The 5 must-see castles in Alsace
Alsace is a region with a rich and varied heritage. Many peoples have left their mark here, and today we can see the vestiges of their passage. Many castles are still visible and can be visited. Often in ruins, sometimes renovated, Alsace’s castles are always a great day out, often with breathtaking views over the region’s valleys and plains.
Some castles are a must-see when you’re visiting or (re)discovering your region!
See also the list of castles and fortresses in Alsace…
1. Haut-Koenigsbourg castle
Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg is considered by many to be the must-see castle in Alsace. On the border between Haut-Rhin and Bas-Rhin, the edifice sits on a rocky spur at an altitude of 755 metres, offering a breathtaking view over the Alsace plain and the Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines and Villé valleys. Renovated on the orders of Kaiser Wilhelm II between 1900 and 1908, the castle was built in the 12th century at a strategic location at the crossroads of trade routes.
As well as being the region’s most famous and one of France’s most beautiful châteaux, it’s also a place that’s accessible to all, opening up to other nationalities by offering tours in 3 different languages and numerous events to bring this historic monument back to life. Don’t hesitate to (re)discover this must-see monument in Alsace!
Find schedules, prices and other useful information on our website.
2. Hohlandsbourg Castle
Château du Hohlandsbourg sits at an altitude of 620 meters, offering a breathtaking view of Colmar and the surrounding area. Built in 1279, it underwent numerous extensions and reinforcements. Now partly renovated, it welcomes the public for guided or self-guided tours, and organizes numerous events.
The château retains its walls and ramparts, towers, courtyard, drawbridge, period buildings (stables, outbuildings, etc.) and the covered walkway running around the entire monument. Come and discover this impressive tourist site, an important strategic site in medieval times.
Find prices, opening times and practical information on our website.
3. The five castles route
The route des cinq châteaux is a 20 km hike through the Vosges mountains, from Husseren-les-Châteaux to Wintzenheim. On this route, walkers can first visit the ruins of the Three Castles of Haut-Eguisheim, originally a single building constructed between the 11th and 13th centuries. Continuing the walk, you come to Hohlandsbourg castle. The walk ends at the ruins of the Pflixbourg castle, a 13th-century building that once held an important military position and still preserves many of its original features, including an imposing keep and ramparts.
This hike is an opportunity to enjoy nature, but above all the historical heritage of the Colmar region. Come and enjoy these witnesses to the past for a day.
Read our article on the Route des cinq châteaux to find out more about what’s in store.
4. Upper Andlau Castle
This château, the former Seigneurial residence of Andlau, was built in the 14th century. Still well preserved, the building features twin towers, a unique architectural feature in France. Situated at an altitude of 450 meters, the building is in the middle of a forest and can be reached on foot.
The château has had several owners, and was destroyed in 1633. It has now been partly restored and its walls consolidated in the 1990s. It’s freely accessible to the public, giving you the chance to take a stroll and discover this astonishing monument. You can also visit nearby Spesburg Castle.
Find out more about the château on our website.
5. Kaysersberg castle
Dominating the town of Kaysersberg, the castle boasts an impressive round keep, still rare at the time of its construction in the 13th century, making it one of the oldest in the region. The medieval village originally acted as a roadblock on the roads from Lorraine, which earned it a strategic position in the Empire’s war against the Dukes of Lorraine.
Today, the château has several rooms that can be visited. In addition to the dungeon with its 4-meter-thick walls, you can see the seigniorial dwelling with its pointed-arched windows, and the staircase leading to the top of the dungeon for a view of the village, the ramparts and other buildings. The building has been consolidated and restored in places. You can come and enjoy a self-guided tour of this monument for a day.
