Page 37 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - France

DRIVE 1: Alsace Wine Route 35

EAT AND DRINK
focusing on Alsace and the history of q Hunawihr
the trials. Children will enjoy the Haut-Rhin, Alsace; 68150
ANDLAU
stories of spells and sorcery. This is In the distance Hunawihr appears as
Au Boeuf Rouge
mostly an audiovisual expe rience and a cluster of witch-hat roofs among
inexpensive–moderate
although the information panels in hills of vines. From the base of Rue de
The restaurant is known for its Alsace
the museum are only in French and l’Église alongside the village fountain dishes and traditional brasserie-grill.
German, others can still enjoy the visit. and the Winstub Suzel restaurant, walk 6 rue du Docteur Stoltz, 67140 ; 03 88
Also see the Jardin d’Annette, a medi- up to the church and its fortified 08 96 26; closed Wed night, Thu from
Oct–Jul 11
eval garden with medicinal plants. cemetery for the best views along
ª Continue on the D1bis. Cars can be the wine route and forest castle ruins. Á La Couronne inexpensive–moderate
parked at the bottom of the pedes- On the way, admire the wood- Alsace specialities and vegetarian
trianized town. Those who want to beamed houses and courtyard doors dishes are the highlights here.
4 rue du Maréchal Foch, 67140; 03 88
avoid walking uphill can take the made from oak, beech and pine. As 08 93 24; closed Wed and Thu
tourist train. visitors leave the town they will pass
Val d’Éléon moderate
an exotic butterfly garden, Jardin des This colourful cellar-restaurant serves
0 Ribeauvillé Papillons (open daily Easter–Oct). Alsace specialities.
Haut-Rhin, Alsace; 68150 ª In Hunawihr, behind the Cave 19 rue du Docteur Stoltz, 67140; 03 88
The town is named after the Vinicole de Hunawihr, turn left into the 08 93 23; www.valdeleon.com; closed
Sun evening, Mon
Ribeaupierre family of seigneurs Grande Rue and follow it to the top of
who owned much of the land in the the village until the tiny turning on the
area during the Middle Ages. The left, the Rue de Riquewihr. Follow into Top left Pink sandstone Château de Haut-
Grand’Rue of Ribeauvillé rings true to Riquewihr. There are paid car parks at Koenigsbourg Top right Rolling hills lead up
its name: from the medieval upper the main entrances to the Old Town and to the Château de Haut-Koenigsbourg Below
town, Ville Haute, to the lower Ville around the ramparts. There is also a left Steeple of the Église Saint-Grégoire in
Basse, it extends through the old free car park on Avenue Mequillet. Ribeauvillé Below right Café in Ribeauvillé
ramparts past the Place de l’Hôtel de
Ville. The square is graced by the
sumptu ously furnished town hall, the
Gothic Église Saint-Grégoire, known
for its organ, and drinking fountains
and towers topped with storks’ nests.
In side streets visitors will find wine
cellars fronted by alembics and carts
full of geraniums. The flower boxes
perfectly match the paintwork of the
gorgeously coloured colombage
houses, from purple to tangerine. The
town, in fact, is nationally honoured
for its floral façades. A walking trail
links the ruins of three châteaux-forts
in the vine-covered foothills of the
Taennchel mountain above.
ª Continue on the D1bis and turn
right onto D1bis3 to Hunawihr.