Riquewihr is one of the most beautiful villages in Alsace and one of the best hidden gems of France. Hidden within a double wall is one of Alsace’s most charming jewel villages, Riquewihr. The village looks like something out of a storybook, and that’s not just an expression. If its narrow, cobbled streets, picturesque and colourful half-timbered houses, tower and fountain remind you of anything, it is no coincidence. Riquewihr inspired Disney illustrators to design the village of Belle, the main character in the animated film Beauty and the Beast. This tiny village of just 1,200 inhabitants is a treasure trove of wonder and beauty, set in an enchanting hilly landscape covered in vineyards. It has all the characteristics of a medieval Alsatian village: bubbling fountains, sloping-roofed houses with half-timbered façades in endless pastel shades, craftsmen’s workshops and many wine cellars producing seven fantastic wines, including Riesling. Built in 1809 on the site of the former lower gate of the Old Town of Riquewihr, today the town hall is the starting point for visiting the village. After passing through the archway in the centre of the town hall, it becomes clear that the building served both as a defence and as the main entrance to the town. A few steps away is the fountain immortalised in the film Beauty and the Beast, where Belle stops to read a book surrounded by a beautiful village. Rue Général de Gaulle is a long, uphill street that is the city’s main artery, where you can admire many beautiful old houses. La Maison de Hansi2 stands out as one of the tallest half-timbered houses in Alsace. Then, at number 12, you will find La Maison Irion3, dating from the 17th century, with its charming corner balcony. On the other hand, Maison Preiss Zimmer4 once housed the very old Locanda della Stella, dating from 1686. Also not to be missed is Maison Liebrich (1535): in the picturesque courtyard with its wooden galleries and balustrades is a well from 1603 and a huge wine press from 1817. Also worth noting, directly opposite, is the Behrel house with a graceful oriel from 1514 topped by a part added in 1709. Also of interest are the 16th-century Winegrower’s House, the house known as Au Bouton d’Or and the Maison du Maire Eberlin. Don’t hesitate to slip into the neighbouring alleyways and let yourself be guided by the colours and fairytale atmosphere of these hidden streets. You will be struck by the beauty and meticulous care taken by the inhabitants of the village to enhance their homes and shops, especially in spring, with flowers of all colours, and at Christmas, with wonderful decorations on all the windows.
