Riquewihr: Between Gems and Ancient Legends –
Unique 90-minute guided tour
Riquewihr is often compared to a fairy-tale setting… but behind its colorful façades and flower-filled balconies lies a rich, eventful, and sometimes little-known history that can only be uncovered through careful observation.
With your local guide, embark on a two-hour journey of intense discovery through the historical layers, hidden symbols, and forgotten stories of this iconic village.
Part fortified town, part trading city, and part wine-growing stronghold, Riquewihr reveals a completely different side of itself to you, one that is far more mysterious and captivating than it might seem.
Here's what this tour has in store for you:
The imposing medieval city walls and their fortified gates: witnesses to an era when Riquewihr played a strategic role in trade and defense.
The 16th-century noble houses: Adorned with frescoes, coats of arms, and mottos, these houses tell the story of the ambitions of merchant families.
Ancient symbols and signs: Protective crosses, coded motifs, dates, and messages to be deciphered.
The Thieves' Tower and the old prisons: medieval justice, exemplary punishments, and collective fears.
Stories of Alsatian witches: Where the line between legend and historical fact blurs… Learn how some women were accused, tried, and sometimes burned at the stake in an era when superstition dictated the law.
Secret passageways, hidden courtyards, and forgotten alleys: a discreet and intimate side of Riquewihr, reserved for the curious.
The central role of wine: How winegrowing has shaped the village’s economy, architecture, and reputation over the centuries.
Tastings of Riquewihr's famous macarons.
Throughout the tour, your guide will share unusual anecdotes, life stories, historical facts, and popular beliefs, offering you a fully immersive experience of Riquewihr’s living history.
Why should you choose this tour?
To discover the hidden side of Riquewihr, beyond the clichés
To read stone and wood like history books
To understand the connections between local legends and historical events
To enjoy a moment of sharing and learning with a passionate guide
Also suitable for children.
Tour departure point: Place Fernand Zeyer
Please wear comfortable shoes. This tour commences rain or shine!
