"Alsace is a party..." Wrote Emile Baas. And it is when you visit Ribeauvillé that you understand the full meaning of this sentence. Here the ancient walls, the streets, the old houses and their wood beams are always decorated just waiting for the first note of music.
Ribeauvillé has a long History. It is first mentionned under "Ratbaldovillare" in an official document circa 768 AD. It meant "Villa of Ratbold", in old german "Ratbold" signified "the boldest man of the counsel".
Property of the Dukes of Alsace, the Counts of Eguisheim, the Emperor of Germany and the Bishop of Basel, it was the Counts of Ribeaupierre who were the last lords of the town before the french revolution.
Masters of great and little things, the Lords of Ribeaupierre were also the protectors of the travelling musicians and actors who filled the town every 8th of septembre, birthday of the virgin Mary.
This tradition is still alive nowadays, visitors from around the world gather in Rieauvillé to see traveling musicians put up a tribute show for their ancient sponsors.
