Haut-Kœnigsbourg
Orschwiller, France
A red sandstone castle above the Alsace plain, rebuilt by Kaiser Wilhelm II. Views reach the Black Forest.
The Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg stands on a rocky spur of the Vosges at around 750 m, high above the Alsace plain. First documented in 1147 as Burg Staufen, it was burnt down in 1462 and rebuilt from 1479; in 1633 Swedish troops looted and burnt it, after which it lay in ruins for more than two centuries. In 1899 the town of Sélestat gave it to Kaiser Wilhelm II, who had it rebuilt between 1900 and 1908 under the architect Bodo Ebhardt. The pink sandstone complex includes a keep, an inner courtyard and bastions.
From the battlements the view stretches over the plain, the Vosges and the Black Forest, and on a clear day as far as the Alps. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours for the castle itself. Ebhardt set out to show the castle as it was before the Thirty Years' War, but where sources were lacking he improvised freely; the keep is thought to be about 14 m too tall.
- Nearest town
- Orschwiller, France
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 48.2493, 7.3443
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- France: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autoroutes; the limit drops to 110 km/h in rain. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Camping du Haut-KœnigsbourgCampsite5 km from Haut-KœnigsbourgTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Camping Municipal Pierre de CoubertinCampsite6 km from Haut-KœnigsbourgTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Camping municipal Les CigognesCampsite8 km from Haut-KœnigsbourgTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Camping de Riquewihr ****Campsite10 km from Haut-KœnigsbourgTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Camping Paradis Le Giessen ****Campsite10 km from Haut-Kœnigsbourg · 72 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Camping municipal de KaysersbergCampsite13 km from Haut-KœnigsbourgTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
All campsites in France · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Haut-Kœnigsbourg?
Haut-Kœnigsbourg is in Orschwiller, France, at GPS 48.2493, 7.3443. It is about 6 km from Ribeauvillé.
Can you camp near Haut-Kœnigsbourg?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Rue du Schlossreben Saint-Hippolyte, about 2 km away; within 25 km there are 85 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Haut-Kœnigsbourg?
Haut-Kœnigsbourg is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Alsace Wine Route and Riesling, half-timbering and high pastures – by camper along the Alsace Wine Route and the Route des Crêtes.
What is there to see near Haut-Kœnigsbourg?
Places worth a stop nearby: Riquewihr (10 km), Colmar Old Town and Petite Venise (20 km), Eguisheim (23 km) and Hohneck (34 km).
When is the best time to visit Haut-Kœnigsbourg?
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)