Walks and heritage…
Alsace
COMMUNAUTE DE COMMUNES DE LA REGION DE MOLSHEIM-MUTZIG
Altorf Located on the former Roman Road leading from Strasbourg to Donon Mountain, Altorf is especially famous for its Abbey Church. Walk along the town walls which once protected the Benedictine Abbey founded in 974 by Count Hugues III of Eguisheim-Dabo and you come to place Saint-Cyriaque. The Church has a late 12th-century Romanesque nave and a Baroque transept and chancel built around 1725. The mixture of these two architectural styles is particularly fascinating. Inside, you will find the reliquary bust of St. Cyriacus (12th century), a tombstone (14th century), baptismal fonts (15th century), the pulpit (17th century), high altar (18th century) and a Silbermann organ (1723). Behind the Abbey Church, in an atmosphere of calm and tranquillity, landscaped gardens show were the old cloisters used to be. The well has been put back in its original setting. To the north of the Church lies the house of the Father Abbot and his guests with its Renaissance-style gable. Further to the west and a little hidden from view is the Abbey's tithe barn (1712). Today, it is home to the library. Going back up rue Principale, you can admire number 3, on the edge of place Saint Cyriaque. It is the oldest house in the village (17th century). Its architectural features include its decorative half-timbered construction and tiny loggia on the courtyard side. Walking up the road, you come to the Village Hall (mairie) near which you will find an emblazoned milestone (1764). Further on in the same street, you come to the guardroom, the former "Wacht" established around 1870. Passing under the arcades, you come to rue des Meuniers and after a few steps you turn right into rue de la Chapelle. In this alley lies a small chapel (1846) where Mass would be celebrated on the fete day of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows. Come back to rue Principale, where at the heart of the village, you can admire the large farmhouses with pedestrian gateways often embellished by recesses with statuettes or bas-reliefs, tokens of popular religious art.
Avolsheim At the foot of the hill and the Finkenberg vineyards, lies Avolsheim, by the RD 422 road and with the RD 127 and river Bruche running through. Go over the bridge crossing the river and past AudĂŠoud park to come to the heart of the village near St. Materne church (1911). Here you will find St. Ulrich chapel, called "the baptistery", decorated with 12th-century Romanesque murals in the Rhenish style. The remarkable frescoes in the dome represent a beardless Christ in radiant glory, the four Evangelists surrounded by angels in the drum and four biblical scenes between the Romanesque windows. When you leave the chapel, make your way down to the river and walk downstream along quai de la Bruche. You come to the small and large sluice gates or "Avolsheim"
sluice gates. They were built in 1682 to irrigate the Bruche canal by changing the course of the river. The canal was made under Vauban's orders. Go back the way you came and wander through the streets, passing in front of the church, and then on to the village hall (mairie), the memorial and the "Wacht", (former watchtower). You will recognise the boatmen's houses from the sculpted anchors above the doorways. Follow the arrows and take the path leading to the Dompeter. On your left as you come into the bend, you will see St. Petronilla's fountain, and then standing proud in the middle of the fields, one of the oldest churches in Alsace. Its foundations date back to the 8th century. A thousandyear-old lime tree stands proud at the entrance. Experience a moment of absolute tranquillity in this unique site.
Dachstein Inhabited continuously since late Prehistoric times, the old town of Dachstein is located on the RD 30 road, to the north-east of Molsheim. Discover this former Episcopal village starting from the ancient tower and 14th-century gateway with a Gothic arch. The corners of the Bruche gate (Breuschtor) are reinforced by embossed stones. It was halved in size in 1574, as witnessed by the inscription on the external facade. On the left lies Turckheim chateau, once the favoured residence of the Bishops of Strasbourg. In 1572, Jean de Manderscheid built this country retreat within the walls of the Mediaeval fortress. The chateau is privately owned today and its silhouette is characteristic of Renaissance-style buildings in Alsace. Between the chateau and the stream stand imposing vestiges of fortifications, including a flanking tower equipped with seven cannon loops, erected between 1570-1580 and designed by the military architect Daniel Specklin. Go through the gateway and down rue Principale to Saint Martin church, records of which date back to 1240. It has a Gothic chancel and a long 18th century nave. Inside, you can contemplate the imposing Baroque high altar with lateral passageways, richly decorated with the heads of cherubs. As you stroll through the streets, you can admire the traditional half-timbered farmhouses, sometimes embellished with a sculpted wooden gallery. Note also the rubble work constructions from the 16th to 18th century, such as the elegant village hall built in 1583. At the heart of the village lies HervĂŠ chateau, called the Magnanerie. Built in 1750, this private manor housed the Royal Silkworm School. In the 1990s, this idyllic setting was used as the film set for the Alsatian saga Les Deux Mathilde.
