The most beautiful places to visit in Alsace
Take advantage of your stay at the Maison Simmler winery to explore Alsace. Our beautiful region has a wealth of heritage and gastronomic delights to satisfy every taste.
~ Tourist Attractions ~
The village of Saint-Hippolyte
Why not start your visit to Alsace with the village of Saint-Hippolyte? Located at the foot of the Château du Haut Koenigsbourg on the famous Route des Vins, our village is ideally situated in the heart of the region. Just 15 minutes from Colmar, 40 minutes from Strasbourg and 50 minutes from Mulhouse, Saint-Hippolyte owes its renown to winegrowing. Known for its famous Pinot Noir, imported by the Dukes of Lorraine, this grape variety is at the origin of the Rouge de Saint-Hippolyte appellation, renowned for centuries.
A former fortified town since 1316, the walls of which can still be seen today, you'll appreciate the calm of this village, its sandstone fountain dating from 1555 and its church dating from the year 800, rebuilt in the 14th century. A tour of the town will allow you to visit the village, in full bloom in summer, and discover its former Château des Ducs de Lorraine, its Hôtel de Ville (1782) and many other treasures of Alsace's heritage.
Haut Koenigsbourg Castle
Perched 757 m above Saint-Hippolyte, Château du Haut Koenigsbourg proudly dominates the Alsace plain. Probably built in the early 12th century, it was modernized in the 15th century.
Over the centuries, the castle was plundered, fought over and burned, before being finally abandoned after 1633. At the beginning of the 20th century, Kaiser Wilhelm II restored it to its current architectural form. An emblematic figure of Alsace, it is one of the most visited monuments in France.
The Wine road and its Villages
All along the Wine Route, you'll discover the sublime, typical villages of Alsace: Bergheim, Ribeauvillé, Riquewihr, Kaysersberg, Turckheim and many more.
The architectural, cultural and artistic richness of each village is part of Alsace's heritage. You'll find plenty to do here, from museums and guided tours to wine-tasting walks through the vineyards.
You'll be enchanted by the variety of half-timbered houses, colorful geraniums and breathtaking landscapes.
~ Must-see towns in Alsace ~
Domaine Simmler is ideally located for sightseeing in Alsace. From towns to villages, discover a heritage rich in history and tradition
Strasbourg
With its 2,000 years of history, Strasbourg is considered one of Europe's most beautiful cities. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it offers visitors a wealth of attractions.
What to see in Strasbourg :
- Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral, with its astronomical clock
- Kammerzel House
- Petite France (water district)
- European institutions
Obernai
Situated at the foot of Mont St Odile, Obernai is one of the few small towns to have retained its original character. It's the epitome of Alsace's heritage.
To see in Obernai :
- the town walls
- the Hôtel de Ville
- the Halle aux Blés
- the belfry
- medieval houses
Sélestat
A city of art and tradition, Sélestat was once a veritable center of Alsatian culture.
To see in Sélestat :
- the humanist library (one of the last in Europe)
- the Gothic church of St Georges
- the Romanesque church of Ste Foy
- the Witches' Tower
- the Place Delattre de Tassigny
- the Place du Marché aux Choux with its Renaissance houses
Colmar
A veritable jewel in Alsace's crown, Colmar has preserved its heritage to the present day, leaving visitors with unforgettable memories. And let's not forget that Colmar is also the birthplace of the famous sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, creator of the Statue of Liberty.
To see in Colmar :
- churches and convents from the medieval period (St Saturnin / Unterlinden)
- the old customs house (medieval period)
- the Maison des Têtes and the Maison Pfister (masterpieces from the Renaissance period)
- the Musée Unterlinden with the famous "Retable d'Issenheim"
- the Little Venice district
- the replica of the Statue of Liberty
- the Colmar monuments by creator Auguste Bartholdi
Mulhouse
Mulhouse owes its reputation as an industrial town to the growth of its industry, particularly in the 19th century. With its rich economic past, Mulhouse offers visitors countless museums retracing a flourishing period.
What to see in Mulhouse :
- Cité de l'Automobile (Schlumpf collection)
- Cité du Train
- Musée de l’impression sur étoffes
- parc zoologique et botanique
- centre-ville
~ For sportsmen and hikers ~
You can enjoy pleasant walks through the vineyards or along the mountain trails marked out by the Club Vosgien. Would you like to go hiking in Alsace? If you're a sporty type, you'll enjoy hiking in the Massif des Vosges and discovering its many lakes (Lac Blanc, Lac Noir, Lac Vert, Lac des Truites).
The Route des Crêtes, a famous trail in the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park, offers sublime panoramic views over the Alsace plain. In winter, skiers can enjoy downhill or cross-country skiing, and can dine on typical regional dishes at the many farm inns in the area.
~ Alsace gastronomy and traditions ~
Alsace is a land of traditions, and each season offers its own unique image:
- Christmas markets and their enchanting atmosphere: Christmas markets in Colmar, Kaysersberg, Strasbourg...
- Wine festivals and wine fairs that punctuate village life in the summer months, from June to September.
- Grape harvest: the time when grapes are harvested. A time of hard work and festivities, it's a unique opportunity to admire the spectacle of the vineyards and their traditions, with the fêtes du vin nouveau (new wine festivals).
- its gastronomy and Winstubs: an Alsatian institution, this typical place allows you to taste Alsatian dishes accompanied by wines from local producers. A true place of conviviality, you'll rediscover the typical decor and flavors of yesteryear: sauerkraut, bæckeofe, Flammenkuche, Kougelhof...
For more information, please contact your winegrower in Saint-Hippolyte. Find out more information about our Alsace wines and guest rooms located on the vineyard estate