Situated in the Vosges hills of Alsace, south of the larger town of Colmar, Guebwiller is located at the entrance of the Florival valley, just a few kilometres from the highest point in the Alsace region. Famous for its three churches, the town is full of historical buildings and interesting architecture, while the surrounding area is ideal for those who like to explore pleasant green scenery on their own two feet – or perhaps on two wheels. There are several hiking and cycling trails through the Vosges hills, while a trail of a different kind takes visitors though the wine producing parts of Alsace.
The town itself is a picturesque, small community, with several intriguing historical buildings, particularly churches. In fact, Guebwiller is known as the “City of the 3 Churches”. The Romanesque St Leger, built in the 13th century and the neo-classical Notre Dame are both interesting enough, but the most popular with visitors is the Dominican convent. Decorated with outstanding mural paintings, and featuring a number of outbuildings, as well as the church itself, the convent house is today home to a cultural centre which holds art exhibitions, concerts and other cultural events all year round.
The town's museum, named after its most famous son, the artist Theodore Deck, is a huge building, featuring historical and artistic artefacts. Unsurprisingly, several of the rooms are dedicated to the ceramics that Deck produced in the 19th century. Get some fresh air after enjoying all this culture by taking a stroll in Guebwiller's Parc de la Marseillaise, a planned garden that was laid out in the late 1800s by a local architect.
The local tourist office organises guided walking tours of the town twice a week in the summer, with English-speaking guides, and there is a weekly market in the main square on Friday mornings, selling local produce and Alsatian crafts.
The Grand Ballon is the name given to the peak that marks the highest peak in the Vosges, and subsequently the highest point in the Alsace region. In the winter, locals enjoy skiing in these hills, while in the summer tourists flock to the slopes for another reason – to enjoy the stunning view over the countryside that you can enjoy from the top. There are hundreds of kilometres of walking trails in this part of the Vosges mountains, and maps available from the tourist office will keep you on the right track.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Guebwiller? Then below is a selection of gites in Guebwiller and villas in Guebwiller that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
