Riquewihr, an architectural jewel | About history
The first mention of Riquewihr was in 1094.
At that time, the village belonged to the Counts of Horbourg.
They built the first fortified ramparts in 1291.
It was in 1320 that Riquewihr was elevated to the rank of town.
In 1324 the Horbourgs sold all their estates to the Counts of Wurtemberg, and the family line died out shortly afterwards.
Riquewihr remained the property of the Counts, and later Dukes, of Wurtemberg until 1793.
Their coat of arms is omnipresent throughout the town.
In 1525 the population, weary of the tyrannical way they were treated by the Dukes, took part in the Peasants’ Revolt.
In 1534 the Calvinist religion expelled and replaced the Catholic faith, but was replaced in turn by the Lutheran doctrine in 1559.
During 16th and early 17th centuries the prosperity of Riquewihr reached its zenith, enriched by the sale of its fine wines of great reputation.
The Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648) put an end to this prosperity.
For Riquewihr, the situation improved in 19th century, after its attachment to France at the Treaty of Paris in 1796.
Thankfully, the town did not suffer too much damage during both world wars, hence its remarkable state of preservation. Nowadays, Riquewihr is increasingly popular with tourists and has become one of the most visited places in France.
Discover the fortifications,
houses and courtyards, some dating back to 13th century
Riquewihr possesses four museums
the Post and Telecom history museum in the Chateau of the Dukes of Wurtemberg
the Hansi folklore museum
the Dolder local history museum
the Thieves’ tower with its torture chamber…
Take a trip through the vineyards on the little tourist train.
Numerous events and entertainment throughout the year
Free guided tours of the old town from late June to early September
RIQUEWIHR, pearl of the Alsace wine region
At the foot of the Vosges mountains, situated in the heart of the Alsace vineyards, Riquewihr enjoys an exceptional diversity of landscape and countryside. Between mountains, vineyard and plain, a world of surprises and discoveries awaits you. The village of Riquewihr well merits its reputation as “the pearl of the wine region”. Its 16th century houses comprise one of the finest examples of Alsace architecture.
Within its fortified walls, the cobbled streets and the superb half-timbered houses are impossibly picturesque.
A sense of harmony prevails in this admirably preserved little village. Almost like a picture postcard, Riquewihr displays its treasures : charming courtyards, beautifully imposing stone-built manor houses, carefully flower-decked wells and fountains.
Behind its ramparts, the city that nowadays is only besieged by serried ranks of vines, was long attached to the Duchy of Wurtemberg.
Today it is its own kingdom of excellence, thanks to the magic of its architecture and to the powerful, aromatic wines from its Grand Cru vineyards of Sporen and Schoenenbourg.
Thanks to its charm, which you will be unable to resist, Riquewihr has become one of the most favoured tourist destinations in France.
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