For other places with the same name, see Ribeauville (disambiguation).

Ribeauvillé (German: Rappoltsweilen) is one of the prettiest towns in the Alsace. It was first mentioned in 768 AD. It was the property of the Dukes of Alsace, the Counts of Equisheim, the Emperor of Germany and the Bishop of Basel. The last lords of the town were the Counts of Ribeaupierre. There are three ruined castles in the mountains above the town. You can do a fun hike and visit them all. Best of all Ribeauvillé has an annual festival of the pipers the first weekend in September.

Get in

By car

Ribeauvillé is about 8km north of Colmar and a similar distance south east of Sélestat. Take the D106 east from Guémar junction on the A35/E25 motorway directly to Ribeauvillé.

See

All three castle ruin sites are located northwest of the town centre and can easily be combined in one hike.

• 1 Girsberg Castle ruins. 
• 2 Haut-Ripeaupierre Castle ruins. 
• 3 Saint-Ulrich Castle ruins. 

Eat

• 1 Auberge de l'Ill (10 km east of Ribeauvillé). Michelin-starred restaurant offering French cuisine. If the weather is fine, expect to start outside in the garden along the river, and then to move indoors for the main meal. Consider their signature dish, a salmon soufflé. Vegetarian options. Lunch or dinner. Reservations required. €250. (updated May 2021)