Several themes come together for a stay in Natzwiller: the history of the former Natzweiler-Struthof concentration camp, resistance to Nazi rule, and hiking trails with scenic or historical connections. The former concentration camp in Natzwiller is now the Musée des Déportés. As you plan your visit, you can consider whether to focus on the memorial site and exhibitions or set aside time for hikes as well. Local attractions range from exhibitions on the history of the camp and European resistance to trails offering views of the valley or links to historical sites.
Memorial Site and Remembrance
The Musée des Déportés displays various objects collected at the camp in Barrack No. 1 and traces the history of National Socialism. The former concentration camp is protected under France’s historic monuments system. The museum and its protected status offer two different points of reference for understanding the site: as a place of remembrance today and as a historical heritage site.
The Centre européen du résistant déporté (CERD) offers another perspective. Its 2,000 m² of exhibition space presents the history of resistance in Europe to fascist and Nazi rule. While the Musée des Déportés focuses on the history of National Socialism and objects collected at the camp, the CERD broadens the subject to include European resistance.
The Nécropole Nationale in Natzwiller contains 1,118 graves of French people who died during deportation at KL-Natzweiler or in other camps. Its historical significance is linked to this specific fact: the memorial site commemorates people who died not only at KL-Natzweiler but also in other camps.
Another aspect of the local heritage is the Chapelle de Notre-Dame de Lourdes. It probably dates from the late 19th or early 20th century.
Hiking Trails Between Landscape and History
The Sentier panoramique invites you to discover the local trees and plant life, and offers views of the Rothaine Valley landscape. One variation of the trail allows for a round trip to the former granite quarry of the Struthof camp. This route therefore brings together plant life and valley views on the one hand, and a historically significant destination on the other.
The Chemin des Déportés also offers several points of reference to help you plan. The trail runs about 4 km from Rothau railway station to the former camp; information panels explain the history of the route and introduce visitors to the memorial site. The Chemin des Déportés is 8 km long as a circular hike, with an elevation gain of 350 m. These distance and elevation details can help you gauge the planned length of your hike. As routes and details may change due to maintenance, check the latest information before setting out.
Hiking trail C22 connects the former Auberge du Struthof, which became the gas chamber, with the former pink granite quarry. It passes through the grounds of the former Natzweiler-Struthof concentration camp. The route thus links several historical sites: the former Auberge, the camp grounds and the quarry.
Discover more destinations: Wolfisheim, Niedersteinbach, Mollkirch, Bourgheim, Dieffenbach-Au, Salenthal, Betschdorf, Ergersheim.
Go to the broader travel overview: Bas-Rhin.
