From the end of June to the end of September, it is the season of the summer holidays. Everywhere along the wine route of Alsace, parties and events are organized, for the greatest pleasure of all. Here are some good tips and suggestions to make the most of your summer stay in the heart of Alsace and especially at our Ramparts of Riquewihr apartments or at our Mountain Hiker in La Vancelle.

Events all along the Summer:

– Guided tours in summer …
– Tuesday BBQ evenings in Riquewihr…
– Big market in Sélestat on Tuesday mornings
– The local markets of Sainte-Croix-aux-Mines
– The Washerwomen (Lavandières) of Scherwiller
– Open doors at the winemakers
– Gourmet trails in the vineyard
– The weather is warm ? Go bathing!
– The weather is warm ? Escape to the mountain!
– Eagles’ Park 
– Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle in summer
– Europa-Park in Summer
– Stork’s Parc – Naturoparc
– Lac Blanc Aventures Leisure Park, climb in tree like Tarzan in the mountain.

Events during a couple of days:

– June 29-30, The Venetian parade of Riquewihr
– July 04-14, International Festival in Colmar
– July 05, Gourmet Aperitif at the winemaker
– July 10, Tour de France 2019 visits Riquewihr on its way from Saint-Dié-des-Vosges to Colmar
– July 11, Tour de France 2019 in the Vosges Mountains, South of Alsace
– July 19-21, Wine and Gastronomy festival of Ribeauvillé
– 26th July to 04th August, Wine Fair Colmar
– August 02, Gourmet Aperitif at the winemaker
– August 10-11, Sélestat’s parade of flower floats in mid-August (corso fleuri)
– August 16-18, Albé in colourful & historical clothes
– August 24-25, Wine Festival of Eguisheim
– August 25, – Gourmet trail (Sentier gourmand) in Scherwiller
– August 30, – September 02, Breisach-am-Rhein (Germany) Wine Fair
– September 1, Pfifferdaj, the day of the Fiddlers in Ribeauvillé

Every summer, Ribeauvillé-Riquewihr and Kaysersberg tourist offices organize several guided tours under the guidance of guides who are experts in local heritage. There are also guided walks of the Grands Crus Wine Trail, every day from the beginning of July to the beginning of September, at 17:00 on weekdays and at 10:00 on Sundays. Alternate departures from Beblenheim, Bennwihr, Hunawihr, Mittelwihr, Riquewihr and Zellenberg. Inquire at the tourist office +33389732323.

• Riquewihr – tasty and greedy visit, Mondays at 16:30, from mid-July to the end of August 2019. Duration 2 hours. Free. Meet at the tourist office. Also some visits in English in August.
• Ribeauvillé – storytelling and gourmet visit, Tuesdays at 16:30, from mid-July to end of August 2019. Duration 2 hours. Free. Meet at the tourist office. Also visits in English in August.
• Hunawihr – visit of the fortified church St-Jacques-le-Majeur, Wednesdays and Fridays at 18:30, from July to mid-September 2019. Duration 1 hour. Meeting point in front of the church.
• Hunawihr –  Grand Cru Wine Trail with winemaker and tasting, Thursdays, in July and August 2019 at 15:30. During 2 hours. Free. Meeting Point, in front of Social-Cultural Center.
• Kaysersberg –  Visit of the village and its castle, every Tuesday and Saturday from July 1st, until August 26th from 18:00 to 19:30. Place de l’Hôtel de Ville. 5 € / pers. Free for children under 16 years old.
• Bergheim –  Grand Cru Wine Trail with winemaker and tasting, Wednesdays, in July and August 2019 at 15:00. During 2 hours. Free. Meeting Point, in front of Social-Cultural Center.

Farmers market on the ramparts of Riquewihr. Regional products and food. The barbecues are lit with old vines to make beautiful grills. You buy good local products and you enjoy them on the spot (or you take them home). There are farmers and a different winemaker each week. We wait for you every Tuesday evening from July to August from 6 pm to 11 pm

In the old town of Sélestat – One of the oldest and largest markets of Alsace in the historic city center of Sélestat. Only 15 minutes by car from our holiday apartments in Riquewihr or La Vancelle. A big colorful market. One of my favorites. Every Tuesday, all year, from 08:00 to 13:00.

In the beautiful garden of the villa Burrus in Sainte-Croix-aux-Mines (medieval silver mines), just minutes from our holiday apartment the Mountain Hiker in La Vancelle. Regional products and food. A well known event for several years. You buy good local products and you eat them on the spot (or you take them home). From 17:00 to 21:00 from June to September, every Tuesday evening.

