Châtenois offers several distinct highlights for exploring the area: ecclesiastical architecture, preserved towers, recurring June events and trails overlooking the Alsatian landscape. The Saint-Georges Church and the Sainte-Croix Chapel represent different chapters in the town’s history; the Tour des Sorcières combines a medieval structure with a sobering historical memory. For planning, there are also the Slow-Up and the Sentier des Murailles et des Vignes. The key is whether you would rather spend your time exploring buildings, attending an event or taking a panoramic walk.
Churches and towers: different eras
Saint-Georges Church was built between 1759 and 1761. During its construction, the bell tower of the former Romanesque church was preserved and incorporated into the new building. Its history therefore encompasses both an 18th-century church and an element of its Romanesque predecessor. The protected status also differs between parts of the building: the bell tower is classified as a Monument historique, while the nave and choir are listed as a Monument historique.
At Châtenois’s fortified cemetery, the Tour des Sorcières is the only surviving tower of several. The Gothic gateway dates from the 15th century and was altered in 1830. It also recalls the witch trials held in Châtenois, in which several people accused of witchcraft were burned. This structure thus brings architectural history together with a difficult historical memory.
The Sainte-Croix Chapel dates from 1709 and was originally associated with a pilgrimage. It has been listed as a Monument historique since 29 October 2001. However, the designation does not cover the south door or its canopy. The chapel therefore offers another historical point of reference, distinct from Saint-Georges and the Tour des Sorcières in both its date and its original connection to pilgrimage.
June: heritage and outdoor activities
The Fête des Remparts takes place every year on the second weekend of June in the streets of Châtenois; the exact dates may vary from year to year. The programme includes discoveries of local heritage and demonstrations of traditional crafts. If you would like to plan your visit around the festival, check the dates for that year when making your plans.
The Slow-Up takes place every year on the first weekend of June. Its route runs between Sélestat, Châtenois and Bergheim along the Route des Vins and the Véloroute du Vignoble. You can experience the Slow-Up on foot, by bicycle or on roller skates. The two June events therefore offer different experiences: the Fête des Remparts programme focuses on heritage and traditional crafts, while the Slow-Up centres on the route and the different ways to explore it. Here, too, the exact dates may vary from year to year.
Panoramic views and route planning
The Sentier des Murailles et des Vignes offers walkers exceptional panoramic views of the Alsatian plain. Across the communes of Dieffenthal, Scherwiller and Châtenois, the trail features 15 points of interest across three routes. The description therefore covers an attraction that spans several communes.
When deciding whether this walking option suits your plans, accessibility matters as well as the views: the Sentier des Murailles et des Vignes is not suitable for pushchairs or for people with reduced mobility. The Slow-Up can be experienced on foot, by bicycle or on roller skates. The buildings, June events and trails thus offer different ways to explore Châtenois, without requiring a single itinerary to suit every visitor.
Discover more destinations: Mommenheim, Bernardvillé, Wimmenau, Hochfelden, Ichtratzheim, Itterswiller, Grandfontaine, La Petite-Pierre
Back to the main travel overview: Bas-Rhin.
