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Visiting Kaysersberg: what to do in this Alsace Wine Route gem?
In brief
Kaysersberg, voted France's Favorite Village in 2017, is a medieval town on the Alsace Wine Route, 12 km northwest of Colmar. You can tour its imperial castle, the Sainte-Croix church and the half-timbered old town in about 2 hours, or half a day with a tasting of Grand Cru Schlossberg. With no train station, access is by car or private chauffeur.
Visiting Kaysersberg means discovering one of the most complete stops on the Alsace Wine Route: an imperial castle overlooking the valley, a listed half-timbered old town and the Grand Cru Schlossberg on the slopes above. Birthplace of Albert Schweitzer, the town is best explored on foot. This guide gathers what to see, where to taste, when to come and how to get there, with or without a car.
Why Kaysersberg deserves a stop
Kaysersberg was voted Favorite Village of the French in 2017. A former imperial town on the road linking Colmar to Lorraine over the Col du Bonhomme, it owes its name, the emperor's mountain, to its strategic position. It is also the birthplace of Albert Schweitzer, 1952 Nobel Peace Prize laureate. The town combines medieval heritage, grand cru vineyards and a preserved atmosphere, making it one of the most visited stops in the Haut-Rhin.
Things to do in Kaysersberg: the essentials
The center can be explored on foot in about two hours. The sites not to miss:
- The imperial castle: a circular 13th-century keep crowns the village; the climb offers a panorama over the valley and the Schlossberg vines.
- The Sainte-Croix church: built from 1227, it holds a carved gilded-wood altarpiece from 1518 depicting the Passion.
- The old town: colorful half-timbered houses, a Renaissance town hall and the 16th-century fortified bridge over the Weiss.
- The Albert Schweitzer museum: next to his birthplace, it retraces the work of the doctor and musician.
- Local treats: the Fortwenger house, born in Kaysersberg, keeps the Alsatian gingerbread tradition alive.
Where to taste: Grand Cru Schlossberg and the estates
The Schlossberg, on the slopes between Kaysersberg and Kientzheim, was the first classified Grand Cru of Alsace in 1975. Its roughly 80 hectares produce mainly Riesling, dry and mineral. The Kaysersberg valley counts seven grands crus in all. The Alsatian grape varieties are well represented here: Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris first of all. For tastings, several reference houses are accessible in the village and in neighboring Kientzheim: Domaine Weinbach, Paul Blanck, the young Domaine Kirrenbourg or the Kientzheim-Kaysersberg cooperative cellar. Expect around 35 euros for a cellar tour with tasting.
How to get to Kaysersberg
Kaysersberg sits 12 km northwest of Colmar via the D415, about twenty minutes by car. From Strasbourg, allow roughly an hour via the A35 then the RN83 to Colmar Nord. The village has no train station: there is no direct rail access. By car, the closest parking to the historic center is Porte Basse and Place des Malgre-Nous, paid in season; free parking is available on the outskirts. In peak periods, a park-and-ride at 3 euros offers a free shuttle to Place Gouraud, in the heart of the village.
When to visit Kaysersberg
High season runs from April to October, with the harvest in September. The village is very busy on summer weekends and during Advent. For more calm, favor weekdays and mornings before 10 a.m. At year's end, the authentic Christmas market of Kaysersberg ranks among the most renowned in Alsace: in 2026 it runs from 27 November to 20 December, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with around thirty selected artisan chalets.
Visiting Kaysersberg with an FJ13 private chauffeur
Two constraints complicate an independent visit: parking, saturated and paid in season, and tasting, incompatible with driving. The FJ13 private chauffeur removes both. You are dropped at the foot of the village and picked up at the agreed time, free to taste every cuvee. The service departs from Strasbourg, Colmar or Strasbourg-Entzheim airport:
- Sedan for 1 to 3 passengers, van for 4 to 7 passengers.
- Tailor-made tour combining Kaysersberg, Kientzheim and neighboring villages (Riquewihr, Ribeauville, Eguisheim).
- Pickup at your hotel, station or airport, with no parking to find.
- Online booking through the planner, with an instant quote.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Kaysersberg famous?
For three reasons: Kaysersberg was voted Favorite Village of the French in 2017, it is the birthplace of Albert Schweitzer, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and its slopes carry the Grand Cru Schlossberg, the first classified Grand Cru of Alsace in 1975.
How much time do you need to visit Kaysersberg?
Allow about 2 hours to walk the historic center, and half a day if you add the climb to the castle and a tasting at an estate.
How to reach Kaysersberg without a car?
The village has no train station and public transport is limited. The simplest solution is the private chauffeur: FJ13 picks you up in Strasbourg, Colmar or at Entzheim airport and drops you in the heart of Kaysersberg.
Where to park in Kaysersberg?
The paid Porte Basse and Place des Malgre-Nous car parks are closest to the center. In peak periods, a park-and-ride at 3 euros offers a free shuttle to Place Gouraud. Free parking is available on the outskirts.
Which wines to taste in Kaysersberg?
The Riesling from Grand Cru Schlossberg is the local signature. The valley counts seven grands crus; you can also taste Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris. Domaine Weinbach, Paul Blanck and the Kientzheim-Kaysersberg cellar are among the reference addresses.
When is the Kaysersberg Christmas market?
In 2026, the Kaysersberg Christmas market runs from 27 November to 20 December, only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. It gathers around thirty artisan chalets selected for their authenticity.