10 Spectacular Things to Do in Eguisheim: Alsace’s “Preferred Village”
Eguisheim is a tiny, colorful village just a 15-minute drive from Colmar, known for its perfectly preserved medieval charm and distinctive half-timbered houses. It was named the “Preferred Village of the French” in 2013, and it’s easy to see why.
The village feels straight out of a storybook, with narrow cobblestone lanes that loop through rows of flower-filled facades and quiet little squares.
While it’s a small place, there are several nice stops to make, from scenic streets and local shops to cozy squares and seasonal events.
Fun fact: The name Eguisheim may trace back to an early landowner named Egino, who is believed to have built some of the first homes in the area.
10 Spectacular Things to Do in Eguisheim
1. Rue des Remparts
The biggest draw in Eguisheim is the Rue de Remparts, which follows the circular path of Eguisheim’s old defensive ramparts (though the ramparts themselves aren’t particularly noticeable today).
This street loops all the way around the historic town, forming a ring that you can easily walk in about 30-45 minutes (depending on how often you stop to take pictures!) It’s the first street you’ll hit once you enter the city center, and if you keep following it, you’ll eventually end up right where you started.
The street is cobblestoned, full of charming, colorful half-timbered houses and spilling over with flowers and greenery in the summertime. It is truly unbelievably picturesque.
This is a spot where you’ll want to take a picture every 10 steps (I speak from experience, clearly!) I’ve been to a lot of the villages in Alsace and truly, the Rue de Remperts of Eguisheim is one of the most charming spots in the region.
Rue des Remparts is also where you’ll find the iconic “shot” of Eguisheim—a small split in the road framed by colorful half-timbered houses and flower boxes (location)
Grand’Rue is the main street that goes straight through town, intersecting Rue des Remparts on either side of the village. At each side, you’ll find the former locations of Eguisheim’s medieval city gates. These gates were originally built not just to protect the town, but also to collect entrance tolls from those coming in.
2. Place de Saint Leon/Place du Chateau
Place de Saint Leon is sometimes also called Place du Chateau, and is the main town square in Eguisheim that sits almost perfectly in the exact center of town.
This square has a beautiful fountain with a statue of Saint Leon in the center, and is lined with flowers in summer and garland in winter. There are benches surrounding the fountain and a view of the chapel in the background— it’s a place that makes you want to sit and relax for a while.
The square, chapel, and fountain are dedicated to one of Eguisheim’s most famous residents: Pope Leon IX. He was born in Eguisheim in 1002 and reigned as pope from 1049-1054.
The square is sometimes referred to as Place du Château because, around 1000 AD, a small octagonal castle was built here. The castle was destroyed sometime during the Renaissance, and in the 1800s, a chapel was built on the same site. While the original castle no longer remains, the name persists.
3. Chapel Saint Leon IX
As mentioned above, this chapel sits on the site of the former village castle and is dedicated to Pope Leon.
The chapel is a stunning one, especially for such a small village, with a mosaic floor, decorated columns, and a colorful ceiling painted with whimsical designs and scenes from the reign of Pope Leon.
Hours: 9am-6:30pm
4. War Memorial
Most small towns in France have a War Memorial, and Eguisheim is no exception. Located just one street over from the Place du Chateau, this memorial is dedicated to the people from Eguisheim who died in WWI and WWII. (location here)
5. Eglise Saints Paul et Pierre
This church is one of the most historic structures standing in Eguisheim, and is particularly notable for the Gothic clock tower erected in 1200. The rest of the church is simple but worth going in for a look.
A few noteworthy spots include the stained glass windows around the altar and the Opening Virgin statue, which dates back to the 1200s and depicts her presenting the Trinity.
Statues like these were common in the Rhine Valley during the Middle Ages, but all but two have since been destroyed.
6. Wine Tastings and Shopping
Eguisheim sits right in the heart of Alsatian wine country, surrounded by vineyards in every direction.
The Alsace region has some of the driest soil in France, thanks to its position between the Vosges Mountains to the west and the Black Forest to the east. This natural shelter creates a climate similar to the Mediterranean, with warm, late summers that are perfect for growing grapes.
Two notable Grand Crus in the area are Eichberg and Pfersigberg, both known for producing distinctive wines that reflect the character of this region.
