A 12th-century pink-sandstone fortress dramatically rebuilt for Kaiser Wilhelm II, perched on a ridge with drawbridges, ramparts, a great keep and a 360-degree sweep over the vineyards to the Black Forest. It's the most cinematic 'real medieval castle' moment in the region, and pairing it with Colmar and a wine-route village on one private full-day is the marquee France-and-castles combination this port can offer.
What to expect
You'll start with a private-van pickup at the Breisach dock and cross into Alsace for an immersive day across three distinct stops: first the fairytale wine-route village of Riquewihr with its half-timbered streets, then the larger medieval town of Colmar to wander and lunch, and finally the showstopper—Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg, a 12th-century pink-sandstone fortress rebuilt for Kaiser Wilhelm II that crowns a ridge with drawbridges, ramparts, and a keep offering 360-degree views over vineyards to the Black Forest. You control how long you linger at the castle itself, unlike a coach tour, and the full routing delivers the quintessential France-and-castles experience this port can offer.
Good to know
This is a full-day mainland excursion crossing an international border, so book the Ophorus Alsace Highlights private routing in advance and insist on guaranteed back-to-ship timing—allow a 6–8 hour window and confirm the operator's commitment to get you back for your ship's departure. Bring your passport; castle admission (~€12 per adult) is paid at the gate, not included in the €155/group tour price. Wear comfortable walking shoes for village exploration and the castle grounds, and pack sunscreen and water for exposed ridge-top exposure. A group of four splits costs to roughly €54 per person all-in (tour + admission), versus €130+ per person on a comparable ship-sold coach tour.
Sail there
Luxury cruises that call at Breisach am Rhein — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.
More to do in Breisach am Rhein
- Colmar & the Alsace Wine Route — Eguisheim, Riquewihr, Kaysersberg by private driver-guide
- Black Forest deep-dive — Triberg waterfalls, cuckoo-clock country & Black Forest cake
- Kaiserstuhl wine — volcanic-vineyard Pinot tasting in 'Germany's Burgundy'
- Schauinslandbahn — Germany's longest loop cable car to a Black Forest summit
- Breisach old town & St. Stephen's Münster — the zero-logistics Münsterberg panorama