Location: Kintzheim, Bas- Rhin department Map
Constructed: 12th century
Château de Kintzheim is a medieval castle ruin in the commune of Kintzheim, located in the Bas-Rhin department of the Grand Est region in northeastern France. Originating in the 12th and 13th centuries, it served as a strategic fortress overlooking the Alsace plain, reflecting the region's feudal and imperial past. Classified as a monument historique since 1965, the castle is now renowned for hosting La Volerie des Aigles, a bird of prey attraction featuring eagles, falcons, and vultures. Attracting around 150,000 visitors annually, it is a prominent stop along the Alsatian Wine Route, blending historical significance with modern eco-tourism.
Situated on a rocky outcrop in the western foothills of the Vosges Mountains, Château de Kintzheim stands at 260 meters above sea level, approximately 100 meters above the village of Kintzheim. The commune covers 18.79 square kilometers, with elevations ranging from 176 to 521 meters. It is bordered by Sélestat to the east, Orschwiller to the south, Lièpvre to the west, and La Vancelle and Châtenois to the north. The castle overlooks the Alsace plain and two valleys, with Hahnenberg Hill to the north and Praelatenberg to the south, the latter known for its grand cru Praelatenberg vineyards. Forests cover 560 hectares of the commune’s 2,360 hectares, complementing its viticulture and tourism. Kintzheim’s population in 2022 was 1,691, yielding a density of 90 inhabitants per square kilometer, and it has one preschool and elementary school. The time zone is Central European Time (UTC+01:00), shifting to Central European Summer Time (UTC+02:00) in summer.
The site’s history traces back to the 6th century, when the area,
known as Regis Villa, was a royal domain under Merovingian kings,
encompassing the Liepvre River valley and Haut-Koenigsbourg forests. In
774, Charlemagne donated parts of the forests at Gunigesheim (an early
name for Kintzheim) to the Abbey of Liepvre, and he likely spent
Christmas 775 at the Palatium Selestatis on this site. By 843, Emperor
Lothair I granted Kintzheim to Erchangar, Count of Nordgau. The name
Kintzheim may stem from Germanic “König” (king) and “Heim” (home),
indicating a royal residence, or from Gallic “cuno” (cone) and “Heim,”
referring to a hilltop. Early records note “Quningishaim” in 774 and
“Chuniggesheim” in 881, with Roman relics suggesting a road through
Alsace.
The castle’s construction began around 1250 under Holy Roman
Emperor Frederick II of Hohenstaufen, on a site used for temporary royal
residences. First documented in 1270, it was held by the Rathsamhausen
family from 1267. It was rebuilt between 1300 and 1306 after being
burned in 1298 by Châtenois residents. In 1341, Emperor Louis IV granted
the village of Kintzheim to Sélestat, and in 1492, Emperor Frederick III
of Habsburg transferred the castle to Sélestat’s control.
During the
Thirty Years’ War, Swedish troops partially destroyed the castle in
1633. In 1649, it was sold for 3,000 florins to J.G. de Gollen, former
mayor of Sélestat, who restored the residential buildings and chapel
between 1650 and 1670, though he did not reside there. From 1760 to
1780, a hermit monk maintained the chapel as its last occupant.
Abandoned after the French Revolution in 1789, the castle’s roofs
collapsed by 1830. In 1801, the Marquis de Broc, de Gollen’s heir,
attempted to sell it, but in 1807, Napoleon I awarded it to Mathieu de
Faviers, who paid Sélestat 2,000 silver marks to settle claims. Faviers
built a Directory-style manor house and an English-style park below the
castle in 1802.
In the 19th century, the romantic movement spurred
interest, leading to consolidation by German architects in 1876. During
World War II in 1945, the castle served as an observation post and was
damaged by artillery during the Alsace campaign. Its classification as a
monument historique in 1965 preceded the establishment of La Volerie des
Aigles in 1968, revitalizing the site.
The castle’s core includes a circular keep with a shield wall, completed by the late 13th century, and ramparts from the 1250 construction. Residential wings, dwellings, and a chapel were added in the 14th and 15th centuries. Spanning approximately 3,800 square meters, the site now allocates 850 square meters for bird housing and 800 square meters for displays. Below the ruins, the early 19th-century Directory-style manor house and English-style park, recognized as one of France’s Notable Gardens, add a romantic dimension. The keep, damaged in 1945, remains inaccessible, but the ruins have been stabilized to preserve their medieval character.
Since 1968, Château de Kintzheim has hosted La Volerie des Aigles, a bird park focused on conserving and rehabilitating endangered predatory birds like eagles, falcons, and vultures. Daily free-flight demonstrations allow these birds to soar over the ruins, showcasing their natural behaviors while educating visitors on biodiversity and environmental threats like historical eradication campaigns and agricultural expansion. The attraction, which charges an entrance fee and allows pets, emphasizes breeding programs and conservation. A cafeteria serves visitors, and the castle primarily functions as a backdrop for the bird shows. Nearby, the commune offers a stork park and marked trails through vineyards and forests, appealing to eco-tourists and wine enthusiasts.
The castle’s coat of arms, featuring the imperial eagle, reflects its Holy Roman Empire ties and shared heraldry with Sélestat, from which Kintzheim gained independence in 1834. The English-style park below, created in 1802, is culturally significant. The site’s strategic location and layered history—from Merovingian origins to WWII damage—make it a rich symbol of Alsace’s past, enhanced by its modern role in conservation and tourism.