Riquewihr is one of the most enchanting towns in Alsace. Parking is outside the town walls and entrance into the old town is through a series of old town gates in the large clock and watch towers. It is first of all a wine town surrounded by hills of vines. There are many quaint restaurants and Winstube along the main road up the hill. Good shopping in the crystal shops as well. There are old houses from the 16th and 17th centuries. Many still have wells and fountains, and their courtyards are overlooked by galleries above.
In the fall the restaurants have signs proclaiming "le choucroute nouveau est arrivé". Choucroute means sauerkraut, and is a signature Alsatian dish, piled high and laced with cuts of pork and sausage. The signs are a joking reference to those seen elsewhere in France in the fall, announcing "le beaujolais nouveau est arrivé".
