The Ribeauvillé forest, near Riquewihr, is a green lung, over more than 5,680 acres (2,300 ha), for nature and history lovers. Climbing to reach the Taennchel, these woods remain preserved. The forest is classified as a Natura 2000 site and is home to rare environments and species. It also bypasses the castles of Saint-Ulrich, Girsberg and Haut-Ribeaupierre. The fiddlers of the Middle Ages used to come to Ribeauvillé forest to find the wood in which they would craft their violins.