Buy house in Ettenheim: a hillside family retreat with panoramic views

A rare opportunity to buy a house in Ettenheim: a generous family home with panoramic Black Forest views, flexible live-work spaces and a prime hillside setting near Freiburg.

High above the red-tiled roofs of Ettenheim, where the Black Forest foothills begin to rise and vineyards catch the last evening light, this expansive family home unfolds across several levels like a private belvedere. It is the kind of property that is increasingly rare in southern Germany: a house that combines long views, generous indoor space and the freedom to live and work under one roof, in one of the most attractive small towns between Freiburg and the French border.

Located in the picturesque Ortenau region of Baden-Württemberg, Ettenheim is known for its baroque old town, pastel townhouses and cobblestone streets. From here, Strasbourg and the Alsace wine route are within easy reach, Freiburg lies to the south, and the Black Forest rises immediately to the east. Against this backdrop, the house occupies a privileged hillside position, with sweeping vistas over the town, the Rhine plain and, on clear days, towards the Vosges mountains.

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From the street, the architecture appears understated: a solid, well-kept structure in the regionally typical style, its facade opening discreetly towards the valley. Inside, however, the scale becomes apparent. The main living level is oriented entirely towards the view, with large windows and a broad balcony that extends the living room outdoors. The effect is less about ostentation and more about atmosphere: morning light over the town, evening sunsets across the Rhine plain, and a constant sense of air and openness that urban apartments simply cannot replicate.

The layout is designed for family life. A spacious living and dining area forms the heart of the home, flowing into a separate yet connected kitchen. Here, cooking is not an isolated task but part of the social rhythm of the house. Adjacent rooms can function as study, library or guest room, allowing the floor plan to adapt to different stages of life: young family, multi-generational household, or a couple desiring generous spaces for entertaining.

Bedrooms are arranged to provide both proximity and privacy. A large master bedroom looks onto the panoramic side of the house; secondary bedrooms are proportioned for children, guests or a home office. Bathrooms and utility areas are laid out with practical German thoroughness: short routes, ample storage, and durable finishes that prioritise function over short-lived trends.

One of the property’s defining qualities is its potential as a Live and Work Property. On the lower levels, rooms with independent access from outside can be used as professional offices, an atelier, a consultation practice or studio space. For buyers seeking Real Estate near Freiburg who wish to minimise commuting, this is particularly appealing. Daily life can be organised vertically rather than horizontally: private family spaces at the top, semi-private workspaces below, and the town centre just a few minutes away.

The outdoor areas echo this versatility. In front of the living level, a balcony and terrace create a continuous outdoor living room during the warmer months. On the garden level, a secluded outdoor area invites slower moments: a morning coffee facing the town, a shaded corner for reading, or a vegetable patch that benefits from the hillside sun. Unlike many urban gardens, this is a space where the horizon is always present; even everyday rituals happen against the backdrop of the landscape.

For international buyers curious about Ettenheim itself, the town offers a balance that is increasingly sought after by families and remote professionals alike. With around 13,000 residents, Ettenheim is large enough to provide a full range of amenities—supermarkets, local shops, medical practices, and regular cultural events—yet small enough to maintain a sense of community. The historic centre, with its baroque church and carefully preserved facades, lends an architectural coherence that many newer towns lack.

Education is well covered. Ettenheim and its immediate surroundings provide kindergartens, primary schools and secondary options, including a Gymnasium within a short radius, making the town particularly attractive for families planning for the long term. For older students, Freiburg—with its renowned university and international research institutions—is reachable by car or regional train, bringing an additional layer of academic and cultural life within easy reach.

Naturally, the proximity to the Black Forest shapes everyday life. Within minutes, hiking trails lead into wooded hills, offering routes for walking, trail running and mountain biking. The Rhine and its floodplain landscapes provide a completely different outdoor experience: flat cycling paths, birdwatching areas and quiet river beaches. The Europa-Park in nearby Rust adds a different dimension of leisure, drawing visitors from across Europe while giving local residents the rare luxury of a world-class theme park on the doorstep.

From a macro perspective, this Villa Black Forest setting, close to both France and Switzerland, speaks to those who think beyond national borders. Strasbourg, Basel and Freiburg form a triangle of cross-border employment opportunities, culture and gastronomy. Yet after a day in one of these cities, coming home to a hillside house in Best Location Ettenheim offers something more elemental: silence, space and the familiarity of a small-town routine.

As a Luxury Home Ettenheim, the property is not defined by extravagance but by quality of life. It is luxurious in its space, its outlook and its flexibility. Investors will note the robust fundamentals of the Ortenau region, with its mix of tourism, industry and agriculture providing economic stability. Owner-occupiers will respond more viscerally: to the idea of children growing up overlooking a historic town, of hosting friends on summer evenings on the terrace, of working from a home office that feels far removed from anonymous office parks.

For expats, the location is especially compelling. It offers the quiet assurance of a well-run small German town, the cultural openness of a border region, and the lifestyle advantages of the Upper Rhine valley: wine villages, Michelin-starred restaurants within driving distance, and easy transfers via nearby regional and international airports. The house itself provides the spatial generosity many international buyers look for and seldom find in dense urban centres.

In the end, this is a property for those who value both anchoring and openness: a stable base in a historic town, and a horizon that literally and metaphorically remains wide. Whether as a primary residence for a family, a Live and Work Property for a professional couple, or a long-term investment in one of southern Germany’s most liveable regions, this house in Ettenheim stands as a rare opportunity to secure a vantage point over one of the country’s quietly coveted landscapes.

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