Riquewihr is a beautiful medieval french village in the Haut-Rhin department in Gran Est in north eastern France. Riquewihr, is not to be missed when visiting Alsace, with a population of just over 1000 people, it is classed as an open air living museum. Town Hall/Hôtel de Ville. In 1798 the former Town Hall was demolished. Built on the location of the low gate that was demolished in 1808, the new building was constructed in the neoclassical style in 1809. One of the Most Beautiful Villages in France, Riquewihr is a popular tourist attraction, attracting visitors who love historical architecture and medieval fortifications. Riquewihr is a member of the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France - "The most beautiful villages of France" association. Reproduction engraving of Riquewihr from 1644. In Place Fernand Zeyer there is an engraving by Mathias Merian, Illustrating the town and fortifications from 1291-1500. Riquewihr is 11 kilometres (7 miles) from Colmar. Other Alsatian villages in the area worth visiting are Ribeauvillé, Hunawihr, Eguisheim and Kaysersberg. Riquewihr is located on the Route des Vins (The Wines Road), close to Colmar in the Alsace region of France - nick-named The Pearl of Alsatian vineyards. Le Petit Train de Riquewihr seats up to 60 people, 10am-6pm May-September, 11am -5pm April and October, 35 minutes ride, every hour except 1pm. Riquewihr is known for the Riesling and other wines produced in the village. Dopff & Irion cultivate 27 hectares of vines at Riquewihr. Elected French Wine Producer of the Year 2002 at the International Wine & Spirit Competition. Château of the counts of Württemberg-Montbéliard. Rebuilt in the 16th century in Rhenish art style. The town bought the building in 1861 and it has been used as a school and museum. Beautifully decorated Kugelhopf moulds. The kugelhopf mould is a specialty cake mould used to create a traditional treat from the Alsace region, France, called a 'kouglof' Kugelhopf is baked in a ring-shape mould, it is a sweetened bread, flavoured with raisins and almonds, it has a brioche-like texture and is dusted with powdered sugar. Schickhardt House, now home to La Cristallerie, built by Heinrich Schickhardt in 1606. This prominent architect worked for Duke Frederic 1 of Wüttemberg La Cristallerie Riquewihr, visit the crystal cutting workshop. Beautiful glasses, jewellery and gifts. The ‘Skyscraper’ is one of the tallest half-timbered houses in Alsace. An impressive 5 stories, 25 metres high, these two structures share the same gable and date from 1561. Riquewihr is famous for it’s half-timbered houses. Cut stone (in French, “pierre de taille”) is often used, particularly for the wine cellar and ground floor. The upper floor living areas are made from exposed timber frames, often richly decorated with carvings and flowers. Wood is resistant to subsidence and earthquakes. It is a good insulator, which is perfect for the Alsace weather, which can be very cold during winter. Riquewihr appearance has not changed much since the 16th century, its cobbled streets are dotted with half-timbered winemakers’ shops and tasting rooms. A carpenter works with the timber to construct the upper floors and a mason will work on the construction of the foundations, cellar and ground floor. Subscribe and be the first to see our new walking tours. Watching on a TV? Subscribe using your phone search for - walking tours and road trips - and click subscribe. In the traditional carpentry techniques of Alsace, screws or nails are never used, the timber carcass (in French, “colombage”) is secured using wooden plugs. This solid bone type structure is completed by filling the spaces between with a mortar consisting of mud and straw (in Alsatian dialect “Lähme” or “Wickelbodde”). Shorter staves are used to create different patterns and each is named. The sections are then covered with a lime render in a choice of many different colours. The Mann, the Croix de Saint-André, the Losange Diamond, the Potelet d'allège, the Chaise Curule, and the Tree of life are just a few of the patterns. Patterns can be combined and sometimes an inscription or mural is painted on the surface, each design or shape has its own meaning and symbolism. Oriel windows originated in the 15th century, the curved or polygonal bay was added to the upper floors and supported by a corbelling structure. They were designed to bring additional space and daylight to a room and provide views that a flat window cannot. Some of these houses include a corbelling structure, a piece of masonry extends out of a wall which carries additional weight, and creates extra room for the upper floors. Cour des nobles de Berckeim. On the hexagonal tower you will see a sundial, the house at the back of the yard ages back to 1523. Au Marché de Riquewihr, a family run business committed to preserving and promoting local gastronomic traditions and products. La Féerie de Noël, the beautiful Christmas shop in Riquewihr, open all year round. Decorating houses with geraniums dates back to the 18th century. The geranium is a very popular flower in Alsace. The geranium is used to decorate the windowsills, balconies, stairs and terraces of the beautiful homes. The most famous monument in Riquewihr is The Dolder belfry, watch tower and upper gate of the village. Erected at the same time as the other medieval fortifications in 1291. Up the steps is the Musée du Dolder. 13th century building houses an original museum which traces the history of the town from the 12th to the 17th century. The Fontaine de la Sinne built in 1560, it was used for winemaking to gauge barrels. The coat of arms of Riquewihr and the star of the Lords of Horbourg on the Lion. The inner facade of the Dolder tower and upper gate is decorated with corbel arch timbering. On the right are the very tall ramparts dating from 1291. Ramparts dating from 1500. Subscribe and be the first to see our new walking tours. Watching on a TV? Subscribe using your phone search for - walking tours and road trips - and click subscribe. The 13th century La Porte Haute - the high gate - was extended and reinforced in 1500 along with other fortifications. Love our walking tours, please consider Buying us a Coffee, it really helps us to create more beautiful walking tours for you, link in description below, thank you so much. Église catholique Sainte-Marguerite de Riquewihr. Yard of the Abbey of Audrey, known as the AdrihofHof. Built in the 16th century, it has an oriel window over two floors and polygonal stair tower. The old town shows signs of this prosperity and houses built from the 15th to 18th centuries contribute to a rich architectural heritage. Riquewihr was one of the few villages in the area not to be badly damaged during World War II. In the 8th century a Frankish landlord named Richo owned a wine-growing estate on the site called Richo Villa, which later became Riquewihr. Riquewihr has prospered greatly since the 16th century trading its famous wines all over Europe. Historically, Riquewihr was a wine village or winzerdorf known as a place to trade Alsatian and German wine. The Hugel family name is synonymous with Alsace. Ambassadors of Alsace wine, with experience covering 380 years and 13 generations. Founded in 1639 in Riquewihr by Hans Ulrich Hugel, the family estate, is today known as one of the most important family businesses in the wine world. Nailer’s House (pink house in front view). This timber-framed house rebuilt in 1667, has a sculptured corner posts, the left corner post depicting the nailer. House of the gourmet ‘A l’étoile’. Rebuilt in 1686 in a baroque style, with curule seats, corner posts and window frames ornately sculpted, a wonderfully ornate facade. Place des Trois Eglises. There are 3 churches on this square, the 12th century parish Church of Saint Margaret, which was replaced by a Protestant church mid 19th century. A Catholic church was built at the same time near the New Gate. The pilgrimage church of Our Lady founded by the Ribeaupierre family in 1337 housing a miraculous holy image. After the reformation it became a presbytery. The early 14th sentry church of Saint Erhard which became a boys school in 1539 In Riquewihr white storks can be seen nesting on the chimneys and roofs in spring. The yellow building in front of us is Office de Tourisme Riquewihr. Open daily from 9:30am –12 pm, 2–6 pm, except Sundays 10am - 1pm. Love our walking tours, please consider Buying us a Coffee, it really helps us to create more beautiful walking tours for you, link in description below, thank you so much. Thank you for watching, until our next walk together, please keep safe and happy, remember to subscribe and like, thank you.
