Ribeauvillé

Nestled between the slopes of the Alsatian vineyard and the first foothills of the Vosges, Ribeauvillé embodies the timeless charm of a medieval town. Its history is inseparable from that of the Ribeaupierre family, who established their lordship seat here in the Middle Ages. These lords built three fortified castles whose imposing silhouettes still dominate the town and surrounding hills today. Accessible by a mountain trail, Saint-Ulrich Castle, the oldest and largest, Girsberg Castle, and Haut-Ribeaupierre Castle, the highest of the three, offer exceptional views of the region. These ruins recall the past power of this lineage that left a lasting mark on local identity.

Ribeauvillé also preserves traces of its medieval fortifications, such as part of its city walls and defensive towers. Among them, the Butchers' Tower, built in the 13th century and rebuilt in the 18th, testifies to the role of guilds in the town's defense. Its name refers to the butchers' guild, responsible for protecting access from this tower in case of attack.

The Grand’rue, the town’s main street, charms with its picturesque quarters lined with flower-adorned half-timbered houses dating mainly from the 15th to 18th centuries. The squares along this street are decorated with Renaissance fountains, adding elegance to the setting. Several buildings deserve special attention: the 18th-century town hall housing a remarkable collection of silver goblets donated by the Ribeaupierre counts, the Butchers' Tower, the old grain market hall, and the House of the Minstrels, recognizable by its unique façade decoration dated 1683.

Ribeauvillé enlivens its calendar with traditional festivals, including the famous Pfifferdaj, or Minstrels’ Festival. This event, the oldest in Alsace, dates back to 1481 when the minstrels’ brotherhood gathered here to elect its king. Today, it takes place every first Sunday of September and features parades, brass bands, and medieval-themed activities, thus perpetuating a centuries-old tradition.