Mittelbergheim

Visit Mittelbergheim, Alsace

Mittelbergheim lies about 30km SW of Strasbourg in the Bas-Rhin department of Alsace and only a short way south of Barr. It is officially classified as one of the 'most beautiful villages of France'.

Sitting on a limestone hill surrounded by vineyards, Mittelbergheim has been a wine-growers village since the 17th century. It is an unusual village in Alsace in that the buildings have not been painted. They have been left their natural pinkish-grey colour.

Things to see in Mittelbergheim

You will notice the connection with wine as you explore the village - it seems that about every fourth house is a wine house offering wine-tasting (degustation).

Continuing the connection with wine there are also eight wooden wine presses still in existence in Mittelbergheim. Among them, you can see one in the Cour Dimière that dates from 1739 and another in the Rue de la Montagne dating from the 17th century.*

As a distraction from wine tasting be sure to visit the two churches in Mittelbergheim. The church built in red sandstone is the catholic church and dates from the end of the 19th century, while the white church is the protestant church and dates from the 13th century (with significant modifications in the 17th century). Given that several centuries passed between their dates of construction it is the similarities that will strike you most, both being dominated by tall thin square towers with tall thin spires on top.

Other little interesting features include an ancient oil mill on the Rue Principale (the grindstones were originally turned by a wooden mechanism that was in turn powered by a horse) and an ancient well on the rue Principale.

Most of the village is a result of a substantial reconstruction of many of the houses that took place in the 16th century, typically in the renaissance style. As you explore the streets and alleys of the village keep an eye on the wrought iron shop signs which are also very decorative.

* The best known vineyard here is called Zotzenberg and produces a Grand Cru wine.

Around Mittelbergheim

A little way out of Mittelbergheim you can see an attractive ancient fountain - the fontaine de la Sinn.

There are several marked footpaths around Mittelbergheim that will lead you through the vineyards, or perhaps to the castle at Andlau or up Mont Saint Odile next to the village.

Photos of Mittelbergheim (click any picture to start the gallery)

Suggested places to visit near Mittelbergheim, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Obernai 8km; Ebersmunster 11km; Rosheim 11km; Le Struthof 15km; Selestat 15km; Kintzheim 16km; Molsheim 17km; Chateau du Haut-Koenigsbourg 18km; Bergheim 22km; Ribeauville 24km; Hunawihr 26km; Wasselonne 27km; Riquewihr 28km; Strasbourg 31km; Kaysersberg 32km; Marmoutier 33km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Mittelbergheim

Mittelbergheim tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Itterswiller - ville fleurie 4* (4km) : Domaine du Windeck - remarkable garden (7km) : Parc du château de Kintzheim - remarkable garden (16km) : Diebolsheim - ville fleurie 4* (20km) : Jardin du chateau de Kolbsheim - remarkable garden (21km) : Le jardin de Marguerite - remarkable garden (23km) : Marckolsheim - ville fleurie 4* (27km) : Parc du domaine de Schoppenwihr - remarkable garden (29km) :

French version: see Mittelbergheim (Francais)