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Chateau du Haut Koenigsbourg
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Chateau du Haut Koenigsbourg

See all things to do
See all things to do
Chateau du Haut Koenigsbourg
4.5
3,379
#1 of 7 things to do in Orschwiller
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Castles
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9:15 AM - 5:45 PM
Monday
10:30 AM - 5:45 PM
Tuesday
9:15 AM - 5:45 PM
Wednesday
9:15 AM - 5:45 PM
Thursday
9:15 AM - 5:45 PM
Friday
9:15 AM - 5:45 PM
Saturday
9:15 AM - 5:45 PM
Sunday
9:15 AM - 5:45 PM
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About
This fairy tale castle looks down majestically across the Alsace plain for more then 850 years. Towering at 757 m over picture perfect villages and colourful vineyards, it is one of France's most widely visited castles. Restored in the early 20th century, its current state reflects how it looked in the 15th century. Passing the main gate of the impressive Haut-Koenigsbourg is to enter the medieval world. An enjoyable and breathtaking experience! The castle is open all year round except 1 January, 1 May, and 25 December.
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
31 within 3 miles
La taverne du Haut-Koenigsbourg
114
346 ft$$ - $$$ • French
Restaurant gastronomique Joséphine
249
1.5 mi$$$$ • French • European • Gastropub
Le Hupsa Pfannala
946
1.6 mi$$ - $$$ • French • European • Healthy
La Bacchante
57
1.6 mi$$ - $$$ • French • European
Winstub Rabseppi Stebel
135
1.5 mi$$ - $$$ • French
La Table de Val-Vignes
77
1.5 mi$$ - $$$ • French
S'Harzala
63
1.5 mi$$ - $$$ • French
Hôtel A La Vignette Restaurant
59
1.6 mi$$ - $$$ • French
Restaurant Au Rouge de Saint Hippolyte
36
1.7 mi$$ - $$$ • French
Auberge du Kirschberg
125
1.8 mi$ • French
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Attractions
94 within 6 miles
La Montagne des Singes
1,859
1.6 miZoos
La Volerie des Aigles
1,198
2 miNature & Wildlife Areas
Château Saint-Ulrich
148
Castles
La Grand-Rue
427
Historic Walking Areas
NaturoparC - Hunawihr
912
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Cigoland - Parc des Cigognes et Attractions
666
Amusement & Theme Parks • Zoos
Domaine Allimant-Laugner
28
1.8 miWineries & Vineyards
Tour des Bouchers
141
Historic Sites • Observation Decks & Towers
Chateau Giersberg
122
Castles
Domaine Achille Thirion
10
1.6 miWineries & Vineyards
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
3,379 reviews
Excellent
2,017
Very good
1,142
Average
159
Poor
34
Terrible
27
Dilbertfan
Surrey, UK431 contributions
An enjoyable visit made better by the guided tour
Oct 2021
Our car GPS failed to find it, but you would see the signs on the A83 going from Colmar north towards Strasbourg. You can also spot the castle from afar, built as it is in an unusual pink stone. It is worth the detour. The huge castle is high on a promontory, giving stunning views in all directions. It is a place for photographers and amateurs of history. The free guided tour adds much to the visit and is recommended: it last about an hour. You are then left to carry on the tour at your own pace, to see those places the guide did not take you to. The entrance fee is €9 for an adult; free parking along the long approach road. Covid passes are checked at the entrance.
Written November 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg
Thank you very much for your recommendation and for the advice you give other visitors. We are delighted that you enjoyed your visit to the castle and will transmit your compliments to the guide’s team. See you soon in Alsace!
Written November 5, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Orserio
140 contributions
One of the best castles in Europe
Apr 2022
This castle is an example of how to do the restauration right, ladies and gentlemen. Stunning from the oustide, marvelously appointed on the inside, great views all around, well signposted, this remains one of my favorite castles in all of Europe. Lots of parking on the road leading up (well-marked). My only gripe is that you're no longer allowed to go to the herb garden - I had fond memories of visiting that one a while back. I hope that it's a temporary restriction.
Written April 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg
Thank you very much for your recommendation and enthusiastic feedback on your experience. Indeed, the medieval garden which visit left you fond memories, is currently being restructured and will only reopen next year... We are happy that you had a pleasant time at the castle and we hope to see you soon for new discoveries!
Written May 2, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
JCB
Purmerend, The Netherlands707 contributions
Highlight
Sep 2020
This is one of the few completely restored castles in an area full of ruins. It's big, impressive, you'll feel tiny walking through the outside corridors with the walls rising high above. So yes, it's restored, but it's done really well. We didn't took the guided tour, because we wanted to avoid the big crowd. There is so much to see! The small courtyard with waterwell and spiral staircase. Heavy iron doors, details carved in stone and wood, furniture, murals, incredibly big and detailed heaters made from porcelain (?) tiles, beautiful glass stained windows, heavy knight's armor and other battle gear and enormous cannons in the big tower.
There's also a bookshop and restaurant, with a cosy room with a librairy feel to eat.
Written November 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tessa S
Oxford, UK164 contributions
Face masks obligatory
Jul 2020 • Friends
We booked two tickets for the first visit of the day, 9:30am. Parking is in allocated spaces down the access road and on busy days this would mean a lengthy yomp uphill to get to the entrance. As it was visitors restricted so not a consideration. No guided tours and rather paltry information on boards. Three or four real life guides dressed in costume but my french was mostly inadequate although wild boar and soup featured in kitchen talk!

