Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Albert Schweitzer Museum
The home of Dr. Albert Schweitzer is a small museum offering two rooms of scattered
photos and artifacts from his time in Africa (with English descriptions). Schweitzer was a
Renaissance man who opened people's eyes to conditions in the Third World (€2, Easter-
Oct daily 9:00-12:00 & 14:00-18:00, closed Nov-Easter, 126 Rue du Général de Gaulle).
Walking / Biking Trails from Kaysersberg
Trails start just outside the TI (get details at the TI). To find the main trail, turn left as you
walk out of the TI and walk under the arch. Signs lead hikers up through the vineyards to
grand views over the town. It's a worthwhile 10-minute climb to the ruined castle (free,
always open, more great views and benches, 113 steps up a dark stairway to the top of the
tower—worth the climb). Loop back down behind the castle and enter the town near its
16th-century bridge. Or hikers can continue past the castle for more views and trails (TI
hasdetailedmapfor€0.50).ForgreatviewsofKaysersbergsanstheclimb,followthetrail
described next (toward Kientzheim) for about 10 minutes.
For a delightful 2-hour hike—or 40-minute bike ride—along a paved lane over vine-
covered hills to Riquewihr , turn right on the main trail near the TI. You'll start on a bike
path (piste cyclable) to Kientzheim (well-marked with green crosses and bike icons). In
Kientzheim, follow the sentier viticole uphill through vineyards to wonderful views and
on to Riquewihr. If you get turned around, stop any biker or vineyard worker and ask,
“À Riquewihr?” (ah reek-veer) Drivers can follow the same signs from Kientzheim to
Riquewihr.
Near Kaysersberg
World War II Sights
TheSecondWorldWarrolledwildlybackandforththroughthisregion.Sometownswere
entirely destroyed. Others made it through unscathed. Towns with gray rather than red-
tiled roofs were rebuilt after 1945. Kientzheim has an American-made tank parked in its
front yard (and a wine museum in its castle grounds) and a refreshing network of tiny
streams trickling down its streets (as was commonplace around here before World War
II). The towns of Sigolsheim (which was the scene of fierce fighting—note its sterile, re-
built Romanesque church) andnearby Bennwihr are modern, asthey were taken andlost a
dozen times by the Allies and Nazis, and completely ruined.
The hill just north of Kayserberg is soaked in soldiers' blood. It houses a World
War II Memorial and is still called “Bloody Hill” by locals (as it was nicknamed by
German troops). The spectacular setting, best at sunset, houses a monument to the Amer-
ican divisions that helped liberate Alsace in World War II (find the American flag). Up
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