Epfig: Romanesque Churches and Wine

Epfig combines Romanesque architecture, church art, and wine for visitors with different interests. At the Chapelle Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Georges Church, you can explore architectural history, design, and furnishings; at the wineries, in Fronholz, and along the Sentier viticole d’Epfig – Le Fronholz, you can discover Alsatian wines and vineyards. This will help you decide in advance whether to focus on religious landmarks or wine-related experiences.

Chapelle Sainte-Marguerite: Romanesque Architecture

At the foot of the hill in Epfig, at the end of Rue Sainte-Marguerite, stands the Chapelle Sainte-Marguerite. It is a stop on the Route romane d’Alsace and is considered one of the oldest Romanesque churches in Alsace. One of its distinctive features is a 12th-century gallery porch, considered unique in Alsace. Audio guides in French, German, and English are available beneath the porch; they explain the building’s history and architecture. The gallery porch offers a tangible architectural feature, while the audio guides provide further explanations of the building.

Saint-Georges: Architectural History and Furnishings

The present-day Saint-Georges Church was built in 1790 to plans by architect Pierre Michel Dixnard. Large, dark-wood altarpieces stand in the choir and transept arms. The choir is the area around the altar, while the transept arms extend to either side of the nave. An altarpiece is a structure behind or above an altar: the painting on the main altarpiece depicts Saint George, while a ceiling painting depicts the Trinity. The subjects are thus divided between the altarpiece and the ceiling: Saint George on the main altarpiece, and the Trinity on the ceiling. The organ dates from 1815 and was made by Michel Stiehr; it has been rebuilt several times. Its history therefore includes both its creation in 1815 and subsequent alterations. Unlike the Chapelle Sainte-Marguerite, with its Romanesque gallery porch, Saint-Georges is distinguished by its altarpieces, paintings, and repeatedly rebuilt organ.

Wine Tastings and Encounters with Winemakers

Epfig’s winemakers offer tastings of Alsatian wines. They welcome visitors to their wine cellars and share their knowledge of the vineyards. There are therefore two ways to learn about wine: through tastings and through insights into the vineyards. Fronholz adds a landscape perspective to these themes: the area lies on Epfig’s steep western slope and is one of the town’s renowned wine-growing areas.

Vineyards, Views, and an Excursion Requiring Reservations

The Sentier viticole d’Epfig – Le Fronholz winds through the vineyards and offers views of neighboring villages. While the wine cellars focus on meeting the winemakers, the trail draws attention to the vineyards and neighboring villages. A wine tasting in a cellar and a walk through the landscape offer different experiences.

Another option is Saveurs et Terroirs du Vignoble. This experience includes an excursion through the vineyards and a wine cellar, followed by a picnic and wine tasting. Reservations are required. If you plan to take part, remember that you must book in advance.

Discover more destinations: Rottelsheim, Ohnenheim, Weinbourg, Bouxwiller, Rosenwiller, Hohengœft, Bourgheim, Mundolsheim.

See the regional travel overview: Bas-Rhin.