Thannenkirch to Chateau du Haut Koenigsbourg to Chatenois
Thankfully, no problems finding our way out of Hotel Touring in Thannenkirch since it was marked with GR5 signs all the way. Up through the forests heading in the direction of Chateau du Haut Koenigsbourg located in the Vosges mountains west of Selestat, on a high hill. This was a strategic location and used throughout the Middle Ages until the Thirty Years War. It was first mentioned in 1147 and was attacked and burned many times. It is a fairy tale castle, listed as a monument historique since 1862 and one of the most famous tourist attractions in this region.
German Emperor Wilhelm II started restoring the fortress at the beginning of the 20th century. ...View image... Inside is a museum of furniture and weapons from the Middle Ages and there were many tourists who had arrived by car to visit. If it had been a clear day, we would have been able to see (along with the Alsace plains) the Vosges, Black Forest and the Alps. Again, only on a clear day....you can see forever... Today was not one of those days. Haut-Koenigsbourg is open all year with the exception of holidays.
A cursory glance around and back on the GR5 marked by little red squares primarily in the forests. Beech trees, silence, some unusual mushrooms about which I know zilch with the exception of not eating unknown fungi....taking my time while ex-Marine walked in a tunnel-vision fashion...stopping every now and then when he realized I was nowhere within sight... Where was I? Back one-half mile photographing mushrooms. Now THAT drove him bonkers...
These forests must be breathtaking in October with all the different varieties of trees. The Alsace plains in the distance, it was past Wick, or La Montagne des Singes (mountain of the monkeys). This area has 280 free-roaming Barbary Macaques. You can walk along the paths and have direct contact with the monkeys. Saw nary a monkey and continued down past the Volerie des Aigles (Eagle Refuge). The Eagle Refuge puts on shows every afternoon with raptors and the show is supposed to be both educational and instructive. Since today was a relatively short walk, it was hours too early for the show and we had no intention of waiting around.
Down through more vineyards and back on the Alsace plain to Chatenois, a small fortified village (aren't they all?) that belonged to the Bishops of Strasbourg, and dates from 1138.
Asking directions, we found our hotel for tonight, Hotel Beysang. The Hotel's dining room was closed for one week while the owner took a needed rest and since none of the three other restaurants opened and served dinnner until past 7:00 p.m., we just went into a patisserie, bought a few hunks of quiche, dessert, and snarfed everything down in our room.
Feeling better, we went back out to walk around the extremely small area with its "Witches" tower, 12-15th century topped with storks nests...View image...
Chatenois also had a 15th century town hall and there have been neolithic finds and Roman thermal baths in the area. Another bit of trivia - it's specialty is gingerbread. Be all this as it may, it took us a whopping 10 minutes (tops) to walk around Chatenois.... Repeat after me...Riquewihr...Colmar...Ribeauville...
