Scherwiller

Perched on the Alsace Wine Route, just 6 km from Sélestat, Scherwiller, nicknamed the capital of Riesling, rises in the heart of the foothills. This wine-growing village, with 370 hectares of vineyards, is one of the largest communes in Bas-Rhin in terms of vineyard area. Here, passionate winemakers eagerly share their expertise and offer tastings of their finest vintages, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the world of Alsatian Riesling.

The Aubach river, which runs through the village, is lined with about a hundred washhouses, classified since 1969. These picturesque relics, where washerwomen once came to do laundry, invite a historical stroll along its quays and small stone bridges. In summer, the spectacle on Washerwomen’s Street brings these places to life by staging scenes of rural life in French and Alsatian. The half-timbered houses, typical of the region, line the Aubach. Dating from the 16th to the 19th centuries, they blend tradition and modernity with timber framing on the upper floors and dressed stone on the ground floor, often painted in bright colors.

For a cultural break, the communal medieval garden offers explanations and poems dedicated to courtly love. Nearby, the attraction "The Mysteries of the Scherwiller Vineyard" allows visitors to admire an old wooden screw press, while the roofs of the surrounding houses add a picturesque touch to the visit.

Finally, a hike on the rocky spur offers a breathtaking view of Scherwiller, the Alsace plain, the Swiss Alps, and even the spire of Strasbourg Cathedral, from Ortenbourg Castle, built in the 13th century.