The upper gate and the Dolder
A first glimpse of the village...
...and we're in.
Riquewihr is a medieval village located in the heart of the Alsatian wine country. It has managed to retain its original appearance, largely thanks to the fact that it was entirely spared by the many wars that raged around it during the last few centuries. Indeed, if it were not for the occasional car or small truck making its way through the cobblestoned streets, or the inevitable television antennas, one could easily imagine visiting a place during the middle ages.
The earliest settlements at Riquewihr date back to Roman times, but the real story of the place begins in the year 1291 when the village was protected by a ring wall with several towers; just about all these fortifications exist to this day. There were two entrances to the village: the lower gate, removed in 1804, and the upper gate, known as the Dolder. This gate is located at the bottom of a five-story tower that was used as a lookout to detect any potential foe approaching from the plain.
To today's visitor, exploring Riquewihr is a little bit like walking through the village in the Disney animated movie "Beauty and the Beast", except, of course, that Riquewihr is real. Vicki, Amelia, David, and I spent a few hours in Riquewihr on August 12, 2012, and the images on this page were taken on that occasion.
Click on any image to see a larger (1500 x 1000 pixel) version!
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The upper gate and the Dolder |
A first glimpse of the village... |
...and we're in. |
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Timber-framed houses... |
...of many colors... |
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...all impeccably maintained... |
... and of course innumerable tourists... |
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...that's what Riquewihr is all about. |
A more quiet side street |
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Rue du Général de Gaulle... |
...is what Main Street is called these days. |
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The wrought-iron sign of a first... |
...and a second vintner. |
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Storks are becoming more common again in Alsace |
Artisans like this knife maker have their own signs |
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Each house is different... |
...in color and style... |
...but all are in perfect condition... |
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...and each one is adorned... |
...with its own kind of flowers. |
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We had a drink under these umbrellas... |
...and admired the beautiful color combinations. |
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It's far more quiet away from Main Street... |
...but every bit as clean and well kept. |
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Back among the tourists |
The "Hôtel de ville" is just a fancy "Mairie" (town hall) |
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4:30 pm: Too early for dinner |
Only a few steps separate Main Street from the vines |
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Rue du Général de Gaulle |
This vintner is famous for his Gewürztraminer |
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What's with the stag above the gate? |
The crossbow-archer restaurant |
Heading for the vines |
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A vineyard right outside the village |
A Riquewihr backyard |
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Painted shutters |
Back on Main Street |
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Heading towards the Dolder |
Village fountain |
The Dolder gate seen from inside the village |
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These houses are part of the original ring wall |
In Riquewihr, every detail is worth a look |
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This page was last modified on August 20, 2012
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