Weekly Market in Bergheim
Discover fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats offered by local producers from the Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr regions.
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Sélestat
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ℹ️Practical info — Sélestat
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Sélestat is the birthplace of the Christmas tree tradition; visit in December to see the incredible exhibitions in the churches.
- The Humanist Library is a must-see, but check the opening days as it often closes on Mondays or Tuesdays.
- Rent a bicycle to explore the nearby Ried region, a unique wetland area with rich biodiversity.
- Parking is generally easier and cheaper just outside the medieval center, near the train station.
- Keep an eye out for the Renaissance and medieval architecture while walking along the Quai de l'Ill.
🍽 Food
🍽
Choucroute garnie
Look for traditional Winstubs in the old town to try this classic Alsatian dish.
🍽
Kougelhopf
Buy this sweet or savory brioche from an artisan bakery near the Saint-Georges church.
🍽
Tarte flambée (Flammekueche)
Best enjoyed in the evening with a glass of local white wine at a traditional tavern.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Alsatian wine
Visit local wine cellars or shops in the city center to buy authentic Riesling or Gewurztraminer.
🛍
Weekly market
Head to the market squares on Tuesday mornings for fresh local produce and regional specialties.
🧘
The Ill riverbanks
Enjoy a peaceful walk or a picnic along the river, especially beautiful in the late afternoon.
🧘
Parc des Remparts
A lovely green space near the old fortifications, great for a short rest.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
10
Exhibition: Fire and Ice, Extreme Climates
Dive into lands of fire and ice through the captivating photography of Léo Coulongeat and Sébastien Riotto.
Breeding Season at Volerie des Aigles
Dive into the world of breeding and discover the fascinating secrets of how birds of prey raise their young.
Exhibition: Sexism - 'The Girl Factory'
Portraits of 17 women from 11 different cultures sharing personal stories of realizing sexism and inequality in their lives.
Afterworks at the Bistrot - by Famille Hauller
Meet up at 'Le Camion de Léon' for a drink! You might even be tempted by our signature cocktail, the 'Canon Tonic'.
Exhibition: 'You who wander through the world'
The FRAC Alsace garden becomes a living space where art meets nature, inviting discovery and curiosity.
Gourmet Aperitif at Sylvie Spielmann Estate
Come for a toast and discover the Spielmann estate in a friendly atmosphere during a beautiful summer evening.
Volunteer Day at Château du Bernstein
Discover this granite fortress, one of the oldest and most atmospheric castles in Alsace.
Exhibition: Anatomy of a Restoration
Discover the techniques used by restorers to care for objects protected as historical monuments in Alsace.
Lecture: The Art of Pastel Painting
Join artist François Malnati for a lecture exploring the techniques and world of pastel painters, focusing on contemporary still life.
Positioned centrally between Strasbourg and Colmar, Sélestat is a remarkably preserved town renowned as the intellectual capital of the Alsace during the Renaissance. Its crowning jewel is the Bibliothèque Humaniste (Humanist Library), founded by the scholar Beatus Rhenanus in 1521. Recently modernized with remarkable architectural updates, it houses priceless medieval manuscripts and incunabula. Sélestat also holds a festive claim to fame: a 1521 ledger found here contains the oldest written reference to a decorated Christmas tree in the world, making the town's winter markets especially historic. Walking through the medieval center, visitors encounter distinct architectural eras, spanning from the robust Romanesque Church of Sainte-Foy to the towering Gothic Church of Saint-Georges. The narrow alleys are lined with colorful, half-timbered houses showcasing intricate artisan signs. Nature is also close at hand; just outside the town lies the Illwald, a sprawling regional nature reserve protecting a dense alluvial forest where wild fallow deer roam freely along the wetlands.
- Location: Grand Est, France
- Top sights: Humanist Library · St. George's Church · St. Faith's Church
- Nearby: Benfeld (16 km)
- Population: ~19.589
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 1 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 11 | 5 | 2 |
| Rain mm | 57 | 46 | 51 | 49 | 83 | 72 | 75 | 76 | 56 | 68 | 59 | 66 |
Geography
Facts
- The Humanist Library was founded in the year 1452.
- Sélestat is situated at an altitude of 173 meters.
- The Illwald reserve covers an area of 1,855 hectares.
- The Saint-Georges church has a 60-meter high tower.
- The city was a member of the Decapolis (League of ten Alsatian towns).
- There is a major production of kitchen furniture in Sélestat.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
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Sights in the town Sélestat (7)
Frequently asked questions
What is the Bibliothèque Humaniste in Sélestat?
It is one of Alsace's most important cultural centers, housing a valuable collection of Renaissance books.
Is Sélestat the birthplace of the Christmas tree?
Yes, the city's 1521 account books contain the world's first written mention of a Christmas tree.
What can you see at the Maison du Pain d'Alsace?
Visitors can discover the history of baking and taste traditional Alsatian pastries.
Is Sélestat on the Alsace Wine Route?
Yes, the city is a well-suited starting point for exploring wine villages and castles like Haut-Koenigsbourg.
Which animal is the symbol of Sélestat?
The stork is the symbol of the region, and you can see many nests on the roofs of the old town.
Sélestat: where is it located?
Sélestat is located in Grand Est, France.
Sélestat: what is there to see?
Highlights include Humanist Library, St. George's Church, St. Faith's Church.
Sélestat: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Sélestat: why is it worth visiting?
Positioned centrally between Strasbourg and Colmar, Sélestat is a remarkably preserved town renowned as the intellectual capital of the Alsace during the Renaissance.
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