By Vicky · Published Jun. 27th, 2023 · Updated Apr. 3rd, 2024
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Ribeauvillé is a charming town located in Alsace known for its picturesque streets and colorful houses, perfect for a walking tour.
Page Contents:
Location
This walking tour of Ribeauvillé starts from the large Poste car park at the town’s eastern end (€3 for 5 hours). You can find free parking in the Hohlegasse car park at the other end of town, but it fills up very early in the day. Alternatively, it’s about 50 minutes from Strasbourg via train and bus, or 45 minutes on the bus from Colmar.
Ribeauvillé Walking Tour Map
Get the route by downloading the .gpx or .kml file below. For navigation with Maps.me on your mobile phone, simply download the .kml file and open to add it to the Maps.me bookmarks.
Tips for Ribeauvillé Walking Tour
- Ribeauvillé is on the Alsatian Wine Route and there are a couple of wineries in town to explore.
- Once you’ve walked through the town, you can take a great half-day hike to the three castles of Ribeauvillé.
- For more walking tours and hikes, see our France Hiking Page.
Top Sights in Ribeauvillé
On this self-guided walking tour, you’ll wander around the best parts of Ribeauvillé. There is one main street, La Grand Rue, where most of the old buildings, shops, restaurants and cafes are located. You could see most of Ribeauvillé in only 45 minutes if you walk quickly, or spend a couple of hours here if you visit the shops and cafes.
- La Grand Rue
- Ribeauvillé Town Hall
- Church of the Convent
- Butcher’s Tower
- St. Gregory Church
- Place de la Sinne
- Place du Bouc
- Cave de Ribeauvillé
Ribeauvillé Walking Tour Route
This walking tour starts from the Poste car park at the eastern edge of Ribeauvillé town.
Directions: From the car park, cross over the roundabout and you’ll be at the start of the town’s main street.
1. La Grand Rue
The heart of Ribeauvillé is its charming Grand Rue*, where you’ll find narrow streets, colourful half-timbered houses, and quaint little shops and cafes. It’s a wonderful place to stroll the streets, window shop and of course, eat and drink. There are lots of local produce shops on La Grand Rue, such as local cheeses and confectionery. For example, don’t miss Fortwenger, the gingerbread house, or Vilmain the excellent patisserie.
Directions: Continue walking along La Grand Rue, and almost all the interesting buildings are along this street.
2. Ribeauvillé Town Hall
Ribeauvillé Town Hall is in the heart of the old town and is a beautiful building with a Renaissance facade from 1778. Inside, the town hall has a large collection of old solid-silver drinking goblets, given to the town by the Lords of Ribeauvillé. There’s also a lovely little square in front of the building which hosts a weekly market.
3. Church of the Convent
The Church of the Convent is a Gothic-style 13th-century building. The roof has a distinctive pattern with golden diamonds, and around the southern portal, you can see five statues of saints and novices. The church is most famous for its classical music festival showcasing mainly Spanish and French Renaissance works.
4. Butcher’s Tower
The Butcher’s Tower (or Tour des Bouchers) separates the upper and lower parts of town. It was built in 1260, then raised to its current height of 29 metres in 1536. It gets its name from the butchers’ stalls that were once located below, and today it’s the symbol of the town.
Directions: After the Butcher’s Tower, take the second street on the right, slightly up the hill, to the church.
5. St. Gregory Church
St. Gregory Church is a beautiful church dating back to the 13th century, and it’s a great example of Gothic architecture. Be sure to admire the side chapel and the stunning stained-glass windows. Additionally, it’s nice and cool in summer so a welcome break from the heat outside.
Directions: After visiting the church, follow the road back down to la Grand Rue.
6. Place de la Sinne
The Place de la Sinne square contains several old wine barrels lying around and is surrounded by cute half-timbered buildings. The statue in the centre is from 1862, made by a local sculptor. It’s meant to represent the town of Ribeauvillé, with both agriculture and industry.
7. Place du Bouc
There’s a small stream following through Place du Bouc, or Goat Square, which was used for washing clothes until roughly 1965. If you walk a little further up the road, you’ll see some of the town’s fortified walls.
Directions: This is the far point of the Ribeauvillé Walking Tour. From here, return back the way you came to the roundabout at the far end of La Grand Rue. Before heading back to the car park, cross over into the pleasant Jardin de Ville. At the end of the park, cross the road to visit a great winery.
8. Cave de Ribeauvillé
Ribeauvillé is situated in the heart of the Alsace wine region, and there are several wine cellars in town where you can taste and purchase local wines. The Cave de Ribeauvillé (Website, Tripadvisor Reviews*) is at the eastern end of town, near the large Poste car park. It’s a friendly place and they speak good English.
A tasting at the Cave de Ribeauvillé is free but you’re expected to buy at least one bottle afterward (bottle prices mainly in the €5-9 range). You can taste a very wide variety of wines, with very knowledgeable staff who can explain each one and give you tasting notes. It’s a great way to end a walking tour of Ribeauvillé.
The Three Castles Hike
If you have time, the walk to the three castles of Ribeauvillé is definitely worth it. As you have probably seen when walking through town, the castles sit on the hill overlooking the town. After hiking up to the castles you get stunning views of the town and the surrounding vineyards.
Best Places to Stay in Ribeauvillé
Ribeauvillé has many places to stay, from budget hostels to fancy hotels and everything in between. Check out the best places to stay in Ribeauvillé below:
Best Hotel
- Hôtel De La Tour*: A lovely hotel located in a former winery in the heart of Ribeauveau, this hotel has many amenities including free access to a sauna and hot tub, with bike rental available and private parking.
Best Apartment
- The One Apartments*: While the standard apartments are similar to hotel rooms and are clean and modern, the Superior Apartment also has an equipped kitchen, outdoor seating area and lots of space.
Guidebooks & Maps for Exploring Alsace
For more walking tours and hikes, see our France Hiking Page.
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