One of Niederhaslach’s defining landmarks is the Collégiale Saint-Florent: its large portal dates from 1310 and depicts the Annunciation, the Coronation of the Virgin Mary and the legend of Saint Florent. There are also chapels, works of art and village history to explore. When planning your stay, you can choose between sacred art, historic sites and a signposted walking route to focus on what interests you most.
The Collégiale Saint-Florent and its artworks
The Collégiale Saint-Florent was built from 1274 on the site of an older structure dating from the early 7th century. Since 1846, the building has been classified as a French historic monument, or Monument historique. The portal and the building’s history thus span different periods: construction of the later building began in the 13th century, while the portal dates from the early 14th century.
The windows in the side aisles also date from the 14th century. Their imagery draws on scenes from the Bible and the lives of the saints. The Marian chapel houses a monumental Holy Sepulchre dating from the late 14th century. It has been preserved intact, without significant alterations. These examples offer a tangible impression of the different religious themes and periods represented in the Collégiale’s furnishings.
The Jardin du cloître contains other notable works. On the church wall is a bas-relief of the Mount of Olives dating from 1492, with traces of its polychromy still visible. The garden also contains heraldic tombstones from the 14th and 16th centuries, associated with the canons and local nobility. The relief and tombstones offer contrasting points of interest: a biblical scene on the one hand, and evidence of people and groups from local history on the other.
Chapels, Marian devotion and village tradition
The Chapelle du Marxhof adds to the picture of the area’s sacred history. After being destroyed during the Revolution, it was rebuilt and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary on 17 June 1804. It can be reached via Rue du Tir or Rue de la Chapelle and is open during the day. If you are planning a visit specifically to the chapel, check access details again beforehand.
Another statue of the Virgin Mary stands in Korbel, within the municipality of Niederhaslach: the blue-robed “Vierge Bleue.” It was created by the sculptor Rebel of Urmatt. Its construction came about at the request of workers from Niederhaslach who worked at the “Mullerhof” factory. The location, commission and sculptor each give the monument a distinct connection to local history.
The Saint Florent tradition also shapes the annual calendar: every year, on the Sunday after 6 November, a procession carrying the relics passes through Niederhaslach. If you wish to plan your trip around this event, check the exact date before making arrangements.
Circular route and nature conservation
For a hike, there is the signposted, 9-kilometre “Circuit des croix” circular route. It offers a chance to discover some wayside crosses; a brochure is available at the town hall. Independently, the municipality also provides a leaflet for a walking tour of the village, where you can discover the canons’ houses. Of the 12 recorded houses, 10 remain more or less recognisable—the buildings have therefore been preserved to varying degrees.
Alongside its cultural monuments, nature conservation is also part of the picture in the area. Niederhaslach is affected by a Natura 2000 protected area of the “Zone de Protection Spéciale” type, located on the ridges of the Donon-Schneeberg massif. In the municipal forest, a 4.93-hectare succession island provides what is considered a favourable and stable habitat for the capercaillie.
When planning your trip, you can weigh up the different options: the Collégiale and the chapels offer dated architectural and art history, while the “Circuit des croix” is a clearly defined circular route with wayside crosses. The procession, in turn, is an annual event. This makes it possible to shape your trip around a particular theme without combining the different activities into a fixed itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Kilstett, Bischwiller, Dambach-La-Ville, Souffelweyersheim, Osthouse, Oberbronn, Bitschhoffen, Bust
For the regional travel overview: Bas-Rhin.
