Listed monuments
40+
Escaped major war damage
Village · Haut-Rhin
Riquewihr
The “pearl of Alsace” — a 16th-century walled village of 40+ listed monuments where the magic of the route really starts.
Built
16th c.
Fortified & exceptionally intact
Estate
Hugel & Fils
Winemaking since 1639
Festival
mid-Sep
The Riesling Festival
The village
Set in the middle of the vineyards, Riquewihr is one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France and where “the magic really starts” on the Alsace Wine Route (source: The Ultimate Alsace Wine Route Itinerary ⭐️ 2026 Map.md; Alsace Wine Route by Car – Itinerary & Map.md). The 16th-century fortified village is exceptionally well preserved — it escaped major war damage — with floral half-timbered houses and no fewer than 40 listed Historical Monuments, the Dolder tower, the Württemberg castle and the Thieves' Tower (Tour des Voleurs) (source).
Called the “pearl of Alsace,” it is said to have inspired Disney's Beauty and the Beast village — so go early, it's beautiful but touristy. The benchmark estate is Hugel & Fils (winemaking since 1639); Dopff au Moulin within the walls is good for Muscat and Crémant, and the Géovino Trail vineyard hike starts just outside the gate. The Riesling Festival lands mid-September (source: compass_artifact_wf-755602f0...; Alsace Wine Route by Car – Itinerary & Map.md).
What to see
- 01The Dolder towerThe village's emblem and 13th-century gate.
- 02Tour des VoleursThe Thieves' Tower, a former prison.
- 03Württemberg castle16th-century seat at the top of the village.
- 04Hugel & FilsBenchmark estate; tasting room Easter–Christmas.
Eat, taste & stay
Taste · estate
Hugel & Fils
Winemaking since 1639
Taste · Crémant
Dopff au Moulin
2 Av. Jacques Preiss
Stay · old town
Hôtel à l'Oriel
Heart of the Old Town
Our notesThe route's showpiece
The most picture-perfect village on the route, and the busiest — arrive early, taste at Hugel or Dopff au Moulin, and walk a stretch of the Géovino Trail to escape the crowds.
Come at dawn; the pearl earns it.
§From the wiki
Located in the middle of the Alsace vineyards, Riquewihr is one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France and where "the magic really starts" on the Alsace Wine Route (source: The Ultimate Alsace Wine Route Itinerary ⭐️ 2026 Map.md; Alsace Wine Route by Car – Itinerary & Map.md). The 16th-century fortified village is exceptionally well preserved (it escaped major war damage), with floral-decorated half-timbered houses and no fewer than 40 listed Historical Monuments (source). Sights include the 16th-century Württemberg castle and the famous Thieves' Tower (Tour des Voleurs), the village's former prison (source: Alsace Wine Route by Car – Itinerary & Map.md). It is famous for its traditional Christmas market (source: The Ultimate Alsace Wine Route Itinerary ⭐️ 2026 Map.md).
Wine & hiking
- Dopff au Moulin (2 Avenue Jacques Preiss) — the author bought Muscat and Crémant here; many wine shops lie within the walls (source: Alsace Wine Route by Car – Itinerary & Map.md)
- The Géovino Trail vineyard hike starts just outside the village (16 km loop, or a shorter walk to Hunawihr) (source)
Where to stay
- Hotel à l'Oriel — historic hotel in the heart of the Old Town (source: Alsace Wine Route by Car – Itinerary & Map.md)
More from the fall guide
Riquewihr is called the "pearl of Alsace," a near-perfectly preserved medieval walled town with 40+ listed monuments and the Dolder tower; it is said to have inspired Disney's Beauty and the Beast village (go early — it's beautiful but touristy). The benchmark estate here is Hugel & Fils (winemaking since 1639; tasting room open daily Easter–Christmas — see Alsace Wineries). The Riesling Festival is held mid-September (see Alsace Festivals) (source: compass_artifact_wf-755602f0...).