You’ll pass rows upon rows of vineyards as you approach Eguisheim, and there are dozens of wine shops in town where you can peruse and purchase bottles of wine to bring home with you. Many shops will let you do tastings as well (look for “degustation” on the shop)
7. Admire the Storks
Storks are the symbol of Alsace, and are said to bring good luck and happiness. You can find them represented in many of the goods and souvenirs throughout Eguisheim.
If you look up at the rooftops of the buildings, you’ll sometimes see large nests built, especially over chimneys. These are stork nests! They spend a lot of time in their nests— I saw at least two storks just chilling when I was in Egueishem (one is on the rooftop of the chapel).
8. Free Guided Tour
If you are interested, the Eguisheim Tourism Office offers a free guided tour of the town. The tour is in French, lasts approximately 1-1.5 hours, and usually starts around 10:30am. Stop in at the office in the morning if you’re interested in joining.
9. Go Biking
Biking is a very popular activity in Alsace, with scenic routes crisscrossing the countryside. I had a great time biking through the countryside and Alsacian towns, and enjoying the idyllic rolling vineyard views around me.
There’s a bike rental shop right in Eguisheim—Alsa Cyclo Tours—where you can rent e-bikes for €48 for a full day or €30 for a half-day (afternoon). They can also recommend a variety of bike routes that take you through the surrounding vineyards and nearby villages.
You can even bike between Eguisheim and Colmar if you want—it’s a relatively easy and enjoyable ride.
10. Eguisheim Christmas Market
If you’re visiting between the end of November and December 25, you’ll have the incredible opportunity to enjoy the Eguisheim Christmas Market.
Eguisheim feels straight out of a snow globe at Christmastime, with garlands, twinkling lights, and festive decorations lining every street. Nativities, wreaths, and window displays add extra ambiance around every corner.
Beyond the decorations, there are two Christmas markets in the village. The main one is just past Place Saint-Léon, with about 30 wooden chalets set up around the World War memorial. A smaller market is one block farther down Grand’Rue, near the Market Fountain, with about 8 chalets.
While there is seemingly no end to great Christmas markets in Alsace, the Eguisheim really is fantastic during the holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do You Need in Eguisheim?
Eguisheim truly is tiny, and you can easily explore the village, walk every street, pop into a few shops, and grab a bite to eat in just a few hours.
I’d plan for 2-4 hours here; on the lower end if you don’t plan to shop or eat, and on the higher end if you’d like to browse, taste some wine, or get lunch.
Eguisheim is popular and it can get busy. I arrived at 8am and had the village to myself for at least an hour. By 10am it was filling up, but definitely not so full that you couldn’t enjoy yourself.
Where to Visit Next
There are tons of other great spots to visit in Alsace. You must spend 1-2 days in Strasbourg, the capital of the region, and then a day in Colmar.
There’s also Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé, and Kayserberg, all adorable villages. And the Chateau de Haut-Koenigsbourg is a stunning castle perched high above the valley.
How to Get to Eguisheim
By Rental Car: Coming to Eguisheim by rental car gives you the most flexibility, as you can decide when to arrive and leave, and how long to stay. If you’re planning on visiting a lot of villages and vineyards in Alsace, a rental car might make the most sense. There are easy-to-use parking lots just outside the city center.
However, if you’re visiting Strasbourg, Colmar, and just 1 or 2 other villages, I wouldn’t bother with a car.
By Guided Tour: Guided tours are a great way to visit a few villages in a day. They are the simplest way to get around, since you don’t need to worry about driving, navigating, or parking.
>>This excellent small group guided tour from Colmar takes you to Eguisheim, Riquewihr, Kayserberg, and Ribeauvillé, finishing with a wine tasting.
>>Alternatively, this small group guided tour from Strasbourg takes you to Colmar, Eguisheim, Riquewihr, and Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg.
I’ve visited all the spots on both of these tours, and they are all excellent.
By Uber: There is Uber in Alsace, and you can usually get a ride from a bigger city like Colmar to a smaller village pretty easily. However, you may have problems getting a driver to pick you up in the village.
By Bus: The #30 bus runs between Colmar and Eguisheim several times throughout the day. This is an okay option – while the bus only costs €4 and you can get there in 15 minutes, the bus only runs about 8 times a day, and often with several hours between the next bus.
In practicality, it often doesn’t line up super well with how long you’d want to stay in Eguisheim, and you might end up either waiting around for the bus or cutting your visit short. You can check out the bus schedule here.
