Ribeauville France

Travelled:36km (12km on foot)

Stay: Saint Hippolyte- free parking in the vineyards N48.2336 E7.3622

Visited:Ribeauville

It was the coldest night we have had for awhile as we woke to clear blue skies. We drove a short way down to the next town, Orbey and got out to have a walk and search for a boulangerie. It was only as we were were leaving we spotted it and quickly bought croissants (breakfast) and a baguette (for lunch later). We then continued into the valley passing a couple of villages we had visited before and then stopped in Ribeauville.

The 3 castle ruins of Ribeauville 

 It is another typical Alsacian village with plenty of lovely colourful colombage style buildings. It is a very popular place to visit which is again reflected in the many eateries and souvenir shops lining the main thoroughfare. 

This 17kg loaf costs €7/kg to buy

These ‘ladies’ are all over town in different colours. This one shows the towns’ emblem.

When we got to the end we ventured up the track to the 3 fortified castle ruins that we could see from the village. 35mins later we reached the foot of the oldest and largest, Saint Ulrich, once owned by the lords and was their main residence until the 16th century when it was abandoned.

 We went up the tower and enjoyed the views of the town and vineyards of Alsace. 

Not far from here was Girsberg Castle ruins which was built in the 13thC to house a new branch of the Ribeaupierre family. 

We then walked back down the hill, along the Main Street through town and back to Bluey for lunch. 

We decided not to travel too far today and liked the sound of a spot on the edge of Saint Hippolyte in the vineyards, looking up at Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle. 

Last time we tried to go up to visit the castle we were stuck in a traffic jam and being Sunday afternoon we decided to wait until tomorrow to get a closer look. So we contended ourselves with a stroll among the vines up to a statue of Mary and looked back down on Bluey. The village here is famous for its Pinot Noir.

This English lady and her team are driving the tuk tuk from London to Istanbul in 6 weeks to raise awareness of epilepsy deaths.

 Tomorrow we will go and explore the streets as it is now time to watch the sun set over the vines.