Eguisheim, Alsace

Eguisheim in French Alsace is one of the most beautiful villages in France. Alsace is a very pretty region with picturesque villages and vine-clad hillsides and this has to be one of the best along the Alsace Wine Route (Route des Vins d’Alsace).
The village of Eguisheim (which claims to be the birthplace of Alsace wine – “berceau des vins d’Alsace“) is near Colmar (68 Haut-Rhin, Alsace). The village is small with a medieval centre and feels less “touristy” than other wine towns/villages in the area with its narrow and irregular roads and alleys .

An octagonal medieval castle, half-timbered houses and walled ramparts combine to make this place feel quite special, and with numerous wine tasting cellars in the village and in the surrounding countryside it should delight wine lovers too.

Starting on the edge of Eguisheim wine village is a “Sentier Viticole” – a well–signposted path though the vineyards.

This is French Alsace so the wines tend to finish dry and are more elegant than their German cousins across the Rhine.So try a Riesling (or a Gewurztraminer, Pinot Blanc/Gris/Noir, Muscat or Sylvaner) back in the village – or maybe a few bottles to take home – and this being Alsace the climate is surprisingly good – relatively low rainfall and high sunshine hours make the region ideal for wine and visiting! Eguisheim is also home to several “grands crus” such as Leichberg and Pfersigberg.

There are many winemakers offering “Degustation/Vente” (tastings and retail sales) – and throughout Alsace the wine Co-operatives produce some of the better wines (unlike other wine regions in France where some wine co-operatives seem more interested in bulk quantity rather then good quality!)

Eguisheim hosts a Christmas Market in December, a Wine Festival in July and a Wine Growers’ Festival in August.

• B&B Chambres d’hôtes Schneider
• Self-catering gite Gîte au Coeur d’Eguisheim
• Hotel Saint Hubert

For more info see Eguisheim Official Tourist Office

Details of B&Bs, self-catering apartments and villas, hotels in Eguisheim