Next we drove to Riquewihr, another charming small walled Medieval town. Riquewihr and nearby Ribeauvillé, roughly twice the size of Riquewihr, were sources of inspiration for the Disney team. Ribeauvillé is a short 10-minute drive north of Riquewihr and is bordered by three cliffside castles. These charming French towns are filled with the fairytale charm for which the Alsace region is known.
We walked through the main street in the center of Riquewihr, then circled inside the walls on the narrow cobblestone street. Last time we were here was in the dark at the end of a cold December day. It was lovely and charming and delightful to see today in the daylight.
It’s easy to see why Disney’s animators chose Riquewihr for inspiration, and even easier to see why Belle grew up with a love for fairy tales. From its bright, cheery houses to a steeple rising above the city, this “poor, provincial town” is straight out of a child’s imagination.
Entering Riquewihr from the parking area, you go through these city gates on the old cobblestone road.
I LOVED all the color in this little town.
The OLD guard tower gate at the far side of town dates back to 1291.
This is the outside of the walled town:
The drawbridge on the outside of the city gate.
We enjoyed sampling warm macaroons in these bakeries.
OK, this little town gets very high marks. We loved every step here!
Our Frankfurt Germany Mission 