Things to Do in Eguisheim? 9 Must-Do Activities in Eguisheim
Eguisheim is a must-see stop along the Alsace Wine Route, close to Colmar. Listed among the Most Beautiful Villages in France since 2003 and voted France’s Favourite Village in 2013 (a popular French TV show), it is definitely worth a visit. With its colourful half-timbered houses, cobbled streets, chapel, fountains and stork park, Eguisheim is sure to charm you.
Whether you are visiting for a few hours, spending the day here or staying for several days, here is our selection of the 9 best things to do in Eguisheim.
1. Take a food tour in Eguisheim with Alsace Food Tours
Why not combine your visit to Eguisheim with an introduction to Alsatian cuisine? If this is your first trip to Alsace, a food tour with Alsace Food Tours is an excellent idea!
Accompanied by Isabelle, a passionate food-loving guide, you will enjoy a 3.5-hour walk through the charming streets of the village, with several tasting stops along the way. Most importantly, you will get to taste some of some must-try Alsatian culinary specialities. Bretzels, tarte flambée, choucroute… During this easy-going tour, you will learn more about Alsatian cuisine, traditions and culture.
Our tip: if you enjoy discovering a destination through its food, book your food tour at the beginning of your stay. You will then have the rest of your trip to go back and enjoy your favourite specialities!
2. Walk along Eguisheim’s ramparts
Among the must-do activities in Eguisheim, walking around the village along the Rue du Rempart, also known as the ramparts loop, is an absolute must. Eguisheim is one of the few circular villages in Alsace, so don’t miss this charming, typically Alsatian street that encircles the village following the former fortifications.
While the village was built in the 700s, the fortifications date back to the 13th century. Another distinctive feature of Eguisheim is that there were two defensive walls: an inner wall and an outer wall. As you walk along the ramparts circuit, you will discover the famous dovecote house (le pigeonnier), beautiful colourful half-timbered houses, beautifully decorated and flower-filled façades, and traditional wrought-iron signs. Don’t forget your camera.
3. Admire Saint Leo chapel and fountain
Once you have walked around Eguisheim along the Rue du Rempart, continue your stroll along the main street and through the village centre. Head to the Place du Château Saint-Léon, one of the most iconic spots in Eguisheim.
This beautiful square is home to the castle, the Saint Leo IX Chapel and the lovely fountain of the same name, decorated with a statue of the pope.
Take some time to sit on a bench and admire the storks nesting on the castle and the chapel between January and July. Take some great photos, and don’t miss the chance to visit the small chapel, built from pink Vosges sandstone. The nave tells the story of Pope Leo IX, who was born in Eguisheim in 1002. As for the fountain, it is the largest of its kind in Alsace, and it is home to grass carp.
4. Watch the storks at Eguisheim’s stork park
The white stork is inseparable from the traditional image of Alsace. However, if you visit Alsace between September and January, the storks will already have left. This migratory bird leaves the region between late July and late September to spend the winter somewhere warmer — in southern France, Spain, Portugal or even North Africa.
But don’t be disappointed, because Eguisheim has its own stork park, where a pair of storks lives all year round. It is a free public garden managed by the association Les Amis de la Cigogne. The members of the association, who are local residents, feed the pair of storks once a day.
The stork park is located near the campsite, about a 10-minute walk from the village centre. There is an information board where you can learn more about the lives of these birds. Shaded benches and a children’s play area make it an ideal spot for a break or a picnic.
5. Walk along the Eguisheim vineyard trail
Still wondering what to do in Eguisheim? After exploring the village’s charming streets, head out into the vineyards for a walk. The vineyard trail is just a 10-minute walk from the village, heading west, between the campsite and the stork park.
This pleasant trail is 3 km long and takes around 1.5 hours. Information panels provide details about the different grape varieties, the work of winegrowers throughout the seasons, and the characteristics of Eguisheim’s two Grand Cru vineyards: Eichberg and Pfersigberg. In summer, you can walk along the Eguisheim vineyard trail accompanied by a winemaker, who will then take you to his cellar in the village for a free tasting.
As well as improving your knowledge of Alsatian winegrowing, you will enjoy beautiful landscapes along the way. Please note that there is no shade in the vineyards. We therefore recommend walking the trail in the morning or at the end of the day, or protecting yourself from the sun with a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water.
