The Château du Haut-Ribeaupierre is one of the three castles overlooking the city of Ribeauvillé, in Alsace, 16 km south of Sélestat.
Built on a site already occupied during the Roman era, at 642 m above sea level, its oldest elements date back to the 12th century. Classified Historical Monument, the castle was built for the Counts of Eguisheim, first owners of these lands.
Also known as Altenkastel, it was besieged in the 13th century and also served as a prison (the English knight John Harleston in the 1380s and the Count of Chimay in the 15th century, yet allied with Charles the Bold).
Advanced post of the Kings of France, the castle which had important walls, a drawbridge and many defensive elements is gradually abandoned in the sixteenth century in favor of more effective fortresses and more comfortable residences.
It remains now vestiges being renovated including an imposing circular donjon.
The site is forbidden to the public but the castle whose ruins attest to its prestige of yesteryear can be the object of a pleasant hike lined with superb points of view on Ribeauvillé, the surrounding ridges and the plain of Alsace.
Information on +33 3 89 73 23 23.
