Monschau

Monschau lies in a narrow gorge of the Rur where the valley barely allows a street, so the timber-framed houses crowd the river and climb the slate slopes on both sides. The town grew wealthy on fine woollen cloth in the eighteenth century, and the Rotes Haus of 1765, built by the Scheibler family of clothiers, survives with its original furnishings and a free-standing oak spiral staircase rising through three floors; it is open as a museum. A ruined castle stands above, and a glassworks and a mustard mill operate in the town. The Eifel national park and the High Fens bog lie just beyond.

What you actually see

• The gorge setting - timber houses packed into a narrow river valley.
• The Rotes Haus - a 1765 clothier's house with original furnishings.
• The oak spiral stair - a free-standing staircase through three floors.
• The mustard mill - a working mill producing mustard in the town.

When to go

April to October, or December for the Christmas market, which is heavily visited and requires timed tickets on peak days. Summer weekends are crowded.

Honest expectations

The town is very small and packed with day visitors. Christmas market days use timed entry. Parking is outside with a walk in.

Nearby

The High Fens lie east; Aachen is north.