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Haut-Koenigsbourg castle

A breathtaking sight

Vue aérienne du Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg © Jean-Luc Stadler Vue aérienne du Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg © Jean-Luc Stadler

Haut-Koenigsbourg castle is one of the must-see sites of Alsace, a mountain fortress perched on a hill 757 m high, 26 km north of Colmar and 55 km south of Strasbourg.

It offers an outstanding view of the surrounding hills and countryside and is in excellent condition. The only one of its kind in Alsace, the castle dates back to the 12th century and was completely restored in the 20th century. It really is well worth the visit.

You can go there by car, there’s free parking at the castle, but you can also get a shuttle from the train station in Sélestat, every day from mid-June to mid-September.

Cross the drawbridge and you’ll find yourself back in the Middle Ages, with 900 years of history before you.

The castle as you see it now, came about mainly through the relationship between Kaiser Wilhelm II and German architect Bedo Ebhardt and the expertise of Alsatian craftsmen.

The tour of the castle takes you inside the castle grounds, up and down the towers and around the living quarters. Some of the rooms are furnished with furniture from the Middle Ages, while in others, it is more recent.

Pièces du Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg ® Jean-Luc Stadler

The weapons room always interests bigger and smaller members of the family alike, who are eager to look at the swords and hallebardes and wonder at the suits of armour, which weighed nearly 20 kg.
After you finish going round, have a look in the castle shop, where you’ll find books, castle construction kits and stuff for knights and princesses.

Your visit comes to an end in the mediaeval garden, with its traditional square flower beds marked out by woven wood borders originally designed for protecting the plants from animals. This part of the garden is called the “Garden of Beliefs”.

The castle tends to be quite chilly throughout the year, so don’t forget to bring some warm clothing.

Guided tours and a programme of special events are available all through the year.

Find out more Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg

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