6. Rent a gravel bike and explore the vineyards around Eguisheim
Are you sporty, do you enjoy cycling and want to discover Alsace from a different perspective? Why not explore the vineyards by gravel bike? Gravel bikes are particularly well suited to the region, allowing you to combine small roads, cycle paths and trails through the vineyards and into the mountains.
Alsace Gravel Bike offers quality gravel bike rentals from several meeting points along the Alsace Wine Route, including Eguisheim. Bikes can be rented for a half-day, a full day or longer, and a wide range of accessories is also available for rent, including helmets, repair kits, water bottles, clipless pedals, bags and more.
A gravel bike ride in Alsace is the perfect opportunity to get off the busiest tourist routes and discover the small paths between the wine-growing villages. And you don’t need to be a professional cyclist: Jérémie, the founder of Alsace Gravel Bike, can recommend routes suited to your level and interests.
7. Thing to do in Eguisheim: go wine tasting at a local winery
As Eguisheim is a wine-growing village in the heart of the Alsatian vineyards, it would be a shame not to take advantage of your stay to enjoy a wine tasting at a local winery. This is definitely one of the must-do activities in Eguisheim!
A wine tasting at a local winery is an excellent way to discover Alsatian wines while meeting the people who make them. You will learn about the different Alsatian grape varieties and discover how to tell a Riesling from a Gewürztraminer. In Alsace, the wineries are located directly in the villages. Cellars are generally open every day (or almost every day), and all you need to do is walk in and ask for a tasting.
Throughout the year, winemakers organise various events at their cellars or in the villages to showcase their wines, including food and wine tastings, picnics, New Wine festivals and more.
8. Hike up to the Three Castles of Eguisheim
Among the must-do activities in Eguisheim and Alsace, hiking is definitely one of them. From Eguisheim, you can walk up to the Three Castles. Allow around 1.5 hours for the climb, which takes you through the vineyards and then into the foothills of the Vosges Mountains.
The effort will be rewarded because, once you reach the top and explore the ruins, you can enjoy a spectacular panorama over the village and the Alsace plain, stretching all the way to the Black Forest in Germany.
Don’t feel like walking? No problem! You can drive directly to the Three Castles and park in the large car park at the bottom. From there, it is a 10-minute walk to the ruins and the viewpoint. You can then continue along the Five Castles Route to reach Hohlandsbourg Castle and then Pflixbourg Castle, two other castles near Eguisheim. There are plenty of hikes to enjoy in the surrounding area.
9. Enjoy a fun activity with children or go on a treasure hunt
If you are visiting Eguisheim as a family, the balade ludique is a must-do activity for discovering this Most Beautiful Village in France. Ask for the brochure at the tourist office when you arrive or download it for free from their website (it's only in French, but Google translate can help). It’s time to explore the charming streets of the medieval town and head out towards the vineyards. Follow the instructions carefully, be observant and curious, and collect the clues to try to solve the mystery. It’s a fun and playful way to discover the village with children.
During the Christmas market season, don’t miss the treasure hunts, a much-loved tradition in Alsace. Around sixty Alsatian villages offer them, and Eguisheim is no exception. Just like with the balade ludique, you will need to pay close attention and use the clues collected throughout the village to solve the puzzle. A reward will be given to you if you find the correct answer. Good luck!
What to do in Eguisheim in one day?
Would you like to spend a whole day in Eguisheim? Here is an idea for an ideal itinerary to make the most of the village and its surroundings.
In the morning:
Start by walking along the ramparts circuit, then head to Place du Château Saint-Léon. Visit the chapel and the church, then continue your walk to the stork park.
At lunchtime:
Have lunch at one of the village’s many restaurants and take the opportunity to try an Alsatian speciality.
In the afternoon:
Three options depending on what you feel like doing:
Go for a walk along the vineyard trail or hike up to the Three Castles;
Rent a gravel bike for half a day and cycle through the Alsatian vineyards;
Book a food tour with Alsace Food Tours at 3:30 p.m. to discover several local specialities while exploring the village with a guide.
How long does it take to visit Eguisheim?
If you are short on time, Eguisheim is a small circular village whose historic centre and ramparts can be explored in just two hours.
If you have more time and really want to enjoy Eguisheim, we recommend allowing at least half a day or, even better, a full day to experience some of the must-do activities mentioned here.
By choosing a food tour in Eguisheim, you can combine discovering the village with explanations and anecdotes about Alsace, as well as tastings of Alsatian specialities — all in 3.5 hours. An ideal all-in-one experience!
So, what are you going to do in Eguisheim?
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