Discover the castles of the Colmar region

Perched on a mountain more than 750 metres above sea level, Haut Koenigsbourg castle dominates the entire valley. This immense fortified castle is a veritable emblem in Alsace, bearing witness to the long periods of war that have punctuated this region since the 12th century.

When you visit the Colmar region, we strongly recommend a visit to the Haut Koenigsbourg castle, less than 30 km from Colmar. In our opinion, it's a must-see, because it's so exceptional. From up there, the magnificent panorama of the surrounding area is well worth the diversions: the great plain of Alsace, the Vosges and the Black Forest stretch out at your feet!

Built of red Vosges sandstone, the château also has a majestic air about it. It is extremely well preserved thanks to recent restorations, and really takes us back in time! For history lovers, don't hesitate to opt for a guided tour of the castle and its fortifications.

Just 12km from Colmar, Hohlandsbourg castle may not be as well preserved as its big brother Haut Koenigsbourg, but it also has a lot to offer. Nestling 620 metres above sea level, the castle offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Black Forest, the Alsace plain and the Vosges mountains.

The big advantage of this castle is that it's so much fun to visit! Unlike many castles, you won't be discovering antique furniture or lifeless decorated rooms... At Château du Hohlandsbourg, the scenographic tour is fun and interactive, helping you to understand the history, organisation and place of the castle from the Bronze Age to the present day. The space is designed and fitted out to host events, cultural activities and other live performances.

This important heritage site has become a place for families to discover and enjoy: self-guided or guided tours, exhibitions, workshops, birthday parties, historical re-enactments, medieval banquets, etc. The museum area, meanwhile, offers a fun way to discover how people lived in the Middle Ages. It's a refreshing change from traditional guided tours, and one that's sure to appeal to children!

Located around 20 km from Colmar, Château Saint-Ulrich is one of Ribeauvillé's three fortified castles, and is the best preserved. Also known as Rappolstein, Gross Rappolstein or Ukrichsburg, the castle was built around the middle of the 13th century on a rocky spur 530 metres above sea level, overlooking the Strengbach valley.

Although Saint-Ulrich has little military significance, it is still an interesting example of seigneurial housing. It was the residence of the powerful and wealthy Ribeaupierre family until the 15th century. Several improvements were made to the château over time, resulting in a blend of different architectural styles, with Romanesque, Gothic and even Renaissance elements. In the 16th century, the Château de Saint-Ulrich was abandoned and began to fall into ruin. Then, in the 17th century, it burnt down.

Today, this castle, although in ruins, is still as imposing and impressive as ever. The remains that can be seen today date back to several eras. In particular, you can see the square keep and the main building dating from the 12th century, the knights' hall and the large residential tower dating from the 13th century, the entrance barbican and the outer wall dating from the 14th century, and the Saint-Ulrich chapel dating from the 15th century.