Cave Historique des Hospices de Strasbourg — Attraction in Strasbourg

I absolutely adore this place! Every time I visit Strasbourg, I make sure to stop by here. it’s just too special to miss.

It’s free to enter, which is a big plus, and it’s a place steeped in rich history. The cave was originally established in 1395, and it holds the oldest barrel-stored wine in the world, dating back to 1472! How amazing is that? Just knowing you’re standing among barrels that have been around for centuries adds a special charm to the place.

The selection of wine is impressive—whether you’re into Alsace wines or curious about other French regions, they have it all. There’s a lot to explore in terms of both wines and the historical significance of the hospital itself, as it used to serve the city's sick and poor, with wine playing an important role in the treatments.

The ambiance is fantastic—vaulted ceilings, atmospheric lighting, and rows upon rows of bottles. You’ll get to learn about wine production in Alsace, taste a few options, and even pick up some bottles to bring home. It’s not too touristy either, so it’s great if you want a more authentic experience in the heart of Strasbourg.

Overall, it’s a brilliant stop if you enjoy history, want to learn about wine, or just fancy a unique experience in the city. Definitely add it to...

Located just outside the main touristy areas of La Petite France is this must-see attraction. If you like wine, history, architecture, the art of cooperage, or all of the above, you will enjoy visiting this underground urban wine cellar, home to one of the oldest wines in the world. It takes about 30 minutes with the excellent recorded audio tour (headsets were 3 Euros when we visited). In addition to its storied past, it is also a working cellar, used by some local vineyards to age current vintages, likely as a novelty but you must admit that is charming and all proceeds go to raise funds for their landlord, the local hospital above the cellar.

As others have noted, it is not the easiest place to find. Since you are reading this in Google Maps app, switch to street view, which may help you find the exterior staircase (on the yellow building) that leads down to...

The Cave Historique des Hospices de Strasbourg, or the Historical Wine Cellar of the Strasbourg Hospitals, is a fascinating underground cellar located beneath the old hospital complex in Strasbourg, France. Dating back to the 14th century, this cellar served as a storage space for wines produced by the hospital's vineyard, which was used for medicinal purposes and to generate revenue for the hospital's operations. Today, the Cave Historique offers guided tours where visitors can explore its labyrinthine corridors and learn about the history of winemaking in Strasbourg. The cellar contains a remarkable collection of old wine barrels, tools, and artifacts, providing insight into centuries-old winemaking techniques. It is a unique cultural and historical attraction, offering visitors a glimpse into the fascinating past of Strasbourg's medical and...