Château de Saint-Ulrich, Medieval castle in Ribeauvillé, France
Château de Saint-Ulrich is a ruined fortress perched on a rocky hilltop above Ribeauvillé, surrounded by forest. The remains include foundation walls, a central residential area, and several defensive towers in various states of preservation.
The fortress was founded by the Ribeaupierre family and served as their main seat of power from the 11th to 16th centuries. It endured multiple attacks and sieges before eventually being abandoned and left to decay.
The castle is part of the three fortresses overlooking Ribeauvillé and represents the medieval power structure of the valley. It shows how the local lords ruled and defended their territory through the centuries.
The walk to the castle follows marked hiking trails beginning from Ribeauvillé and climbing through woodland. The path is steep in places and takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour to reach the ruins.
The keep still bears traces of an old cell where a noble woman was imprisoned long ago. According to local accounts, a guard secretly helped her escape from her confinement.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
