Bennwihr, a wine-growing village situated on the Route des Vins at an altitude of 190m, close to Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé, has a population of 1,200, and is beautifully flowered during the summer months, and beautifully illuminated at Christmas.
Its central location makes it an ideal base for exploring the surrounding tourist attractions. The Sentier viticole des grands crus passes through the village, and a guided tour is organized in summer by the winegrowers of the Cave Coopérative.
Independent winegrowers and the wine cooperative offer tours of their cellars, with tastings of local vintages, including the Marckrain Grand Cru.
Enthusiasts can buy seasonal fruit (cherries, apples, mirabelles, etc.) direct from the grower. Bennwihr is home to numerous bed & breakfasts and furnished apartments, while local shops and cafés-restaurants make it easy to stock up.
Not to be missed:
The modern church boasts a magnificent stained glass window stretching across its entire southern surface, letting in an intensely colored light.
The Monument aux Morts, known as 'de la Fidélité', and the fragments of the Calvary leaning against the church are the last vestiges of the old village, which was completely destroyed in 1945.
An itinerary retracing the history of the fighting in the Colmar Pocket and the liberation of the village by Allied troops is planned.
