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Orschwihr

Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Haut-Rhin

Orschwihr - Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Haut-Rhin
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Charming wine village of Haut-Rhin, Orschwihr takes place at the foot of the Vosges, in the heart of the vineyards of Alsace, between the Florival and the Noble Valley. It is located about twenty kilometers from Colmar, near Guebwiller, Rouffach and Issenheim.

The old Otalswilre is mentioned since the 8th century as a property of the Murbach convent. Property of the bishop of Strasbourg from the twelfth century, the town experienced a major looting in the late fourteenth century before developing its wine business. Still essentially agricultural today, it is also turned towards tourism.

Visitors of passage appreciate the richness of its architectural and cultural inheritance, as well as the charm of its fauna and its flora absolutely unique in Alsace.

Geographical information

MunicipalityOrschwihr
Postcode68500
Tourism label
Latitude47.9361660 (N 47° 56’ 10”)
Longitude7.2332620 (E 7° 13’ 60”)
AltitudeFrom 225m to 573m
Surface area7.09 km²
Population1060 inhabitants
Density149 inhabitants/km²
PrefectureColmar (25 km, 28 min)
Insee code68250
IntercommunalityCC de la Région de Guebwiller
DepartmentHaut-Rhin
TerritoryAlsace
RegionGreat East

Nearest cities & towns

Bergholtzzell1 km (3 min)
Bergholtz2.4 km (3 min)
Westhalten3.4 km (6 min)
Soultzmatt3.5 km (6 min)
Issenheim4.5 km (7 min)
Merxheim6.7 km (10 min)
Gundolsheim7 km (10 min)
Guebwiller7.1 km (12 min)
Osenbach7.2 km (11 min)
Wintzfelden7.9 km (13 min)
Lautenbach8.3 km (15 min)
Buhl9.3 km (15 min)
Raedersheim9.3 km (11 min)
Rouffach9.9 km (13 min)
Bollwiller10.5 km (12 min)

Things to see and do

Built in the second half of the 16th century, between 1576 and 1579, the Saint-Nicolas church sits on the remains of a first building from the 14th century. Of reduced dimensions, it was completely rebuilt on its original plan at the end of the 18th century. Gothic in style, it has retained its original bell tower and a 16th century gate tower. It reveals an incredible nativity scene from the beginning of the 20th century visible from December 1 to February 1, as well as an organ from the end of the 19th century.

A parish building in the second half of the 16th century, the Saint-Wolfgang chapel was devastated in 1798, when its stones were used to build a house. Rebuilt at the end of the 19th century thanks to the commitment of several faithful, it presents a charming neo-Gothic style with a very pretty campanile. Inside, it is possible to admire a Christ on the cross crowned with thorns from the 17th century.

Not far away, don't miss the Bollenberg chapel. From the 19th century, it takes place on the eponymous hill which once served as a meeting place for witches.

While strolling through the village, you will appreciate the old winegrowers' houses, the former presbytery from the 16th century, the town hall from the 19th century, or even the old fortifications, the two towers and the bridge of the medieval fortress.

Several marked trails allow you to appreciate the city's heritage, such as the wine trail which begins at the foot of the Bollenberg and crosses the western slope of the hill, and opposite, the Grand Cru Pfingstberg.

The Carrières path allows you to appreciate the communal forest, while the Bollenberg circular path offers views of very beautiful landscapes.

On site, you will also enjoy the children's play area, cycle paths and tennis courts, and can admire the Val du Pâtre menhir or discover the Oelenberg Stations of the Cross.

During the end-of-year celebrations, be sure to visit the Christmas nativity scene on display in the church. This remarkable work is visible on Saturday and Sunday before and after Christmas.

