“Fairy Tale Village”: it is in the true sense of the word, as it inspired the setting of the Disney film Beauty and the Beast was released in 1991. Not only that, it was also used as a backdrop for another famous animated film: Howl’s Moving Castle by Hayao Miyazaki. The village we are talking about is Riquewihr, the jewel of Alsace, one of the most beautiful villages in France. Its village, characterized by typical central European half-timbered houses painted in pastel shades, will immediately make you think you are on a postcard. Even more: inside the fairy tale. So let’s go to this fairytale place with a TrueRiders motorbike itinerary!
On a motorcycle in Riquewihr: an itinerary along the Rhine
Map
Way
The destination is suitable for a trip along the banks of the Rhine. The departure is from Basel: take the D468 to Kembs following the river (keep right). Follow the D52 to Geiswasser and on to Vogelgrun. Here turn left onto the D415, which enters the heart of the ward Upper Rhineup to the city Colmar. It takes a while to finally get there Riquewihr via D4. On the return journey, you can drive along the German side of the Rhine, which divides the two nations in a border that has been often disputed for centuries, but today is a joy to visit with its evocative historic villages.
What to see in Riquewihr: all the must-see attractions
Riquewihr in Alsace with typical half-timbered architecture
Riquewihr (or Riquevire in the French version) is located in the department of Haut-Rhin, in the Grand Est region. Its historic center is surrounded by a double ring of medieval walls that protect the small and picturesque town of 1,200 inhabitants, which seems to remain suspended in time. It is a place that you can visit without hurry, among the narrow streets and lanes that wind between the typical half-timbered houses, a wonder of medieval architecture in Central Europe.
Rue Général De Gaulle, the main street
On the main street of the village, Rue General De Gaulle, you can notice many half-timbered houses – a typical characteristic of Alsatian villages. These are buildings built with wooden skeletons connected horizontally, vertically, and diagonally, which form a wooden supporting structure that remains visible. The geometric and rustic look is unmistakable. PUSH Maison de Hansi is one of the tallest houses in Alsace with a half-timbered facade House Irion stands out for its corner balcony and you will find many more on this walk. The beginning of the street coincides with the town hall, near which is located the “Beauty and the Beast fountain”, where the main character Belle stops to read a book surrounded by a magical village.
Thief’s Tower Museum
The name is really strange: Musée de la Tour des Thieves translates as Thieves’ Tower Museum. It is located in the former 18-meter defense tower and allows you to visit the prison with a torture chamber, an interrogation room, a basement, and a guardhouse. With a €7 ticket, you can also visit the adjacent historic house Maison de Vigneronand Dolder Tower which with its 25 meters height dominates the city and contains a museum of folk art and tradition.
Féerie de Noël and the magic of Christmas in Riquewihr
Féerie de Noël is a 300 m2 store in the center completely dedicated to Christmas. It should be remembered that Riquewihr can boast i the most beautiful Christmas markets in Alsace, and in 2023 the date of their visit is from November 25 to December 21. In the “darkest” month of the year, the pastel colors of the houses give way to Christmas lights and baubles that decorate houses, shops, and historic buildings. In the end, for a Christmas toast, you can’t help but taste a good glass of Riesling, the typical local white wine!
Christmas lights in Riquewihr during the Christmas markets
