Chateau Andlau

Visit Chateau Andlau, Alsace

The Chateau d'Andlau is south of Strasbourg and north of Chateau du Haut-Koenigsbourg. Close to the picturesque villages of Mittelbergheim and Barr in the Bas-Rhin department of Alsace, Andlau is also on the Alsace Wine Route, the popular tourist route through the wine villages of the region.

History of Chateau Andlau

A sturdy castle, built from the granite of the rocky spine covered in woodlands on which it sits, was built due to its impressive defensive position over the valleys below. The castle at Andlau dates from the middle of the 13th century (1246 - 1264).

The decline in the castle's fortunes began when it was defeated in 1678 during the reintegration of Alsace into French territory. Then, in the years before the the French revolution, the castle fell into ruin - a process which was significantly helped along its way in the first decade of the 19th century by a private owner who took to selling off parts of the building for use as building materials elsewhere.

Renovation and visiting

The castle has now been taken over and partially restored - initial restoration works too place in the middle of the 19th century, with further strengthening and maintenance over the last couple of decades.

The main body of the castle, consists of exterior walls that are largely intact, connecting the round towers that stand at either end. The interior walls and the roof of the castle are no longer present, but during a visit to Chateau Andlau you can see the interior of the castle, now essentially a large open courtyard.

It is, as so often with castles, the location that also helps provide the attraction, and there are lovely views across the surrounding forested valleys of the rivers Kirneck and Andlau from the castle.

Note: the ongoing maintenance of the castle and the grounds around Chateau Andlau is carried out by a committed team of volunteers who ensure the safety of the site for visitors - see their website for information.

See Alsace and Bas-Rhin (the region and department for Chateau Andlau) for more travel ideas...

Suggested places to visit near Chateau Andlau, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Obernai 9km; Rosheim 12km; Le Struthof 12km; Ebersmunster 13km; Selestat 16km; Kintzheim 16km; Molsheim 17km; Chateau du Haut-Koenigsbourg 18km; Bergheim 22km; Ribeauville 24km; Hunawihr 26km;

Chateau Andlau tourist information: sights and attractions nearby

Itterswiller - ville fleurie 4* (4km) : Domaine du Windeck - remarkable garden (6km) : Parc du château de Kintzheim - remarkable garden (16km) : Diebolsheim - ville fleurie 4* (22km) : Jardin du chateau de Kolbsheim - remarkable garden (22km) : Le jardin de Marguerite - remarkable garden (24km) : Marckolsheim - ville fleurie 4* (28km) : Parc du domaine de Schoppenwihr - remarkable garden (29km) :

See more places and a map at places near Chateau Andlau