Take A Stroll In...Kayersberg

Its name reflects the village’s turbulent history, but Peter Stewart found a haven of tranquillity while exploring this Alsace gem

It’s less than two kilometres away… you can do it,” says a passer-by in encouragement as I journey on, my legs longing for the end of a 22-kilometre cycle ride. I am in the idyllic, wine-making region of Alsace and have been pedalling for most of the day, with the name ‘Kaysersberg’ as the final destination imprinted on my mind.

Just minutes after I bid adieu to the man and his dog, the lush green valley opens up, and the village I have seen only from internet searches appears out of nowhere. Nestled between vine-clad hills and the forested slopes of the eastern Vosges Mountains, Kaysersberg looks a picture, with beautiful views every which way I turn.

After a peaceful night’s sleep in a traditional Alsatian hotel, I begin my stroll at the southern end of Rue du Général de Gaulle, the main thoroughfare. Pastel-coloured, timber-framed medieval buildings line both sides of the road, making it immediately apparent why Kaysersberg was voted France’s favourite village in 2017.