Haut-Kœnigsbourg Castle, the Red-Stone Fortress above the Rhine Plain

The Haut-Kœnigsbourg is the castle you see from half of Alsace: a red sandstone fortress at the top of a forested hill, at 755 metres, on the road between Sélestat and Ribeauvillé. From its ramparts you see the whole Rhine plain and, on a clear day, the Black Forest on the other side.

What you see

It is a medieval castle that was in ruins and was rebuilt in its entirety in the early 20th century on the orders of the German emperor Wilhelm II, when Alsace was German. The result is an idea of what a mountain castle must have been like: drawbridge, courtyards, the great keep, furnished rooms, the armoury with armour and weapons, the garden and the bastions with the cannons pointed at the valley. It is visited on your own, with an audio guide or on themed visits and events, such as the summer medieval and fantasy weekend.

Opening hours and prices

Open all year, with hours that change according to the season and some public holidays. In mid-November 2026 it opens from 9:30 to 12:00 and from 13:00 to 17:00, and last admission is one hour before closing. In summer the hours are longer and continuous: check the day's calendar on the official website before going up.

The rates approved by the Collectivité européenne d'Alsace for 2025 are €14 for adults and €10 for ages 6 to 17 and the reduced rate; under-6s go in free. Evening visits and afternoon shows cost €16. Buy the ticket at the online ticket office on its website.

Getting there

By car, go up from Orschwiller or Kintzheim along a mountain road with parking next to the castle; from the car park to the castle there is a stretch on foot. Without a car, bus line 500 goes up from Sélestat station; check its timetable beforehand, because it does not run every day with the same frequency. If you are doing the day with children, combine with the Montagne des Singes, on the slope of the same hill.