Alsace France

Day 70 Monday 13 July 2026

Today we visited 3 lovely typical villages of Alsace - Ribeauville, Kaysersberg and Turckheim.

 It is a region in the north-east of France that is on the west bank of the River Rhine. Bordered with Germany, Alsace is unique for its combination of both French and German cultures. So during history it has moved between being part of either country. On 24 October 1648, the Habsburgs signed the Peace of Westphalia, providing for the transfer of Alsace to France.

From that time, the Alsace region was ruled by France and remained under its national colours until 1871. The Franco-Prussian War in 1870-1871 ended with the surrender of the French army and the annexation of the province (less Belfort) and the Moselle département in Lorraine to the newly created German Reich.

In the aftermath of the First World War, Alsace returned to republican France.

It was difficult for the people in this area as Cultural life was, in part, suppressed by linguistic pressure from French authorities confronted by regional culture.

In August 1940, an armistice treaty was signed between Germany and the defeated France. In order to “Germanise” Alsace, the occupiers needed to resort to drastic measures. The Alsatian people were considered German citizens (Volkdeutsche), the use of French was banned and was a punishable offence, and German became the obligatory language once again, with street names being translated and displayed in German. When the last German troops surrendered in Alsace took place on 20 March 1945. The region was once again in France.

White storks are one of the region’s most beloved symbols, and for many centuries, they return every year from Africa to announce the coming of spring in France.

Our first stop this morning was on in Ribeauville which has always been an important trading city, as evidenced by many historical buildings. Following a map we strolled along the main roads through the centre of the ancient centre. The half timbered buildings were so colourful and each having an interesting design.

Several parts of its ancient ramparts along with several towers have been preserved.

Classified as a Historical Monument, the church of Saint-Grégoire reveals a very beautiful Alsatian architecture.

Bread bought by the kg

Next we head to Kaysersberg. We use their dump point then find a street parking spot just around the corner. Due to it being free during the lunch break we only had to pay €1/3hrs.

The village is tucked into the foothills of the Vosges and surrounded by vineyards.

There is a river running through it, a fortified bridge that seems to belong to another age, half-timbered houses leaning gently over cobbled streets, and the ruins of a castle watching from above.

The village’s main historic street is full of colourful half timber-framed houses, old stone façades, colourful signs, shops and eateries.

Being a bit later in the day and that there is a market in town, it is a little bit busier but not overly so, enabling us to enjoy our explorations..

The Church of Sainte-Croix is another essential stop. From the outside, it already catches the eye with its solid presence and unusual bell tower

 The one monument that instantly gives the village its identity, it is the fortified bridge.

We popped into Intermarche for a few supplies and then make a v line for our next and last stop for the day in Turckheim. It is smaller and not as touristy as the other 2 villages toady but in the town centre there were many buildings that reflected its prosperous past. There are still the medieval walls and 3 gatehouses surrounding the centre.

Towering the village with its glazed-tile spire, the parish Catholic church of Turckheim is a neo-classic edifice rebuilt in the 19th century to replace an older sanctuary. The nave and the choir date back to the 19th century and only the Romanesque bell tower remains from the original medieval church.

This stunning Renaissance half-timbered mansion with its attractive loggia with carved beams was first mentioned in a document from 1540 when it was called “L’Aigle Noir” (Black Eagle). The hotel housed famous people such as Albert Schweitzer, General Leclerc and General de Gaulle, and is still an operating hotel.

The heat is making us weary so we head back to Bluey, it’s about 3pm, but we are in the shade so we try and keep cool and call it a day. 

62km