Dinsheim-sur-Bruche The origin of the name of the village of Dinsheim probably refers to a Dinghof, a court where tithes were gathered. The walk we invite you to take leads you to Schiebenberg Hill, just north of the village. Leave from the centre where a car park has been built on the site of a factory where a mill used to stand. Spend a little time in the church built in 1828. It is Neo-classical in style with pure lines. The West entrance is embellished by a pediment supported by two columns. The inscription is taken from Genesis: "The House of God, and this is the Gate of Heaven". A little further on after the bend, lies the neoBaroque village hall (mairie) built in 1869 with its elegant bell-tower. Next you go up rue principale to a small sanctuary. The chapel is dedicated to Our Lady and dates back to the 18th century. You enter rue de la Chapelle and begin the climb up to the summit (302 metres). It is an easy walk. As you climb up, a magnificent panorama unfolds before your eyes with the mythical heights of Mont Sainte Odile and Donon Mountain. You have arrived at your destination. The statue of the Virgin Mary with child in gilded cast iron stands out against the spruce copse. It was erected in memory of the Holy Year of 1875. The inscription on the stone pedestal asks the Virgin for protection. There are some benches where you can rest a while. Look round once more at the beautiful landscape before starting on the walk back down to the village.
Dorlisheim Located at the crossroads linking SĂŠlestat to Saverne and Strasbourg to Saint DiĂŠ, Dorlisheim is justly proud of its history. Start at the roundabout, at the centre of which stands an imposing column (18th century) in sandstone from the Vosges Mountains topped by a 4-sided sundial, and walk to the cemetery next to the railway line. Here you will find the vault of the Bugatti family and the tomb of the famous carmaker. Go on along Grand'rue and admire the magnificent well (1605) in front of the town hall (Mairie). It is a token of the town's economic development and successful wine-growing industry. Take rue Henri Schirmer opposite and go on to the neo-Romanesque Catholic Church, St. Laurent. Continue along rue de l'Eglise and you will come to the Protestant Church (12th century). It was built in several stages and reveals a particularly complex structure. Only the nave remains of the Romanesque construction built around 1150. The current chancel was built in the following century during the Gothic period. The semi-circular arched doorway is richly decorated with cabled moulding. You can extend your walk by strolling down faubourg des Vosges and rue de l'Altenberg to the vineyard trail passing through the picturesque Thal valley. Here, the typical landscape of dales bordering the vineyards is perfectly preserved with orchards, smalls cultivated fields and meadows. As you ramble along the vineyard trail, you can discover the different types of vintages and the patient work of the wine-growers. The panoramic view is quite simply breath-taking. Before climbing up the Rangenberg, a conservation site, you can admire different types of orchids in the springtime in a carefully preserved dry meadow as well as the delicate Pulsatilla Montana. A bench dating back to the Napoleonic times awaits you for a few moments' rest.
Duppigheim When you leave Strasbourg going towards the Bruche valley, the village of Duppigheim opens the gateway to the District Community of the Molsheim-Mutzig region. Start your walk from rue du Général de Gaulle at the village hall (mairie 1862). The ground floor of this administrative building was originally the market hall. Along the continuation of this road, you walk past the Schaefferhoff, a former Alsatian farm dating back to the 18th century. At the end of the road lies the former Synagogue (1876). In the 19th century, the village was home to a thriving Jewish community. The sanctuary has since been abandoned and has now been converted into a fire station. At the junction, if you so wish, you can go along rue de la Chapelle from the synagogue to a Shrine (18th century) dedicated to the Virgin Mary. A crucifix (1811) stands in front of the shrine. Otherwise, take rue du Maréchal Leclerc to return to the village hall while admiring the various restored farmhouses. Nearby, you will see St. Arbogast Church (1765-1846). It was built around an old spire doorway probably dating back to the Romanesque period. All the furniture in the church goes back to the 19th century with the exception of the pulpit (1770). The Stiehr-Mockers organ (18181819) still has its Empire-style case. Duppigheim is still an agricultural village, although it has been modernised with new facilities due to the period of economic growth that began in the 1970s. Near the petrol station on the RD 392 road, is a memorial stele to Jean Bugatti, who was killed at this very place in 1939 when he was testing out a car that was to run in the Le Mans race.
