The delightful renaissance and medieval town of Obernai in France is one of the towns you need to visit when you are exploring the Alsace Wine Route. If you want to read about other villages along the wine route, just click here. It can also be visited as a town in its own right, as it is delightful with excellent food and wine, and it looks like a perfect picture postcard. We had been in Strasbourg and Colmar, and this is an easy drive from both of these places. The entire Alsace region is one stunning and charming little town after another. The Town of Obernai in France is no exception. You can read about discovering Strasbourg here and about the equally beautiful Colmar here.
Location of Obernai
The town of Obernai in France was named after the patron saint of Alsace region of France and is situated in the Bas-Rhin area, which includes Strasbourg. The lovely little town sits at the base of Mount St. Odile, and from the top, you can see over many of the villages on the Alsace wine trail on to the Vosges Forest.
About The Town of Obernai in France
The medieval town has half-timbered houses cascading with flowers from the flower boxes. The houses of the town are painted in the bright colors of the Alsace region. Each house is a different color and different shutter colors. There are two magnificent churches, called St Peter (Pierre) and St Paula, and a belfry that watches over the town of Obernai. The ‘six buckets well’ is a Renaissance style well built in the 16th century in the center of the town. There is also an old corn-exchange hall, and the local people have had an open air market once a week since 1301.
There are many cafes and restaurants, and a lot of wine making Obernai not only beautiful to look at, but the food and wine is fantastic.
Getting to Obernai
By train:
The railway station of Obernai is situated on the Strasbourg-Obernai-Barr-Sélestat line. Strasbourg train station is 30km away.
By car:
Obernai is located on the beautiful Alsace Wine Route and is 30 km from Strasbourg, 47km from Colmar and 90 km from Mulhouse. Basel in Switzerland is 115km away. Paris is approx.. 450kms from Obernai.
I love this area of France. Call me a romantic but all of those half-timbered houses, the cascading flowers, the people, the food and the wine, make Obernai one of my favorite towns.
Anyone know of a good resturant for lunch
A local took us to Restaurant Winstub la Dime, – it was local, food was great and service just lovely.Go for the ribs
Thank you for letting me know about ObernaiI. I’m ashamed to say that I haven’t even heard about it till now. That’s why I love reading your blog, Paula.You always go to the less known places around the world. And when you go to the popular ones, you always give me an unique perspective about them. Keep up the great work in 2017!
We hadn’t heard of it either Anda, but I do love these happy little discoveries that we make.
Thanks for showing us this wonderful destination. We wanted to go to Alsace this year, but unfortunately it didn’t work out. We hope to make it in 2017 and what I see, is that Obernai is worth a visit.
I hope you make it to the Alsace region. I loved all of it. Strasbourg, Colmar, Riquewihr, Ribeauville, Barr etc etc. They really are all picture postcard perfect.
I love France. And this town is so much more attractive as it’s not far from Germany where I live! “Border” towns get the best of both worlds.
I was supposed to go to both Strasbourg and Colmar over the summer, but sadly, I just couldn’t fit them in!
Lovely!
They are border towns and the prettiest towns. Hope you make it there soon. All the best Victoria.
I love how calm and quaint this town comes across in photos. I am headed to France in January (just to Paris), but the French country side is so beautiful!
You will love Paris, as we do. France has so many very beautiful areas, and I really like the Alsace area a lot.
We were in Obernai last year when we were checking out all the Christmas markets. Cute little town, but didn’t stay long enough.
We loved that entire area, and Obernai was fun.
This place looks unreal! Definitely going to have to add it to my list. I’ve never been to Southern France but I know I would love it. Great photos, thanks for sharing some inspiration.
It is one of those fairy tale villages; Obernai is beautiful
Thanks for sharing this post, the images look stunning and it looks so summery! 🙂
All the best for 2017!
Thanks, and our best wishes to you in 2017.
I like this town and the quaint and colored buildings.
Me too, this region of France is certainly one of my favourites.