Where to Stay When Visiting Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle

Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle, 25 minutes from the gite

From the gite the castle is about twenty-five minutes away: the road climbs gently through the Vosges forest to the car park, from where a short walk leads to the gate. The contrast is striking — you leave the vineyards behind and, a few bends later, stand on a rocky spur looking out over the whole of Alsace.

You explore at your own rhythm: crossing the courtyards, climbing the keep, walking through the furnished rooms and the collection of old weapons. Children love the drawbridges, the arrow slits and the great panoramic terrace. Allow two to three hours, and wear sturdy shoes — the cobbles and stairways are part of the medieval charm.

The castle is open all year, but hours change with the season and it gets busy in fine weather. Check the current year's opening times and any booking requirements before you set off, and arrive early to enjoy the site before the crowds.

• Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle

  ~25 min

  A medieval pink-sandstone fortress restored in 1900–1908 under Kaiser Wilhelm II. Keep, armoury and a sweeping view across the Alsace plain to the Black Forest.

The perfect family day: castle, monkeys and eagles

The great appeal of this corner of Alsace is how three unmissable sites sit within minutes of one another around Kintzheim, at the foot of the castle. In a single day — or two, if you would rather take your time — you combine history, nature and wide-eyed wonder, none of them more than fifteen minutes' drive from the gite.

At Monkey Mountain (Montagne des Singes), you walk through a vast Vosges forest among more than two hundred Barbary macaques living freely on the wooded slopes. Children watch the monkey families up close along the paths and at feeding times: a gentle, memorable experience, very different from a conventional zoo.

At the eagle park (Volerie des Aigles), set in the ruins of a nearby castle, free-flight displays of birds of prey leave a lasting impression: eagles, vultures and falcons pass just centimetres above the audience. It is a classic of family holidays in Alsace, and easy to pair with Monkey Mountain next door.

• Monkey Mountain (Kintzheim)

  ~15 min

  A forest walk among more than two hundred free-roaming Barbary macaques you can watch up close — a real highlight for children.

• Eagle Park (Kintzheim)

  ~15 min

  Free-flight displays of birds of prey in the ruins of a hilltop castle. Eagles, vultures and falcons swoop just over the spectators.

• Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle

  ~25 min

  The fortress crowning the hills, best slotted in at the start or end of the day depending on opening times and crowds.

Practical tips for your visit

Monkey Mountain, the eagle park and the castle all sit within a stone's throw of Kintzheim, so you move from one to the next in a few minutes by car. For a smooth day, plan the outdoor sites around the display times, and keep the castle for the quietest part of the day.

This is genuine mountain country, so pack suitable clothing, water and good shoes for the trails. The road up to the castle climbs and winds — nothing difficult, but it pays to set off rested. From the gite you are there in under half an hour, which leaves plenty of time to link the sites without rushing.

For dates, hours and any bookings, always check the official information for the current year: open-air sites such as Monkey Mountain and the eagle park usually close for part of the winter, while the castle stays open all year round.

Why stay in Dambach-la-Ville for the castle

Dambach-la-Ville makes an ideal base for visiting Haut-Koenigsbourg. This fortified wine village on the Alsace Wine Route is about fifteen minutes from the Kintzheim attractions and twenty-five from the castle, while staying within easy reach of Sélestat, Obernai, Colmar and Strasbourg. After a day in the Vosges you return to a peaceful village with its medieval ramparts, fortified gates and half-timbered houses.

The gite is three self-contained apartments within a single 1723 house, sleeping up to fifteen between them — ideal for a large family or a get-together with friends. Cœur de l'Ours is 60 m² (around 645 sq ft) for up to four; Rêve de l'Ours is 70 m² (around 750 sq ft) for up to five, with a mountain view; and Grenier de l'Ours is a 90 m² (around 970 sq ft) loft for up to seven. Each has a fully equipped kitchen, a bakery sits directly across the street, and free parking in the village means no awkward surprises on arrival or departure.

Between adventures, take time to wander Dambach-la-Ville itself: the Frankstein Grand Cru vineyard trail and the cafés on the market square are worth a slow morning. Your hosts, Corinne and Mathias, are on hand to help, and the house holds a 9.8/10 guest rating on Booking.