Bouxwiller has two distinct sides: its old town tells the story of a long urban history, while the Bastberg is home to a distinctive limestone landscape with dry grasslands. The town also has museums that offer different perspectives on the region and its history. You can shape your stay around the subjects that interest you most.
Old town and museums: history from different perspectives
On July 24, 2023, the historic center and suburbs of Bouxwiller were classified as a “Site patrimonial remarquable” by ministerial decree. The designation recognizes their historic, architectural, archaeological, artistic and landscape value. Buildings from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries dominate the old town; the layout of its streets and lanes, however, dates back to the Middle Ages.
A discovery trail leads through Bouxwiller, past half-timbered houses, notable oriel windows and lanes. The former buildings of the seigneurial estate around Place du Château are also stops along the way. This means the focus is not only on individual façades, but also on the structure of the old town. Check the current version of the trail guide before setting out.
The Musée du Pays de Hanau is housed in two historic buildings: a 16th-century granary and a former 14th-century castle chapel. Both are listed as historic monuments. The museum explores the history, culture and natural environment of the Pays de Hanau. Games, interactive exhibits, films and listening stations are among the formats used to present these subjects.
The Musée Judéo-Alsacien has a different focus. It presents the culture of Alsatian Jews and their everyday life with their Christian neighbors. It also explains how three religions lived side by side. The museum offers self-guided visits, group tours by prior arrangement and educational visits. As visit formats may change, check the current options in advance. This lets you choose your visit according to whether you are more interested in the regional themes of the Musée du Pays de Hanau or Jewish life in the Alsatian context.
Bastberg: dry grasslands and biodiversity
The Bastberg is a warm, dry limestone promontory. Its characteristic dry grasslands support communities of rare plants. A total of 500 species have been recorded at the Bastberg, including southern insect species that reach the northern edge of their range there. The landscape can therefore be viewed not only in terms of its geology, but also through its distinctive habitats.
The Réserve naturelle régionale de Bastberg is free to visit and open for self-guided visits. Before your visit, follow nature conservation guidance and check for any access restrictions. If you would rather experience the landscape on a pump track, the Pumptrack de Bouxwiller is free and open to the public every day, around the clock. The track is suitable for bicycles, BMX bikes, scooters and inline skates, and features rollers, banked turns and technical sections. Check the latest safety guidance and the condition of the surface before using it.
Animal farm and seasonal highlights
At the foot of the Bastberg is the visitor-oriented Ferme Hexe Hoft. The animals include horses, ponies, chickens, rabbits and sheep. The grounds also have gardens and fruit trees, a barefoot trail, a drinks station and a picnic area. As visitor arrangements and animal offerings may change, check the latest information before you travel. The “Atelier du parfait petit fermier” workshop is offered by reservation and subject to the schedule, so check your preferred date in advance.
Another seasonal highlight is the Bouxwiller Christmas market, which attracts thousands of visitors every year. If the market determines when you travel, check the dates for that year’s event. The pretzel is also part of local tradition: Bouxwiller is described as its place of origin.
There are several different themes to choose from: the historic town layout, the regional and cultural subjects covered by the museums, or the landscape and its biodiversity. You can decide which ones will shape your stay based on the visitor offerings available.
Discover more destinations: Nothalten, La Petite-Pierre, Niederschaeffolsheim, Kirchheim, Duttlenheim, Kertzfeld, Saales, Rangen
Go to the overview of destinations: Bas-Rhin.
