Visit Chateau du Haut Koenigsbourg in Alsace
See a Top German-French Medieval Castle near Strasbourg, France
Nov 19, 2008
Chateau du Haut Koenigsbourg is a delightful medieval-look castle in the Vosges Mountains in the Alsace region of France. Castle Haut Koenigsbourg was mostly rebuilt by German Emperor Wilhelm II in the early twentieth century making Haut Koenigsbourg one of the top medieval castles to see in France and Germany.
Visiting Chateau du Haut Koenigsbourg
Tickets are bought at the main entrance directly at the castle – reservations are not possible. Parents with small children will appreciate that the castle is seen without a guided tour but due caution should be taken as safety railings are somewhat limited.
- Children under 18 years old are generally admitted for free into Chateau du Haut Koenigsbourg.
Once inside the castle courtyard, it is immediately clear why castles were rather unpleasant places to live in during the Middle Ages. The castle courtyard can be freezing cold even on an otherwise sunny day – thick walls mean that the rest castle itself is often very cold inside too.
Most rooms in the castle are bare and it is great fun for children to explore the ramparts, stair cases, and all nooks and crannies without having to take care not to damage the furniture. Even the rooms that are furnished are not of particular historical or cultural importance. The endless perfect views from every window and balcony are more captivating.
Transportation to Chateau du Haut Koenigsbourg
- By Car to Chateau du Haut Koenigsbourg
Castle Haut Koenigsbourg is on a hilly outcrop of the Vosges Mountains near the town Sélestat in between Strasbourg and Colmar. It is easiest reached by private car – from the highway Autoroute A35 use exit 17 via Kintzheim or exit 18 via Saint-Hippolyte.
- Following the smaller country lanes and the Alsace wine route are far more pleasant when driving in the Alsatian region than using the fast, and mostly toll-free highway A35.
Free parking is available on the circular route just below the castle. From here, the castle can be reached via various routes with ample amount of stairs. Level admission is possible from the main entrance and bus stops. The castle itself is generally not accessible to individual wheel chair users or the infirm – the standard tour route involves around 300 stairs – but special access and tours can be arranged in advance.
- By Shuttle Bus to Chateau du Haut Koenigsbourg
From end March to December, six shuttle bus services are available on weekends between Chateau du Haut Koenigsbourg and the main train station in Sélestat. Shuttle buses operate daily from mid-June to mid-September. Traveling time is half an hour and shuttle-bus ticket holders qualify for discounted admission to the castle.
Opening Hours and Tickets for Chateau du Haut Koenigsbourg
Castle Haut Koenigsbourg is open daily except for the three main French public holidays: January 1, May 1, and December 25. Opening hours are generally 9:30 am to 4:30 pm and slightly longer during the high season. From November to February, the castle is closed between noon and 1 pm.
- Admission is €7.50 for adults – children under 18, except in groups, are admitted for free.
Chateau du Haut Koenigsbourg is a great sight along the Alsace wine route. Other historical sights of note in the region include the lovely old town of Colmar, the romantic wall-enclosed wine producing town Riquewihr, and the French National Motor Museum – Schlumpf Collection of vintage cars (including over 120 Bugattis) in Mulhouse. The closest airport with cheap flights on low-cost airlines is EuroAirport (Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg) at the Swiss border.
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