Places of interest

Monuments

Events and festivities

Photos

Orschwihr, seen from the witches' chapel (© JE)
Orschwihr, seen from the witches' chapel (© JE)
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Orschwihr, seen from the Soultzmatt road (© JE)
Orschwihr, seen from the Soultzmatt road (© JE)
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North facade of the old castle (© JE)
North facade of the old castle (© JE)
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Fountain, near the church (© JE)
Fountain, near the church (© JE)
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The old castle (© JE)
The old castle (© JE)
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Witches' Chapel or Bollenberg Chapel (© JE)
Witches' Chapel or Bollenberg Chapel (© JE)
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The village
The village
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The village seen from Bollenberg
The village seen from Bollenberg
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Town Hall (© JE)
Town Hall (© JE)
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The snow-covered roofs of the village
The snow-covered roofs of the village
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The Bollenberg and the chapel
The Bollenberg and the chapel
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Saint-Wolfgang Chapel (© JE)
Saint-Wolfgang Chapel (© JE)
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Old fountain, in front of the north entrance to the old castle (© JE)
Old fountain, in front of the north entrance to the old castle (© JE)
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Town Hall (© JE)
Town Hall (© JE)
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The Bollenberg Chapel
The Bollenberg Chapel
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The church of Orschwihr
The church of Orschwihr
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House with turret (© Jean Espirat)
House with turret (© Jean Espirat)
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Old lintel (© Jean Espirat)
Old lintel (© Jean Espirat)
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Statue (© Jean Espirat)
Statue (© Jean Espirat)
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Lintel dated 1606 (© JE)
Lintel dated 1606 (© JE)
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Lintel key, dated 1743 (© JE)
Lintel key, dated 1743 (© JE)
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Lintel key, dated 1708 (© JE)
Lintel key, dated 1708 (© JE)
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Lintel key, dated 1810 (© JE)
Lintel key, dated 1810 (© JE)
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Saint-Nicolas Church (© JE)
Saint-Nicolas Church (© JE)
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Saint-Nicolas Church (© JE)
Saint-Nicolas Church (© JE)
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North entrance (closed) of the old castle (© JE)
North entrance (closed) of the old castle (© JE)
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North facade and moat of the old castle (© JE)
North facade and moat of the old castle (© JE)
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Information on the old castle (© JE)
Information on the old castle (© JE)
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Rue de Soultzmatt (© JE)
Rue de Soultzmatt (© JE)
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Center Street (© JE)
Center Street (© JE)
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Saint-Nicolas statue and fountain (© JE)
Saint-Nicolas statue and fountain (© JE)
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Church pulpit (© JE)
Church pulpit (© JE)
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Baptismal font (© JE)
Baptismal font (© JE)
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Main altar and altarpiece (© JE)
Main altar and altarpiece (© JE)
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Nave of the church (© JE)
Nave of the church (© JE)
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The old castle (© JE)
The old castle (© JE)
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The church nativity scene (© JE)
The church nativity scene (© JE)
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The church nativity scene (© JE)
The church nativity scene (© JE)
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Detail of the church nativity scene (© JE)
Detail of the church nativity scene (© JE)
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History of the Christmas crib (© JE)
History of the Christmas crib (© JE)
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The elephant in the nursery (© JE)
The elephant in the nursery (© JE)
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One of the camels in the crèche (© JE)
One of the camels in the crèche (© JE)
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Witches Chapel - Interior (© JE)
Witches Chapel - Interior (© JE)
See photo

Weather

Thursday 28 march
Min. 3°C - Max. 12°C
Day
Night
Friday 29 march
Min. 6°C - Max. 16°C
Day
Night
Saturday 30 march
Min. 8°C - Max. 20°C
Day
Night

Visits, leisure and activities nearby

Leisure activities

Last nameActivity typeRateCity
Museum of Wood Trades
Culture and education6 € to 8 € Labaroche (19 km)
Visit an exhibition and sale of artistic minerals
EntertainmentFreeXonrupt-Longemer (29 km)
Chocolate discovery workshop & chat
Local flavoursFreeRibeauvillé (30 km)
Cellar tour and wine tasting
Local flavoursFreeRodern (33 km)
Visit a copper mine
Culture and education11 € Le Thillot (36 km)

Outings

Last nameOuting typeDifficultyDurationDeparture municipality
Hergheim Tour
HikeEasy3:00Oberhergheim (12.6 km)
Eguisheim Wine-making Trail
Village visitEasy1:15Eguisheim (13.1 km)
Eguisheim-Hagueneck Castle-Wettolsheim
HikeIntermediate3:00Eguisheim (13.1 km)
Fischboedlé Lake
HikeEasy2:00Metzeral (15.8 km)
The Rangen massif
HikeIntermediate1:05Thann (16.9 km)

Restaurants

Bed & breakfasts

Vacation rentals

Campsites

Hotels

Your holidays
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