortable way to drop you off directly in front of your cottage, especially if you have luggage.
For airport transfers and more distant outings, we recommend our partner Pierre (Best-of-Alsace). He is a good specialist in guided private excursions: 👉 www.best-of-alsace.com
Private Parking (depending on which cottage you are renting)
Some of our rentals have a private parking space, which you can select in the “options” section at the time of booking.
Public Parking
Riquewihr is a medieval town with no free parking. Parking fees are essential to funding the maintenance of our historic heritage. However, an affordable solution exists for holidaymakers staying more than 3 nights in the village (see below).
Yes! The Municipality of Riquewihr has a very advantageous offer for long stays: a public parking card at a reduced rate.
This card (about €5.50 / day for 3 days and more, price early 2025) can be obtained from the Tourist Office (2 minutes walking distance) upon presentation of your reservation. There is no reserved space, but parking becomes easy at the end of the afternoon, after the departure of the day trippers.
RARE – Holiday home for 2 people, spectacular and romantic loft. Space (80 m2), great comfort and breathtaking views of the vineyard and the old roofs. Sunny covered terrace. Air conditioning. Official 5 star rating.
Charming vacation rental (46 m2) for 2 people with a small outdoor space. Great comfort and easy access (ground floor/garden). Quiet, in the historic village. Official 5 star rating.
Large family home (95 m2) with lots of character. Covered outdoor terrace overlooking the shared garden. Ideal for 2 people needing space or a family with older children. Air conditioning.
Charming, lovely and very comfortable holiday apartment with 2 small balconies. Ideal for a romantic stay in every season. Air conditioning. Official 5-star classification.
Superb charming and chic holiday home for 2 people (43 m2). 16th century half-timbering. Breathtaking view of the famous Schoenenbourg vineyard. Official 5-star classification.
RARE: Large (95 m2) and superb luxury vacation rental for 2 couples or a family of 4 people. Splendid views of the rooftops, the vineyards, the mountains and… even the Black Forest! Air conditioner. 2 small balconies. Official 5-star classification.
