📍 France

AUTHENTIC ALSACE: FIFTEEN VILLAGES OF FAIRYTALE CHARACTER

Half-timbered houses leaning over lanes, balconies overflowing with geraniums, wine traditions passed from father to son. Alsace, picturesque and warm.

≈ 16
Days
319
Km
15
Stops
📖 9 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Journey through Alsace and its half-timbered villages. Explore Wissembourg in the north, wind through Riquewihr and Kaysersberg at the vineyard's heart, discover Eguisheim and its circular layout, then marvel at Neuf-Brisach and its perfect military geometry.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Wissembourg

border town medieval charm

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6 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Old center crossed by the Lauter, half-timbered houses and old city gates.
2
Abbey church of Saints-Pierre-et-Paul, great Gothic nave at the heart of the village.
3
Ramparts district and walkways along the water.
🎯

Activities

→
Pedestrian loop of the ramparts and canals (3–4 km).
→
Gentle climb to viewpoints for panoramas over the Palatinate forest.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 13 km
Travel time: 16min
2
Day

Hunspach

timber village architectural gem

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8 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Half-timbered village lined along the main street and typical white farms.
2
Church and grassy squares, covered wells and washhouse.
3
Open landscapes of the Outre-Forêt and historic agricultural paths.
🎯

Activities

→
Traditional building interpretation trail (2 km).
→
Country walk towards forest edges (4–6 km).
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 82 km
Travel time: 1h38
3
Day

Obernai

medieval market square tradition

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9 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Historic center and central market surrounded by timber-framed houses.
2
Preserved ramparts and towers, gateway to the Bas-Rhin vineyard.
3
Town Hall Square and monumental fountains.
🎯

Activities

→
Intra-muros circuit of squares and ramparts (3 km).
→
Wine trail on a balcony above the city (2–3 km).
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 9 km
Travel time: 11min
4
Day

Mittelbergheim

wine village historic streets

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6 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Sandstone village and Renaissance houses around courtyards and wine presses.
2
Cobbled alleys leading to the wine terraces of Zellberg.
3
Civil and religious buildings soberly decorated.
🎯

Activities

→
Wine trail loop and hillside viewpoint (3–4 km).
→
Architectural identification of dated lintels and cart porches.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 32 km
Travel time: 39min
5
Day

Bergheim

winemaker town medieval walls

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8 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Medieval town surrounded by complete ramparts, washhouses and fountains.
2
Cobbled streets and flowered facades typical of the wine route.
3
High gate and parapet walk.
🎯

Activities

→
Ramparts tower and bastions (2–3 km).
→
Wine trail on the immediate outskirts of the village.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 14 km
Travel time: 16min
6
Day

Ribeauville

wine village three castles

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6 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Grand'rue lined with winegrowers' houses and successive fountains.
2
Panoramas over the three castles dominating the vineyard.
3
Old quarters and medieval gates.
🎯

Activities

→
Connecting path to a belvedere overlooking the castles (2–3 km round trip).
→
Heritage trail of the signs and bay windows of Grand'rue.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 2 km
Travel time: 2min
7
Day

Hunawihr

small wine village tradition

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5 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Fortified church on its hillock, surrounded by vineyards in an amphitheater.
2
Narrow streets and half-timbered houses of the lower village.
3
Views of Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr.
🎯

Activities

→
Loop of vineyard stone walls and wayside crosses (3–4 km).
→
Climb to the walled cemetery for landscape reading.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 2 km
Travel time: 2min
8
Day

Zellenberg

hillside wine village charm

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9 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Village perched on viticultural hill, curved lanes and closely-packed houses.
2
Church and summit square with views over the Alsace plain.
3
Traces of the old fortified layout.
🎯

Activities

→
Hill contour path and viewpoints (2–3 km).
→
Historical route of the upper town and old moats.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 2 km
Travel time: 2min
9
Day

Riquewihr

wine route perfect village

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5 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Cobbled main street leading to the Dolder tower, colorful houses with corbelling.
2
Successive enclosures and gates, transverse alleys towards the ramparts.
3
Wine districts in contact with planted hills.
🎯

Activities

→
Ramparts–suburbs–vineyards loop (3–4 km).
→
Photographic survey of emblematic facade decorations and bay windows.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 8 km
Travel time: 10min
10
Day

