CASTLES BAS-RHIN

Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg is a medieval fortress dominating the Alsace Plain from an altitude of over 750 metres in Orschwiller, Bas-Rhin. Built in the 12th century, the castle was destroyed and rebuilt multiple times throughout history before being abandoned after 1633. In the early 20th century, architect Bodo Ebhardt specializing in medieval fortifications completely restored the structure, making it the only fully restored medieval castle in Alsace. The fortress retains its identity through its double enclosure, 62-metre-high keep, bastions, and main courtyard. Today, it ranks among France's most visited castles, attracting visitors with exceptional panoramic views from the towers that extend across the Alsace Plain, Vosges, Black Forest, and even the Alps on clear days.

Château de Kolbsheim near Strasbourg, Bas-Rhin, features an elegant two-wing structure with the oldest wing constructed in 1703, overlooking the Alsatian plain. The estate encompasses a formal French garden with ponds, fountains, sculpted hedges and trees on the upper level, and an expansive English park below featuring numerous century-old specimens. Much of the garden was restored following World War I destruction, and it is recognized by the French Ministry of Culture as among the notable gardens of France.