Our last stop during our summer trip in Germany was to the small town of Gengenbach.
It's located on the Western edge of the Black Forest region of the country near the border of France and about an hours drive away from the city of Freiberg, where we had spent the previous day and night.
Gengenbach is a small town of only 11,000 residents but it has a really beautiful and picturesque old town center that is lined with large well preserved half timbers buildings, which makes it a particularly pretty little village.
Despite it being so pretty though, we didn't find it at all touristy.
It reminded me a lot like the town of Schiltach in that regard. It gave me the impression that it was mostly for the locals.
We didn't really see any gift shops or things of that nature, just local businesses mostly.
Overall, I think that is a good thing.
The only minor downside to not catering to tourists was that the entire town is surrounded by vineyards but we couldn't find any wine caves to do a tasting.
We did find a small boutique store attached to a restaurant that was selling local wines but it was quite busy with lunch service and I really didn't want to just pick a random bottle off the shelf without trying it first, so we didn't buy any wine in town.
This isn't a complaint against the town in any way though.
There are actually wineries located outside the city that do tours and tastings, so the option is there for those that wish to do so.
We often try to do a tasting in areas that are known for certain types of wines and always buy at least one bottle to bring back home to remember the occasion, sometimes many more than one bottle if the wine is good and the price is right.
But we almost never buy wine anymore without trying it first, except at home from the grocery store.
On trips, seeing the vineyard, doing a tasting and buying a bottle or two becomes part of the whole experience I think, and it makes the trip that much more memorable.
In Gengenbach the vineyard is located just on the edge of town so we hiked into it after having a coffee in the main plaza. At the top of the hill is a small chaple that's only about a 20 minute walk from the town center. It makes for a good destination to wander to. It also has a pretty good view of the city and the vineyards.
We saw a few red and green pear trees growing between the grape vines, which I thought was pretty neat as well.
I also saw this bicycle tire angel created by a local artist that I thought was pretty cool.
After the vineyard we headed back into town for one last look and we happened to come across this really pretty street that I can't remember the name of.
It was located just off the main plaza Square though so it's easy to find if you just wander around the area.
I liked the traditional row houses with their cellar doors leading onto the street and all the flower boxes in the windows.
It was a very photogenic location.
We headed out shortly after that, back to our car and back towards the French border, thus concluding our trip in Germany.
I gotta admit, I haven't traveled much with my camera in Germany. Putting this lovely place on my to-go list in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 :) Thank you :)
!giphy wonderful
Via Tenor
I'm sure that you would be able to take some great photos there!
Thank you :) I always try to do my best :)
Have a great day!
This village should definitely be kept as a secret so it doesn't get swamped with tourists in future.
Loved the black angel, makes a lovely contrast to the rest of the village, I wouldn't know it was made of bicycle tyres until you said, it's really clever
Haha yeah that's true.
Yeah I didn't realize that it was tires until I got really close to. It was just on a wall on the street a little ways down from the artists home and studio.
I was about to do a snotty remark with a French accent about German wines but they actually have some decent ones. Of course, their beers recipes are secretly guarded! So, not even a small bottle as a souvenir was purchased?
Not at that location no. We did end up buying two bottles in Freiberg to bring home. We have since drank them both and both were quite good. One was a pinot noir and the other I can't remember.
True about their beer. Especially in Bavaria. Even in Canada they talk about the "Bavarian Purity Act," which supposedly is a rule that beer should only be made with the 4 key ingredients- water, malt, yeast and hops. So the ingredients list is in plain sight but how you put it together - that's the secret lol
THat's exactly what I had in mind, the "Bavarian Purity Act", yeah not so secret come to think of it hahah.
Wow what a pretty town. Have you thought about making collections and putting similar posts or ones from the same area/ trips together? I would love to look your collections and maybe use them when I have the opportunity to travel in France and Germany.
I would love to do that but I have no idea how to haha.
Is it fairly easy?
Super easy. Go to the bottom of where you go to make a post.
Okay excellent. Wow that is easy. I've been posting in communities for so long that I have never even seen that, or noticed it. Thanks for the suggestion and pointing it out for me :)
So welcome. I will be happy to see the collections you make!
What a beautiful little town! I like how it is full with greenery and flowers. That angel made out of tires...so creative!
Yeah the flowers are a nice touch and the angel is a very unique piece of art. Thanks for the comment :)
Wow it looks so pretty 😭😍 Those flowers just outside each windows really are so attractive... and the streets don't feel suffocating despite it being packed with houses/buildings around because of the plants. Looks so refreshing to the eye. <3
Yeah flowers make a huge difference. They make it so colorful and pretty. Sometimes I try to save places that I think are going to be really nice for the months when flowers are in full bloom
I haven't tried wine tasting in Germany so that would be an interesting thing to experience one day since we always went for the beers. The vineyard landscape is jaw-dropping and I agree that the row houses are charming to catch with the camera.
We haven't done much wine tasting in Germany but there are a few key regions that I'm aware of where it's basically a must. The Mosel Valley is the biggest that comes to mind. You can't not try the reisling there. There's big wine culture in that area.
We mostly drink beer in Germany though
Thanks for this travel tip, will keep the Mosel Valley in mind for future trips.
Coming a bit late to your post @leaky20 , a huge backlog from my part... All those outstanding houses, and flowers from each window... Loved the blue shutters in some houses!! 💙
No worries. I have the same issue today 😆 and I'm trying to make up for what I missed
Wow, the views make me speechless, they are so amazing. Greetings from the Philippines!
Greetings! Thanks for stopping by and checking out my blog.
You're welcome (^_^)
beautiful place. beautiful photos. thanks for sharing! :)
You're welcome. I'm glad you liked it 😊
thanks for the beautiful pictures! i really like this kind of architecture :) very cozy
You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed the post :)
I like the view here 🥰
Yeah, it's a good view of the city and vineyards :)
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