Duttlenheim The large village of Duttlenheim was first mentioned around the year one thousand. It is located on the RD 392 road, to the south-east of Molsheim. At the heart of the village, St. Louis Church (1777) perfectly illustrates the Neo-classical style of the 18th century. Its façade is decorated with a beautiful sundial (1705) pointing due south, while the chancel is occupied by an imposing high altar representing Louis IX (St. Louis), King of France and Patron Saint of the Church. Opposite this monument stands the old village hall/school (1864), another building in the Classical tradition that has seen many uses. Its main façade is surmounted by a curious pediment. Among the many wells dotted throughout the village, the one in impasse des Francs-Bourgeois is of particular interest with its solid cistern, now converted into a flower tub. The wooden winch, around which the chain is rolled, is sheltered by a saddle roof covered with old tiles. At the end of rue de l’Ecole, take rue de la Poste where the former synagogue used to stand, as witnessed by a fine inscription in Hebrew. The walk continues down rue de la Chapelle which leads you to a small private shrine (1808) erected following a vow. Go up route du Général-De-Gaulle towards the crossroads where a magnificent Baroque cross stands (1718). Restored during the 19th century, this monument erected on the initiative of two ladies, presents Christ on the cross with Mary and St. John on either side. You come back to the starting point by rue De-Lattre-de-Tassigny and rue du Centre where you can admire several traditional half-timbered farmhouses including the oldest house in the village (1578). The presbytery (1764) is typical of vicarages built in Alsace during the 18th century.
Ergersheim At the crossroads of the RD 30 road leading from Molsheim to Furdenheim and the cycle track along the Bruche canal, lies Ergersheim, traditionally a wine-growing and agricultural village. Starting from place de l’Eglise, you take rue de l’Ecole, which runs along the monastery belonging to a community of Cistercian monks.
Along the vineyard trail, you discover St. Michel Chapel (12th century), which is the only sign left of Rimlen, a village mentioned in records dating back to 884. The village gradually disappeared over a period of nearly three centuries. The main cause was the paucity of the land. Fields were located in the Bruche valley, but the river regularly flooded, washing away the good earth and the crops. The chapel is renowned for its powerful field of positive vibrations. Continuing along the vineyard trail, you cross the Kefferberg vineyard and return to the village over the hills, profiting from a very pretty view over the whole region. As you go towards the north, along the cemetery, you can discover traces of Altbronn, a village not far from Dahlenheim that has now also vanished. Indeed, from 1348 to 1350, the Black Death spread throughout Europe and the Plague was made even worse due to extensive pillaging. Nowadays, all that is left is the pilgrim's chapel "Maria Altbronn" and a farm. When you come out, you can continue towards the Horn (Wolxheim) or retrace your steps. At the end of June, a gourmet's walk is organised connecting all these routes, giving you the opportunity of discovering not only the beautiful landscapes, but also the excellent local wines.
Ernolsheim-sur-Bruche With its 1,700 inhabitants, Ernolsheim-sur-Bruche welcomes everyone who wants to discover the charm of its old quarter and Bruche canal banks. To explore the beauty of the area, we invite you to take a stroll lasting just over one hour. From the town hall, you go down rue Principale, and straight away you will see the picturesque Urendorf chateau built in the Renaissance style. Erected in 1554, it belonged in turn to several noble families. Today it has been converted into a farm and is privately owned.
Continue down rue Principale until you get to the bridge over the river Bruche. On your left, as you walk along the canal banks, take the time to admire the former washhouse. After the bridge, stop a while before the very fine Bildstock (wayside shrine - 1865). Retrace your steps a little and go onto the cycle track that runs along the Bruche canal towards Ergersheim. You can take a highly enjoyable country walk on the dyke along the canal built in 1682 by Vauban. It runs all the way from Wolxheim to Strasbourg.
Just before lock number 3, cross over the canal taking the small footbridge and return to the village via rue du Ch창teau. After crossing over rue Principale, go to the village hall via rue du Milieu, rue du Soleil and then rue Haute. These streets take you round the church and you can feast your eyes on some lovely Alsatian houses on the way.
