We aimed high today and went in quest of castles, all visible from the valley below, as they are all top-of-the-landscape and visible for miles. Alsace is littered with them. Our first was Hohlansbourg, a mighty curtain of a fortress. We could have walked from there to the next three, but it would have taken a long time. Those next three, all from the 11th and 12th centuries are built in a line and are only steps apart. Quite ruined, nobody calls them anything but ‘les trois châteaux’. The picture postcard shows the pleasant walks up to them from – not the valley floor – but the car parks, still some distance away.
You’ve seen a town or two in Alsace already, but here’s another, Eguisheim. What fascinated us here were hugely wide front doors, all up several steps. What was that about? No horse-drawn delivery cart could make use of them. Also – we saw two storks wheeling above our heads. The Alsatians love their storks, and encourage them to build nests on their houses to bring good luck. Normally they leave in August. Increasingly warm winters are persuading them to give Africa a miss, and stay.
Finally, a curiosity – to us. On our way home we called in at the shop run by the local high school. It specialises in agriculture, for pupils looking for that sort of career. Every département has one. The shop stocks the produce not only of this school, but many other agricutural lycées: note the wine! As well as other local produce. A good end to a varied sort of day.
From Pyrenees to Pennines 
Very pretty villages. The high school/local produce shop is such a good idea.
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It was very professional. Choosing a carrer at 14 seems a bit of an ask though!
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The castles and the town look delightful. A school producing wine – fascinating!
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Sounds like a great holiday so far, Margaret. Karen from Back Road Journal has just been extolling the virtues of Strasbourg and Colmar. It all looks very tempting xx
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Jo, they are a bit touristy though the area is so picturesque. We loved that area.
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That’s the impression I have, Suzanne. I’ve seen those two on a lot of blogs and you can see why. But if you can tour and find the quieter spots, like Margaret (and Karen) it must be very beautiful xx
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We loved Eguisheim
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Beautiful, beautiful, and so inviting!
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It’s all been pretty wonderful.
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I’m more fascinated the more I learn about Alsace
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I think you’d find lots here to pique your interest.
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Quite the adventure Margaret. Nothing better to finish up than to have a box of local produce
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Absolutely. And our host is providing us with daily delicious breakfasts with local products – many her own.
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Now that would be hard to take
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We do our best!
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You certainly aimed high. I am enjoying seeing other parts of an area of France, which is very much worth exploring. Lovely photos.
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oh I love all of this, what a fabulous trip you seem to be having
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Ah, another marvellous day! Love that you got to visit a few castles, it’s a fantastic region for such things…mind, I got distracted once when looking for such things, and came across a climber, which had me taking a few photographs: https://suejudd.com/2021/10/24/rock/
Pleased you enjoyed Eguisheim, a lovely little place
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We tried Eguisheim last week, but being Un Des Plus Beaux Villages, it was stuffed to the gills with coach parties. It was better yesterday. Just off to look at your link …
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Yes, plus beaux villages can be too popular, and I imagine they are busy now than they were when I was there…
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We have failed to see one on our list, Riquewihr. Couldn’t face the crowds. Ridiculously, if you avoid the main street,you can still have a good experience.
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shame you missed Riquewihr, but you can’t do it all!
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It was just like Blackpool beach!
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Oh no!
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Looks like you’re having a great time exploring the region, and managing to overcome your tech problems enough to send us these lovely postcards 🙂 Eguisheim looks very pretty and yes, the doors are intriguing!
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I quite enjoy sending these immediate impressions, but goodness, my laptop is being such a prima donna! We’re having such a lovely time, but leaving tomorrow. Home Saturday.
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Now if our agriculture schools went in for producing wine I reckon they’d get a few more students! What a lovely time you are having. Makes me get itchy feet again.
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Well, if your itchy feet take you to Alsace, you could do a lot worse.
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