Originally published on September 4, 2025
By the time we got to our final stop the skies had turned blue and the air was warming up. Feeling optimistic, we left the rain gear in the car—a decision we’d regret later. Ribeauvillé was another familiar stop from our 2018 Christmas market trip, though this time the charm came with a little extra chaos. Finding a parking spot was confusing, and I somehow ended up driving the car through the narrow medieval streets. Not my idea of fun.
The town was every bit as picturesque as we remembered: more half-timbered houses leaning over cobbled lanes, and those wonderful wrought-iron signs swinging above the shops. This Alsatian tradition dates back to the Middle Ages, when many people were illiterate and shopkeepers used illustrated signs—like a pretzel for a bakery or a boot for a cobbler—to advertise their trade. Ribeauvillé itself has deep roots too, once ruled by the Lords of Ribeaupierre, who built the three castles that still watch over the town from the surrounding hills.
We spotted a few more cats lounging around as if they owned the place, which made Peggy and me miss our own kitty, Ms. Chubby Cheeks, back home. Ribeauvillé gave us that perfect mix of history, color, and everyday life that makes Alsace such a joy to wander—even if you occasionally regret leaving the umbrella behind.