Huge structure and painstakingly restored with information about design engineering and equipment. Left me a bit unimpressed. Top rampart with cannons partly taken up with story boards for variety of graphic art inspired by castle.

Lots of stairs, no good for mobility impaired at the moment. Curiously unemotional visit as castle didn’t seem to come to life. Face masks obligatory and very few people. However it was open and steps had been put in place to maintain health and safety.

Views pretty good. Location perched high up 800m impressive. A bit of a 5/10 for me.
Written July 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg
Hello, thank you for your feedback. We take your comments into account and make every effort to improve. We hope to see you soon ! Have a good day !
Written July 28, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Claude M
Vence, France816 contributions
Spectacular site, great guided tour.
Jun 2021
The castle itself is on a spectacular spot. Having been renovated in the early 1900's, it is a beautiful example of what a medieval castle looks like. We took the guided tour (In French, did not check if an English option is available). The guide was passionate and very knowledgeable. This tour takes about 50 minutes.
Written June 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg
Thank you very much! See you soon!
Written June 24, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tamerlans007
Badalona, Spain1,805 contributions
Amazing place
Aug 2020 • Family
We spend a really good time with my daughters there. We brought the tickets online which is the best option. The parking is free at both sides of the road. Inside the castle there are toilets, a few activities for children and souvenirs shop.
In some rooms you can find people talking about live inside the castles during the middle age.
Very good experience.
Written August 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg
Thank you very much!
Written August 21, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Amanda
Berlin, Germany1 contribution
Fabulous restoration of an awesome castle
Jul 2022 • Family
This was an amazing visit. The castle is well restored with lots of information. Parking was tricky at the time of day we went (about 11:15) but as we left, spaces were more readily available. Other reviewers from earlier in the year had no problems. Other reviews didn’t mention an audio guide so it must be new. It was excellent except that the ticket hall is after the start so you can’t start listening until about the third point! Hopefully they will find a solution to this. A bit more signage would help, I think. Having said that, it was an amazing place to visit.
Written July 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg
Good morning and thank you for your comment. Indeed, with its 560,000 visitors in 2019, Haut-Koenigsbourg castle is one of the most visited cultural sites in France and is a very busy place in the summer. Concerning the parking problems that you describe, they are linked to the configuration of the Haut-Koenigsbourg site since it is a medieval mountain fortress. Regarding the audio guides, the map that you are given with the device shows you where the starting point for the audio tour is. It is located further down, before the ticket office. However, we will pass on your comments in order to improve your visit. Best regards, The Haut-Koenigsbourg castle’s team
Written July 28, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Wael khalifa
Cairo, Egypt172 contributions
Well restored castle
May 2022 • Couples
We spent around 2 hours walking around the castle. It is well restored, currently there is no tour or audio tour. You do a self guided tour and there are signed every where with description of the rooms. The tour is well organized you can go only in one path. Really recommend if you are in the area.
Written May 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg
Thank you very much for your recommendation and for the advice you give other visitors. We are glad you enjoyed your visit to the castle. See you soon in Alsace! The Haut-Koenigsbourg castle team
Written May 18, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kris B
Kure Beach, NC281 contributions
Well worth the visit
Sep 2021
Really enjoyed our visit to the castle. It is perched high atop a hill and has great views of the surrounding valley and a couple of other castle ruins below. Because the castle was preserved it is very easy to get a feel for what life might have been like to live there. We took the train from Strasbourg, then the bus up to the castle. We had to wait quite a long time for the bus, as we had caught an early train and the bus had not started running that early so keep that in mind. Also, there is a lot written in English so it’s easy to learn about the history.
Written September 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg
Thank you very much!!
Written September 24, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
wfsd
Düsseldorf, Germany128 contributions
Great stop
Apr 2022 • Couples
Went here during a daytrip from Colmar on the Easter Weekend.

The Castle: The entrance fee is 9€ for adults. For this you can walk around the castle freely and read information on the numerous signs (French, English, German). It has an interesting history and of course offers superb views due to its location.

Parking: You can park for free by the side of the road that loops around the castle. There are plenty of parks, so finding a park should not be an issue, however it might be a bit of an uphill walk.

Written April 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg
Thank you very much for your recommendation and for the advice you give other visitors. We are glad you enjoyed your visit to the castle. See you soon in Alsace!
Written April 19, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Chateau du Haut Koenigsbourg (Orschwiller) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Chateau du Haut Koenigsbourg
Chateau du Haut Koenigsbourg is open:
  • Mon - Mon 10:30 AM - 5:45 PM
  • Tue - Sun 9:15 AM - 5:45 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Chateau du Haut Koenigsbourg tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 13 Chateau du Haut Koenigsbourg tours on Tripadvisor