Wettolsheim

This commune of 1,721 inhabitants, located 5 kilometers southwest of Colmar, lies at the foot of the vineyards and is dominated by famous ruins:

le Hohlandsbourg, les Trois Châteaux and, nestling in the forest, le Hagueneck.

The village?s age is attested to by the presence of a very old church, the Feldkirch, on the cemetery, demolished in 1780.

Over the past 30 years, the town has expanded, but tourists will be delighted to discover a host of carefully restored old houses.

The village skyline is dominated by the parish church of Saint Rémi, with its elegant bell tower. Built in the 18th century (1780-1782), it boasts remarkable Baroque furnishings and a fine organ. A stroll down Rue du Château reveals an imposing Lourdes grotto, built in 1912 as an exact replica of the Grotte de Massabielle.

The Martinsbourg (18th century) stood on the site of the Château residence. Unfortunately, the château was demolished in 1960.

Of the 13th-century Château du Hagueneck, listed as a "Monument Historique" since 1932, the square keep and rectangular main building with Romanesque windows and characteristic bench niches remain.

Wettolsheim, the Haut-Rhin?s leading wine-growing commune, produces the full range of Alsace wines, including the Grand Cru ?Steingrubler? Numerous winegrowing families cultivate almost 450 hectares of vines. Wettolsheim wines have long been renowned for their quality and bouquet.

La Fête du Vin :

For over 30 years, the last weekend in July has been devoted to the Fête du Vin, the village's main event. Large numbers of visitors flock to the village to relax and enjoy Wettolsheim wines, gastronomy and street entertainment.

Built heritage

- Château Hagueneck 1200-1230 destroyed in the 15th century (open to the public)

- Grotte de Lourdes (copy of Grotte de Massabielle) in memory of Mgr Schoepfer, bishop of Lourdes-Tarbes and a native of Wettolsheim.

Buried heritage

- Remains of excavations from the Neolithic period (on display at Wettolsheim town hall)

Movable heritage

- Birgäntzlé organs 1789-1790, masterpieces of organ building

Office de tourisme du Pays d'Eguisheim et de Rouffach