A town hall clock with three carved figures, an old plane tree avenue and walks along the banks of the Ill River reveal different sides of Benfeld. For your planning, you can choose local history, a route along the Muhlbach and relaxation by the water as separate highlights. This lets you tailor your cultural and nature experiences to your interests.
Local history: museum, town hall and synagogue
At the Musée et Maison du patrimoine, you can explore several facets of Benfeld’s history: the museum displays archaeological finds, collections of old documents and a model of the town as it looked in 1631. Admission is free. You can visit independently or book a guided tour for groups. If you are planning a visit with a group, be sure to register; for an individual visit, a self-guided tour is another option.
A distinctive feature of the town hall is its Jacquemart clock, dating from 1620. It has three automata carved from oak: Prudentia, la Mort and Justitia. During the season, the town hall and its Jacquemart can be visited on a guided tour by reservation. As this option is seasonal, check the latest dates and availability before travelling.
The synagogue on Rue de la Dîme is another landmark in Benfeld’s architectural and local history. It was first built in 1845 and expanded in 1875 with two side galleries. Its frescoes were created by the artist Achille Metzger in 1922. Of particular historical significance, it was the only synagogue in Alsace that was not desecrated by the Nazis. Its architectural history and frescoes offer a different perspective from the museum collections or the automata at the town hall.
Plane Tree Avenue and the banks of the Ill River
For walks, a specific point of reference leads out of Benfeld towards Huttenheim: Allée des Platanes begins near Rue de la Digue and follows the Muhlbach, a branch of the Ill, as far as Huttenheim. The avenue is lined with 49 plane trees planted more than 200 years ago. In June 2017, it received the “Arbres Remarquables” label, awarded by the ARBRES association.
The banks of the Ill in Benfeld are ideal for family walks and moments of relaxation. The Circuit de l’Ill is a different point of reference: the route highlights the importance of the Ill as the largest river in Alsace, and three structures can be seen along the way. When planning your time outdoors, you can choose between a named avenue, walks along the riverbanks and a route with structures to look out for.
Plan d’eau: beach and swimming season
Benfeld’s Plan d’eau has a sandy beach, a table tennis table, a volleyball court and a changing room. Swimming in the beach area is supervised from mid-June to the end of August. If you would like to plan your visit around supervised swimming, check the latest operating dates before travelling. The facilities by the water and the walking opportunities along the Ill add a different focus to the historical visits, without requiring a fixed itinerary.
Getting there and finding accommodation
Benfeld is on the RD1083 and a railway line, giving it excellent road and rail connections. When looking for a hotel in Benfeld, you can first consider which experiences you want to shape your trip: the museum, town hall and synagogue history, or walks, the banks of the Ill and a seasonal visit to the beach. If a guided tour of the town hall or a group tour of the museum is part of your plans, allow for the relevant reservation or registration.
Discover more destinations: Mollkirch, Gerstheim, Mittelbergheim, Osthoffen, Petersbach, Uhlwiller, Wingen, Vendenheim
For the overview of the wider region: Bas-Rhin.
