Wettolsheim

Perched at the foot of the vineyards, just five kilometers southwest of Colmar, Wettolsheim unfolds its charm between history and winemaking tradition. This village of 1,721 inhabitants, dominated by the iconic ruins of Hohlandsbourg, the Three Castles, and Hagueneck, hides a rich past. An old church, Feldkirch, already testified to its antiquity before being demolished in 1780. Today, visitors can admire many restored old houses, while the parish church of Saint-Rémi, built between 1780 and 1782, stands out with its elegant bell tower, baroque furnishings, and remarkable organ. Strolling along Château Street, a Lourdes grotto, an exact replica of the one in Massabielle, recalls the village's connection with Bishop Mgr Schoepfer, a native of Wettolsheim. On the site of the former Martinsbourg residence, built in the 18th century, was unfortunately demolished in 1960. Only the Hagueneck castle, classified as a Historic Monument since 1932, remains with a square keep and a rectangular main building featuring Romanesque windows and characteristic bench niches. Wettolsheim, the leading wine-growing commune in Haut-Rhin, cultivates nearly 450 hectares of vines and produces the full range of Alsace wines, including the Grand Cru Steingrubler, renowned for its bouquet. Every last weekend of July, the Wine Festival has enlivened the village for over thirty years, attracting visitors to celebrate local wines, gastronomy, and street entertainment. Wettolsheim's heritage is also revealed through Neolithic remains, visible at the town hall, and Birgäntzlé organs, masterpieces of 18th-century organ making.