Kaysersberg, Alsace, France Guide

		Kaysersberg, Alsace, France Guide
		A medieval wine-making town crowned by a ruined medieval castle.... How romantic can you get! It's an easy ride from Colmar to Kaysersberg.

A tower of ruined Château
de Schlossberg rises above
Kaysersberg.

Kaysersberg, a wine-making village 12 km (7.5 miles) northwest Colmar (map), is among the prettiest and best-preserved of the Alsace wine villages.

The official name of this commune (municipality) is Kaysersberg - Vignoble. It includes the villages of Kaysersberg, Kientzheim and Sigolsheim arranged west-to-east in the valley of the river Weiss.

Kaysersberg on the river Weiss. Note the stone tower
rising above the houses on the right.

Wander its winding streets, browse in its shops of local products (including lots of food and beverages), taste the local wines and eaux-de-vie (fruit brandies) and enjoy a meal in one of its many restaurants.

The ruined Château de Schlossberg looms over the town from its hill to the east. A path leads up to the ruins. Follow signs to find the path up to the ruins:

Sign for path to the chateau, Kaysersberg, Alsace, France

Musée Albert Schweitzer

Philosopher, theologial, musician and medical doctor Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965) was born in Kaysersberg when Alsace was part of the German Empire. He later studied in Paris and was fluent in Alsatian German, High German and French. In 1913 he moved to Africa to open a hospital, and lived there until his death at age 90.

His birthplace in Kaysersberg at 126 rue du Général-de-Gaulle, once a Protestant presbytery, is now the Musée Albert Schweitzer, with exhibits, photographs and personal artifacts from his half-century of life and medical work in Lambaréné, Gabon.

Dr Schweitzer grew up not in Kaysersberg, but in the village of Gunsbach, 21 km (13 miles) southwest of Kaysersberg (map). He later built a home there (1928) in which he lived when not in Africa. The house is now a museum.

Transport for Kaysersberg

By Car

The 12-km (7.5-mile) drive northwest from the center of Colmar along the D415 takes less tha 20 minutes in light traffic.

By Bus

On weekdays, Fluo Grand Est Bus 145 (Le Bonhomme - Orbey - Colmar) takes you the 12 km (7.5 miles) from the Gare de Colmar SNCF train station northwest to the Porte Basse stop in Kaysersberg - Vignoble in less than 40 minutes. Bus 147 connects Kaysersberg -Vignoble with Ribeauvillé. (These buses do not run on weekends.)