Last two Fridays of July and the first two Fridays of August.

As every year, the gossips of Scherwiller, a wine village between Sélestat and the castle of Ortenbourg, are found in the wash house on Friday nights in the heart of summer … We do not know what motivates them the most, to cool off at the stream or chat and gossip about the neighbours. In both cases, the show is pleasant, crisp and refreshing. This impressive street show created by the Joyeuses Lavandières group takes place every year and for four Friday evenings, from mid-July to mid-August, at the wash-houses on the banks of the Aubach stream in Scherwiller. Always a nice evening.
Have a look at my pictures here.

The open days at the winegrowers are numerous from the months of May / June. To keep up to date, it is essential to stay on the lookout on social networks and in particular the page of the Pays de Ribeauvillé – Riquewihr tourist office or the Independant Winemaker (Vigneron Indépendant).

Gourmet walks and hikes have spread all over Alsace in recent years. For a variable participation of the order of 30 to 40 euros, participants usually follow a route with stages through the vineyards. At each stage a small dish and a wine are served. This is an opportunity to discover the village winemakers. These events take place mostly in May-June and again in September.

• Gourmet Trail of Scherwiller – AUG 25, 2019.
  The winemakers of Scherwiller, with more than two decades of experience, are masters in the organization of this kind of event and the logistics that it assumes. 23rd edition in 2019. 3000 participants each year (every year many candidates are refused for lack of space). Do not wait to register. Participation 42 € / person. Big atmosphere and animation at each of the 7 stages. The event takes place whatever the weather. Program and registration for the Scherwiller Gourmet Trail here.

Lake Longemer is recognized as a must-visit natural heritage and a top tourist attraction. There are some snacks where you can nibble, drink something fresh, eat ice cream and rent a skiff to go for a walk on the water. Paddle boats and boats have been known for a long time. Now there are also electric boats and paddles. So nice when it’s hot in the summer.

It’s been almost 50 years since the venerable ruin of Kintzheim Castle on the slopes of Haut-Koenigsbourg became the sumptuous theater of the Eagles’ Show and its feathered boarders. Ladies and gentlemen, what we are proposing here is a ballet. An artistic aerial ballet in which the winged stars – these same majestic raptors that you have approached on your arrival – will embark on breathtaking high-flying shows under the guidance of their riders, the falconers.

The famous castle of Haut Koenigsbourg, the most visited site of Alsace and one of the first in France, is only about twenty minutes from our Riquewihr holiday apartments. I like to go there all year long, but the Summer hosts many events such as concerts (Luc Arbogast 27/07/19 FULL and Vaiteani 31/08/19), thematic tours, entertainment for adults and children etc.
 Check all the summer events of the castle.

A 45-minute drive from Riquewihr, just across the Rhine (so in Germany), the Europa Park theme park has just celebrated its 40th anniversary. Europa-Park is an amusement park, more exactly a theme park and a German leisure complex in Rust, Baden-Württemberg, 45 kilometers from Colmar. Many water attractions will bring a refresh necessary during hot summer days.

Originally, Naturoparc (the new name for the Storks Park) was exclusively a captive breeding site of the White Stork. It is with the aim of safeguarding the emblematic stork of Alsace that was born in 1976 the Hunawihr Center. It is here that the creators of the Volerie des Aigles of Kintzheim, managed to find a technique to “repopulate” Alsace …
The Parc des Cigognes is open 7 days a week from the end of March to the 1st of November. For details and schedules, visit the Naturoparc website in Hunawihr

Are you looking for a nice family outing with children, parents and even grandparents? An experience off the beaten track with a bit of adventure and sensations? It is hot in the plain and a little cool would be welcome? So the Lac Blanc Aventures leisure park in the Alsatian High Vosges really has something to offer an unforgettable day to young and old alike. The nine tree climbing courses of increasing difficulty will take you higher and higher towards the top of the fir trees …

Events during one or several days:

29-30 June 2019

It’s been seven years since the association Venetian Reveries organized this Venetian parade in Riquewihr. A very high-end event with 80 costumed people who parade for 2 days in the streets of Riquewihr. Extraordinary costumes and atmosphere not to be missed!

Every year, a very nice series of classical music concerts in early July with twenty concerts.
Learn more about the International Festival of Colmar.

