Hôtel-Restaurant Aux Armes de France has operated from the Grand'Rue of Ammerschwihr, a small wine village near Colmar in the Haut-Rhin department of Alsace, Grand Est, since 1941. The Gaertner family has run the property continuously since its founding, and the restaurant is widely regarded as one of the last great keepers of classical Alsatian fine dining — a style that combines French haute technique with the specific Alsatian larder of foie gras d'oie, frogs' legs, choucroute, and the region's extraordinary wine cellar. The foie gras d'oie en terrine maison is house-made on the premises and represents the restaurant's most revered preparation — goose liver of superior quality, set in a terrine and served with house-made brioche and Gewurztraminer jelly. Grenouilles à la provençale (frogs' legs in garlic and herb butter) is another classical preparation rarely found at this standard elsewhere in Alsace. The choucroute au champagne — sauerkraut poached in champagne rather than white wine — is the kitchen's most festive main course. The wine cellar is considered the deepest on the Alsace Wine Route, with thousands of bottles including mature vintages from every Grand Cru site and late-harvest wines from 30 or more years. Menus run from €55 for the shorter lunch format to €110 for the full dinner progression. Reservations are essential and should be made at aux-armes-de-france.com.
Signature dishes
- Foie gras d'oie en terrine maison
- Grenouilles à la provençale
- Choucroute au champagne
Good to know
- Known for
- Family-run institution since 1941; revered for classical Alsatian technique and the deepest Alsace wine cellar on the Wine Route
- Hours
- Wed–Mon 12:00–13:30 & 19:00–21:00; closed Tue
- Reservations
- Required — book at aux-armes-de-france.com
Location
1 Grand'Rue, 68770 Ammerschwihr
48.1068, 7.2800 View on map
Highlights
- Family-run institution since 1941; one of Alsace's most respected classical fine-dining addresses
- Foie gras d'oie en terrine maison: house-made goose-liver terrine considered among the finest in the region
- Deepest wine cellar on the Alsace Wine Route with mature Grand Cru vintages going back decades
- Grenouilles à la provençale: frogs' legs in garlic-herb butter, a classical preparation executed at the highest standard
- Choucroute au champagne: the kitchen's most festive and technically distinctive main course
Tips for visiting
- Book via aux-armes-de-france.com at least three to four weeks ahead for weekend dinner
- The lunch menu at around €55 is among the best-value fine-dining opportunities on the Wine Route
- Ask the sommelier to access mature late-harvest bottles from the cellar — wines going back 20–30 years are priced fairly
- The foie gras terrine must be ordered as a starter rather than skipped; it is the kitchen's defining preparation
- Ammerschwihr is 5 km north of Colmar; a car or taxi is necessary as the village has no direct public transport
When to visit
Autumn harvest season for the most active wine cellar programme. Spring for the asparagus-based specialities. Year-round for classical Alsatian cooking at its most faithful.
Accessibility
The restaurant occupies a traditional building on the Grand'Rue of Ammerschwihr. Visitors with mobility requirements should contact the restaurant when booking to confirm entrance access and table arrangements.
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Frequently asked questions
How long has the Gaertner family operated the restaurant?
The restaurant was established in 1941 and has been in the Gaertner family continuously since then. The current generation continues the tradition of classical Alsatian fine dining that has made Aux Armes de France one of the most respected addresses on the Wine Route.
What makes the wine cellar notable?
The cellar holds thousands of bottles covering every Alsace Grand Cru site across multiple decades of vintages, plus an extensive selection of late-harvest wines (Vendanges Tardives and Sélection de Grains Nobles). It is considered by wine professionals to be the deepest cellar on the Alsace Wine Route.
Is advance booking essential?
Yes — the restaurant operates in a small village and fills reliably. Book via aux-armes-de-france.com three to four weeks ahead for weekends and at least one week ahead for weekday visits.
What is the price range?
Lunch menus start at approximately €55 per person; full dinner menus reach €110 and above. The cellar includes bottles at all price points, from accessible house selections to rare mature vintages.
Is the restaurant accessible for visitors with mobility limitations?
The restaurant is within a traditional Alsatian village building. Visitors with mobility requirements should contact the restaurant in advance to confirm access and arrange a suitable table.