Page 39 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - France

DRIVE 1: Alsace Wine Route 37

Above left Fontaine Saint-Léon in Place du
wood balconies and vividly painted Fontaine Saint-Léon, a historic Marché aux Saules Above right Charming
colombage wine cellars and restau- monument which holds up to 80,000 hotel-restaurant in Kaysersberg Below Village
rants. Turn the corner onto the Place litres (21,000 gallons) of water. From of Niedermorschwihr
de l‘Eglise to see the Église Saint-Gall here take the Grand’Rue, the main
and its incredibly tall and twisted axis, past other petite public squares
Gothic steeple. and fountains and be sure to stop at
ª Take the D10 (7) to Turckheim. one of the excellent boulangeries- EAT AND DRINK
Turn left onto the D11 (Route de pâtisseries. Arriving at the village
Colmar) by the station. At the next ramparts turn left and head around RIQUEWIHR
roundabout turn right onto the D83. to the Place de l’Église and the La Grappe d’Or Restaurant-Winstub
Continue past turnings to Wintzenheim church Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul. moderate
This rustic decor restaurant has a
and Wettolsheim and take the D1bis Continue along Rue des Ramparts to traditional menu.
into Eguisheim. There are three easily do a full circle. 1 rue des Écuries Seigneuriales, 68340;
accessed free car parks in Eguisheim: 03 89 47 89 52; www.restaurant-
in the town centre on the Grande Rue grappedor.com; closed Wed
mid-Nov–end Mar, Thu
(at the town hall), on Rue des Fleurs
and the “Parking Marronniers” on KAYSERSBERG
the Rue des Trois-Châteaux on the
Le Chambard moderate–expensive
edge of the town. This restaurant serves sophisticated
versions of rural Alsace food.
y Eguisheim 9–13 rue du Général de Gaulle, 68240;
03 89 47 10 17; closed Mon–Wed lunch
Haut-Rhin, Alsace; 68420
and Jan
The birthplace of Pope Saint Léon IX
has several sites named after him: the EGUISHEIM
Château Saint-Léon is located at the Á La Ville de Nancy
heart of the village on the Place du inexpensive–moderate
Château Saint-Léon, which merges This restaurant-bistro in the village
serves regional food with local wines.
with the old marketplace, Place du 2 place Charles de Gaulle, 68420; 03 89
Marché aux Saules. Its pastel 41 78 75; www.villedenancy-
colombage houses enclose the eguisheim.com
DAY TRIP OPTIONS Coming from the north, follow the Coming from the north, follow the
Visitors staying in the Bas-Rhin can directions in the itinerary arriving via itinerary; from Ribeauvillé on the wine
head to Mont Sainte-Odile for the Ottrott; from the wine route to the route to the south, take the D1bis, pass
day; Château de Haut-Koenigsbourg south access is via Barr: take the D35, through Bergheim, Saint-Hippolyte
is easy to access from any base along then at the roundabout take the third and Kintzheim.
the itinerary; the wine route of the exit and continue on the D109 and
Haut-Rhin makes for a perfect day pass through St-Nabor. Grand Cru villages
trip for those based in the south. The wine route from Ribeauvillé 0
Medieval château and
to Riquewihr w via Hunawihr q is
Monastery and megalithic wall walking trails a treasure chest of delightful villages,
Visit the monastery and wander For a great day trip, head to the museums and vineyard walks.
through the trails of Mont Sainte- Château de Haut-Koenigsbourg 8.
Odile 2 leading to the springs or Marvel at the medieval decor, then Follow the directions in the itinerary.
the mur païen, the megalithic wall picnic amidst nature and explore a The best roads to take are the signed
built by the Celtic tribes. few of the walking trails. Route du Vin/wine route.
Eat and Drink: inexpensive, under €20; moderate, €20–€40; expensive, over €40