Eguisheim
From Pope Leon IX to the "Favorite Village of the French" ...
During your stay in the Guebwiller region, you really must find time to visit Eguisheim!
Nestling in the vineyards south of Colmar, this village is one of the most beautiful in the region and was voted “France’s favourite village” in 2013. It’s only a 20-minute drive away, so it’d be a pity to miss it!
A superb backdrop
The village is worth visiting just for its surroundings of vineyards on an outstanding terroir watched over by three castles! But on entering the old part of the village, you’re instantly thrown back in time to discover the history of the Place du Château, a square featuring a fountain and the Saint Léon chapel which is named after a Pope who was born in the castle adjoining the outer wall.
Speaking of walls, there’s no shortage of baileys and ramparts in Eguisheim and they give the village its characteristic helical shape. A walk along the rampart wall reveals the magnificent houses backing onto it. In spring and summer they’re adorned with beautiful arrays of flowers!
At the heart of the festivities.
Every year in late August, the “Fête des Vignerons” (winegrowers’ festival) attracts wine enthusiasts, folklore fans and seekers of local produce! A fabulous weekend of tastings, concerts, traditional music and dance performances, and the chance to try some local dishes concocted from local ingredients by the restaurants! If you’re in the area during that period, don’t miss it!
The magical atmosphere of Christmas.
A trip to Eguisheim isn’t complete without a visit to the Place du Marché to see the Saints-Pierre-et-Paul church and its superb saddle-roof porch. At Christmas time, the village is shrouded in a magical atmosphere. A beautiful Christmas craft market occupies the village squares and the little streets become a fairyland of decorations and lights.
