Discovery circuit of Ribeauvillé

Some historical elements

The first name of the city appears in the 8th century during the reign of Pepin the Short: Radbaldovillare. This name would come from the contraction of the name of a landowner, Ratpold, and villae, a rural estate with buildings for exploitation and habitation.
In 1084, Emperor Henry IV of Franconia donated a land called "Rapoldestein" to the Bishop of Basel. He ceded it to one of his vassals, Lord Eguenolf of Urslingen, who married Emma, the last descendant of the Ribeaupierre family.
In the Middle Ages, the fate of the city is closely linked to that of the feudal family of Ribeaupierre.
In the 13th century, Ribeauvillé became a true city with an old core followed by the appearance of four districts: two upper towns and two lower towns.
The city fortified itself and four gates were built. At the end of the Thirty Years' War, it came under the French crown.
Ribeauvillé is also known for its wine heritage that has shaped the city.
Indeed, three Grands Crus are present in the municipality: the Geisberg primarily planted with riesling, the Kirchberg of Ribeauvillé, and the Osterberg.
The festival of the Ménétriers or "Pfifferdaj" is the most beautiful legacy of the historical past of Ribeauvillé. The oldest event in Alsace, it has managed to preserve the traditions, costumes, colors, and notoriety given since the 14th century by hundreds of musicians and troubadours gathered in Ribeauvillé.