Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg is the most spectacular castle in Alsace and one of the most visited monuments in France’s east. It crowns a wooded spur of the Vosges above the village of Orschwiller, between Sélestat and the Wine Route, and on a clear day its towers look out across the Rhine plain to the Black Forest and, sometimes, the Alps. A fortress has stood here since the Middle Ages, but what you visit today is largely the work of the German Emperor Wilhelm II, who had the ruin rebuilt in the early 20th century as a showpiece of medieval architecture when Alsace was part of the German Empire. The result is a vivid picture of a castle as it might have looked around 1500: a drawbridge and gates, a keep, a great bastion, and a sequence of rooms filled with furniture, weapons and armour, including the richly decorated Kaiser’s Hall. Walking the ramparts and the gardens, you get both the story of the castle and the story of Alsace itself, passed between France and Germany. This page links to the Tiqets entry ticket.
How to visit: the castle is on the D159 above Orschwiller, about an hour from Strasbourg and half an hour from Colmar by car; public transport is limited, especially in winter, so driving or a tour is easiest. In November and December 2026 it opens from 09:30, at 10:30 on Mondays, until late afternoon, and in January it closes for an hour at lunchtime. Last admission is one hour before closing, and it is closed on 25 and 26 December and 1 January. Entry is free on the first Sunday of the month from November to March, including 6 December 2026 and 3 January 2027. The Tiqets ticket is entry only, with no guide or audio guide, and can be cancelled or rescheduled free until 23:59 the day before.
What to expect: the visit follows a route through the courtyards, apartments and ramparts, with many stairs and uneven floors. It is much colder at the top than in the valley in winter, and the road can be icy, so check conditions and dress warmly.
Making the most of it: go early to beat tour groups, and combine the castle with a Wine Route village such as Ribeauvillé or Riquewihr below.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided route through the courtyards, furnished halls, armoury and ramparts of a restored mountain fortress.
Best time
A clear weekday morning for the views and the fewest groups; avoid foggy days, when the panorama disappears.
How long
About one and a half to two hours inside, plus the drive up the mountain road.
Tips
Check the road and weather before driving up in winter, dress warmly, and note the closures on 25 and 26 December and 1 January.
Quick picks
- Best for
- History lovers and families who want a real castle, and anyone touring the Wine Route by car.
- Families
- Children love the drawbridge, armour and ramparts, though the many stairs make it hard with a buggy.
- Couples
- Pair the castle with lunch and a tasting in a Wine Route village below.
- Pair with
- Ribeauvillé or Riquewihr on the Wine Route, or Colmar and the Unterlinden Museum.
- Time needed
- Half a day including travel.
Good questions
What are the Haut-Koenigsbourg opening hours in winter?+
In November and December 2026 it opens from 09:30, or 10:30 on Mondays, until late afternoon, with last entry one hour before closing. In January it closes for an hour at lunchtime.
When is Haut-Koenigsbourg closed?+
It is closed on 25 and 26 December and on 1 January. Entry is free on the first Sunday of each month from November to March.
Does the Tiqets ticket include an audio guide?+
No, the Tiqets ticket covers entry only, without a guide or audio guide. You can cancel or reschedule free until 23:59 the day before.
How do I get to Haut-Koenigsbourg from Strasbourg?+
It is about an hour by car via the motorway towards Sélestat and the D159 mountain road. Public transport is limited, especially in winter.
Who rebuilt Haut-Koenigsbourg?+
The ruined castle was rebuilt in the early 20th century under the German Emperor Wilhelm II. It shows how a fortress might have looked around 1500.