Kaysersberg

winemaker heritage stone architecture

Kaysersberg - Photo 1Kaysersberg - Photo 2Kaysersberg - Photo 3Kaysersberg - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Fortified bridge over the Weiss and row of half-timbered houses.
2
Castle on the heights and views over the vineyard.
3
Central square and radiating alleys.
🎯

Activities

→
Ascent to the castle via the forest path (2 km round trip).
→
Urban loop along the Weiss and small squares.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 8 km
Travel time: 10min
11
Day

Turckheim

wine village crafted tradition

Turckheim - Photo 1Turckheim - Photo 2Turckheim - Photo 3Turckheim - Photo 4Turckheim - Photo 5Turckheim - Photo 6Turckheim - Photo 7Turckheim - Photo 8Turckheim - Photo 9
9 photos
Day 11
🔍

Discover

1
Porte de France and well-preserved walls, center grouped around the church.
2
Winegrowers' quarter and lanes toward the hills.
3
Houses with colorful roofs visible from the town entrances.
🎯

Activities

→
Ramparts and medieval gates circuit (2–3 km).
→
Wine trail to the neighboring hillsides (3–4 km).
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 6 km
Travel time: 8min
12
Day

Munster

cheese valley mountain village

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8 photos
Day 12
🔍

Discover

1
Vosges valley center, tree-lined squares and major religious buildings.
2
Banks of the Fecht and landscaped parks.
3
Remains of the former abbey and historic quarter.
🎯

Activities

→
Park-to-park walk along the Fecht (3–4 km).
→
Gentle climb on a hillside path for an overview of the valley.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 81 km
Travel time: 1h37
13
Day

Eguisheim

circular plaza wine tradition

Eguisheim - Photo 1Eguisheim - Photo 2Eguisheim - Photo 3Eguisheim - Photo 4Eguisheim - Photo 5Eguisheim - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 13
🔍

Discover

1
Concentric rings of ramparts around the central square and fountain.
2
Half-timbered houses clustered along circular streets.
3
Remains of towers and access gates.
🎯

Activities

→
Complete circular route of the inner ramparts (2–3 km).
→
Vineyard path towards the sandstone hills (3–4 km).
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 22 km
Travel time: 26min
14
Day

Neuf Brisach

geometric fortress town precision

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4 photos
Day 14
🔍

Discover

1
Fortified town with octagonal plan designed under Louis XIV, bastions and monumental gates.
2
Orthogonal central street and regular alignments.
3
Ramparts and glacis offering views over the Rhine and the plain.
🎯

Activities

→
Complete tour of the ramparts on developed walkway (5–6 km, flat).
→
Reading of the star-shaped plan from an exterior viewpoint.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 38 km
Travel time: 46min
15
Day

Ferrette

border castle village charm

Ferrette - Photo 1Ferrette - Photo 2Ferrette - Photo 3Ferrette - Photo 4Ferrette - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 15
🔍

Discover

1
Borough at the foot of the castle ruins of the counts; stairs and narrow passages.
2
Church and Town Hall at the center of the small valley of the Alsatian Jura.
3
Belvedere beneath the walls offering a reading of the Sundgau relief.
🎯

Activities

→
Access path to the castle and viewpoint loop (3–4 km, elevation change).
→
Route through the lower streets and former moats of the town.

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🛡️ Travel advice - France

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-June): Perfect weather, blooming countryside, ideal for all regions, moderate crowds, excellent value, romantic atmosphere.

Summer (July-August): Warmest weather, peak tourist season, highest prices, crowded attractions, perfect for Mediterranean coast, festival season.

Fall (September-October): Harvest season, comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, wine regions spectacular, excellent photography, good value.

Winter (November-March): Christmas markets, ski season Alps, fewer crowds, lowest prices, cozy indoor attractions, cultural experiences.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 13 and 19 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in France?

Cultural capital with incredible cuisine, world-famous attractions, and diverse regions from Paris to Provence. Experience artistic heritage, wine culture, and sophisticated lifestyle. The country offers excellent infrastructure with cultural depth and culinary excellence. France provides complete cultural experiences with historical significance and modern sophistication in easily accessible destination.