Renowned for its medieval architecture and ‘Beauty and the Beast’ aesthetic, Eguisheim is a postcard-perfect village nestled in the heart of France’s Alsace region.

With its idyllic half-timbered buildings and unique concentric circle layout, Eguisheim is a dream to explore, with storybook charm in spades… and crowds to match.

I’ll be honest: there’s not a lot to do in Eguisheim, apart from ooh and ahh your way through its aggressively adorable streets. But – if ogling a beautiful village is your idea of a good time, then this is truly one of the prettiest places in France to do exactly that.

So, read on for a little roundup of the best things to do in Eguisheim! I hope it helps you plan your trip a little better.

1. Embark on ‘La Ronde d’Eguisheim’

Eguisheim’s circular layout is a defining feature of the village, so let’s start there.

Founded in the early medieval period (around the 8th century), the layout of Eguishiem is highly unique, with streets arranged in concentric circles around a central castle, originally built by the Counts of Eguisheim as the heart of the village and the primary point of defense.

Why this layout? Well, it all has to do with the feudal system’s need for protection against invasions and conflicts.

Put simply, the concentric circles allowed local villagers to create a fortified community that could be easily defended, with the outer walls and inner circles of buildings providing multiple layers of defense.

This may sound like overkill but clearly their efforts paid off – visitors even today are free to explore this unique circular layout, disorienting as it may be for newbies used to more grid-like cities.

Luckily there’s a fun walking trail you can follow known as “La Ronde d’Eguisheim” which comes complete with nine informative plaques about the village so you can learn as you explore. See map here.

As you stroll along these circular cobblestone streets, you’ll encounter an endless parade of enchanting half-timbered houses adorned with colourful flowers – honestly the perfect way to enjoy the magic of Eguisheim.

2. Place du Château

No visit to Eguisheim is complete without a visit to the village’s central square, Place du Château, where you’ll find a lovely fountain featuring a statue of Pope Saint Leo IX, who was born in Eguisheim in 1002. The fountain’s design is typical of the 19th-century neoclassical style, featuring a large, circular basin made of stone with a central column.

Another notable focal point in this square is the Chapelle Saint-Léon, a chapel built on the site of the former castle Château Saint-Léon, where Saint Leo IX was born. The exterior is beautifully designed, with a distinctive Alsatian flair that fits perfectly with the surrounding village, while the interior is adorned with stunning frescoes that depict scenes from the life of Saint Leo IX, highlighting key moments and miracles associated with his life. T

he chapel is usually open to the public, and there is no admission fee, so it’s definitely worth taking a look inside to see the stained glass windows and frescoes.

3. Wine Tasting

Another fun thing to do in Eguisheim is a taste of the local magic elixir… AKA Alsatian wine.

Known for its exceptional white wines, the Alsace region of France is filled with wineries and cellars where you can sip on your pick of crisp Rieslings, Gewürztraminers, Pinot Gris, and more.

In Eguisheim, some places that offer wine tastings include…

• Leon Beyer Vins d’Alsace: Overlooking Place du Château, this family wine house has been operating since 1580 and is a lovely spot to sample some wines as you watch the world go by
• Vins d’Alsace Freudenreich Jean-Luc: Not far from Place du Château, this is another family wine business located in a beautiful powder blue building, and has been operating out of the same building since 1653!
• Albert Hertz: On the outskirts of the village you can actually visit the winery and gorgeous estate of Albert Hertz for a guided tour with tastings

4. Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul Church

In terms of sightseeing, there aren’t many major landmarks in Eguisheim, but one worth checking out is the Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul Church, a historic gem located in the village center.

This beautiful church dates back to the 13th century, although it’s undergone several renovations and expansions over the centuries, blending various architectural styles, from Romanesque to Gothic. When you visit, you’ll be struck by its elegant exterior, with a tall spire that dominates the village skyline.

The church is equally impressive inside, featuring stunning stained glass windows that bathe the interior in a colorful, ethereal light. The main altar is beautifully adorned, plus you’ll find intricate woodwork and religious artifacts throughout. One of the highlights is the 13th-century baptismal font, which is a remarkable piece of craftsmanship.

5. Stock up on cute souvenirs

For those keen to fill their suitcases with Alsatian mementos, one of the top things to do in Eguisheim is souvenir shopping, with plenty of delightful shops dotted all around the village to throw money at.

Some common souvenirs from the region include…

• Wine (of course)
• Anything stork-related
• Bredele (Alsatian cookies)
• Local cheese and cured meats

6. Visit the Three Castles of Eguisheim

For those with access to a car (or an abundance of energy), a bonus adventure in Eguisheim is a visit to the ‘Three Castles of Eguisheim’, located on the outskirts of town.

The Three Castles, known as the Château d’Eguisheim or Les Trois Châteaux, are actually the remnants of three separate medieval castles: Wahlenbourg, Dagsbourg, and Weckmund. These castles date back to the 11th and 12th centuries and were originally built by the powerful Counts of Eguisheim, serving as important defensive structures and symbols of the counts’ influence in the region.

Visiting the Three Castles is a bit of an adventure, but it’s well worth it if you’re a fan of rummaging through castle ruins. To get there, you can embark on a 45 minute – hour long hike through a trail that starts in Eguisheim and takes you through beautiful vineyards and forests as you make your way up the hill.

Or, for an easier solution, there’s also a parking lot nearby if you’d rather drive!

7. Stay overnight in a half timbered house

By now you should know that one of the best things to do in Eguisheim is simply ogling the enchanting houses… but I’ll do you one better: for the ultimate experience, why not stay in one?

While exploring all the best Christmas markets in Alsace, my friends and I made Eguisheim our base for two nights and stayed in this delightful half-timbered house. It was such a dream come true, and honestly quite satisfying to see the looks of jealousy from fellow tourists as we stepped into our charming dream house.

There are plenty of these houses available for rent as tourist accommodation, so be sure to look into it! Nothing beats waking up early or staying late to enjoy the village before all the day trippers roll in.

8. Eguisheim Christmas Market

And if you’re visiting during the holiday season, don’t miss the Eguisheim Christmas Market.

This charming market transforms the village into a winter wonderland with its festive decorations, mulled wine, and artisanal crafts. Again, much like the village itself, it’s not huge, but it is absurdly beautiful. Bundled with other Christmas markets in the region, it makes for one of the best European Christmas Market trips you can take.

9. Explore other towns in Alsace

Finally, with Eguisheim being as tiny as it is, one of the best things you can do is venture out to other nearby towns and villages in the region!

Within an hour of Eguisheim, you’ll find…

• Colmar: renowned for its well-preserved medieval and Renaissance architecture, along with picturesque canals in the Little Venice district.
• Strasbourg: known for its stunning Gothic cathedral, the charming Petite France district, and its significant role as a European political center.
• Obernai: known for its beautifully preserved old town, colorful half-timbered houses, and the scenic Route des Vins d’Alsace (Alsace Wine Route).
• Riquewihr: a fairy-tale village known for its cobblestone streets, well-preserved medieval buildings, and its location amidst the vineyards of the Alsace wine region.
• Mulhouse: famous for its impressive industrial heritage, including the Cité de l’Automobile and the Cité du Train museums.

Did I miss any of your favourite things to do in Eguisheim?

Let me know in the comments so I can add more of the best Eguisheim activities to the list. Happy and safe travels! 🙂