Église Saint-Martin

Ribeauvillé is a wine town on the Alsace Wine Route, at the foot of the Vosges between Colmar and Sélestat, and its churches and streets reflect the history of a place that was long ruled by the lords of Ribeaupierre, one of the most powerful noble families of Alsace. A visit to any of the town's old churches fits easily into a walk through the centre.

The town is dominated by its three ruined castles, which perch on the slopes above the roofs and are among the most distinctive features of the skyline. The highest, the Château du Haut-Ribeaupierre, can be reached by a forest path from the town and gives wide views over the vineyards and the plain of Alsace. The Grand'Rue, the long main street, runs through the town between two old gates, lined with half-timbered houses in soft colours, fountains with carved figures and wrought-iron signs. The Tour des Bouchers, the Butchers' Tower, with its clock and roof of coloured tiles, forms a landmark in the middle of the street, and the town hall and the old market square give a sense of civic pride.

Ribeauvillé is also a place of tradition. Each September the town holds the Pfifferdaj, the festival of the minstrels, a medieval-style celebration that recalls the privileges given by the lords to musicians. The festival fills the streets with costumes, music and processions, and it is one of the best-known events in Alsace. In the hills above the town, the pilgrimage chapel of Notre-Dame-du-Dusenbach, set in a quiet wooded valley, has drawn pilgrims for centuries.

The wines of Ribeauvillé are among the finest in Alsace. The slopes above the town produce Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris, and grand cru sites such as Geisberg, Kirchberg and Osterberg are known for their depth and character. Producers in the town offer tastings, and the Sentier des Vignes, a vineyard trail, leads through the vines with views of the castles. The town is also known for gingerbread, and the Maison du Pain d'Épices and the Musée du Pain d'Épices tell its story.

The Remparts, the old town walls, can be followed in part, and the Vineyards of Ribeauvillé spread across the slopes on all sides. A visit takes a few hours, and the town is busy in summer and at Christmas, so go early. It suits wine lovers, walkers and families.