Alsace Wine Route Day Three Dambach-la-Ville to Obernai

On the same day we met vintner Hubert Laugner, we later met another 4th generation vintner Gilbert and his wife Frédérique. Their vineyards begin at the walls of the rampart surrounding the village of Dambach-la-ville. Next to the stone walls they built a beautiful B&B called Le Refuge du Rempart.

This is a photo from their website showing the room we stayed in. 

We had to carefully plan where we would eat each day as the little Alsace village restaurants are only open on certain days. On the evening we stayed here at Le Refuge the restaurants (total of 2) were both closed. Frédérique kindly made us a reservation in a neighboring village and she and Gilbert drove us there to Le Restaurant la Couronne.  

In the morning Frédérique prepared a lovely petite dejeuner with fresh fruits and juices, croissants and baguettes, yogurts and cheeses. The illustrations on the placemat shows cute children In Alsatian clothing. 

Below are morning views from our room as the sun rose over the vineyards and the garden  

Frédérique insisted we carry a baguette as we began our third day of walking (another 14 miles).

A few sights from our walk through the village. 

Every village has a building identified as Hotel de Ville which has typically been converted to the city hall building or the tourist information center. 

Leaving through the gate with its stork’s nest perched on top. 

Up above the village is the pilgrimage chapel os St. Sebastian. The oldest part of the building dates to the 12th century. 

The high altar took three carpenters 54 weeks to build. Completed in 1696, it is carved from lime, pear and oak wood. 

A colorful painting of the Virgin Mary and Jesus offering rosaries. I was intrigued by her pointed sandaled foot…and the creepy arm wall sconce holding the candle. 

An ossuary is visible on the north side of the chapel. The bones are either from peasants killed during the war of the “Rustauds” in 1525 or from the old cemetery 

The view from the chapel overlooking the village. We were so fortunate to have beautiful weather each day of our walk. 

  

 Lovely blooms everywhere. 

Roses are planted at the end of the grapevine rows to gauge the health of the vineyards. 

Another highpoint with sweeping views in Itterswiller. 

We didn’t expect to see a camel in the horse pasture. 

Roman numerals marking the timber frames. 

Pressing the grapes is hard work.