Haut-Kœnigsbourg Castle

Perched 757 metres above the vineyards, Haut-Kœnigsbourg is one of the most visited monuments in Alsace. Built in the 12th century and left in ruins during the Thirty Years’ War, it was given in 1899 to Kaiser Wilhelm II, who had it restored between 1900 and 1908 by the architect Bodo Ebhardt. The result is a mountain fortress rebuilt with rare care.

Drawbridge, forge, mill, armoury, keep, furnished apartments and the famous Kaiser’s Hall: the visit takes you through nearly 900 years of history. From the ramparts, the view stretches across the Alsace plain, the Vosges, the Black Forest and, on a clear day, all the way to the Alps.

Good to know: the tour includes around 300 steps and is not accessible with pushchairs. The castle is easy to combine with the wildlife parks of Kintzheim, just nearby.