1st Friday of May to August: May 3rd, June 7th, July 5th, August 2nd
Discover new and surprising food and wine pairings!
The Independent Winegrowers open the doors of their domain to the new generation, but also to all those who want to learn
to the wines of Alsace. An evening to exchange, to taste new and surprising food and wine pairings! The goal is to discover the wines through dishes that each winemaker has chosen in perfect harmony with its wines (20 € / pers). Check the list of winemaker participation

July 10, 2019

The 5th stage of the Tour de France 2019 arrive in Colmar. The cyclist will ride through the Alsatian wine route. The advertising Caravan of the Tour de France will arrive in Riquewihr around 14:30. The cyclist will follow between 16:00 and 16:30 depending their speed. Arriving in Colmar around 17:30. All the details on this stage on the Tour De France official website.

July 11, 2019

The 6th stage of the Tour de France 2019 is riding in the Vosges Mountain in South Alsace and through several Mountain passes. One thing is sure, the show will be amazing. All the details on this stage on the Tour de France official website.

Bastille Day, the 14th of July

As everywhere in France, for the French national holiday, on July 13th and 14th, there are many popular events: open-air dances, fairs, fireworks … In Riquewihr, you can participate in the firefighters parade with torches on July 13 at dusk.

July 19-21, 2019.
The Ribeauvillé Wine and Gastronomy Festival is the oldest Alsace Wine Fair! With the 91st edition in 2019, slowly, it is approaching its centenary … A very beautiful event not to be missed for all those who love the great wines. A dozen chefs offer dishes paired with carefully selected wines. More than 250 great wines for tasting in an air-conditioned room.

Foire aux Vins de Colmar, Avenue de la Foire aux Vins, Colmar
From July 26 to August 4, 2019! The biggest summer event in Alsace! Trade fair (there is not only wine) and animations during the day. Shows in the evening.

August 10-11, 2019

Mid-August 2019, it will be the 90th edition of this beautiful festival of flowers. The city of Sélestat organizes every year its “Corso Fleuri”, an exceptional floral event. (click to have the detailed program). In mid-August, the town of Sélestat dresses with hundreds of thousands of dahlias triumphing over two beautiful flower parades including a night parade. I’m always happy to attend the Saturday night corso (22:00 o’clock) when the 500,000 dahlias that cover a dozen of floats shine a thousand lights. The festival continues on Sunday with many events in the streets of the city, the exhibition of the floats, the Wine Fair and the market flavours and crafts, folklore, musical entertainment … The theme changes each year.

AUG 16-18, 2019

Albé is a charming wine village well hidden in the valley of Villé. The village is known for its mountain vineyards and especially its Pinot Noir. One weekend a year, and for the 29th year in 2019 Albé tells us about life as it was 3 centuries ago …
Old houses are illuminated. You will visit the village following the night watchman who will take you from street scene to street scene. History, architecture, old trades, traditional food and dancing. See you in mid-August 2019 for the 29th edition. In the meantime, here are some pictures I took some time ago. They will give you an idea of ​​the atmosphere.

August 24-25, 2019

By the wine route, just 16 kilometers south of Riquewihr, Eguisheim is a wonderful wine village. Every year at the end of August, the Winegrowers Festival of Eguisheim is the occasion of a beautiful week-end of jubilation with a parade in the streets of the village on Sunday afternoon generally at 15:30. During the whole party: winegrowers’ courtyards and wine cellars are open to wine lovers … Open-air dance under the lanterns on Saturday evening, music and concerts in the courtyards and on the village squares. Traditionally held end of August.

Less than 40 kilometers from Riquewihr and 24 kilometers from Colmar, the Weinfest Kaiserstuhl und Tuniberg is held every year in Breisach am Rhein (Breisach), along the Rhine side of Germany, at the end of August, beginning of September 2019, AUG 30 – SEP 2.  The program is here. A great wine festival not to be missed on the German side of the Rhine. The numerous cooperatives of the Kaiserstuhl are present but also several famous wineries. This is an opportunity to get to know the often surprising wines of this small volcanic vineyard whose silhouette is visible in the distance, from some of our apartments in Riquewihr. You have to go there in the evening to enjoy the atmosphere…

The Pfifferdaj (the Pfiff, as they say in Ribeauvillé), is the feast of the Fiddlers is an incredible event. The feast of the fiddlers – with more than 600 years of age – is the oldest festival of Alsace. It goes back to the year 1390. This is how the organizers present the event: “Every year, this authentic festival, a great popular meeting dating back to the Middle Ages, takes place every first Sunday of September.” The descendants of the minstrels of the Middle Ages, fife players or drummers from the Rhineland, join the procession of horsemen and chariots”. In 2019, it will be the 629th edition of the Pfifferdaj which will take place as always on the first Sunday of September. Click to see Pfifferdaj news and floater projects all more incredible than the others..