01
The keep
The large square 12th-century tower, the tallest remnant, standing at the centre of the walls.
11th to 16th century
Hohnack Castle
The ruins of a hilltop fortress above Labaroche, at over 900 m.
Labaroche (Pays Welche)
Era
Medieval
Tour length
1 to 2 hours on site
Location
Labaroche (Pays Welche)
From
Free
The site
What to know
The Hohnack stands above Labaroche on a summit at over 900 m, which makes it one of the highest castles in Alsace. Only ruins remain, but the keep, the towers and long stretches of wall still stand among the pastures. You walk up to reach it, and the view pays you back: on a clear day it stretches across the Munster and Kaysersberg valleys.
History
Eight centuries in a nutshell
The site is recorded from the late 11th century, when it belonged to the counts of Eguisheim, and its keep dates from the 12th century. The castle later passed to the lords of Ribeaupierre, who held it from 1437, then it was rebuilt in the 15th and 16th centuries to withstand firearms. A French garrison held it from 1635 to 1654, before it was dismantled on the orders of Louis XIV. Sold during the Revolution, it served as a stone quarry until the late 19th century. The ruins have been listed as a historic monument since 1905. Since 1980, the Compagnons du château du Hohnack association has secured the remains and kept the site alive.
The must-sees
The rooms and spaces you really shouldn't miss during your visit.
02
Towers and walls
The Witches' Tower, the Mill Tower, the Chapel Tower. The standing sections still trace the castle's plan.
03
A view over two valleys
On a clear day, a panorama over the Munster and Kaysersberg valleys and the High Vosges summits.
04
Cared for by volunteers
The Compagnons du château run work parties and a medieval festival each year.
Practical info
Opening hours
- Open
- Open access, all year
Tickets
- Access to the site and its surroundingsFree
In pictures
The castle from several angles, to prepare your visit.
Our tips before you go
- 1The castle is reached on foot only, by a waymarked path from Labaroche. Allow about 2 hours there and back.
- 2The site is freely visible from the outside. Access inside the walls has been restricted after rockfalls: check with the Labaroche town hall before heading up.
- 3These are genuine ruins, without railings everywhere. Keep children close.
- 4The climb is through forest, so wear proper shoes.
- 5To catch the site at its liveliest, look up the date of the castle festival run by the Compagnons.
Want to stay
Extend the experience, stay on the farm
Our cottage for 9 and our caravan for two are just 5 minutes away, in pure nature.
The Cottage
The Farm Cottage
From
€120 / night
Large and warm, perfect for families and groups of friends who want a comfortable base to explore the region.
Up to 9 guests
See the cottage
The Caravan
The Romantic Caravan
From
€85 / night
A quiet escape for two, set in the meadows. Alcove bed, kitchenette, views over the Vosges straight from the bed.
2 adults (+1 child)
See the caravan