Château des Ducs d'Alsace

Eguisheim is a small wine village south of Colmar, built in two concentric rings of lanes around a central castle, a layout that gives it a distinctive circular shape from the air. The castle at the centre, known as the Château des Comtes d'Eguisheim and associated with the early rulers of Alsace, is the origin of the village. The Counts of Eguisheim were powerful local lords in the early Middle Ages, and the village grew up around their stronghold, with the outer ring of houses following the line of the first defensive wall.

The most famous member of the family was Bruno of Eguisheim, born here in 1002, the son of Count Hugh IV. He became Pope Leo IX in 1049 and was later canonised, and a chapel dedicated to Saint Leo stands on the castle site, along with a statue of the pope in the square outside. The memory of this native son is a source of local pride. The Dukes of Alsace were an earlier dynasty, ruling the region in the early Middle Ages, and the castle's name recalls that older history, though the surviving buildings are more modest than the title suggests.

The present castle was rebuilt at various times, and much of the medieval fabric was lost over the centuries. The castle is not open for casual visits, and the interior is generally reached only during events, exhibitions or organised receptions, so most visitors view it from the outside and walk around the small square with its fountain. The Chapelle Saint-Léon is easier to visit.

The real attraction is the village itself. Its streets are lined with half-timbered houses in soft colours, decorated with window boxes of flowers, and are quiet enough to enjoy at a slow pace. In 2013 Eguisheim was voted the favourite village of the French in a national television poll. The vineyards that surround it produce Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris, among other varieties, and several estates welcome visitors for tastings. The Route des Vins d'Alsace passes through the area, and walking trails lead from the village into the vines.

The village suits couples, wine lovers and photographers, and it is best explored early in the morning or in the evening when the day tourists have gone. The Église Saint-Étienne, the Maison du Vin, the Place du Marché and the Musée de la Poupée are all within a short walk, and one to two hours is enough to circle the village.