Bergheim travel guide

Visit Bergheim (Grand-Est, France)

Bergheim is a village to the north-east of Ribeauvillé (and north of Colmar), in the Haut-Rhin department of Alsace. The village has not had a peaceful past, and is said to have changed hands more often than anywhere else in Alsace, especially in the turbulent period between 900 and 1300.

Explore Bergheim

It's not easy to get lost in Bergheim, because the whole small town is enclosed by the original fortified wall. The charm of the village is increased because there is very little more recent development outside the walls, although the original moat has now been filled in.

Bergheim's remaining fortifications include a double defensive wall and a defensive gate and 9 towers. The town is entered by the arched doorway in the 14th century 'High Tower'. The encircling fortifications date from the 14th century, and is possible to walk some way around these fortifications, a good way to see both the layout of the village and have views across the surrounding countryside.

On entering Bergheim you will find a beautiful little town with a cobbled main street and brightly painted half-timber houses, indeed it was one of the most brightly painted towns of my visit to the Alsace region.

Start exploring at Place d'Arme, an attrative square lined with numerous pretty houses and the town hall - the church and the town hall are the main sights of historical interest in Bergheim. The streets off the square, especially the Grand Rue, also contain many interesting buildings, often in the typical Alsace 'painted and half-timbered' style.

The Church of the Assumption was built in the 14th century although most of what we see today is a result of various building works in the 18th and 19th century. Elsewhere in Bergheim you can see several small fountains such as the one in the Place du Docteur Pierre-Walter that has been here since the 16th century.

You can also visit a small Town Museum, in a building that was previously the school for Bergheim at 5, Rue de l'Eglise. The Museum is dedicated to the practice of witchcraft in the 16th century in the region around Bergheim.

France This Way review: Bergheim seems less overrun by visitors than some of the best known Alsace villages, but the brightly painted houses and presence of flowers everywhere makes it a very charming place to visit!

The village is classified 4* Ville Fleurie...and has a linden tree said to date from the year 1300!

Attractions nearby

A calm and pretty village surrounded by vines, Bergheim is also set in one of the best wine growing regions of Alsace, often visited as part of a tour of the Alsace wine route.

Apart from vineyards, visitors also have the chance to explore the forests and hills around the town, visit some lovely Alsace villages and various historic castles: we particularly recommend that you visit the Chateau de Haut Koenigsbourg, a dramatically situated castle just a few kilometres from Bergheim.

You can find more travel ideas in the Haut-Rhin guide and the Alsace guide.

Photos of Bergheim

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Hotels in Bergheim

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Map of Bergheim and places nearby

Visit near Bergheim with France This Way reviews

Ribeauville

The traditional coloured houses and the castle poised high above the town make Ribeauvillé a pleasant place to explore

Ribeauville guide

Hunawihr

In the heart of the Alsace wine region you should visit Hunawihr, now listed among the 'most beautiful villages in France'

Hunawihr guide

Chateau du Haut-Koenigsbourg

The substantial Chateau du Haut-Koenigsbourg is one of the most visited and most substantial in Alsace, and has a fascinating history - and stunning views

Chateau du Haut-Koenigsbourg guide