Gresswiller Located after the first neck of Bruche valley, Gresswiller suddenly comes into view as you come round a rocky outcrop. The village nestles in a small hollow on the right bank of the river. The village has a long history with records going back to 849. We invite you to take a short walk starting at the church. It is without any doubt the most interesting building in the village. The nave was reconstructed in 1766, and its late Gothic spire is particularly noteworthy for its lintel representing St. Martin sharing his cloak with a poor man in high relief (1523). The church furniture dates from the 18th century. The wooden wainscoting in the chancel is covered in brown paint hiding a rocaille décor. The painting on the high altar represents St. Martin. In the nave, the left lateral altar is decorated with a gilt statue of the Virgin and the right-hand altar is dedicated to St. Catherine. The organ was built by Michel Stiehr in 1812-1813. Around the church, you can admire many tombstones from the 18th and 19th centuries. But what you mustn't miss is the miniature holy sepulchre (circa 1500) built into the wall of the old cemetery. In the school building on every second Sunday in the month, you can also discovery the planetary system. A marvellous device simulates the movement of the Earth, moon and planets. It also indicates the day and the month. It has been built by a local retired engineer who is keen on mechanics. Coming out via rue de l’Eglise, go towards place de la Liberté and continue up rue du Général de Gaulle where a bronze plaque denotes the birthplace of Auguste Dubois (1892-1973). This artist is particularly famous for his silk-screen paintings. He reproduced scenes of everyday life and ordinary people in the first half of the 20th century. Now take rue du Moulin at the end of which are the premises of the former tooling factory called Coulaux. Here, you can spend a few moments listening to the rushing waters that used to drive the factory's tilt hammers.
Soultz-les-Bains Nestling between the Mossig and the Jesselberg, Soultz-les-Bains awaits your visit to reveal its many treasures. To discover the village, we invite you on a walk of just over one hour. Starting from the village hall (mairie), go down rue de Strasbourg, and you will see the tower of the old lime kiln (1920), the last vestige of several lime kilns built at the foot of the royal quarry. Cross the Mossig river and go onto the cycle track leading to Molsheim. Breathe in the tranquillity while strolling up to AllĂŠe des Bains. Admire St. Amand chapel, which has been beautifully restored and is located in the park of the thermal baths of Sulzbad. Come back to the village hall. Cross the road and go down rue Saint Maurice, to the Pieta Shrine. This tiny 18thcentury shrine shelters a charming Our Lady of Pity in painted wood. Go down rue de la Chapelle. Take the country lane to Holzbrunnen. This 19th century sandstone fountain has been set up where a wooden trough for watering cattle used to stand. Go down towards the valley and return to the village. Before returning to the village hall, stop at St. Maurice Church. Note the spire, tympanum and organ. For a fuller visit, go along the Blockhouse Trail. This circuit is sign-posted and very educational about the belt of fortifications built for the 1st World War. You also get some magnificent views overlooking the area and Biblenhof farm (1750). We strongly advise you to take this additional walk.
Wolxheim A picturesque wine-growing village, Wolxheim nestles between the leafy Bruche canal and its famous vineyards. We invite you on a walk from the village hall (mairie). Take either rue du Horn or rue du Rott, and go through the vineyards and climb up towards Horn Hill. This hill provides a splendid platform for a panoramic view of the entire area. The Sacred Heart Statue was erected in 1912 as a symbol of peace so desired by the inhabitants. Via one of the vineyard paths, you now go down towards St. Denis Chapel (16th century) which you can see at the heart of the vines as you look down. In the cemetery around the chapel, there are several statues decorating the tombs made by the sculptor Philippe Grass, who was born in the area and sculpted the statue of General Kléber in Strasbourg. Going through the housing estate, go on towards the Canal district, created in 1682 when the Bruche canal was built between Wolxheim and Strasbourg. If you have time, take a walk in this district from St. Léon's House. From the road, you can spot the royal quarries operated under Vauban, the thermal baths of Sulzbad and its former ice cellar, and some beautiful bourgeois mansions of bygone times. Come back to St. Léon's House, cross over the small bridge and admire the large and small sluice gates of Avolsheim. Retrace your steps and take the cycle path along the Bruche canal towards Strasbourg. This refurbished dyke is today a marvellous route to take in an unparalleled country setting. At the next bridge, leave the dyke and come back to the village. After the old washhouse, take rue du Moulin and then rue des Vignerons, to come back to the village hall.
Molsheim
â–ź
A former Episcopal and university town, and the cradle of Bugatti cars, Molsheim has inherited a rich past. As you come out of the Tourist Office, you can see the Metzig (1583) or "Great Butcher's Shop", dominating the central square with its Renaissance gables, its double stairway and clock with figurines.
