The retired traveller: 2026-04-25 Eguisheim

Our trip today takes us to the first of our Plus Beaux Villages (Most Beautiful Villages) which also has a couple of possible wineries. Best of both worlds. And bonus, it's only a few miles away.

To become a Plus Beaux Village, villages of less than 2000 inhabitants apply to the organization that then vets these applicants for membership in the association. In addition to having fewer than 2,000 residents they must also have 2 national monuments and agree to abide by the rules of the organization.

Members of the Association of Plus Beaux Villages proudly show this sign.

We found parking behind the city hall (Rathaus) and walked the block to the Tourist Office. Armed with maps and city info, we began the walking tour. The village was full of visitors as we suspected. While parking, we had seen several tour busses arrive and discharge their passengers and tour guides. But, surprisingly, when we got on the tour route, there were only a few tourists like us. (Were they all tasting wine?)

The center of Eguisheim still maintains its double-walled, round, fortified shape. As we walked the path between these walls, we are delighted to find beautifully kept houses that are hundreds of years old. In several places wall panels explain what we are seeing.

Walking Tour Map - Eguisheim

One of the signs posted to explain what we were seeing

While its roots date back to the paleolithic times, the Eguisheim we visit today shows us its medieval version. The town owes its existence to the gentle slopes of the Schlossberg hills where, in addition to its sheltered location, Romans planted vines and medieval monks established viticulture for producing their sacramental wine. Today, Eguisheim is part of the Alsatian Route des Vins (wine route). It produces two Grand Cru wines: Pfersigburg (Gewurztraminer) and Eichberg. But for most of us, the allure of Eguisheim is its medieval character.

This may have been a pigeon house, but still....

Over each window lintel are carved letters and numbers. We learned at stop 4, that the date is when the house was built and the initials before and after were those of the couple that first moved into that house.

This house was built in 1685 by A & B (initials of owners)

While the cobbles rattle my teeth, the cost is worth it to see this village in its spring finest. Houses face the inside of the ring while their windowless back walls of stone form part of the city's ramparts. Houses are dressed in their finest with flowers and ancient viticulture tools.

We passed a lovely Easter display of simply-made fabric chickens. This looks like a grandchildren project. What do you think, kids?

The center of town opens into a large square with a fountain in the center. A small castle named in honor of Pope Leo IX, (born in 1002) the town's most famous son rises on the left. Next door is the village church.

Place du Chateau in the center of town.

As your eye makes its way up to the castle roof with its Burgundy-like patterned tiles, you can see large piles of brush on the rooftops of the castle and church.

Roof of Pope Leo's chateau

These are stork nests! While there are many storks in this region, I've never seen so many in close proximity, preening and showing off for us. What a treat!

We walked back to the the parking lot to retrieve our lunch which we then ate in the shade of an ancient wine press.

lunch in the shade of an old wine press. Notice the Petit Train (tourist train) in the background

After finishing lunch, we crossed the street to visit the Wolfberger Wine Cooperative to do a little wine shopping.

Sales floor at Wolfberger Wine Coop

We bellied up to the bar to taste some of their wines. We tasted 3 wines - didn't like the Pinot Gris, but liked the Sylvaner, and Pinot Blanc. Somehow we ended buying 9 bottles, including some we hadn't tasted.