We will be delighted to seeing you around this year! What about seazing the opportunity of a Winter break? You will experience Alsace off the beaten track, only known by the local and some connoisseurs.
Winter – from January until end of March – is the season of traditional Alsace. January, February and March offer plenty of discoveries for those who know how to look and approach closer. Riquewihr is an uncomparable base for exploring all of Alsace.
Following the Crib’s trail and discovering more Nativity scenes …
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First of all, during the month of January you will have a kind of extension of the magical Christmas atmosphere through the Nativity scenes and Crib trail. Some of them remain in place until end of January. This was always a tradition in Alsace.
From the small studio to the large luxury apartment, the Remparts de Riquewihr is a collection of 14 charming holiday gites superbly located in one of the most beautiful villages of France.
Jewel on the Alsace wine route, Riquewihr will be your headquarters to discover all the Alsace, the Vosges and even nearby Germany and Switzerland.
Click to visit our apartments
World class museums almost for you alone …
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Then, always in Winter you will have the museums for yourself (no crowd, no waiting time). After the Christmas magical time follow the track to some major masterpieces of medieval art depicting the Nativity and related stories including the adoration of the Magi. The Unterlinden museum in Colmar is one of the major museums in France with masterpieces like the Retable d’Issenheim. After 3 years under works it has just re-opened and is more magnificent than ever!
Museums in Strasbourg including the famous musée de l’Œuvre Notre-Dame which is tightly bound to the history and construction of the cathedral are a must go and only an hour away. Overlooking the plain of Alsace and the Rhine, the Haut-Koenigsbourg is a spectacular medieval castle open all year round. And in Mulhouse there are the MUST visit museums for automobile and train. All of them are world class places to visit.
Just walk off the beaten track or … stay on the path.
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Depending on the weather (might be cold but also sunny and some years with beautiful snow) some nice walks are awaiting you. No need to go far away: within half an hour driving there are plenty of incredible places to explore. Even without a car actually. Just walk out of Riquewihr through the vineyards towards Kaysersberg or Ribeauvillé and come back with the bus. And one recommandation: open your eyes widely. And take some binoculars with you.
Illuminated landmarks wake up at dusk …
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At dusk you will admire some beautifully illuminated churches and other landmarks all over the region.
Follow the winemaker in the vineyard or into … the cellar!
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The wine cellars are open also in Winter (and it never rains inside!) and the winemakers will have some time to spend with you.
A great day out in the snow …
The Lac Blanc ski resort is a true and beautiful ski resort less than half an hour away from the Alsace wine route. Downhill skiing, cross country skiing or snowshoeing tours; whether a beginner, an experienced skier or just a mountain hiker, the Lac Blanc resort will have beautiful moments for you with a great breath of fresh air in a magnificent landscape.
Click on it to see the map and see the open ski area.
After a great day of skiing or hiking in the fresh air, what better to go down to the valley and end the evening in a traditional Alsatian wood-paneled winstub in Riquewihr?
Treat yourself at a traditional winstub or a pâtisserie
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Winter is certainly the best time to enjoy the warmth of the traditional Alsatian restaurants and winstubs. Most of the restaurants working only for tourists will be closed but apart from their well deserved yearly holidays the best restaurants are open. Because the locals like them too. In the afternoon, there is a tradition to stop at a coffee or tea shop or most of the time at a “pâtisserie – salon de thé” to have a cup of coffee with a piece of delicious cake.
From the small studio to the large luxury apartment, the Remparts de Riquewihr is a collection of 14 charming holiday gites superbly located in one of the most beautiful villages of France.
Jewel on the Alsace wine route, Riquewihr will be your headquarters to discover all the Alsace, the Vosges and even nearby Germany and Switzerland.
Click to visit our apartements
Carnival time in the Rhine valley
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End of February and beginning of March is the time for Carnival. An old tradition in the valley of the Upper Rhine, southern Germany and Switzerland, carnival is the time of the year when the reign of bad spirits of the cold and grim winter period is over and these spirits are symbolically being hunted down and expelled. During some 2 weeks, a number of very colourful events are to be experienced. See my personal selection and update of coming events for Carnival here.
In brief, in Winter you will not get the warmest temperatures outside but cheaper rates and meet only connoisseurs for some very special events.
Stay in one of our warm and comfortable holiday apartments in Alsace!
The White Stork is a 5 star apartment for 2 people at an affordable rate.
Our vacation rental gites in Riquewihr, Alsace or in the beautifully located mountain village La Vancelle are the perfect base to visit all Alsace, the Vosges mountains and even nearby Germany and Switzerland. The warmest and most comfortable ones, perfect for a warm winter stay are to be seen here.
Thank you Helen, welcome back anytime!
Every time I read one of your blogs about Alsace my heart sinks and I yearn to be there once again. Without a doubt you do live in the most beautiful region of France.
How lucky you are and I wish you a long and healthy life to fully enjoy your Alsace year in and year out.
Helen