Take rue Jenner, at the corner of which is a beautiful halftimbered house (chemist's shop). Before arriving at cour des Chartreux, take the time to admire the Chapter House (1626). You are now on the site of the former Charterhouse (1598-1792), another architectural treasure with its large cloisters, monks' cells and the old priory which today houses the Charterhouse Museum and the Bugatti Foundation. (open from 2nd May till 15th October)
Bruxelles Luxembour g Paris
Rhin Francfort
Strasbourg CCMOLSHEIM MUTZIG
Offenbourg
A35 A5 Colmar Fribourg
Lyon Bâle
▼
Zürich Milan Genève
Continue along rue de la Chartreuse, until you come to place du Marché where you will find the former tithe barn (tax office – 18th century) and a pieta (18th century). Go down rue de Saverne, admiring the beautiful facades as you go. Go back to the Mint House where the Bishops of Strasbourg coined money. Continue towards the former Jesuit church (1615-1617), a witness to the time of the Counter-Reformation when, for a while, the town became the religious capital of Alsace, opposing the Protestant town of Strasbourg.
Go up rue Notre Dame and discover the Blacksmiths' Gate (14th century), a vestige of the Mediaeval town walls. Come back towards the Metzig, admiring the interesting facades and beautiful perspectives along the way.
â–ź
Mutzig
Located at the gateway to the Bruche valley, the town of Mutzig occupies a strategic position on the slopes of the first foothills of the Vosges mountains. Our walk starts out at the East entrance to the town by the 14th-century tower gateway still called the "Untertor" today. This is the largest remaining vestige of the Mediaeval fortifications. The gun holes and oriel window show that the structure was raised in the 16th century.
Continue along rue du Château to get to rue du 18 novembre 1918 and go up this street until you reach a magnificent Renaissance house, the mansion of the Landsberg family. Go under the gateway and continue in the inner courtyard until you come to the oldest synagogue in Alsace (1787). Mutzig was once the headquarters of the rabbinate and home to a large Jewish community. Through a door in the wall hiding the place of worship, we come out into rue Haute. Go towards the church. The spire of this imposing Neo-Gothic building (1879) is 72 metres high, the tallest in the Bruche valley. Retrace your steps and your eyes are drawn to a curious onion-shaped tower. It stands on the Town Hall, a Classical-style building built in 1742. In the openings of the bell-tower, a head puts out its tongue and moves its ears when the clock strikes the hour and half-hour. You then come to place de la Fontaine. The basin of the fountain dates back to 1911 and the recent column shaft replaced a monument erected in 1667. A beautiful view opens up before you with the Mediaeval tower in the background, where you started your walk. Finally, if you are interested in German military architecture, do not miss "Kaiser Wilhelm II" Fort (1893-1916). (open from May till September).
Other sites to see are the five chapels: St-Wendelin (1566), St-Jacques (1626), Notre-Dame de Lorette (1666), TrinitĂŠ (1740), Heilighiesel (1742).
â–ź Now take the picturesque passage des Lavoirs where small houses nestle against the town walls to come to Rohan chateau. This "Wasserburg"-type building had its hour of glory in the 18th century when it became the Episcopal residence of the four Rohan Cardinals. Opposite lie the premises of the former Firearms Manufactory. This is where the famous chassepot rifle was produced, named after its inventor who was born in Mutzig.
Walks and heritage The walks we suggest, in this leaflet will help you appreciate our rich architectural heritage …
Located at the heart of Alsace, just 20 kilometres from
STRASBOURG, the District Community of the MOLSHEIM-MUTZIG region with its 14 towns and villages, boasts that very special charm of being an exceptional area where you find beauty at every turn. This invitation is more than a mere lesson in history and architecture - it is a journey through a land where Man perpetuates tradition, where a lifestyle has emerged from what was once a necessity. The land, rocks and water all whisper their story… So stray off the beaten track and visit these charming towns and villages where you are sure to find a top-quality welcome in an attractive setting. Explore the area at your own pace and let yourself be caught up in history and legends.
Office de Tourisme** Région de Molsheim-Mutzig 19 Place de l’Hôtel de Ville F-67120 MOLSHEIM Tél : +33 (0)3 88 38 11 61 Fax: +33 (0)3 88 49 80 40 infos@ot-molsheim-mutzig.com www.ot-molsheim-mutzig.com
REALISATION STUDIO PAT 67120 DORLISHEIM - RC SAVERNE 302557038
The District Tourist Office of the MOLSHEIM-MUTZIG region also offers a series of guided tours and theme days that reveal all the wonder and attraction of these fascinating places.